PRINCE GEORGE – Council has approved a new step in how to manage Moccasin Flats, gating accessibility at Fifth Avenue and Ottawa Street
A report was presented from Administration suggesting closure of both entrances and exits to the encampment, citing an obligation on behalf of the City to ensure safety.
“We are still obliged to mitigate hazards on the site,” noted the Director of Administrative Services Eric Depenau. “We’re recommending that Council uses its authority under the Community Charter under Section 38, subsection 1 to temporarily access this road.”
In the report, Administration noted the rationale for the closure as such:
* Several fires have occurred in these recreational vehicles. These structures are not intended for full-time occupation and do not appear to have been contemplated for in the decision rendered by the Honourable Chief Justice Hinkson related to this site. A volume of call outs have been received by the Prince George Fire Rescue Services in response to these vehicles since 2021.
* The road access was initially constructed by the City for emergency vehicle access.
* Unfettered access has attracted additional unintended motor vehicle traffic through the area.
* Illegal dumping, suspected by the type of items being found on site, is expected to be mitigated by restricting vehicle access.
* The City has invested considerable resources into remediating the site to maintain safer conditions for the adjacent neighbourhood and those sheltering on the site, and limiting vehicle access is perceived as helping to mitigate regression to previous conditions.
Authorized personnel, including City staff, RCMP, BC Ambulance and Prince George Fire Rescue.
“I guess we put up gates to just confine the area,” noted Councillor Brian Skakun, reinforcing that those who wish to make their way to the area are free to do so.
“This has been a long process for all of us.” There’s only so much we can do because of the courts.”
But Administration also noted that since 2021 “hundreds and hundreds” of housing units have been added.
