A land owner is shutting access to his property in Brackendale, and has posted signs warning people against trespassing.
“Squamish did not acquire public access when they expropriated the dike right of way on my land. Therefore 1050 Depot Road is private land and can’t tolerate trespassing,” says Don McCargar.
McCargar has also hired private security that will monitor his property for trespassers.
McCargar has a litigious history with the district.
In 2011, a judge ordered the district to give him a permit to build a modular home on the property. Two years later, the Ministry of Environment and the District issued a stop-work order. McCargar took both the district and the province to court in 2016, but the lawsuit was dismissed.
In May this year, district sent a legal notice to him for his plans for using the property as an RV campground.
Liability issues, he says, are a reason why he is closing off access to this land.
“Simply put, I can be sued if someone gets hurt on my property,” he says. He also says Depot Road is an environmentally sensitive area and the public doesn’t respect the riparian areas or environmental law.
McCargar also says people have been camping on his property and walking dogs off-leash, which exposes him to legal challenges were someone to get hurt.
“Major issue is insurance on the land will not cover this public use and exposes the landowner to further lawsuits,” he says.
Peter Legere says
Honi soit qui mal y pense.
Jean cameron says
I agree with the landowner It’s his land and most people do not respect the land dog owners been the worst They don’t pu the poop and if they do they just throw the bag into the nearest bush instead of taking it home