HomeMy WebLinkAboutNews Release - Moratorium on Modifications to Existing and Establishing New Shooting Facilities - 12 18 17 Phone (360) 385-9100 Fax (360) 385-9382 pmorley@co.jefferson.wa.us
Philip Morley
1820 Jefferson Street
PO Box 1220
Port Townsend, WA 98368
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
December 18, 2017 Philip Morley, County Administrator (360) 385-9100
JEFFERSON COUNTY ADOPTS ONE-YEAR MORATORIUM TO DEVELOP
REGULATIONS FOR MODIFYING EXISTING AND ESTABLISHING NEW
COMMERCIAL SHOOTING FACILITIES
On Monday, December 18, 2017, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners voted
unanimously to adopt an Ordinance establishing a moratorium of up to one year on permits to
modify existing or establish new commercial shooting facilities in unincorporated Jefferson
County. Consistent with state law, a public hearing will be held on the Moratorium Ordinance
within 60 days of its passage today.
A key goal of passing the Ordinance is to develop and adopt regulations within the next year
which will preserve and protect the continued viability of commercial shooting facilities in
Jefferson County in the face of increasing population pressure and density of conflicting land
uses. The moratorium adopts a one-year work program during which Jefferson County will
assess the impacts of existing and future commercial shooting facilities on public safety, the
environment, and land use compatibility, and identify reasonable mitigating measures.
Commercial shooting facilities benefit Jefferson County residents by providing residents and
law enforcement the opportunity to learn firearm safety, practice shooting, and participate in
amateur recreational firearm sports in a safe, controlled, and environmentally-sound setting.
Through the Ordinance, the County Commissioners are creating a 9-member citizen Review
Committee to advise the County as the County develops a draft ordinance over the next year.
Committee members will be appointed by the Commissioners, including the Director of the
Department of Community Development or her designee, the County Sheriff or his designee,
the Director of Environmental Health or his designee, a representative of each current
commercial shooting facility, a resident or property owner from each of the three
Commissioner Districts, a representative of tribal interests if they wish, and one at -large County
resident or property owner. The County will be hiring a consultant to provide expertise and
professional support to help the Review Committee and the County in their work.
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The Review Committee will advise the County on developing reasonable regulations for
commercial shooting facilities, which draft would be presented for adoption as an ordinance by
the County Commissioners within the coming year.
The Ordinance creating the moratorium is authorized under state law pursuant to RCW
36.70.795, RCW 36.70A.390 and Article 11, Section 11 of the Washington State Constitution, for
up to one year, with a work plan for Jefferson County’s planning agency as part of the
Ordinance.
A copy of Ordinance 05-1218-17 is attached.
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