Resident complaints about nearby shooting range prompt commissioners to consider nuisance ordinance review

During the public‑comment period on Feb. 17, a resident described repeated loud firearms shooting at a nearby property he said is too close to adjacent homes and asked the county to change its ordinances to limit the activity.

Taylor Green told commissioners that shooting activity had occurred close to a stepdaughter’s home, that shooters fired more than 1,000 rounds between 9 a.m. and noon on a recent day and that the practice area was within roughly 538 feet of a residence. Green said the use includes a professionally run range setup (metal targets, lanes and a range safety officer) and that the noise has become a daily nuisance that limits residents’ ability to use their homes.

Commissioner John Davis (commenting from the dais) said he believed the situation had features of a nuisance and asked the board to consider strengthening local nuisance ordinances to curtail loud or late‑hour shooting, asking staff to explore options. Several commissioners said the sheriff’s office should be included in discussions because sheriff's deputies would enforce any new ordinance; Sheriff Chris Thomas was in attendance for other remarks and was acknowledged during the meeting.

No formal ordinance change was proposed or voted on at the meeting; commissioners requested staff and the sheriff’s office coordinate on potential enforcement and possible ordinance language for future consideration.

Outcome: Discussion and direction to staff to explore nuisance‑ordinance options with the sheriff’s office; no formal action taken at the Feb. 17 meeting.