Commissioners Shoot Down Shooting Range

News

CLEVELAND, Ga. — The White County Board of Commissioners unanimously rejected a rezoning request by Caleb Huiet and Josh Wofford that would have allowed a private outdoor shooting range to be built on Hwy. 75 Alternate during Monday’s regular meeting.

Once again, the meeting room was packed by those for and against the shooting range. Commission Chairman Travis Turner asked and received restraint from the audience when the decision was announced.

At a recent public hearing on the issue, those supporting the request said they would like to have some place where they could teach gun safety to their children and grandchildren. Opponents said the range would disturb the tranquility of the area reduce property values.

Tammy Dean, who said her family has lived near the proposed facility for several generations, made the most compelling argument on behalf of her special needs daughter during that public hearing. Dean said her daughter suffers from epilepsy and is prone to seizures that can be brought on by loud noises.

“We have to take precautions at school,” Dean said. “She is not allowed to be in the building when a fire alarm goes off. We have had instances where we have had to call an ambulance and White County ambulances know when they come to pick our daughter up they can’t use their sirens. We have also had to take her somewhere else during the times when these gentlemen (property owners) have been shooting.”

In other decisions Monday, the Board tabled Shirley Van’s application for redistricting her property at 5642 Hwy. 115 West from single family residential to highway business district until several code violations have been rectified.

Commissioners unanimously denied a request for a variance from land use requirements for residential lot sizes of less than one acre by Tanvor, LLC.

In a 3-2 vote, with commissioners Terry Goodger, Edwin Nix and Lyn Holcomb in favor, the Board chose to go with a lease from Caterpillar for heavy equipment for the Road Department.

 

 

 

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