Shooting range rifled to city for study
planners say city law must be resolved before zoning considered
By Scott Rochat
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
A proposal to allow shooting ranges on industrial land has to satisfy Emporia law first, planning commissioners said Tuesday night.
“I don’t think we need to look at the zoning for something that’s not within the code of the city,” planning commissioner Kenton Thomas said. City laws forbid excessive noise and the discharge of a firearm within city limits, he said, both of which a shooting range would violate.
“Our issue isn’t with the shooting range per se,” chairman Christopher Rech agreed. “Our issue is that our regulations won’t allow it.”
The issue was initially brought up by Larry Lewis, who wants to put up a shooting range near West Sixth Avenue. Local zoning regulations only permit a shooting range on agricultural land, and only as a conditional use, meaning a separate permit has to be acquired.
The proposal would make ranges a conditional use on industrial land as well. But without a change to city law, commissioners agreed, the discussion was pointless.
“If Larry succeeds in getting the zoning, he still can’t do anything,” Thomas said. “The primary ordinance still makes what he wants to do a misdemeanor within city limits. It makes more sense to change the code before we change the text.”
City Attorney Blaise Plummer said he would try to get the item scheduled for an Emporia City Commission study session.
“I didn’t mean to waste your time,” Lewis said.
“It’s something you’ll have to be patient with,” Rech said. “We’re treading on new ground.”
“To me, it’s not that time-sensitive,” Lewis said.
In other action:
F Planning commissioners voted to vacate 10.5 feet of right-of-way at 919 W. 12th Ave., Emporia Orthodontics, to allow a handicapped lift to be installed. The measure now goes to the Emporia City Commission for its approval on April 18.
F The commission discussed possible regulations for directional signs, which have been requested by real estate agents so they can point the way to properties for sale. A proposal drafted by planning secretary Kevin Hanlin would limit the signs to 2 feet in area and no more than one sign per intersection, to be put on private property only with the landowner’s permission. The planners asked to have the Board of Realtors submit a proposal for consideration.
F Commissioners briefly discussed a text change to the rules on pole signs for shopping centers.
F City Engineer Keith Beatty showed the planning commission a draft copy of the city’s capital improvement plan, with suggested projects listed through 2012. The plan will be reviewed by city commissioners and a final draft will be submitted later, showing which projects are in line with the city’s comprehensive plan. Some of the suggested projects for next year include a $100,000 loop line for Rural Water District No. 5 to help serve the new Westar peaking plant and a $1.1 million improvement of 18th Avenue from the Kansas Turnpike to Americus Road.
pakn357 (anonymous) says...
We will be working in Emporia soon and a shooting range would be awesome!!!! I also lived in Emporia and it would be good to have somewhere to go to target practice. I have relatives in Emporia so my husband and I will only go home on the weeks we have 2 days off so that means we will miss out on alot of good shooting days as there is nowhere to go. Good luck to you Mr. Lewis!!!
March 28, 2007 at 1:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )