Archery Range Opponents Claim Owner Misled County Examiner

Opponents of a proposed archery range in Greenacres have accused its owner of providing false testimony to the Spokane County hearing examiner and swaying his opinion with fraudulently obtained petition signatures.

Floyd Schmedding and Curt Berklund are asking hearing examiner Mike Dempsey to reconsider his decision to grant their neighbor, Mark Jones, a conditional use permit for his proposed 28-acre indoor/outdoor archery facility. Last week, their attorneys filed a motion for reconsideration with Dempsey’s office.

The motion claims Jones gave false testimony to the hearing examiner, misrepresented facts about his property and used a misleading petition to make it appear that neighbors supported the proposed range.

Jones has until March 20 to respond to the allegations.

This type of motion is rarely used, Dempsey said. An examiner can reconsider a decision only in “exceptional circumstances,” including fraud, clerical errors or significant ambiguity.

Dempsey will decide if those conditions are met after Jones has had an opportunity to respond. If the conditions are met, Dempsey may hold another public hearing on the proposal.

Dempsey approved Joneses’ application for a conditional use permit for the facility last December.

The archery range will be located along Linke Road, south of Barker Road and 32nd Avenue.

Jones, who owns the Outdoor Sportsman sports shop in north Spokane, says his opponents are “grasping at any straw” to stop Spokane Valley Archery from becoming a reality. He plans to open the facility within the next few weeks, although just two outdoor ranges will be available initially.

Eventually, the business will include indoor and outdoor ranges, educational programs, equipment rentals and a pro shop, Jones said.

Opponents say the archery facility isn’t appropriate for their rural neighborhood, and would lead to increased traffic, trespassing and arrows flying onto their properties.

, DataTimes