Gun range in Robinson subject of two appeals
McDONALD – The Iron City Armory Gun Range has to overcome two revocations of its permit to continue legally operating, even as neighbors said shooters continue to fire off rounds despite a cease-and-desist order issued in June.
Robinson Township Zoning Hearing Board recently voted 3-0 that the permit issued by the zoning officer, McDonald police Chief Mark Dorsey, was in error. Now owner Jason Doetzer is fighting to keep the range open at its location at 920 King Road.
The first appeal involving the gun range, set for a hearing at 6 p.m. Aug. 31, will determine whether the range violated its already defunct permit. Then a hearing will be scheduled on whether the permit should be reinstated or determined to have been valid in the first place. In a notice-of-decision letter authored by hearing board solicitor Harlan Stone, how and why the board used three hearings’ worth of facts and exhibits to come to its decision will be released in the next two weeks.
“The (board voted unanimously) not to affirm the determination of the Robinson Township Zoning Officer with regard to the issuance of a zoning permit to Iron City Armory for the operation of a shooting range/gun club … in the township’s (interchange business development district). … A decision of the (board) is subject to appeal to the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County,” said the letter.
Doetzer, who said he plans to appeal, has been representing himself at all hearings.