Bel Air commissioners revisit ordinance to allow indoor ranges in commercial zones; amendments to be attached

Bel Air — The Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners on May 27 took up a public hearing item on Ordinance 8401-125, which would allow indoor shooting ranges in the B-3 and B-3A commercial zoning districts as a special exception and set qualifications for such establishments.

Commissioner Taylor summarized the proposal for viewers at home: “This permits indoor shooting ranges in the B-3 and B-3A zones as a special exception, providing for the necessary qualifications of such an establishment.” He said two amendments proffered by Commissioners Rutledge and Eddington would be attached to strengthen the measure.

The board discussed technical edits staff will make before a final vote: striking two subsections identified in the ordinance text and replacing the word “guns” with “firearms” in the preamble. No formal vote on final adoption occurred during the work session; the item remained unfinished business pending the formal amendment language and further review.

Why it matters: the change would affect where indoor shooting ranges could locate in Bel Air by adding them as a regulated special exception in two commercial zones. Commissioners and staff framed the pending edits as clarifications and tightening of regulatory language rather than substantive policy reversals.

Next steps: staff will incorporate the friendly amendments and present a revised ordinance for formal consideration at a future public meeting. The board did not take a final action at the May 27 work session.