Commercial Outdoor Public Shooting Ranges, not including private firearm ranges, shall be permitted as special uses for firearm training purposes in A-Agricultural and l-lndustrial zoning districts, subject to the following provisions:
A. Development Requirements:
1. Commercial outdoor public shooting ranges shall be designed by a design
professional (architect or engineer) who will verify compliance to the standards listed in the current National Rifle Association (NRA) “The Range Manual, A Guide to Planning and Construction”.
2. Setbacks for all portions of the outdoor public shooting range shall be as follows:
a. 300 feet from all property lines.
b. 1,000 feet from all occupied structures on adjacent properties.
3. Warning signs: Warnings signs for the commercial outdoor public shooting ranges shall be in compliance with the requirements listed in the NRA “The Range Manual, A Guide to Planning and Construction” and be placed every one hundred feet (100’-0”) along the perimeter of the facility.
4. Environmental Protection: The commercial outdoor public shooting range shall be designed such that it is in compliance with the Best Management Practices of the current edition of the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Best Management Practices for Lead at Outdoor Shooting Ranges. The range shall be designed to prevent contamination of any waterway considered “Waters of the U.S.” as defined by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, wetland or floodplain in accordance with the Clean Water Act.
5. Fencing shall be placed around the entire perimeter of the commercial outdoor public shooting range. Fencing shall be six feet in height and designed to prevent trespassing.
6. Parking and bathroom/sanitary facilities shall be provided for maximum occupancy of the commercial outdoor public shooting range.
7. A safety plan shall be provided that complies with the requirements of the NRA current edition of, “The Range Manual, A Guide to Planning and Construction.”
B. Operational Requirements:
1. Hours of Operation shall be from 8:00 AM to sunset for hand firearm training.
Exception:
a. Law enforcement officers are able to practice after sunset for the purposes of subdued lighting certification.
b. Night shooting as part of course certification shall be allowed twice a month maximum that operates two hours after official sunset.
2. Liability Insurance: Proof of liability insurance in the minimum amount of one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) shall be provided to Grundy County that names Grundy County as an additional insured party and shall save and hold Grundy County, its appointed officials, and employees acting within the scope of their duties harmless from and against all claims, demands, and causes of action of any kind or character, including the cost of defense thereof, arising in favor of a person or group’s members or employees or third parties on account of any property damage arising out of the acts or omissions of the permittee, his/her/ group, club, or its agents or representatives. Grundy County shall be notified immediately if there are any changes or lapses to this liability insurance coverage.
3. The facility shall have an NRA certified Chief Range Safety Officer (CRSO) who writes the Standard Operating Procedures and oversees range operations. Whenever the range is in use either the CRSO or a designated NRA certified Range Safety Officer shall be present and supervising range safety.
4. The range safety manager shall provide an annual report to the Land Use Department that indicates that the facility complies and is maintained such that all of the requirements listed within this section, all local, state, and federal fire arm/firearm laws, the current NRA edition of “The Range Manual A Guide to Planning and Construction”, and any imposed additional conditions by the County Board are complied with.
5. No alcohol or other illicit drugs shall be on the premises of the facility nor shall any of the participants of the facility be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol during operational hours of the facility.
6. All participants utilizing the facility shall comply with all local, state, and federal firearm and firearm laws.
7. The noise levels measured at the property line of the facility shall not exceed sixty-five (65) dBA when the facility is adjacent or across the street from an existing occupied structure.
C. Submittal for Special Use for Commercial Outdoor Public Shooting Ranges:
1. Completed application
2. Drawings completed by a design professional (architect or engineer) that provides all of the following information:
a. Property lines of the parcel that will include the shooting facility.
b. Distance of the shooting range to all property lines.
c. Occupied structures on adjacent properties including properties that are across the street within 1,000 feet.
d. Safety sign locations and example of such signage.
e. Fence location, and type.
f. Driveway and proposed parking area for participants.
g. Location and number of bathrooms/sanitary facilities for participants.
h. Location of all streams, water, or waterways (including dry river beds), floodplain, and wetland located on the property and distance to the facility.
i. Existing structures, well head, and trees on the property and distance to the facility.
j. Projected noise contours showing the dB levels at the property lines if adjacent to occupied parcels
k. All details and information listed under A. Development Requirements and B. Operational Requirements (Ord. 2021-015, 6-8-2021)