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Planners debate whether to add standards for public outdoor shooting ranges; staff warns text amendment needed before applications
Summary
The commission discussed whether to include rules for public outdoor shooting ranges and preserves in the zoning code. Staff recommended adding definitions and standards but noted that without text in the code, applications could not be filed and any future proposal would need a simultaneous text amendment.
Spalding County planners and commissioners spent part of the work session debating whether the zoning code should explicitly allow and regulate public outdoor shooting ranges and preserves, or omit the use entirely so such facilities could not legally apply.
David (staff member) told commissioners the draft currently includes a working set of standards for public outdoor ranges and preserves but acknowledged the subject is likely to be controversial. He said the draft distinguishes private, noncommercial shooting on one’s property from a “public” facility (non family members coming to shoot) and that the standards would only apply to commercial operations that invite the public.
Commissioners noted past local examples, including the Griffin Gun Club (identified in the meeting as a nonconforming use predating the zoning ordinance) and a previously proposed indoor range that had a separate text-amendment history. One commissioner said the county had seen a text amendment followed by an application that was ultimately denied for an indoor range; the history led staff and commissioners to recommend considering any outdoor-range application together with a text amendment, so the commission can review both the ordinance language and the specific site plan at once.
David said that with no code reference, an applicant could not file for a range and that any West Ellis property proposal or similar project would likely be accompanied by a text amendment request. The draft includes standards adapted from other sources and from previous county conditional-use language; staff plans to define “shooting preserve” (primarily hunting) and “public shooting range” (training or target practice) separately.
Commissioners asked staff to compare historical conditions for special districts (for example, the P‑RRRD zoning that restricted certain outdoor activity to clays) and to bring definitions and clearer criteria to a future meeting so the commission could see how an application would be reviewed if one were filed.
Ending: Staff did not recommend opening the code to unrestricted new range applications without explicit standards. No application or text amendment was filed or approved at the session; staff will prepare clearer definitions and consider coupling any future range application with the necessary text amendment.
