By ROY WOOD

In what seems a small victory for Councillor Petra Veitimilla and possibly common sense, council has agreed to increase the allowed number of open campfires in a campground.

Under the fire control bylaw amended Monday, a campground in the town will be permitted one open, wood-based campfire per 25 campsites on the property.

At a meeting two weeks ago, council approved a restriction to one per campground, no matter how many sites it might contain.

Veitimilla was the lone member of council to object then, suggesting a more moderated approach based on campfires per number of sites.

The item came back to a council on Monday and, in the interim, Councillor Larry Schwartzenberger and Mayor Ron Hovanes changed views and voted with first-term councillor Veintimilla. Councillor Mo Doerr remained opposed.

The initial recommendation from staff resulted from residential neighbors to the campground complaining about smoke.

Veitimilla pointed out Monday that there would be complaints whether there is one campfire or two on the property.

Schwartzenberger pointed out that the very neighbors who complain are permitted under the bylaw to have a small fire in the their back yard. “It seems unfair to have just one allowed per campground.”

He also successfully suggested an increase in the setback for campfires from adjoining properties and buildings from five to 10 metres.

The campfires are restricted to half a metre in width and height. They can’t be lit before 6 p.m. and must be out by 11 p.m. and they must consume only “dry, seasoned firewood.”

As well, “unreasonable nuisance … (from) drifting smoke, ash or unpleasant odour,” could result in the fire being ordered extinguished by bylaw enforcement.

Mayor Hovanes mentioned that there was no time during the 2017 tourist season when open fires were allowed, because of wildfire danger. He predicted the day is coming went campfires will be a thing of the past.

In a letter to ODN on Sunday, Lakeside Resort owner Paul Bouchard suggested that at least some of the complaints from residents about are “”unverified/unverifiable and at least some are entirely false.”

He urged council to “get the facts thoroughly vetted … and come up with a better solution.” Bouchard could not be reached for comment this morning. Lakeside has 67 sites and will be allowed two communal campfires under the new bylaw.