Lake Chaparral residents urge Linn County to step up sanitation enforcement and prosecutions

Two residents of Lake Chaparral pressed the Linn County Commission on Monday for more consistent enforcement of sanitation and building codes and for better follow-through from the county attorney’s office.

Dean Norton, speaking for the Lake Chaparral board of directors, said Lake Chaparral contains more than 1,500 properties and contributes significantly to the county tax base but is treated “as an afterthought.” He told commissioners that code enforcement has been inconsistent, staff turnover and leadership changes have interrupted continuity, and problems such as illegal black‑water dumping, unpermitted structures and campers used as year‑round residences are growing. Norton said the community has experienced multiple safety incidents in recent years — burned campers, a…