The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George is seeking a court order to shut down a campground on the north shore of Summit Lake, alleging the use has exceeded the length of a temporary use permit for the site.
Bernard Dale Chingee and Justin Harris Chingee are named as defendants in two notices of civil claim the RDFFG filed June 26 in B.C. Supreme Court in Prince George.
It says a three-year temporary use permit for the site expired on May 15 “and there currently exists no permit or approval which would allow any use which is not in compliance with the regional district zoning requirements.”
In part, the RDFFG is seeking an order that would require the defendants to remove all buildings, campers and equipment and to remediate the site back to its previous state and, if they fail to do so, authorization for the RDFFG to carry out the work at the defendants’ cost.
Loons Haven Resort is located at a site on Caine Creek Road, according to an internet search.
According to a RDFFG staff report presented to directors when the permit was issued in April 2014, it holds 22 double-occupancy campsites for recreational vehicles and tents along with day use and boat launch facilities. It was the second time a three-year permit was issued. The first was issued in April 2011.
RDFFG spokesperson Renee McCloskey said it appears the campground remains in operation.
She declined to comment on the case specifically, as it is before the court.
“In general terms, our land use bylaws, permits and regulations are in place to guide development while balancing the needs of the communities within the Regional District,” McCloskey said in an email.
“When it is determined a property owner is acting outside the permitted use for their land, we try and work with the property owner to bring them to compliance voluntarily.
“If voluntary compliance is not achieved, our only recourse is to work through the court system to achieve compliance.”
It was not clear if the defendants have been served with the notices. Once they have been, they have 21 days to respond. Nothing from the defendants has yet been filed and the allegations have not yet been tested in court.
- A previous version of this story incorrectly identified Camp Echo, which is operated by Scouts Canada, as the location. The Citizen regrets the error.
