3L Developments is closing access to its property around Stotan Falls because of liability concerns, the company announced Thursday.
No individual or vehicle access will be allowed through the property, which includes hundreds of acres along the Puntledge and Browns rivers. The exception is logging trucks, which have an access agreement with the land owner.
3L Developments president Dave Dutcyvich would not comment on the situation.
“All landowners are liable for accidents that happen on their land, and this piece of land has significant liability due to its extent of riverfront,” a 3L news release states.
For years, the Nanaimo-based developer has been hoping to build homes in the area but has been stymied by the Comox Valley Regional District. 3L has twice won court decisions after challenging the CVRD about due process. In October, the company again petitioned the Supreme Court of B.C. after the district board denied its application to amend the Regional Growth Strategy in order to create a new settlement node — which is needed to create its proposed riverfront community.
As it has done in the past, 3L has also closed the gate on Comox Logging Road near Stotan Falls. In 2017, Dutcyvich had a toll booth installed on Duncan Bay Main between the Puntledge and Forbidden Plateau Road. In the spring, he decided to take it down.
The district’s lawyer has advised the CVRD to limit comments on the matter while it is before the court.