Selina Iglesias
Greene Publishing, Inc.
During the Wednesday, July 27 county commission meeting, citizen Benjamin Wyche approached the podium with concerns about the permit progress of the Tactical Training firing range, mentioning that the public has not heard anything having to do with the range since June 22.
Wyche recapped the commissioner's discussion about the firing range. On May 5, a special meeting was held, and the commissioners decided to prepare a proposed amendment to the Land Use Regulations Board under the special exception process to add “firing range/tactical training facility” under Agriculture for board consideration. The board then agreed by consensus to delay enforcement of the land use until Steven Williams, who handled a tactical training facility, completed the permitting process, which Attorney Tommy Reeves claimed would take 60 to 90 days.
On June 2, the matter of the permitting process went before the Planning and Zoning Board and on June 8, the first of two public hearings was held.
During the June 22 meeting, the second public hearing occurred, and the commissioners considered a proposed amendment to Madison County's Land Development Regulations. Reeves explained that, if the ordinance was approved, it would provide a method to allow a tactical training facility through the special exception permitting process.
At this time, Wyche asked the commissioners to consider adjoining land owners and the proposed facility's impact on adjoining land values. He also had questions concerning the noise level and hours of operation of the facility. Jeanne Bass, with the Planning and Zoning Board, explained that if the ordinance is approved, matters of concern may be addressed during the special exception process during the public hearings that will go before the Planning and Zoning Board and the county commissioners. The commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the proposed ordinance with revisions proposed by the Planning and Zoning Board.
Wyche expressed his frustration, as since then, no other progress has been made regarding the special exception permitting process. The county commission and the Planning and Zoning Board have done their part, but Williams did not do his part after all that was done to comply with his request.
He had the opportunity to apply for the July 7 and Aug. 4 Planning and Zoning Board meetings, but failed to do so; the next meeting will be held on Sep. 1, but in addition, two public hearings will need to be held, putting the process back until Sep. 28, 146 days from the original meeting.
“I believe [Williams] is taking advantage of the board of county commissioners when [an extension was made] by not enforcing the land development regulations or imposing a fine of violation or code,” said Wyche. “Mr. Williams is getting his cake and eating it too, because he really has nothing to gain by applying for the special exception with Planning and Zoning.”
As of now, Williams is operating in violation of code.
“There is no special exception process that Bass spoke of,” said Wyche. “Please do not allow this to continue without process. The tactical facility at this site will cause a reduction in quality of life and have adverse effects on adjacent property values.”
Wyche went on to say that setting a bad precedent by allowing the facility to operate without a special exception permit is violation of code.
“I request that the board enforce the land development code and stop all unpermitted activity and the tactical facility until an application is filed with the Planning and Zoning Board,” said Wyche. “[I also request that] this matter goes through the special exception process with public hearings before the Planning and Zoning Board and the board of county commissioners, which is the proper procedure.”
After hearing Wyche's concerns, the commissioners began to discuss a proper way to deal with this issue.
The commissioners voted to write a letter to code enforcement and inform them that Tactical Training is in violation and Williams needs to apply for the special exception. Code enforcement will contact Tactical Training and give them a certain number of days to comply. If this is not done, the individuals will be fined for their violation of code.