(9/27) Following which at times was contentious exchanges between Kirby Delauter and Planning Commission board members; Delauter withdrew his request for a ‘text change’ in current allowable use of land in the town’s industrial zone.

Delauter had requested that allowable uses be expanded to include shooting ranges. Delauter, has proposed to build a shooting range on land adjacent and just south of the new Rutter’s gas station, just across Rt. 15 from the Emmit Garden and Silo Hill residential developments.

In their briefing to the Planning Commission however, town staff warned the board that Delauter’s requests, as submitted, would apply to all of the town’s industrial zone, which if approved, could mean a shooting range would then be allowable on the west side of Rt. 15, directly adjacent to Emmit Gardens and the residential areas of Emmitsburg proper.

Delauter’s told the Board his intention as to install a shooting range that would be used to allow individuals to become certified for carry weapons, and while initially it would be limited to pistols, he did not exclude allowing the shooting of riffles. The proposed range would be enclosed within 20-foot embankments with tires filled with stone dust set behind targets to stop bullets.

All shooting at the range according to Delauter would only take place ‘under supervision of an ‘instructor.’ The facility would not have its own instructor, but a list of approved instructors who would be given access to the facility. Shooting would be allowed from 9 a.m. until dusk, seven days a week.

While initial concerns from the board revolved around how to stop lead form the bullets leaching into ground water, the discussion quickly pivoted to the noise from the range and its impact on the quality of life in Emmitsburg. Board members also raised concerns over the possibility of stray bullets hitting cars on Rt. 15, landing in Emmits Gardens & Silo Hill, or hitting a gas truck in the new Rutter’s service station, serve station, which according to the safety standards the town staff is utilized to develop their briefing to the Board, is not a none-zero probability.

Town staff noted that approval for Federal Stone’s facility was based upon no noise emanating from the facility and questioned the fairness of allowing an adjacent facility to make noise that would be clearly heard in the center of town.

Tim Bieber, representing Rutter’s, said he was worried about the safety of the new facility and its customers. "People will be hearing shots as soon as they get out of their cars and not know where they are coming from. This will also have an impact on our employees."

Richard Lindsay, who owns a horse farm near the proposed shooting range, told the Board of an incident years ago where skeet-shooting took place for a day at the waste water treatment facility. "I had two horse that ran through fences out of fright. I can’t image how bad it will be if my family and my horses had to hear shooting all day long, every day."

Town staff recommend to the Board that the town first establish requirements for shooting ranges if they where to be permitted within town limits. Staff recommendations included requiring any shooting range be no closer then 2,500 yards from a residential development (a NRA recommendation) & noise abatement measures. Without the requirements in place the town staff warned the Board, Delauter’s proposed range could be grandfathered in and built under current regulations that do not address noise.

The potential for a shooting range however seemed to hit a brick wall when Board member Kevin Hagen noted that Federal Law prohibits gun ranges no closer then 2,500 yards of a federal facility. The prohibition brought a quizzical look from the proposed range manager who did not appear to be aware of the presence of FEMA across RT. 15 from the proposed range.

Delauter stated that the facility was being built because residents of Frederick County had to drive up to four hours to a faculty that provide qualification. However, County Official interviewed for this story stated there where multiple shooting ranges already if Frederick County that offered certification.

Un-mentioned at the meeting is the fact that there target shooting enthusiast presently have the option of two shooting range s with 10 miles, one in Thurmont and the Blue Ridge Sportsman’s Association 4 miles west of Emmitsburg.

According to Liberty Township, Delauter is also considering constructing a shooting range just off of Rt. 116 near the Harrington’s equipment yard. The proposal has already riled up local residents who plan to turn out to voice their concern.

For the time being however, Emmitsburg has dodged the bullet so to speak, although the door was left open for him to reapply for a permit.