Justin Whaley of Dead Zero speaking at the Planning Commission Monday afternoon
The Planning Commission, after a lengthy hearing on Monday afternoon, recommended denial for rezoning for a controversial shooting range at Bakewell.
The final decision on the proposal by Dead Zero will be made by the County Commission. It is set to take up the issue at an agenda session on Jan. 11 with a possible vote on Jan. 18.
Opponents cited safety and noise concerns for the proposed shooting range at 1133 Retro Hughes Road.
Planning Commission members said they were concerned that an independent sound engineering report was not submitted. Justin Whaley of Dead Zero said such a study would cost $70,000. He said his firm did its own study following recognized practices.
He said the proposal was for five different shooting ranges on the property. There would be a 600-foot range with a 25-foot backstop, a 25-foot range and a 50-foot range with a 15-foot backstop, a 100-foot range with a 20-foot backstop, a five-stand range and an archery range.
Mr. Whaley, who is heading the project with Wade Batson, said the range would be veteran owned.
He said the owners had hired several shooting range experts and they addressed the Planning Commission, saying the course meets or exceeds requirements.
Mr. Whaley said there would be a required safety course and safety officers would be present at all times.
He said the entire property would be fenced. The nearest home is a quarter-mile away, it was stated.
Derick Clayton, who led the opposition, said there was danger that shots could be fired within the neighborhood and as far away as Highway 27 and Sale Creek. He said it would operate 10 hours a day, six days a week. It would be closed at night.
Opponent Randy Horton said the Cumberland Trail, that is in the final stages of completion, borders the property on three sides.
"We expect it will be done in the next two years, and it will be a very popular trail," he said.
Scott Phillips, who lives nearby, said he was homeschooling his five children on the day the owners tested the noise level.
He said, "We started hearing one shot after another. My son asked, 'Daddy, is there someone shooting at our house?'"
Mr. Phillips said he called police because he and his wife believed that someone was shooting in their yard.
City Councilman Yusuf Hakeem made the motion to deny. He said, "We're talking about the quality of life of people who live in that area."
There was one no vote and one person abstained.
Scott Phillips speaking at the Planning Commission Monday afternoon