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ALLOWING OUTDOOR GUN CLUBS BY SPECIAL USE PERMIT IN AGRICULTURE DISTRICT (B)
Ordinance No. 0-00-53; Petition No. 13TCH-00PB
An ordinance of the City of Gainesville, Florida, amending section 30-72(c) related to permitted uses in the agriculture district (AGR); reformatting the permitted uses into a table and allowing outdoor gun ranges as a use by special use permit; creating and adding section 30-72(f) providing conditions for the outdoor gun ranges; providing directions to the codifier; providing a severability clause; providing a repealing clause; and providing an immediate effective date.
recommendation
The City Commission adopt the proposed ordinance, as amended.
explanation
STAFF REPORT
The agriculture district allows membership sports and recreation clubs (IN-7997) but specifically excludes shooting and gun clubs. Sport shooting is a popular activity in North Florida. This activity is most safely practiced within the confines of an indoor or outdoor firing range. Staff finds that the proposed use could be compatible with the agriculture district if permitted by special use permit. The Plan Board reviewed the petition and recommends the following criteria apply to outdoor firing ranges:
1. The outdoor gun club shall be located a minimum of 2500 feet from any property in a residential zoning district; public schools; hospitals and public parks.
2. No live ammunition or weapons shall be stored on site.
3. Provide an operational plan, which establishes and enforces range rules, including guidelines for the use of the range by minors, safety procedures for the loading and unloading of weapons, and emergency procedures. Provide a range master at all times during use.
4. A licensed engineer in accordance with NRA design guidelines shall design the firing range. Berm height shall be 20 feet. When wetlands or other similar conditions are providing an appropriate buffer between the facility and the property line the minimum berm height shall be 8 - 10 feet as determined by staff.
5. An outdoor range shall be fenced with a minimum 6-foot chain link fence with barbed wire or similar combination. Place signage around the perimeter of fencing warning of firearms range facility. Properly post and enforce "No Trespassing".
The range shall meet the requirements of the Alachua County Hazardous Materials Management Code.
The Plan Board recommends approval of the petition with the criteria as stated above.
Public notice was published in the Gainesville Sun on March 1, 2000. The Plan Board held a public hearing March 16, 2000. Planning Division staff recommended that gun clubs be permitted by special use permit in the AGR district with conditions. The Plan Board approved the petition with the further condition that no live ammunition of guns be used and a minimum berm height of 8-10 feet be added as conditions. The Plan Board recommended that the City Commission approve Petition 13TCH-00 PB. Plan Board vote 4-1.
Fiscal Note
None
CITY ATTORNEY'S MEMORANDUM
During the first reading of this ordinance on May 22, 2000, the City Commission asked this office and the Planning staff to revise the requirements for a range master and an operational plan. The ordinance now requires that the operation and presence of a range master be in accordance with the NRA range manual.