BY ANDREAS YILMA
REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN
PROSPECT — The Prospect Gun Club has withdrawn all three applications from the Land Use Department for a new proposed gun range because there were also concerns from residents.
The gun club withdrew all three applications, which included a Special Permit Application and Site Plan Application for the Planning and Zoning Commission and an Inland Wetlands Application, on March 29 in a letter from the gun club’s attorney, Jillian Judd out of the law firm Pilicy, Ryan and Ward, P.C. out of Watertown.
The letter to the Land Use Department alludes to counsel guidance as it first states “after due consideration.”
The Planning and Zoning Commission on Feb. 15 accepted the application from the club to build a new facility at 178 New Haven Road, which is in the south end of town near the Bethany line. The previously proposed facility called for a 36-stall firing range and clubhouse off Route 69.
The 68-acre New Haven Road property is owned by Peter Visockis, Victor Visockis and Victor Visockis Jr. The club had planned to operate seven days a week with the range open from 9 a.m. to dusk and the clubhouse from 8 a.m. to noon.
If the application was approved, Prospect Gun Club would have moved from its 100-yard range on land behind the town garage at 221 Cheshire Road.
Land Use Inspector Mary Barton said she did not know why the club withdrew their applications.
Residents had concerns that the value of their properties would decrease due to the range’s proximity to their home. They also were concerned about safety and noise.
Jerry Williams, president of Prospect Gun Club, previously said the club was aware of these concerns.
Williams and Judd could not be reached for comment as of press time as to why the applications were withdrawn.
On March 29, the Prospect Gun Club posted on Facebook that the club thanked everyone for their support over the past month.
“Unfortunately we have pulled our applications for a new range based on some legal recommendations that were presented to us,” the Prospect Gun Club Facebook page states. “Unfortunately we cannot go into more detail than this at this time. Thank you very much for standing behind us.”
