The Westminster City Planning Commission voted to transmit a revised ordinance on private firearms discharge to the City Council after staff said the draft aligns with state law and legal advice.

Staff told the commission the redline draft removes references to the local zoning code and permits the discharge of firearms on private properties of 25 contiguous acres or larger. "We removed references to the zoning code, and we allowed firearms to be discharged in properties of 25 contiguous acres or larger," a staff member said. The staff member also told commissioners that the city's outside legal counsel recommended a 25-acre threshold because parcels smaller than 25 acres are already governed by state law.

The draft removes an earlier distance-from-property-line restriction and drops a previous special restriction on big game, making hunting subject to state hunting rules. The draft also says private shooting ranges would require approval from Police Chief Miller before operation; the draft contains no caliber restrictions, the staff member said. The staff member emphasized that "state law would supersede anything we did," and that state hunting restrictions would continue to apply.

Commissioners discussed technical implications of combining a 25-acre threshold with an earlier 100-yard pullback. One commissioner observed that applying both measures would leave only about 4.5 acres usable in the center of a theoretical 25-acre square, a point staff said made the property-line restriction effectively moot. Commissioners also noted that Department of Natural Resources (DNR) rules focus on proximity to dwellings rather than property lines.

Staff indicated how the draft will be presented to the City Council and where commissioners can find the redline changes in the meeting packet. The presentation version is identified as beginning on page 7 of the packet and the redline changes start on page 10. Staff also noted a separate City Council action: a proposed annexation for property at 151 Standridge Drive passed first reading but failed on second reading, meaning the commission will not consider that parcel unless council annexes it in the future.

After discussion, Commissioner Ben moved to submit the ordinance draft to the City Council as written; Commissioner Lacey seconded. The commission voted in favor, with no recorded opposition. The commission also approved the meeting minutes in a separate, brief vote.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to submit the firearms ordinance draft as written to the Westminster City Council: Mover: Ben; Second: Lacey; Outcome: approved (voice vote; no opposed recorded).
- Motion to approve the meeting minutes: Mover and second not specified in the transcript; Outcome: approved (voice vote).

What the draft says and what remains unchanged

- Threshold: Permits discharge on private properties of 25 contiguous acres or larger. The 25-acre figure was recommended by the city's legal counsel, per staff remarks.
- State law: The draft defers to state hunting and firearm regulations; staff said state law supersedes the local ordinance where conflicts exist.
- Property-line limitation: Earlier draft language proposing a specific setback from property lines was removed after commissioners and staff discussed its interaction with the 25-acre rule.
- Private ranges: The draft requires private shooting ranges to be approved by Police Chief Miller before operation.
- Hunting scope: Language restricting "big game" was removed; the draft allows hunting on qualifying properties so long as state rules are followed.
- Caliber and similar equipment restrictions: No caliber restrictions were included in the draft, according to staff.

Next steps

The commission transmitted the draft to the City Council for consideration. Staff identified the next Planning Commission meeting as Oct. 20, 2025, and noted a training session scheduled for Sept. 30 at 6 p.m. The City Council will determine any further amendments, readings, and final adoption.