The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (British Columbia, Canada) has rejected a temporary use permit for a campground at the Hollies Executive Golf Course.
According to a report, the golf course, situated along Alberni Highway, has been in hot water since 2021 for hosting too many RVs.
The property is not zoned as a campground; however, the owner, Heather Powell, applied for a temporary use permit that allowed Hollies to alter the usage area for a short duration.
Mike Irg, the ACRD’s general manager of planning and development, said it hasn’t had the proper zoning or temporary use permit in place since June of 2020.
In a previous meeting, Cherry Creek Volunteer Fire Department Chief of Fire Lucas Banton had concerns about the close quarters of the campsites.
“When units are in close proximity to each other, that creates a perfect condition for rapid fire spread from one unit to others, giving occupants less time to escape safely,” he said to the ACRD board in a letter dated August 31, 2021.
ACRD directors were also concerned about the possibility of long-term occupancy in the campground.
They’re parked there for a long period of time, not just for overnight camping,” said Long Beach director Kel Roberts on March 23. “It does not appear to be a campsite for short-term occupancy.”
In past meetings, Powell has said that Hollies tried to provide shelter to people in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The owner can apply for rezoning the property. However, Irg says that a rezoning proposal hasn’t been filed.
ACRD directors met on March 23 to refuse a temporary use permit. Hollies is given until June 30 to take down the campsite and bring the property back into compliance.
This story originally appeared on Alberni Valley News.