A proposed Elk-area dirt racetrack complex has been denied a necessary conditional use permit.

Spokane County Hearing Examiner Michael Dempsey last week rejected a request by Dwaine and Cheryl Dodd, 40115 N. Jackson Road, to operate a “commercial recreation area” in a “rural traditional” zone.

Dempsey said the proposed oval race track, mud bog and rock crawl complex at the northeast corner of Bridges and Jackson roads would constitute a “spectator sports facility,” which isn’t allowed in the rural traditional zone.

The county Building and Planning Department had issued a “mitigated determination of nonsignificance” for the complex.

Plans called for a one-eighth-mile oval track with a mud bog in the middle for car and snowmobile racing. The 15-acre complex also was to have an area for vehicles with extra-large tires to drive over rocks.

Originally, there were to have been 48 parking spaces for spectators, plus parking for participants. However, Dempsey said a revised environmental report showed there would be 100 parking spaces.

The facility was expected to draw 200 to 300 cars on race days.

Dempsey said in his formal decision that the Dodds staged racing events on a half-dozen weekends last year without a permit.

Several neighbors objected, he said.