Camp Bay Road hearing today

SANDPOINT — Bonner County commissioners will reexamine a 2021 decision to vacate the final section of Camp Bay Road today at 1:30 p.m.

The debate attempts to answer if the final section of Camp Bay Road near Sagle Road runs all the way to Lake Pend Oreille’s high-water mark, or ends at property now owned by M3 ID Camp Bay LLC.

The commissioners voted in early April to vacate the final 2,550 feet, or 2.93-acres, of the gravel road. Green Enterprises, Inc., which sought the vacation, said in documents submitted to the commission that the move is in the public interest because it would protect Lake Pend Oreille by moving the road further from the lakeshore.

Neighbors and citizens disagreed with the decision. Fred and Jennifer Arn filed suit against the county on May 4 alleging that county commissioners did not have the right to vacate the road based on an 11-point complaint.

First District Judge Cynthia K.C. Meyer found in favor of the Arns on Nov. 15, ruling the decision to vacate the road was not supported with substantial evidence, and that the commissioners exercised an “abuse of discretion” by cutting off a speaker during public comment.

The court then invited the commission to come up with a “more developed written decision for the county record.”