BYRON — Three court-appointed planning officials approved an application to expand the Coos Canyon Campground on Wednesday night, ending a six-year process for owners Judy and Roger Boucher of Byron.

“We are very happy with the results,” Judy Boucher said.

The Bouchers were initially told by selectman that the only requirement was to follow the state of Maine’s rules and regulations for campgrounds and expansions. Shortly after that, the town passed a moratorium on the project and then developed two ordinances regulating campgrounds, one in 2007 and a stricter one in 2008. 

The Bouchers filed a lawsuit against the town, saying the ordinance was biased and unfair. The lawsuit went to mediation and three court-appointed planning officials were instructed to either approve or deny the application based on the 2007 ordinance.

They were Code Enforcement Officers Peter Farnsworth of Stratton and Bill Najpauer of Albion and former Hanover Code Enforcement Officer John Gauthier.

“We just want to be treated like any other business in the town,” Judy Boucher said.

The Bouchers’ permits expired during the application process so they must reapply and pay permit fees again. They said they hope to start work on the expansion as soon as permits and conditions applied to the 2007 ordinance are completed.

The campground property on Route 17 is 94 acres and borders the Swift River. There are reportedly 39 recreational-vehicle sites and eight tent sites. The owners plan 20 more RV sites and 11 more tent sites.