Church will pursue camp expansion

The owners of Camp MiVoden on Hayden Lake are willing to do whatever it takes to convince the Kootenai County Commission that a large expansion won’t harm the lake or its neighbors.

Kootenai County Hearing Examiner Gary Young recently recommended denial of the Seventh-day Adventists camp’s proposal to more than double the capacity to 600 people.

Young said that the expansion is too large and that the camp needs to specifically address concerns such as the lake’s water quality, boat usage and potential aquatic weed problems. The report also stated that the camp needs to provide ways to reduce impacts on traffic, roads and potential noise.

Many neighbors and the conservation group Save Hayden Lake echoed similar concerns about water quality, noise and road problems.

“We are willing and able to provide the information to the county, and I think it will show what we are going to do isn’t going to be detrimental, but in fact beneficial, to the community,” camp administration director Richard Parker said. “The goal of the development is not to try to build a city or a lot of tract homes but for our guests to come to a natural setting.”

The Kootenai County Commission will have the final say on Camp MiVoden’s request for a conditional use permit. It’s likely the commission will have a public hearing before making a decision.

The land has been used as a camp since 1925. In 1940 the church took over the 545-acre camp to provide youths with a natural setting where they can develop spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally, Parker said. Other local churches and nonreligious groups also use the camp.

As the area’s population grows, the demand on Camp MiVoden also increases, Parker said. This summer 1,800 people attended the camp over three months.

The camp’s first-phase plan is to build new cabins, a shop, a commons building and a boathouse in addition to a new dock and water recreation area.

Future phases call for even more cabins, a mountain lodge, a convention center, a welcome center, staff housing and 50 RV spaces. Also on the list are a dining hall, indoor recreation center, nature center, ranger residences and five backcountry shelters.

More than 54 people attended the August public hearing to speak in opposition to camp expansion while about 30 people supported the request.

Some neighbors argued they fear enlarging the camp will hurt Hayden Lake’s already dwindling water quality, the peaceful neighborhood near Mokins Bay and traffic on Mokins Bay and East Hayden Lake roads.

“The proposed expansion will negatively impact the water quality, the quiet enjoyment of property owners who pay real estate taxes,” wrote Hayden Lake resident Kevin Guthrie on a comment sheet presented to Young.

The property is tax-exempt because it is owned by the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Robert Zaharie, who owns land in nearby Gem Shores, supports the camp expansion.

“I believe they will treat the lake and property with respect the same as I will when I build my home,” he wrote.

Parker said the camp is willing to present more specific plans for storm water systems and ways to protect water quality as well as ways to mitigate traffic concerns. As for lake congestion, Parker said campers usually boat only on the weekdays, which is complementary because the lake’s heaviest use is on the weekends.