Minutes 02-16-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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15 excessive and unreasonable. He said if the proposed signage is put in place, the properties will look ridiculous. He said areas available for shooting are decreasing rapidly and asked if Orange County has a place for law enforcement to practice shoot. Steve Hopper said he is from Efland and intended to ask if any harmful incidents had preceded this proposed ordinance. He said the earlier speaker enlightened him of issues that are problematic. He said he greatly empathizes with her situation and believed it should be addressed, but this ordinance is no help to her in his opinion. He said the concepts in the proposed ordinance are excessive. He said he does not hunt but he grows crops and he has authority from the State to kill animals that attack his crops. He said he finds enforcement of this ordinance is another issue. He said he is in favor of rejecting this. Jerry Snipes passed on the opportunity to speak. Neal Galloway said he bought his property so he could practice target shooting and he said his neighbors shoot with him. He said they do not shoot on Sundays, and he built a berm without being told to do so. He said he teaches children responsible marksmanship and in order to do so, one must have a place to teach. He said responsible ownership is possible and those who are responsible need to be encouraged to pass this education along to others. He said this discussion is happening because of the minority of people in the County that abuse their gun privileges. He said his policy is to shoot for 1.5 hours which seems reasonable. He said the ordinance is not necessary, is burdensome and should be rejected. Roger Moore said he is a 33 year Orange County resident and a retired Durham police officer. He said he has to qualify once a year for his concealed to carry. He said he only learned about this meeting this afternoon and the County should be more effective in its communication. He said this ordinance is more of a government overreach into the property rights of its residents. He said the lady that spoke earlier about her dangerous neighbor does not have an issue of target practice. He said there are certain traditions and heritages and he moved to Orange County for these attributes; but now Orange County has surpassed Durham County in overreaching. He said the issue about using one meeting location is a good one, with which he agrees. He suggested the new slogan for the County: "Orange County, where you'll be taxed for life". Joe Phelps said Hillsborough is the County seat and in other counties most meetings would occur in that location. He said he does not like the proposed ordinance. He said he has been in real estate for 30 years and no one has asked him to sell a home because of target shooting occurring nearby. He said rather people seek to buy properties because they will be able to shoot. He said on the January 21st BOCC meeting agenda, there was a place for public hearings, but noted the phrase "no additional comments accepted". He said the entire process, and exactly what is being decided upon, is confusing. He said the public is not being clearly informed. Catherine Taylor said when she looked at the proposed ordinance, she wondered if the North Carolina Wildlife Commission had been consulted, especially where it conflicts with their policies. She said if this is about regulating noise or commercial sites, then the ordinance should be rewritten to reflect this. She said this should be reflective of other noise ordinances. She noted as trees continue to be cut down, more noise will be heard. She said she does not support the ordinance. Polly Dornette said she is a shooter and she suggested that training opportunities would be taken away with this ordinance. She said she is a concealed carry permit holder, and she needs to train. She said they bought property in Orange County in order to have land on which to practice. She said Wake County has a great indoor practice range, and perhaps Orange County should provide that same amenity. She said the issue with the unruly neighbor is not a practice range issue.