HomeMy WebLinkAboutGotcha Paintball FacilityMEMORANDUM
To: Mayor, Council, and Planning and Zoning Commission
From: Jim Rabbitt, Code Enforcement O~cer~~~"
Re: Gotcha Challenge Paintball Facility
Date: 12-14-95
Code Enforcement has been asked to review the status of the "Gotcha Challenge" paintball game
facility located at 37 E. Broadway. Specifically, I have examined whether or not Mr. Covino
has complied with the provisions set forth by the Council in the conditional use permit issued to
Mr. Covino on April 17, 1990. This report will summarize my findings.
BACKGROUND
Mr. Peter Covino applied for a conditional use permit in early fall of 1989 for property located
at 37 E. Broadway. This location is zoned Old Town. Mr. Covino's proposed use was "a game
of tag -using paint gun -air pistols -for adults - to be play(ed) in part of the old creamery."
This use is allowed in the Old Town zoning district with Council's approval of a Conditional Use
Permit.
At the direction of the Planning and Zoning Commission, the City Attorney prepared Findings
of Fact and Conclusions of Law. These were approved as is on April 17, 1990, by Council.
Conditional Use Permit was approved on the same date.
CURRENT STATUS
Planning and Zoning would like to review three salient points pertaining to the Gotcha Challenge
facility. The first two are in response to Council's concerns regarding ownership and paintballs
being shot outside of the structure. With regard to ownership, Ada County Recorder's Office
indicated that Mr. Covino is the owner of the business. No changes of ownership have been
recorded with that office. On 12-14-95, I asked Mr. Covino if he was the owner of the business
and he indicated that he was. The issue of paint balls being shot outside of the facility is
addressed directly in Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law. Any such activity is clearly in
conflict with the requirements prescribed in the Conditional Use Permit approved by Council:
The document states that "the use should not be hazardous nor should it be disturbing to existing
or future neighborhood uses. " Further, the document states that the applicant is responsible for
monitoring patrons' activities. A final issue of note is the accumulation of "junk cars" stored
at the rear of the building. There are several vehicles and an accumulation of auto parts
(including a 55 gallon drum filled with an unidentifiable liquid) stored at the rear of the building.
This was a point of contention prior to and after the City issued Mr. Covino a Certificate of
Zoning Compliance. It should be noted that the auto salvage business is operated by the building
owner and not Mr. Covino. The balance of the building is free of debris.
Included in this report are letters from Fire Marshal Voss and Building Inspector Whitman which
describe several fire and building code violations. Staff feels that these items should be brought
to Council's attention because of the safety issues involved. A possible course of action is to
revoke Mr. Covino's Conditional Use Permit until such time as the structure is safe and suitable
.,. occupancy.
' ~ ~ A
OFFICIALS HUB OF TREASURE VALLEY
WILLIAM G. BERG, JR., city Cierk A Good Place to Live
JANICE L. GASS, City Treasurer
GARY D. SMITH, P.E., City Engineer CITY OF MERIDIAN
BRUCE D. STUART, Water Works Supt.
JOHN T. SHAWCROFT, Waste Water Supt. 33 EAST IDAHO
DENNIS J. SUMMERS, Parks Supt.
SHARI L. STILES, P & z Administrator MERIDIAN, IDAHO 83642
PATTY A. WOLFKIEL, DMV Supervisor Phone (208) 888-4433 • FAX (208) 887-4813
KENNETH W. BOWERS, Fire Chief
" Public WorksBuilding Department (208) 887-2211
W.L. SILL
GORDON, Police Chief
WAYNE G. CROOKSTON, JR., Attorney Motor Vehicle/Drivers License 208
( ) 888-4443
GRANT P. KINGSFORD
Mayor
INSPECTION REPORT
Re; Gotcha Challenge
COUNCIL MEMBERS
RONALD R. TOLSMA
MAX YERRINGTON
ROBERT D. CORRIE
WALT W. MORROW
P 8 2 COMMISSION
JIM JOHNSON, Chairman
MOE ALIDJANI
JIM SHEARER
CHARLIE ROUNTREE
TIM HEPPER
At the direction of the City Council an inspection of the Gotcha
Challenge Paintball facility was done 12/14/95. The following items
were found to be Building Code deficiencies.
Sec.3313 {a)-- Requires exits to be illuminated.The majority of the
emergency lights were inoperable.
Sec.3314 {c)-- Requires exit signs to be illuminated and to be
either self-luminous or be wired into the electrical system with a
back-up system in case of emergency.
Sec.301 {a)-- Permits are required for alterations of the
structure. There have been holes cut into the floor of the play
area and a structure built on the roof . No permits have been issued
for that work.
Sec.203-- Refers to buildings that are considered unsafe when
adequate egress is not provided, or if there is a fire hazard. It
directs the Building Official to institute appropriate action to
prevent,restrain,or abate the violation.
Mr.Covino, the owner of the business,said he was aware of the
electrical problems and had contacted an electrician to make the
necessary repairs. I verified by phone that he had contacted an
electrician to schedule the repair work. That first contact was
made 11/9/95. The electrical contractor has made several trips to
the business but has not completed the repair.They did indicate to
me they were very busy and scheduling has been their problem.
My recommendation would be to withdraw
based on the unsafe condition of the
willingness to continue to allow the
building.
Daunt Whitman
Building Offical
City of Meridian
~ ~~
the Conditional Use Permit
building and the owners
public into that unsafe
r
GOTCHA CHALLENGE
On December 14, 1995 at about 10:15 A.M., Daunt Whitman, Building Official, Raymond Voss,
Fire Marshal and Jim Rabbit, Zoning Inspector did take an inspection tour of the building that is
occupied by Gotcha Challenge.
On this inspection the following fire and life safety items were found:
1. Exit sign in building broke and not working.
Emergency lighting broke and not working.
3. Hole that had been cut in the floors and stairs added with no permit.
4. A hole in floor with an aluminum ladder in it and no protection around it.
5. Fire extinguisher discharged and not tested or ready for use.
6. Electrical wiring bad and in disrepair which could cause electrical shock.
7. The use of extension cords that are not allowed by code.
8. Illegal storage under exit stairs at back of building.
~IyJ
Ra and Voss
Fire Marshal