A Massena man’s plans for an indoor shooting range along with a gun sales and service shop near Massena, have cleared another hurdle. The Cass County Board of Supervisors today (Wednesday) approved the first of two readings of an amended County Zoning Ordinance that would allow such a business to exist anywhere in the County. Prior to the Supervisor’s unanimous vote to approve the amendment, Zoning Administrator Rich Hansen updated the Board on the matter during a public hearing. Hansen says Kevin McCunn, of Massena, approached the County Planning and Zoning Commission about plans to open an indoor shooting range and gun sales/repair business.

The Zoning Board held a hearing on Jan. 24^th during which McCunn explained the EPA has guidelines concerning the levels of lead in the building, and OSHA guidelines pertaining to safety. The Commission therefore believed no additional guidelines were needed to establish that type of facility. McCunn says the range would feature six indoor shooting alleys with mechanical target setting and retrieval.

The next step was to determine whether the business should fall under the classification of Business or Light Industrial District. They came to the conclusion it should be included in a business district. Also, under Business, the Commission determined the indoor shooting facility could be included under a section entitled “Recreational/Amusement activities,” such as bowling alleys, miniature golf courses, driving range, skating rinks and dance halls. He says the gun sales and repair part of the business would be included under a separate section of the amended ordinance.

The change means business owners can locate a separate open shooting range and/or a gun sales and repair shop in a rural area of the County as long as the land is zoned Business or Light Industrial. Hansen says business uses can be included in Light Industrial Districts. Prior to the Board’s vote, they heard comments from the public, all of whom were in favor of the amendment and indoor shooting range. Among those who spoke was Cass County Veteran’s Affairs Director Mitch Holmes, and Atlantic City Councilman Steve Livengood, both of whom said gun enthusiasts in the area really have no where close to practice shooting. They said the closing last year of an outdoor shooting area north of Griswold known as “Iranistan,” leaves no place for public shooting, other than in Omaha or Des Moines.

The next public hearing and vote on the amended ordinance takes place during the Supervisor’s meeting on Feb. 20^th