County could settle Kingsway dispute this week

Monday, April 09, 2007

Peninsula News Network

Clallam County, wA - Clallam County commissioners might finally settle a 5-year old battle over a local church camp this week, after they’re briefed behind closed doors by county staff.

The county and the King’s Way Foursquare Church have been at odds for more than 5-years now over the church’s plans to build what it calls “Camp Kingsway”, a facility where youth activities can be held throughout the summer months as part of the church’s programs.

But the plans have always drawn fire from neighbors in the rural area along Kitchen-Dick Road, and the county has struggled with how to approach the proposal. Three years ago, the county approved one version of the plans, only to have the church sue, claiming the regulations were infringing on their “ministry” and “freedom of religion”.

The county and the church reached an out-of-court settlement on that suit several months ago. But some of the neighbors claimed that agreement had been reached without adequate public input. A Jefferson County judge ordered the county to try again.

In January, commissioners heard arguments during a public hearing, and then asked staff to prepare a legal analysis of the history in the case in early February. That report has taken much longer than first expected, but the board is scheduled to get a briefing in a closed-door executive session Tuesday morning.