A stop work order notice is pinned to the fence at the Schell motel.

(BEN BULMER / iNFOnews.ca)

A Vernon arborist and a trucking company are being prosecuted in court for carrying out work near a creek without a permit.

Green Giant Tree Removal and J Purewal Trucking Company are scheduled to appear in the BC Provincial Court Nov. 20 facing allegations they did work at a downtown Vernon motel without the correct paperwork.

Court records show that in April this year, the companies were accused of altering a riparian area without a development permit.

It's unclear what precisely took place, but the work the companies are alleged to have done took place at the Schell Motel on 28 Avenue.

Lower BX Creek runs through the site which is heavily wooded at the back of the motel. A stop work order is currently pinned to the fence.

The creek running through the property.

(BEN BULMER / iNFOnews.ca)

While it's not unusual for municipal governments to issue stop-work orders and give out fines, this infraction is being prosecuted in the BC Provincial Court as an offence under the Local Government Act.

City of Vernon spokesperson Josh Winquist said the City does not currently have a mechanism whereby an alleged violator can be fined, although its tree bylaw is currently being updated.

As the matter is in front of the courts, the City said it would be inappropriate to comment.

When reached for comment, J Purewal Trucking Company owner Jasbinder Purewal said the matter was with his lawyer.

An employee at Green Giant Tree Removal said they would speak to their lawyer but didn't return our request for comment.

According to LinkedIn, the Schell Motel is owned by Joe Patel. No one at the motel responded to a voice message or an email.

It's unclear what the penalty is if the companies are successfully prosecuted and no one at the province had an answer for what the maximum fine or penalty could be.

The Schell Motel.

(BEN BULMER / iNFOnews.ca)

In 2023, Salmon Arm resident Jim Weed ended up in the BC Provincial Court facing 163 infractions - one for each tree – for cutting trees down without a permit. He later paid a $55,000 fine after pleading guilty in court.

None of the allegations have been proven.

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