ARCHERY RANGE GETS TENTATIVE APPROVAL ACTON SITE WOULD INCLUDE PAINTBALL EQUIPMENT SHOP.

Byline: Patricia Farrell Aidem Staff Writer

The county Regional Planning Commission on Wednesday tentatively approved an archery center in Acton that will include indoor and outdoor ranges.

Pending some technical modifications, Richard and Janice Hall plan to build, operate and maintain the Moose Mountain Archery Center on 17 remote acres north of the Antelope Valley Freeway near Soledad Canyon Road, planner Adrienne Ng said.

The Halls are seeking certification from the National Field Archery Association, which would ensure safety standards. A certified range master would be present when the outdoor field is in use, according to documents submitted to Los Angeles County planners.

The private ranges would cover about 4 acres and the remainder of the property would be developed with a retail shop for archery and paintball equipment and a storage lot for recreational vehicles. The Halls expect to hold events that would draw as many as 100 people.

The property lies along Sunrise View Street and is largely undeveloped - in fact, planners said, it was somewhat of an eyesore, and trash had been dumped over the years.

Wednesday's planning commission review included tentative approvals of zoning changes, from an agricultural designation to one suitable for commercial development. Once modified, the plan will be up for final review, likely in September.