HomeMy WebLinkAbout20120182 1861 - 2011 DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING SERVICES
PLANNING DIVISION
1555 E. 17TH AVENUE
GREELEY, CO CO 80 8063131 W E L € O N T Y 970-353-6100 EXT 3549 970-30 -6498
FAX koale(@co.weld.co.us
September 1, 2011
Ray Clark, President
Greenmill Sportsman's Club
Post Office Box 350506
Westminster, Colorado 80035-0506
Subject: Review of the Greenmill Sportsman's Club Safety Plan
Dear Mr. Clark:
The Department of Planning Services reviewed the Safety Plan for Amended Special Use Permit
No, AmUSR-1031 for an outdoor Shooting Range per Section 23-4-370.B.2; Section 23-4-370.C.2
through Section 23-4-370.C.6 and Section 23-4-370.D of the Weld County Code administratively via
the Site Plan Review application process. The Safety Plan review was a condition of approval for
both USR-1031 approved in 1995 and an amendment to this land use permit, approved in 2004
with the plat recorded in 2007. The Board of County Commissioners Resolution dated May 26,
2004 permitted the recreational facility subject to thirty-one (31) Development Standards.
Development Standard No. 24 states "Amended Use by Special Review Permit #1031 shall be
reviewed every five (5) years;" Development Standard No. 28 states "The property owner or
operators shall be responsible for complying with the supplementary regulations for outdoor
shooting ranges as listed in Section 23-4-370 of the Weld County Code."
As administrator of the land use application, this office referred the case to the same agencies that
were contacted in AmUSR-1031 seeking comment on the submitted safety plan that is currently in
place and to verify that the plan continues to protect the interests of the adjacent property owners
and the general public. Referral comments were received from several agencies with the Town of
Erie Police Department raising concerns based on two recent incidents of stray bullets hitting
residential homes.
Our [Town of Erie Police Department] investigation has not developed any additional information
regarding either incident. It should be noted that the Greenmill Sportsman's Club is located North
of these two addresses.
Staff review noted that Greenmill Sportsman's Club is an existing facility which was permitted in
January 1995 and has been operating from this location since 1996. The site has natural
topography that has been utilized to their advantage. Topography is rolling with higher elevations to
the North and East and the recently reclaimed Denver Regional (Erie) Landfill mound immediately
adjacent to the South. The facility has and continues to utilize this landform to act as an
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emergency buffer from adjacent property and development to the south. Lands to the West are
also protected by separation of distance and lower elevations within the facility.
Further, all rifle and pistol range areas utilize natural bullet stops consisting of an intermediate earth
berm planted in native grasses and similar plant materials of up to thirty feet in height at an
approximate 45 degree angle to the floor of the range. Additionally, the club is immediately north of
the Denver Regional (Erie) Landfill and utilizes the earth mound associated with this facility as the
emergency, secondary natural backstop. The height of this new topographical feature is well in
excess of the requirements for the natural or artificial backstop.
From the referral agency responses and review of the submitted materials from the Greenmll
Sportsman's Club it is the finding of this office that the outdoor shooting range as approved under
AmUSR-1031 is compliant with the safety plan, and, the operational and development standards
associated with this facility. With this determination as part of the case file record, no further action
is required.
Should you or members of the Greenmill Sportsman's Club have questions or concerns, please
contact this office for assistance. I may be reached at 970.353.6100 extension 3549.
