July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
BZA shoots down plan (12/19/03)
Walker's request denied
A request by a Portland man to open a commercial recreation business in Greene Township was shot down — at least for now — by the Jay County Board of Zoning Appeals on Thursday.
The board’s decision followed numerous neighbors of the Greene Township property voicing their opposition to the plan.
Mike Walker, 1311 N. Franklin St., needed the special exception to open a shotgun and bow shooting business on his approximately 22-acre property, located on the east side of county road 400 West between county roads 50 and 100 South. The land is currently zoned an agricultural/residential district.
Walker said at Thursday’s meeting that he planned to open a business with a shotgun clay pigeon shooting range, bow and arrow targets, nature trails and catch-and-release fishing. Walker said he planned to operate the shooting facilities by appointment only and on one or two days a week.
He added that shooters would be supervised and shoot towards the ground from elevated stands in an effort to keep the shotgun pellets on his property and reduce noise. Walker also said Thursday he had constructed an earthen wall on the west side of his property to decrease noise.
Neighbor Deb Haffner, 3887 West 50 South, Portland, was in favor of Walker’s plan and told the board Thursday that Walker should have the right to do what he wants with his property.
Other neighbors of Walker’s property and nearby property owners spoke in opposition, citing their fears of stray shots, increased noise and traffic and decreases in their property values as reasons to deny the request.
Tom Weaver, 4151 West 100 South, Portland, told the board that, among other concerns, he was worried about the safety of Jay County High School athletes that jog in that area, and he presented a letter of opposition from JCHS principal Wood Barwick.
“We see no upside to this,” Weaver said.
Board members Dennis Rodgers, Jerry Thornburg, Don Loy, Carl Walker and Steve Fennig denied the request, citing the possible disruption of gun noise for neighbors.
Board members also cited the lack of plans explaining how many people will be using the business, and the exact location of the shooting stands and parking in the request made by Walker.
Walker said this morning that he doesn’t know what action, if any, he will take following the board’s decision.
Board members said Thursday that Walker may re-submit his plan at any time, including the additional information.
Walker also can appeal the board’s decision in Jay Circuit or Superior courts, according to Indiana code. The petition must be filed within 30 days of Thursday’s decision.[[In-content Ad]]
The board’s decision followed numerous neighbors of the Greene Township property voicing their opposition to the plan.
Mike Walker, 1311 N. Franklin St., needed the special exception to open a shotgun and bow shooting business on his approximately 22-acre property, located on the east side of county road 400 West between county roads 50 and 100 South. The land is currently zoned an agricultural/residential district.
Walker said at Thursday’s meeting that he planned to open a business with a shotgun clay pigeon shooting range, bow and arrow targets, nature trails and catch-and-release fishing. Walker said he planned to operate the shooting facilities by appointment only and on one or two days a week.
He added that shooters would be supervised and shoot towards the ground from elevated stands in an effort to keep the shotgun pellets on his property and reduce noise. Walker also said Thursday he had constructed an earthen wall on the west side of his property to decrease noise.
Neighbor Deb Haffner, 3887 West 50 South, Portland, was in favor of Walker’s plan and told the board Thursday that Walker should have the right to do what he wants with his property.
Other neighbors of Walker’s property and nearby property owners spoke in opposition, citing their fears of stray shots, increased noise and traffic and decreases in their property values as reasons to deny the request.
Tom Weaver, 4151 West 100 South, Portland, told the board that, among other concerns, he was worried about the safety of Jay County High School athletes that jog in that area, and he presented a letter of opposition from JCHS principal Wood Barwick.
“We see no upside to this,” Weaver said.
Board members Dennis Rodgers, Jerry Thornburg, Don Loy, Carl Walker and Steve Fennig denied the request, citing the possible disruption of gun noise for neighbors.
Board members also cited the lack of plans explaining how many people will be using the business, and the exact location of the shooting stands and parking in the request made by Walker.
Walker said this morning that he doesn’t know what action, if any, he will take following the board’s decision.
Board members said Thursday that Walker may re-submit his plan at any time, including the additional information.
Walker also can appeal the board’s decision in Jay Circuit or Superior courts, according to Indiana code. The petition must be filed within 30 days of Thursday’s decision.[[In-content Ad]]
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