Planning commission recommends classifying borough land as potential shooting range after neighborhood opposition

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Planning Commission voted to recommend Resolution 25-30, designating a borough-owned parcel as "reserved use — shooting range" for potential future development, after an extended public hearing that drew several nearby residents who urged the commission to reject the classification.

The commission chair opened the public hearing on the parcel selected under assembly direction; Peter Burton of Land Management briefed commissioners that the action is a long-term planning designation only, with no current design, funding, or immediate development planned. Burton said the parcel was selected after evaluation of borough-owned parcels in District 7 and that the assembly member Bernier will sponsor the legislation to be considered by the assembly.

Neighbors were the most vocal part of the record. Linda Oxley, representing the Willow Area Community Organization, said WACO and nearby residents oppose the classification because they received late and limited notice and because the notified community contact is defunct; she warned that noise, traffic and garbage impacts would extend well beyond the quarter-mile notice area and urged commissioners to follow the Willow Area Comprehensive Plan. "We are not opposed to guns. We are not opposed to shooting ranges. But we are opposed to poor process, poor planning, and poor sites," Oxley said.

Kelton Hensley, whose property line directly borders the proposed site, said he supports designated ranges generally but opposes placing an active range feet from an occupied residence, citing safety, noise, and lack of buffers, and warned that approving a range so close would set a precedent. "This proposal places an active range feet from my property line. This is not a compatible land use," Hensley said.

Adjacent landowner Darcy Morgan said a range on the property line would substantially reduce property value and raise safety concerns; she said she is "pro gun" and would support a range located away from occupied residences. Robert Morgan, the property owner of the parcel under consideration, said he has spoken with the Department of Environmental Conservation and Fish and Game and relayed concerns about lead contamination and potential water seepage to Nancy Creek.

Commissioners discussed the trade-offs between providing designated shooting locations and the concerns of adjacent residents. Several commissioners noted that the classification is only a label for future planning and that any actual development would require additional permitting, buffer, operating-hour conditions and assembly approval. Commissioner McCabe and others urged neighbors to monitor the assembly process and provide input there. Commissioner Scoggins moved and Commissioner McCabe seconded the motion to recommend approval; with no objections the commission approved Resolution 25-30 by voice vote.

Next steps: the commission's recommendation will go to the Borough Assembly, which must approve any reclassification or any subsequent development proposals. The approval does not authorize construction; rather it places the parcel on a list of sites the borough has identified as potentially suitable for a shooting range in the future.