County seeks to shut down junkyard

OLDTOWN — Bonner County is suing two out-of-state landowners accused of operating an illegal junkyard.

Deputy Prosecutor William Wilson is seeking an injunction forcing Arley and Patricia Lawrence to close down the operation at 410 S. Spruce Ave.

The junkyard was discovered in February of last year by a Bonner County Planning Department compliance investigator, according to court documents. The investigator noted that there were large quantities of scrap materials and other trash in heaps, all of which was plainly visible from the street.

At the time of the discovery, the property was owned by Victor Hamilton.

Under the county’s land use code, a collection of four or more inoperable, unregistered vehicles constitutes a junkyard. Junkyards are impermissible in suburban zoning districts.

The county advised Hamilton of the code violation via certified mail in February and June of last year, the civil complaint said. The county received a letter in July 2015 indicating that the property was now owned by the Lawrences, who reside in Newport.

The letter said the code violation would be resolved posthaste.

“However, a inspection conducted on Aug. 8, 2015, revealed no progress had been made,” Wilson said in the suit.

Wilson added that it further appeared that the accumulation of junk and scrap heaps had increased in size.