Bonner County moves to idle mud bog events
SANDPOINT - Bonner County is moving to shut down an off-road vehicle park it contends is operating without a conditional use permit.
The county's civil counsel filed suit against Kathleen Bryngelson and the Twisted Mud 'N Crawl in 1st District Court on Monday, according to court documents. The county is seeking a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction to bar future events from being held at the mud bog in the Clagstone area.
The county is also seeking attorneys' fees in the matter.
Bryngelson said on Wednesday she had not seen a civil complaint in the case or been served with a summons.
"It's just for friends and family," Bryngelson said of the park. She had no further comment.
Bonner County Deputy Prosecutor William Wilson said in court filings that Bryngelson has been routinely organizing and advertising mud bog events on the property and collecting admission fees.
A Facebook post advertised an event last weekend, with "suggested donations" for adult and children admission, in addition to camping. Wilson said Bryngelson planned to expand offerings at the park to include alcohol sales and food services, according to court documents.
The park is located in a rural zoning district with 10-acre minimums, which means it is subject to conditional use permit approval from the county, Wilson said in the complaint.
The permit process would require Bryngelson to demonstrate there is legal and adequate emergency access. It would also require her to work with the Panhandle Health District regarding potable water, sewage disposal service and food services.
Bryngelson would also have to engage with the Idaho Department of Water Resources regarding use of water at the site.
Landowners in the area filed zoning complaints with the Bonner County Planning Department earlier this month, court records indicate. They contend events at the park have disrupted their rural neighborhood with loud vehicles and music, fights, foul language, gunfire, litter and trespassing.
Bryngelson was notified of the zoning complaint and the need for a conditional use permit, but the county contends she has ignored the requirement and continued holding events.
"The continuing operation of the mud bog in question poses an imminent risk of irreparable harm to both Bonner County and a group of neighbors who surround the disputed property," Wilson said in a memorandum in support of the county's motions.
Bryngelson, Wilson wrote, denied that last weekend's event even took place.
"This recalcitrant behavior is further evidence of Ms. Bryngelson's intent to continue the offending activity and of the need for immediate judicial intervention before serious harm occurs," Wilson said in the memo.