8-2-16
(Cleveland)- The efforts by two White County men to establish a gun range in the northern part of the county got the thumbs down recommendation Monday night from the White County Planning Commission Board. The board held a public hearing a week ago and received comments from several residents, including some who live near the proposed location saying they oppose the idea because of noise and safety issues. There were some attending the July 25th meeting that supported the idea.
During Monday night’s meeting the planning commission voted 5-1 to deny a land use change and a special use permit that had been sought. Board member R.K. Ackerman, who initially made a motion to approve the land use change, but none of his fellow board members would second, voted no to deny the land use change and special use permit.
Caleb Huiet and Josh Wofford made the request for the changes so they could establish a gun club and offer a hand gun and long gun firing range for the members. Both men believe there was a lot of misinformation provided earlier and Wofford said after the planning commission vote, “ I respect their decision, and we will move forward and hopefully the voice of the people will be heard correctly whenever we come before the county commissioners, and hopefully it will be heard and decisions will be based on fact and public opinion and numbers.”
Wofford and Huiet say they look forward to the next step.
The planning commission recommendation will be forwarded to the county commissioners, who have the final word, they will hear the issue during their work session on August 29th at 4:30 PM.
