Laserfiche WebLink
REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 13, 2010 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Mr. Lyons advised that the petitioner is seeking a special exception for a recreational <br />shooting range and training facility at 4611 S. Burnett Drive. The Board of Zoning <br />Appeals held a public hearing on November 3, 2010 and sends the bill to the Common <br />Council with a favorable recommendation. <br /> <br />Mr. Michael Zimmerman, P. O. Box 228 Bremen, Indiana, made the presentation for this <br />bill. <br /> <br />Mr. Zimmerman advised that they are seeking a special exception use for a recreational <br />shooting range and training facility. He stated that the actions to be conducted on site <br />include a standard shooting range using only lead free frangible ammunition. A tactical <br />shooting range using only lead free frangible ammunition. A shooting house using only <br />lead free frangible ammunition. A small gun shop, workout facility, martial arts/self <br />defense training area, meeting rooms offered free to clubs, organization and law <br />enforcement for shooting and outdoor related purposes, a small reloading area for <br />reloading ammunition for this facility. Constitutes only 386 square feet of an <br />approximately 12,000 square foot facility. Only small amounts of powder and primers <br />will be kept on site and will be kept in separate fire proof cabinets in accordance with <br />OSHA standards. Mr. Zimmerman stated that this facility is the only public indoor <br />shooting range in the region if not in the country to offer the use of metal knockdown and <br />pneumatic/mechanized target systems. Fully lead free facility using only lead free <br />frangible ammunition. Indoor shooting house open to both the public and law <br />enforcement. A workout facility for full service training, the ability to train with draw <br />and fire and tactical reload techniques only allowed on the tactical range. The facility is <br />open to the public and also offers memberships. It will provide a place for law <br />enforcement to train indoors and a tactical range offers the ability to simulate different <br />lighting situations along with sound and light effects simulating police lights and sirens. <br />The range is handicap accessible. They will offer classes for self defense and firearm <br />training. Qualified off duty police will be utilized as range officers to take the public <br />through the shooting house. The officer will receive half the hourly fee. Mr. <br />Zimmerman noted that the lead free frangible ammunition disintegrates into dust <br />whenever it comes in contact with anything as hard as itself. Therefore, ricochets are not <br />an issue and since the range is built to hand high powered rifle rounds there in not the <br />possibility of a round escaping the range. Mr. Zimmerman stated that this facility will be <br />very unique as no other facility of this kind is known to exist which is available to the <br />public. This facility will provide a greatly needed training facility for not only the public <br />but for area law enforcement agencies. In addition, the facility will promote classes and <br />instruction in the safe handling and storage of firearms. The facility will draw customers <br />from all across the region as this facility is the only one of its kind. As a result the <br />property values will increase and give area businesses the opportunity to do business with <br />additional customers. <br /> <br />A Public Hearing was held on the resolution at this time. <br /> <br />The following individuals spoke in favor of this bill. <br /> <br />th <br />Mr. Fred Flowers, 421 W. 12 Street, Mishawaka, Indiana, spoke in favor of this bill. He <br />stated that the closest facility is in New Carlisle. This facility will be closer and allow for <br />the public to be better educated on how to defend themselves. <br /> <br />Mr. Joe Kellogg, 8566 Black Point Drive, Syracuse, Indiana, spoke in favor of this bill. <br />He stated that there is no other facility like this one. It will be a great asset for law <br />enforcement officials as well as the general public. <br /> <br />Mr. Ryan Wardlow, LaPaz, Indiana, urged the Council’s favorable consideration of this <br />bill. <br /> <br />th <br />Councilmember Oliver Davis stated that he is the 6 District Council representative for <br />th <br />this area. He welcomed and thanked Mr. Zimmerman to the 6 District of South Bend <br />and wished him well in this endeavor. <br /> 22 <br /> <br />