Workshop Item Cathy Sorensen, City Clerk/Dan Szykulski, Deputy Police Chief
Title
Title
Archery Ranges
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Background
Staff met recently as part of overall City Code review and focused on archery ranges. After discussion staff is recommending amending the ordinance and removing Sec. 50-115(b) that would clarify archery range permits will no longer be issued. There currently are no approved ranges in the City and because any type of arrow used would travel too far to safely be able to issue a permit, staff recommends removing ranges Code. An indoor range would be allowed with no permitting and an outdoor practice-only range could be allowed with no permitting as long as the arrow is not point tipped (safety tips/rubber) and used for practice only with an appropriate target/backstop - this amendment would only affect arrows defined under the deadly weapon definition. Staff recalls very few requests over the years for this type of activity so there does not seem to be much of a demand for a range and this proposed amendment would clean up the code.
Sec. 50-115. Discharge of deadly weapon limited; archery permit; special permit at funerals; hunting with firearm.
(a) Except as specifically authorized in this division and in article VII, chapter 22 of this Code, all discharging and use of deadly weapons within the city are hereby prohibited.
(b) The city manager may issue permits for archery ranges within the city to allow the discharge and use of bows and arrows in conjunction with an approved archery range.
It should be noted that the current language has been interpreted by some to mean that the City Manager can approve a permit for someone to set up an archery use in their backyard. This change will also assist with clarifying that such a use would also not be allowed. Within the past 18 months, two inquiries have come in to the City Manager requesting the ability to set up archery in a back yard.
Staff Recommendation
If Council direction is received, staff will bring the ordinance amendment forward for first reading at the next available meeting.
Attachment List
None