Gun Control in Goochland
From VCDL's VA-ALERT:
On Tuesday, August 7 at 7:00 PM, the Goochland Board of Supervisors
is going to be asked to change the County's zoning ordinance to
reinstate shooting ranges as a 'conditional use' requiring a special
permit.
This is a thinly veiled attempt to keep Andrew Dykers, owner of
Virginia's largest hunting preserve, Orapax, from being able to have
a sporting clays course on his vast acreage!
The individual driving this is apparently afraid Mr. Dykers is going
to win in court under the current ordinance. Thus, the change in the
ordinance is a hedge so that the County can simply deny the permit
for the range in the future.
While this tactic is not illegal, it certainly shows the shenanigans
a few well connected people will employ to further their agenda of
restricting shooting ranges.
Finally, this proposed change would adversely impact recreational
shooting ranges throughout the County since every range would have to
be approved as "Conditional Use" and thus require a "Special Permit."
The public hearing is located at:
County Administration Building
Village of Goochland Courthouse
Corner of River Road West (Va. Rt. 6) and Sandy Hook Rd. (US 522)
Please attend this meeting and show your opposition to the scheme to
change the County's zoning ordinance.
In addition, if you wish to contact the Board of Supervisors, here is
their information:
District 1
Andrew W. Pryor
(804) 457-4177
apryor@co.goochland.va.us
District 2
William E. Quarles, Jr.
(804) 556-2927
wquarles@co.goochland.va.us
District 3
Joseph T. Lacy, Jr.
(804) 556-4836
jlacy@co.goochland.va.us
District 4
Malvern R. Butler
(804) 784-4241
mbutler@co.goochland.va.us
District 5
James W. Eads
(804) 784-3944
jeads@co.goochland.va.us
Suggested email/message:
--
Please do NOT change Goochland's ordinance for Agricultural General
A-1 to reinstate shooting ranges as a "Special Use."
Such a change would make it harder for shooting ranges to be
established, at a time when it is already hard for citizens to find
places to shoot.
Protect our ranges and our ability to have safe places to shoot!
Please let me know what you are planning to do on this matter.
Sincerely,
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