Zoners conditionally OK more shooting hours

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PROSPECT — The Prospect Gun Club will be able to shoot longer if it can shoot quieter.

The Planning and Zoning Commission voted at its Oct. 21 meeting to allow the gun club to additionally operate its shooting range from 4 to 6 p.m., or half an hour before sunset, on Thursdays; and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. the Friday after Thanksgiving.

However, the extended hours will only be allowed if the club meets certain conditions.

Land Use Inspector Tammy Deloia said the commission will only allow the gun club to extend its hours if it installs sound suppression material at the range. She said the club must first present the design of what it plans to do to the commission. Once the commission has the design, it will vote on whether to accept it.

If the plan is accepted, the club can install the sound suppression material, Deloia said. Only after the material has been installed can the club extend its hours, she said.

The shooting range is located at 221 Cheshire Road, which is near Prospect VFW Post 8075 and the Department of Public Works garage. The range’s current hours are from 4 until 6 p.m., or half an hour before sunset, on Fridays; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., or half an hour before sunset, on Saturdays; and 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Sunday. The club is closed on Easter Sunday.

The club filed an application earlier this year with the commission to expand its hours to include 4 to 6 p.m., or half an hour before sunset, on Thursdays; and three additional hours on Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition, the club wants to open the range from 12 to 4 p.m. on Memorial Day, Labor Day and the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Club members want to expand the hours to accommodate a rise in members over the past few years. Residents who live next to the range complained to the commission about the noise from the gun range and argued that expanding the hours will only make it worse.

Prospect Gun Club President Jerry Williams could not be reached for comment.