Sincerely,
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Kim Ogle
Planner III
Weld County Planning Services
ec: B.Barker,Attorney's Office
T.Jiricek,Director
Weld County Sheriffs Office
Town of Erie Police Department
Clerk to the Board
File: AmUSR-1031
fst;:,
SITE PLAN REVIEW
COLORADO f}6ifmGn[Stratf✓e Review
Planner: Kim Ogle Case Number: Site Plan Review SPR-443
Parcel Number: 1467-20-0-00-012
Applicant: Ray Clark, President
Greenmill sportsman's Club
Post Office Box 350506
Westminster, Colorado 80035-0506
Legal Description: N2SW4 Section 20, TIN, R68W of the 6th P.M.,Weld County, CO
Zoning: A—Agricultural
Situs: 2493 County Road 3, Erie, CO 80516
Proposed Use: Site Plan Review of Safety Plan for Amended Special Use Permit No, AmUSR-
1031 for an outdoor Shooting Range per Section 23-4-370.6.2; Section 23-4-
370.C.2 through Section 23-4-370.C.6 and Section 23-4-370.D of the Weld
County Code
Site Plan Review Standards
Meets the Intent of the
Comments Weld County Code
Site Plan Certification YES
Retention Facilities Department of Public Works referral dated June 9,2011 YES
Off-street Parking YES
Loading Areas N/A
Access Department of Public Works referral dated June 9,2011 YES
Setback Requirements 25 Feet YES
Offset Requirements 10 Feet YES
Landscaping YES
Trash Collection and Storage YES
Potable Water Approved for Bottled water per USR-1031 YES
Sewage Disposal Approved for Porter-Lets per USR-1031 YES
Environment Standards YES
Property Maintenance YES
Narrative:
Section 23-4-370.A of the Weld County Code addresses outdoor shooting ranges,and this citation states
"A Special Review Permit to operate an outdoor shooting range, if approved, shall be conditioned on a
requirement that every ten (10)years the safety of the design of the range shall be reviewed and
changed,taking into account the history of the operation and changes in surrounding land uses and the
relevant provisions of Subsections B.2, C.2 through C.6 and D below. Review of the safety plan shall be
accomplished using the Site Plan Review process and such changes shall not constitute a major change
from the Special Review Permit.The Department of Planning Services may waive the review if the
surrounding property within one-half(%)mile has not significantly changed since the recording date of the
original application. The applicant shall provide evidence for this determination.The operator, if he or she
chooses not to accept the staff determination under the Site Plan Review process,may request that the
matter be determined by the Board of County Commissioners which shall hear the matter in accordance
with the procedures for considering a Special Review Permit; provided, however,that no fee shall be
charged."
USR-1031 for the Greenmill Sportsman's Club was approved in 1995 and an amendment to this land use
permit was approved in 2004 with the plat recorded in 2007. The Board of County Commissioners
Resolution dated May 26, 2004 permitted the recreational facility subject to thirty-one(31)Development
Standards. Development Standard No. 24 states"Amended Use by Special Review Permit#1031 shall
be reviewed every five(5)years;" Development Standard No. 28 states"The property owner or operators
shall be responsible for complying with the supplementary regulations for outdoor shooting ranges as
listed in Section 23-4-370 of the Weld County Code."
Staff review of the facility per Section 23-4-370, specific to subsections B.2, C.2 through C.6 and D as
listed herein follows.
Section 23-4-370.B states:Application for a Special Review Permit to operate an outdoor shooting range
shall be accompanied by the following information:
2. Plan of range with supporting data on safety factors.
Comment: Greenmill Sportsman's Club has an existing facility which was permitted in January 1995 and
has been operating from this location since 1996. The site has natural topography that has been utilized
to their advantage. Topography is rolling with higher elevations to the North and East and the recently
reclaimed Denver Regional(Erie)Landfill mound immediately adjacent to the South. The facility has and
continues to utilize this landform to act as an emergency buffer from adjacent property and development
to the south. Lands to the West are also protected by separation of distance and lower elevations within
the facility.
Section 23-4-370.C states: The following minimum standards shall apply to all outdoor shooting ranges:
2. Shooting ranges shall, when possible, be located to take advantage of natural terrain barriers.
The entire range(including danger area if range is not of the"Safety Range"type)shall be fenced
and waming signs posted every two hundred (200)feet.
Comment: The facility is fenced, posted and there are locked gates at all points of ingress and egress.
