Hamilton County approves variance for large indoor archery range at 11909 Kuwaiti Drive

Hamilton County Board of Zoning Appeals members voted to approve a variance permitting Hamilton County Parks to construct a 43,380-square-foot accessory structure at 11909 Kuwaiti Drive, an address listed as within Cotegui Park. The vote followed a presentation by the petitioner’s representatives and questions from board members and staff.

The variance seeks to allow a non-barn accessory structure far larger than the 5,000-square-foot maximum for an A2 district under the county’s unified development rules. "We're planning to construct an indoor archery range for Cotegui Park, to expand access to the archery for 4 seasons out of the year," said Jay Trauring of BW Construction, who identified himself as representing Hamilton County Parks. Trauring said the proposed building would be a simple rectangular pre-engineered metal building with a gable roof and would attach to the existing archery facility on the parcel.

The board record identifies the property as 77.18 acres in Section 9, Township 19, Range 5; the application listed the project address as 11909 Kuwaiti Drive. The petition cites Article 3 a 2 4 of the Hamilton County Unified Development Ordinance (ordinance number 07/25/2022 as amended 07/10/2023) in requesting the size variance.

Don Higgins, representing the architecture firm designing the project, and the parks director attended the hearing. Board members and planning staff asked about site access and setbacks. Aaron (planning staff) said setbacks should be measured from the road used for access; staff indicated the county had reviewed setbacks, parking and related ordinance requirements and would not issue a county permit until the state issues a commercial design release. The county attorney and staff confirmed the project will also require a state commercial building permit and a state design release before the county permit is released.

Facility operations and amenity details were discussed. Ben Schoneiger, who identified himself as the facility pro/operator, said the current on-site building functions mainly as a pro shop and restrooms with an outdoor range. "This would supplement and add to that," he said. Schoneiger described current peak-season use during summer and hunting season and told the board the facility typically sees "anywhere from 45 or 50" people on a daily basis when open. He also said the program tracks new participants and "we see between 10 and 15000 new archery participants each year," a figure he attributed to program records over more than a decade.

Staff described building climate-control plans: concessions and restrooms would be heated and air-conditioned; the indoor range would be heated and air-conditioned "if the funds allow," otherwise it would be heated only. Trauring and staff said the new indoor range would allow year-round operation and open the facility to larger events and competitions.

A member moved to "approve as presented" and a second was recorded. The board conducted a voice vote; the chair called for those in favor to say "aye," then declared the variance approved. The transcript records a voice approval but does not list individual roll-call votes.

County staff told the board they expect to begin work by the end of the year, with completion likely in mid- to late 2026, depending on permitting and funding.

The variance approval permits the county to exceed the accessory-structure square-foot limit on the identified parcel; planning staff said they had reviewed applicable setbacks and parking. No formal written objections appear in the meeting record and public comment was opened and closed without opposing testimony recorded.