Late April could see the end of a long standing encampment along Garden Bay Road near the Meadow Creek bridge.
A Notice of Trespass order was served on those residing at the site by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) staff on March 29, according to an email Coast Reporter received from the ministry communications staff on April 5.
Spokesperson for the ministry’s local contractor Capilano Highways Tyler Lambert indicated the notice was served on behalf of a number of parties including the Ministry of the Environment. He said it provides those served with 30 days from the date of service to remove the encroachments from the road right of way before MOTI will have the authority to take action. Local crews will be advised about potential next steps “after that thirty day window has passed”, he stated.
“The ministry will continue to work with multiple agencies to resolve this situation and will monitor the site as people vacate,” ministry communications staffer, Murray Sinclair wrote in the email. He was unable to provide further details at that time.
Similar notices issued by MOTI in other similar situations off-Coast have notified the individuals that their occupation of the area is not authorized nor consented to. Those documents advised the individuals served to immediately vacate or they could be determined to be committing an offence under the Trespass Act.
Peter Robson of the Pender Harbour Residents Association stated his group is hopeful that those at the site will abide by the order. He said he had been advised that ministry has “some kind of site clean-up plan in the works.” He indicated that the association could get involved in that effort if it was necessary, “but we are hoping that the occupants will take their mess with them”.
