P&Z defers to Commissioners on Owen Benjamin application
Owen Benjamin Smith speaks at the June 23 Boundary County P&Z meeting in support of Struggle Bear LLC conditional use permit for multi-structure residential use to allow four existing additional primary single-family dwellings on a 10-acre parcel.
Photo by EMILY BONSANT
BONNERS FERRY — The Boundary County Planning and Zoning Commission has deferred a decision on Struggle Bear’s a conditional use permit (CUP) for existing additional primary single-family dwellings to county commissioners.
P&Z sent the application to county commissioners, saying they did not have enough guidance from the ordinance to take any action. Planning commissioners said they also were unsure if the application meets the criteria for primary residences and are concerned the code is unclear on what constitutes a dwelling.
The CUP is for a multi-structure residential use for four existing additional primary single-family dwellings on a 10-acre parcel located on Earl Lane Road. The application is asking for permits for four existing mortar structures.
Owen Benjamin Smith, who goes by Owen Benjamin in his comedy career and on social media, drew controversy in 2020 when he live streamed on his social media channels that he wanted to create a commercial space for his followers to gather, recreate and share homesteading skills.
Critics contended Smith planned to create a paramilitary training ground for his followers or “bears” as they are known.
On the live stream, Smith said he wanted to build a place, which would be known as Beartaria, for like-minded people.
The application for the CUP garnered no comments in support or neutral comments to the project.
Neighbors and nearby residents called on the planning board to reject the application, citing a lack of oversight into who would be invited to stay on the property. They also expressed concerns of future scenarios of Smith’s social media followers being on the property unsupervised and uninvited.
In a past live stream, Smith invited followers to donate money in order for him to buy property which they would then have access to.
However, at the June 23 P&Z meeting, Smith said this agreement with his followers was for a previous commercial property which he was unable to purchase. The Earl Lane property and added units are recreational use for family and friends only. Those who helped build the units, which were filmed as part of his “Building Beartaria” documentaries, were there for work parties, he said.
Other concerns cited by neighbors included added traffic volume that could damage pothole riddled roads even more. They also questioned why Smith needed four 144-square-foot cabins on the property if they are just for family and friends.
Additional concerns centered around how Smith would get water on his property without impeding traffic. On the east side of the parcel is Earl Lane, a natural gas line and the Moyie River. Smith said in the past he had collected water to the site through a temporary above-ground water pump system from the river. The system went over the gas line and across the road to fill up a water container.
Smith said neighbors’ concerns were unfounded, noting he has not been on the property in 10 months.
P&Z deferred a decision on the application to county commissioners in a 5-1 vote. The application will go before the commissioners at a later date.