Despite removing the agenda item for a proposed sporting clays range from the Walker County Commission meeting Thursday night, Mountain Cove neighbors nevertheless didn’t withhold their fire against the proposal, by trying to shoot down any future support for the measure.
Every person who voiced an opinion in the public participation segment was against the proposed gun range, citing noise as well as environmental pollution,unwanted traffic and an expected devaluation of neighboring properties.
Citizens also questioned why the range was even on the commission’s agenda with last week’s unanimous vote by the Planning & Zoning Commision to deny the application.
Critics said Duane Horton of the Scenic Land Company did not satisfy one of eight requirements on the rezoning application for the shooting range.
But John Pucell of the county’s planning department said Horton withdrew the application before a vote to deny was taken by the commission.
Nevertheless, neighbors of the proposed Mountain Cove range site have at least six months of remaining peace and quiet before the issue could return with a renewed application.
In other commission action, the board held first public hearings on proposed changes to the relatively new Alcohol Control Board as well as Walker County Animal Control.
Commissioners will look to likely trim the allowable number of operating package liquor stores from the current 20 to a dozen, possibly by year’s end.
Meanwhile, Animal Control Officers want to institute a mandatory spay and neuter enforcement policy to deal with chronic backyard dog breeders, who they say contribute to the daily housing crisis at the shelter.
Volunteer Deborah Courson says the current pet overpopulation problem has created ” a one way conveyor belt to hell for unwanted animals” at the Walker County Animal Shelter.
Director Emily Sadler says despite waiving all fees to spur more adoptions, the shelter currently has 150 dogs, waiting for new homes.
By Vince Lennon