City Council Minutes 2013 10 15 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes October 15, 2013 Page 8 of 23 APPLICANT PRESENTATION Richard Weingarten, Erie, CO explained he is one of the principals of the proposed shooting range. He stated they are putting together a very safe, secure range to service both adults and youth and to accommodate law enforcement agencies. COUNCIL COMMENTS Mayor Pro Tem Dalton stated his understanding when this matter was before Council for a code amendment, there was discussion relative to it being a public range. He asked if that had changed. Mr. Weingarten explained they are concerned about participants being safe and in order to keep them safe, it will be a membership club. He explained with a public course, there is no opportunity for background checks. It will be a membership club, but the fees will be low enough to be attractive to enthusiasts who will not be coming in every week to shoot. Mayor Muckle asked Mr. Weingarten to describe the security system. Mr. Weingarten explained the physical security system will be a normal alarm system, but once an intruder enters the range a flash card system fills the room with a thick dense fog and alarms and strobe lighting will be set off. This confuses and disorientates the intruder until the police arrive. Council member Jasiak inquired about safety classes for youth groups. Mr. Weingarten stated they offer gun safety training for small rifles to youth groups such as the Boy Scouts. Training consists of a ratio of one adult supervisor to two students. The course includes a two hour discussion on how firearms work and gun safety, commenced by one hour with the adult supervisor at the gun range. There is also a firearm safety course, which is available to anyone of any age. PUBLIC COMMENT Marcus Discenza, 785 W. Tamarisk, Louisville, CO voiced his support for the shooting range. He stated there are other shooting membership clubs in the area, but the waiting list is very long. He felt it will great for the local economy and providing a training venue for law enforcement. COUNCIL COMMENTS Council member Jasiak inquired whether a gun range meets the criteria of the municipal code. City Attorney Light stated the Council is looking at a Special Review Use request, and the applicant must be reviewed under those SRU criteria in the Louisville Municipal Code. The prior meeting was to review the Louisville Code to allow the use to be considered as a Special Review Use. City Council still has the discretion to review this request, but it must be under the SRU criteria.