The primary access is a two lane gravel road that is posted at 20 miles per hour. Access is controlled by
a padlocked gate at the northeast corner of the property. The entry gate is padlocked and spans the
entire distance of the road width. The service company associated with the oil company(Encana)has
keyed locks for the range to facilitate access to the oil well equipment. Six(6)foot in height chain link
fencing is at the perimeter of the facility with signs posted "Private Property—Members Only,for
information please call 303-539-9045"and"Caution Fire Arms in Use—Keep Out"and"Caution All
Persons beyond this point must wear hearing and eye protectors—Not responsible for Accidents."
Additional informative signs are placed throughout the facility for shooting range members,their guests
and other participants.
The south property line is fenced with a six foot wire mesh.
3. Line of fire shall be as nearly horizontal as is practicable and never below horizontal. Ranges may
be constructed so that the firing point is below the target, provided that the gradient between the
firing point and target does not exceed two percent(2%).
Comment: Line of fire is horizontal as practically possible. There are established shooting stations
located within each enclosed and soundproofed structure. There are five(5)shooting areas within the
facility.
Shooting Area No. 1: A pistol range,with a target berm at 25 yards and fifty feet in width;
Shooting Area No. 2: A'big bore' range, with target berms at 50 yards, 100 yards, 200 yards. The 100
and 200 yard berms are approximately 200 feet in width, the 50 yard backstops are approximately 15 feet
wide
Shooting Area No. 3: A small bore'silhouette' range, dedicated to 22 caliber rim fire only, arranged with a
primary berm at 100 meters. Interim small berms are located at various distances from 50 to 100 meters;
Shooting Area No.4: Two'police'ranges, pistol and rifle,for use by law enforcement personnel on a pre-
scheduled, priority basis
Shooting Area No. 5: A'shotgun' range, located approximately 300 yards to the east of the rifle/pistol
complex contains two trap houses and three manual release trap stations. The shot fall area is within the
property boundary and the direction of fire is to the southeast where the land form slopes up.
4. The perimeter of the range shall be landscaped to provide natural noise barriers. The remainder
of the range shall be planted and maintained with grass or other suitable ground cover.
Comment: Vegetation in non-shooting areas consists of older wheat stubble, natural vegetation and
grasses and young trees along the west portion of the property. The ranges have similar cover, and in at
least one location,the'police' range for use by law enforcement personnel only the ground is covered in
squeege and maintained. There is limited site erosion and all exposed surfaces have a groundcover in
place.
5. If the shooting range is used by more than four (4) individuals on a regular basis, shooting shall
be supervised by a range officer or instructor qualified by the National Rifle Association, military
service or other similar training.
Comment: The Greenmill Sportsman's Club Range rules require that whenever there are four(4)or more
shooters on a given range,one shall be designated as range officer on that given range. The designated
range officer is responsible for maintaining safe conditions on that range until such duties are assumed by
another, or the range is no longer in use. One and only one range officer will be active for each range at
any given time. All shooters will follow the designated range officer's instructions. One of the executive
board positions is that of Chief Instructor. Periodic range officer training is provided for members by the
Chief Instructor.
6. In addition to firing lines or fields, adequate space for danger areas, parking, equipment, storage
building, clubhouse and latrines shall be provided.
Comment: Parking areas are located west of the pistol range and north of the law enforcement range.
Visual inspection identified four ADA compliant spaces. Two are in the large parking lot on the west side
and one is adjacent to the pistol range and another is near the big bore range. The metal skinned three
bay equipment building is located between the law enforcement range and the shotgun range. There is
not a specific clubhouse located on premises for members and their guests, however,there are adequate
hand washing and toilet facilities provided in a separate structure for members and patrons of the facility.
Trash is collected weekly by Waste Connections of Colorado.
Section 23-4-370.0 states: Provisions for pistol,small-bore and high caliber rifle ranges:
1. "Safety Range" requirement. If the range is constructed in an urbanized area, when area is
developed, or when natural terrain does not offer adequate protection, overhead safety baffles
may be required.
