ORD NO 26-2005 CITY OF VAN BUREN, ARKANSAS
ORDINANCE NO. a6 -2005
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO, 7 -1963 AND NO. 25 -1997 FOR THE
PURPOSE OF ADDING INDOOR FIRING RANGE AS A CONDITIONAL USE AND
SETTING RESTRICTIONS THEREON; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 25 -91 makes the discharging of firearms within the city
limits unlawful, with the exception of discharges in a regularly established
shooting gallery; and
WHEREAS, The zoning ordinance of the City of Van Buren does not provide a zone for
the placement of a "shooting gallery;" and
WHEREAS, The Planning Commission, after notice to the public and a public hearing
on the issue, recommends that shooting galleries be included in the zoning
ordinance, but only by conditional use, to ensure that adequate safety
measures are employed to protect the public and only in commercial and /or
industrial areas.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
VAN BUREN, ARKANSAS:
SECTION 1: That Ordinance No. 7 -1963, as amended by Ordinance No. 25 -1997, is
amended to add the follow provision:
"Additional Conditions for Indoor Firing Ranges." All conditional use
permits issued for an indoor firing range shall be subject to the following
conditions:
a. The noise level from outside the exterior wall of a firing range
shall not exceed eighty (80) decibels. The Building Inspector or
his /her designated representative shall inspect and review the
operation of the facility six (6) months after the facility opens for
business. Any cost for the inspection shall be bourne by the
owner /operator of the range. The purpose of the inspection shall
be to ensure that no additional sound proofing measures are
necessary. If problems are found to exist (exceeding eighty (80)
decibels) from the outside of the exterior wall of the firing range,
then the Inspector may impose additional noise abatement
measures on the applicant which are necessary to reduce the
decibel level below eighty (80) decibels.
b. All potential owners and operators of an indoor firing range shall
be required to obtain a letter from the chief of police stating that
the individuals and all employees have no known criminal history.
Such letter shall be submitted to the Building Inspector's Office
prior to the planning commission's review of the permit.
c. All potential owners and operators of an indoor firing range shall
submit a statement signed by all owners /operators that they will
comply with all local, state and federal laws, regulations and
guidelines regarding the operation of an indoor firing range. The
statement shall be submitted to the Building Inspector's Office
prior to the planning commission's review of the permit.
d. The ventilation system shall be designed so that the total volume of
air in the range is changed from twenty (20) to forty (40) times per
hour at a minimum, and a steady positive flow of air toward the
back stop at the velocity of fifty (50) feet per minute shall be the
minimum acceptable level, or the then current OSI-TA standard,
whichever is more stringent.
SECTION 2: Because no current regulations are in place for indoor firing ranges, and
that any range being established in the City needs to be subject to these
regulations, it is necessary for the public peace, health, safety and welfare,
that these regulations be implemented immediately, and an emergency is
declared to exist. Therefore, this ordinance shall be in full force and effect
from after the date of the passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED THIS 153. DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2005.
MAYOR gpLIN RIG
ATTESTED:
ILLU
CITY CLERK/TREASURER