County supervisors came under attack at the board’s January 16th meeting after a proposed camping ordinance landed on the supervisors’ desks for approval.
However, Planning Director Maurice Anderson took the podium, advising the board to postpone a decision at this meeting. It had come to their attention that changes were needed to the ordinance based on input from those living around Eagle Lake’s communities—individuals whose lifestyles revolve around camping and recreating around the lakeshore.
Anderson presented a draft of the Camping General Plan Amendment, approved through the Planning Commission. This document addressed goals and policies related to concerns about increased camping on public lands in the county. The goals include updating camping laws to align with recent case law, ensuring the safety and well-being of the homeless community, and preserving the rights of others to use public areas as intended. The recommendation from the planning commission was to adopt the updated ordinance, allowing camping on private property in specific areas and proposing the creation of a Camping Combining District to rezone appropriate areas for more intensive camping.
Residents from communities such as Spaulding, Stones Bengard, and Bucks Landing expressed concern that the ordinance would prevent family and friends from camping on their property during summer. They highlighted their lack of knowledge about the new law, which many felt threatened their way of life.
Local Realtor Sue Cenotti told the supervisors that this ordinance would impact the area’s real estate market as people would be deterred from buying due to the requirement of obtaining a permit from the county before camping on their own property, and for limited amounts of time throughout the year.
Eagle Lake was frequently referred to as the sole tourist attraction in the county, and many believed that a camping ordinance of this nature would devastate any chance the county had of capitalizing on its recreational opportunities.
Though the board agreed with the planning director to withhold making a decision on the ordinance until community input was thoroughly considered, they also expressed the desire to include exemptions for the communities around the lake that embrace the camping culture.
The supervisors strongly emphasized that there is a dire need for a camping ordinance in many other county areas, largely to prevent squatters and long-term fifth-wheel living situations that, at times, have led to illegal activities.
The community’s concerns were heard, and the ordinance will be revisited for a new public hearing once revised, though no specific timeline was provided.
