The Washington state Court of Appeals has remanded to Lincoln County Superior Court a case that challenges a land-use approval for a Glenrose-area site where the Spokane Youth Sports Association is proposing a $2.2 million sports complex.

The Glenrose Association, a neighborhood group that seeks to preserve the rural character of the area, had appealed the SYSA’s land-use approval by Spokane County to Lincoln County, where a judge initially dismissed the appeal for lack of jurisdiction.

The ruling, handed down last week by a three-judge panel on the appeals court, found that the lower court erred in determining jurisdiction pursuant to the state’s Land Use Protection Act, and returned the case for further proceedings.

The SYSA is proposing facilities to be called the Zakheim Youth Sports Complex on 20 acres of agricultural land at the southeast corner of Glenrose Road and 37th Avenue, according to project details with the Washington state Recreation and Conservation Office. SYSA describes the project as a community recreational facility that would consist of multiple soccer fields with stadium lights.

A representative of SYSA couldn’t be reached immediately for comment.

Background information in the appeals court ruling shows the Glenrose Association has been opposing plans to develop the sports complex since it was first proposed 14 years ago, in 2008. The Glenrose Association contends the sports complex would increase traffic and light pollution.

The Glenrose Association also contends an outdoor sports complex isn’t allowed in the rural, traditionally agricultural area.