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4 <br /> <br />Quarterly Public Hearing where the following questions/comments were made: <br />• There was general consensus that proposed amendments to the Buckhorn and <br />Eno Economic Development Districts permitted use table, allowing for <br />recreational facilities to be a permitted use of property within the high intensity <br />zoning designations (i.e. EDB-2 and EDE-2), are acceptable. <br />• A BOCC member asked why there were different setback standards for gun <br />ranges developed as an accessory use to a residential use of property or a <br />recreational facility. <br />STAFF COMMENT: Staff recommended a shooting range developed as an <br />accessory use to a residence observe a setback of 300 feet from all property <br />lines. For a shooting range developed as a recreational facility we <br />recommended a setback of 600 feet from all property lines. <br />The rationale for the different standards is based on the anticipated intensity <br />of use, with a private recreational amenity having a perceived lower potential <br />impact versus a facility designed to be used by the general public (i.e. more <br />weapons being discharged at any given time). <br />• A BOCC member asked what the typical minimum lot size would have to be to <br />comply with proposed setback standards for a shooting range. <br />STAFF COMMENT: A residential property would have to be roughly 8 ½ <br />acres in area to accommodate a designated shooting area while a recreational <br />facility would have to be roughly 33 acres to accommodate a non-residential <br />outdoor shooting range. <br />• A BOCC and Planning Board member asked if the proposed setbacks for a gun <br />range would be sufficient to ensure bullets remain on the property. <br />STAFF COMMENT: Discharged projectiles can travel upwards of ½ mile or <br />farther depending on the caliber of the weapon. <br />If our goal is to rely solely on setback standards to ensure discharged <br />projectiles remain on the property, they would have to be more extensive. <br />Staff does not believe this option is consistent with concerns expressed at the <br />public hearing. <br />This proposal combines required setbacks with additional standards <br />mandating shooting and/or targeting activities be oriented in such a manner to <br />keep projectiles on the property and directed into a permanent backstop. This <br />is intended to mitigate the need for more restrictive setback requirements. <br />• Both BOCC and Planning Board members suggested hour limitations be <br />established concerning the discharge of firearms on residential property. <br />STAFF COMMENT: Staff will add language to the proposed text amendment. <br />• A BOCC member asked if we were being overly restrictive with the proposed <br />amendments as they relate to the discharge of firearms. <br />STAFF COMMENT: Staff understands the concern. The proposal is an <br /> 19