Church sues over denial of camp expansion

The Seventh-day Adventist Church is suing Kootenai County for rejecting a proposal to nearly double the capacity of its camp on Hayden Lake.

The appeal filed in 1st District Court Thursday states that the commission didn’t consider all the evidence provided to it by Camp MiVoden.

The church is asking a judge to review the December decision in which the commission said MiVoden officials didn’t provide enough information and questions remain about where the new cabins would be located, the sewer system and the slips for recreational vehicles.

The church also is requesting reimbursement of all legal costs.

Kootenai County Deputy Attorney John Cafferty said Friday he hadn’t reviewed the lawsuit and couldn’t comment.

After the December commission meeting, camp director Richard Parker said all the information was presented but the commission chose to listen to the vocal opposition.

At the time, Parker said the camp near Mokins Bay planned to resubmit plans for the proposed expansion that would allow for 440 campers. The proposal drew more than 1,300 public comments.