Afton council delays formal approval of downtown shooting range after neighbor objections

Mayor Jason C. Inskeep presided over discussion May 11 after Patricia Hudson proposed opening a shooting range in the basement at 445 S. Washington Street, saying the upper floor would remain retail space and describing safety and noise-control plans.

Hudson cited materials and security measures the applicant would use; Town Administrator Violet Sanderson noted that Town Code Section 6-3-06 requires council approval for a shooting gallery or range. Neighbor Mark Burk said his son owns the adjacent building, said the building is used for overnight rentals and raised concerns about noise and odors, requesting that "no sound be heard and that the odors from the shooting be eliminated." Owner Robert Angelsey said the basement walls are "18 inches of solid concrete" and said he "does not feel that there would be a problem with the noise."

Afton Police Chief Jason Romberg said he did not have any safety or noise concerns based on the presentation but the council asked the police department to fire blanks in the basement to test how much sound would be heard in adjacent buildings. Town Attorney Dale Cottam told the council a resolution will be required to approve a shooting range; council members asked Administrator Sanderson to work closely with the owner and to request a business plan to accompany the resolution.

Council did not take formal action at the meeting; the town agreed to receive a resolution and related materials for the June council meeting and to schedule the on-site noise test beforehand.