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Council debates ordinance to allow shooting ranges; members seek public input and zoning changes
Summary
Councilors discussed a proposed ordinance to permit indoor/outdoor shooting ranges in Hudson, raised public-safety and zoning questions, and asked staff to solicit resident feedback (Let's Talk Hudson) while making textual changes such as removing an NRA reference and tightening backstop standards.
A proposed ordinance to allow shooting ranges in Hudson prompted broad discussion at the May 13 workshop, with councilors weighing resident interest, zoning setbacks and public-safety data.
The ordinance would amend the land development code to permit ranges under specified conditions. One council participant described the current situation by saying, ‘‘The city of Hudson is kind of regulated like Chicago. Like, the second amendment doesn’t exist here,’’ arguing that the city currently prohibits local ranges and that some residents and business owners have expressed demand for local range options.
Councilor Sutton urged clearer technical standards and edits to the ordinance text, including removing a specific reference to the NRA and strengthening backstop requirements so the protective structure would be rated to stop a .50-caliber round. ‘‘I would actually just say it should stop a 50 caliber,’’ Sutton said. Other councilors asked staff to compile nonpartisan research on whether local ranges increase or decrease crime and to consult safety services.
Several members recommended posting a public survey on the city’s Let's Talk Hudson platform and promoting public hearings via social media to gather resident feedback in parallel with the formal legislative process. Council did not delay the ordinance’s first reading but directed staff to remove the NRA reference, revisit zoning districts and post for public comment; the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals will also review the proposal during the usual process.
What happens next: staff will revise the draft ordinance per council direction (remove NRA reference, review zoning districts and backstop standard), post an input opportunity on Let's Talk Hudson and return the ordinance for the May 20 legislative sequence and subsequent planning commission/public hearing steps.
