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Council debates draft ordinance to allow shooting ranges; some members ask for public input
Summary
Councilors reviewed a first‑reading ordinance that would allow indoor shooting ranges in specified zoning districts. Members debated zoning setbacks, technical standards for backstops, references to the NRA and whether to solicit resident feedback on Let's Talk Hudson before further readings.
Councilors discussed a proposed ordinance to permit shooting ranges in Hudson, including appropriate zoning districts and technical safety standards.
The ordinance, scheduled for a first reading May 20, would amend the land development code to allow shooting ranges in some districts subject to safety and setback standards. Councilor Sutton suggested edits to remove a reference to the NRA and to standardize the backstop requirement (suggesting the ordinance require a backstop rated to stop .50 caliber ammunition). Sutton also objected to listing District 7 as a permitted zone because the proposed setback distances would effectively exclude most sites in that district.
Councilor Kowalski and others asked staff to solicit resident feedback. Kowalski requested that council post the draft on Let's Talk Hudson and gather input before the ordinance proceeds; she said she had already received resident inquiries about how to submit feedback. "I would really like to see and if you wouldn't mind asking every council member, I would like to know how everybody feels about doing Let's Talk Hudson," Kowalski said.
Dr. Getz asked why the measure was marked as an emergency; staff and other councilors said they would remove the emergency clause. Some councilors urged that public comment and police‑safety analysis be part of the review. Council members also noted that existing gun ranges in the region tend to coordinate with local police departments and said they wanted information on any public‑safety impacts from ranges in other communities.
Why it matters: Allowing shooting ranges would change allowable uses in the city's land development code and raise zoning, safety and community‑acceptance questions. Council debate touched on technical standards, zoning compatibility and how best to solicit resident input.
Next steps: The ordinance remained scheduled for a first reading May 20; council asked staff to consider removing the emergency designation, to review District 7 setbacks and to add public outreach. Some councilors suggested simultaneous outreach (social media, Let’s Talk Hudson) while the formal legislative process proceeds.
Ending: Council agreed to refine zoning and technical text and to consider ways to solicit resident feedback; some members said they are open to the ordinance and others asked for more time for public input.
