Gun range code change a possibility

SANDPOINT - A proposal to allow gun clubs and rifle ranges in Agricultural/Forestry zoning districts appears to be locked and loaded.

The proposal, which would allow shooting ranges in A/F zones with 20-acre minimums subject to conditional use permit approval, cleared the Bonner County Planning and Zoning Commission with a do-pass recommendation following a public hearing last month.

The Bonner County Commission is slated to take up the proposal during a public hearing on Monday. It starts at 2:45 p.m. at the county administration building.

Shannon Bustin requested the code amendment in A/F-20 zones because bigger tracts of land will buffer neighboring properties from noise and provide additional safety.

The A/F-20 zone currently prohibits gun clubs and rifle ranges. However, hunting is allowed in those zones.

A staff report prepared by the Planning Department in early June prompted no public comment at the time. The department recommended approval of the code change.

Under current code, shooting ranges must have access that is constructed to meet the minimum International Fire Code standard. They're also required to mitigate nuisance factors such as a noise, dust and smoke.

Gun clubs and ranges have to have a minimum area of 5 acres and target areas must be at least 600 feet from any existing dwelling, except that of the owner or caretaker, according to the county's land use code.