HomeMy WebLinkAboutDiscussion - Firing Range LocationTO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Teresa Rozic, Property Specialist
DATE: October 16, 2008
SUBJECT: October 20, 2008 Work Session Agenda
Sheriffs Office Firing Range - Analysis of Alternate Locations
The Sheriffs Office and the Redmond Rod and Gun Club use approximately 140 acres for
individual firing ranges within 215 acres of county -owned land in Redmond. The County is
planning to sell that property. The proximity of the gun club range has benefits to the
public and law enforcement. Therefore, the board directed us to try to find land large
enough to include the gun club in an arrangement similar to what they have now.
Since June 2007 we have tried unsuccessfully to identify a suitable location. We suggest
that the project goals be re-examined and request board direction.
✓ We examined all county -owned and some state-owned land with zoning that allows
a firing range. None meets our criteria.
✓ BLM will not lease land for a firing range because of the environmental liability. A
sale will take at least two years and cost $400,000. A land exchange will take at
least five years.
✓ BLM will require a full environmental review and public process to amend the
existing training area lease to allow live fire. Oregon Military Department fears this
will jeopardize the lease and will not make the request.
In June we learned from planning department staff that a recent hearings officer decision
may have set a precedent for rezoning EFU land allow a firing range. We think this is our
final option for locating a range for the Sheriff in Deschutes County.
• Which parcel shall we attempt to rezone?
• Must we find a site that will accommodate both the Sheriffs and the gun club
ranges?
• If the gun club continues to be a partner, the success of the rezone may rely on the
establishment of a private range. Law enforcement may have to lease from the club.
The following table summarizes the four county -owned parcels that fit the criteria.
Positive Aspects _ Negative
o County -owned land o Restrictions for wildlife (?)
o Access as soon as land use o Proximity to airstrip/highway
action approved o Distance from Bend/Redmond
o Easy road access o No utilities
1 o Adequate size for 2 ranges
o Potential conflict with future
development
o Potential conflict with existing
uses (transfer station, archers)
o Proximity to airport safety zone
o No road or utilities
o Potential conflict with future
Fair and/or industrial uses
o Proximity to airport safety zone
o No road or utilities
o Not adequate size for 2 ranges
o Proximity to highway
o Restrictions for wildlife (?)
o No utilities
Redmond East ;Kr+ C5, EFU, M2, ` o County -owned land
Ii o OSPR, SM, o Access as soon as land use
SMIA, AS, action approved
RURA, LM o Proximity to Bend/Redmond
o Adequate size for 2 ranges
o No potential conflict with
wildlife
o County -owned land
o Access as soon as land use
action and land exchange
approved
Horse Ridge 60 EFU, LM, o County -owned land
SMIA, WA o Access as soon as land use
action approved
o Proximity to Bend/Redmond
o Easy road access
CU
C
0
N
EFU, FP, LM.
SMIA, WA
EFU, LM, AS
Acres
+
Q
O
d-
Redmond 200+
South
Property
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Figure 4. Proposed Land Management Concept
PROPOSED SOUTH REDMOND TRACT LAND USE AND MANAGEMENT PLAN • DEPARTMENT OF STATE LANDS • OCTOBER 2008
APPENDIX B: Airport Safety Combining Zone
PROPOSED SOUTH REDMOND TRACT LAND USE AND MANAGEMENT PLAN • DEPARTMENT OF STATE LANDS • OCTOBER 2008
Chronology
• June 2007: State and local zoning laws limited our search to property zoned Forest Use.
✓ Inspected county and state lands in this zone. None fit our criteria.
• December 2007: Met with BLM
✓ They do not favor individual ranges. Suggested they had land east of the existing
ranges to lease.
✓ Tried unsuccessfully for four months to schedule a follow up meeting with BLM.
• June 2008: A recent hearings officer decision may set precedent for rezoning EFU to
OSPR to allow a firing range.
✓ Met with CDD staff, Sheriff and gun club reps.
✓ Resume analysis of county -owned EFU parcels.
• August 2008: We learn from BLM that the moratorium on Recreation and Public
Purpose leases has been lifted. They want to hear about the regional facility concept.
✓ Oregon Military Dept. (OMD) will join us in a regional facility but they need 5,000 -
acre safety fan for large caliber weapons.
✓ We suggest they amend their current training area lease to include live fire.
• September 2008: We meet with Sheriff, gun club and OMD reps and agree on a
regional facility concept for the existing training area lease east of Redmond.
• October 2008: All parties meet at BLM offices
✓ They will not lease for a firing range because of the environmental hazard liability
✓ A sale is possible but that process takes two years and costs about $400,000.
✓ A land exchange takes at least five years.