Comment: The pistol and big bore firing ranges are housed in separate three-sided buildings,open to the
south. These buildings are equipped with total,specifically designed sound proofing insulation to
minimize the sound levels from gunfire. The silhouette small bore and the law enforcement range have
an open cover over the concrete firing lie and an accessory storage building adjacent to the range.
Natural terrain and established berms between all ranges aides in providing adequate protection.
Additional safety provisions include the"Cease Fire"provision when an oil company representative
contacts the club and the persons on club grounds while on-site work is performed. When the work is
completed the oil field representative will notify the club and/or the persons on club grounds that he has
completed work associated with the site visit. During a cease fire all firearms are unloaded, actions
opened and grounded or cased. No person may handle a firearm during a cease fire.
Whenever landfill operations are taking place on the north side of the landfill, Greenmill will be under a
cease fire while a yellow flag is flying on the flagpole at the southwest corner of the range property or on
any of the flagpoles near the shooting stations. When landfill operations have been completed,the
landfill operator or representative will take down the yellow flag and place in the mailbox at the foot of the
pole.
Red flags indicate a hot range and are flown when firearm activity is taking place.Two flagpoles are on
the range, one near the law enforcement ranges to indicate their use, and one near the pistol, rifle and 22
range to indicate their use. The red flag will remain flying on pole until the person who placed the flag
initially takes it down. Should initial flag flyer leave the range a second member will place the flag on pole
noting that the range remains active. The understood rule is that the person who initially places the flag
will take down the flag. An informational sign at the base of the pole illustrates the appropriate action.
2. Firing points shall be four(4)to five(5)feet apart for shooting distances up to two hundred (200)
yards.
Comment: Firing positions for shooting distances up to two hundred (200)yards meet this minimum.
Visual inspection determined the shooting positions to be a minimum of five(5)feet apart.
3. Rifle or pistol ranges shall not be permitted without bullet stops. Natural or artificial bullet stops
shall be provided.
a. Natural bullet stops. Only slopes of hills shall be used for natural bullet stops. The crest of the
hill used for a bullet stop shall be at least thirty(30)feet above the level of the firing point for
a one-hundred-yard range. An additional ten (10) feet of hill shall be provided for each
additional one hundred (100) yards of range. The slope of the hill shall not be less than two
(2)to one(1). A vertical cut shall be taken out of the face of the hillside used for a backstop to
provide a nearly perpendicular face to catch bullets and prevent ricochets.
b. Artificial bullet stops. For up to a three-hundred-yard range, an earth embankment at least
twenty-five(25)feet in height,well sodded to retain a slope of thirty-five(35)degrees from
perpendicular and topped by an earth-filled timber barricade at least fifteen(15)feet high,
shall be provided. Stones shall be removed from the face of the embankment to a depth of
eighteen(18)inches. For each additional one hundred(100)yards of range,ten (10)feet in
overall height of the bullet stop shall be added.The bullet stop shah extend approximately
one hundred sixty(160)feet beyond the ends of the target line for high-caliber ranges; and
twenty-five(25)feet for small-bore rifle and pistol ranges.
Comment: All rifle and pistol range areas utilize natural bullet stops consisting of an intermediate earth
berm planted in native grasses and similar plant materials of up to thirty feet in height at an approximate
45 degree angle to the floor of the range. Additionally,the club is immediately north of the Denver
Regional (Erie)Landfill and utilizes the earth mound associated with this facility as the emergency,
secondary natural backstop. The height of this new topographical feature is well in excess of the
requirements for the natural or artificial backstop. The club has strived to maintain the backstop areas by
removing gravel and stones, and other foreign objects from the back stop area and utilizes Best
Management Practices for the individual ranges.The club recently had MT2(www.mt2.com)reclaim over
11,000 pounds of lead from the berms.
[MT2, LLC is a Colorado Limited Liability Company that was founded to continue development, effectively
distribute,and efficiently deploy innovative and cost-effective heavy metals treatment technologies for
firing ranges and at contaminated sites.]
This Site Plan Review of the Safety Plan for Amended Special Use Permit No, AmUSR-1031is
administratively approved on August 8, 2011.
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