Assembly passes property for SCTP shooting range

PALMER — At the meeting of the Mat-Su Borough Assembly on April 20, Resolution 21-038 passed 5-1 to allow for borough staff to begin the process of negotiating a less than fair market value sale of borough owned property for the purposes of building a shooting range.

Just months after the controversial Ordinance 20-025 passed reconsideration last December and established regulations for nonprofit and educational shooting ranges, the Assembly passed an ordinance for the sale of 240 acres out of a 636-acre plot off West Carmel Road to be sold to Alaska Scholastic Clay Target Program, a nonprofit youth shotgun shooting organization run by Neil Moss.

“If you read the report it’s not buildable, it’s not building land, it’s wetlands and steep hillsides. It’ll work just fine for what we’re trying to do. We’re not trying to build a house or a school or a subdivision, we’re just going to walk around on it and shoot shotguns in a safe and orderly manner and go home and eat dinner,” said Moss. “That’s my goal is that this will last long past my lifetime, past all your lifetimes. This is something to build for the community, something to build for the state of Alaska and the youth of our community so they have something to do after school.”

Land Management specialist in the Community Development department Joe Metzger briefed the Assembly on the study that began six years ago to find a suitable piece of property. Of 23 available borough-owned properties in 2015, only two were deemed appropriate for a shooting range in consultation between borough staff and Moss.

“Based on performing a site visit, looking at the size of the property, the one that is included right now the 240 acre parcel off Carmel, with the proper requirements, engineering studies and what not I do believe that this property could receive the permit necessary for this,” said Metzger. “If we go through this process and there’s a subdivision which would be required, we can really subdivide it however is necessary.”

Through collaboration with Moss, Metzger said that to build such a facility, 80 acres of ideal land would be required, and that the boundaries of the parcel could likely be reduced. Moss and SCTP-YESS plan to compete in sporting clays, skeet and sporting clays shooting. Current requirements for shooting ranges note that the sound level at the receiving line of adjacent properties is not to exceed 90 decibels. While a typical shotgun shot travels 282 yards, a 900 foot setback is required also.

“I strongly support finding a place for these kids to shoot and however this works out we do have the range ordinance in place to address a lot of the concerns I’m sure that were raised by folks the last time this came around as far as the noise and shortfall and surface danger zones and all those kind of things,” said Assemblyman Tim Hale.

While Moss and others spoke in favor of Ordinance 21-038 during public comment, the measure was passed without skepticism. Former Assemblyman Dan Mayfield spoke against the ordinance, asking for a different property to be suggested.

“I’m not against the SCTP program, I do think that the borough should work with them to find suitable lands, but we have already gone through the process on these two pieces of property specifically. We’ve already engaged those neighborhoods. They came out fervently in opposition to it and it is simply bad public policy and I think it gives the borough a black eye,” said Mayfield.

Former Assemblywoman Barb Doty also spoke in opposition to 21-038 during public comment. Deputy Mayor Tam Boeve moved to postpone the ordinance until June 1 following some discussion from the Assembly members.

“I think I need more information. I am getting phone calls from concerned individuals and I think word is just getting out to this community so I have no doubt we could pack the chambers. Can we continue this conversation to allow more public comment? I am open to other suggestions. I appreciate the challenge, I know that the borough doesn’t have a lot of properties that somebody wouldn’t object to so I’m not sure the perfect property exists but I would like to keep looking or at least extend this conversation,” said Boeve.

The motion to postpone 21-038 failed 5-2 with Boeve and Assemblywoman Stephanie Nowers voting in favor of postponement. The property is valued at $515,400 at roughly $810 per acre and SCTP would still be required to acquire a permit for an outdoor shooting facility. Nowers asked Metzger about the possibility of using the Jonesville Public Use Area instead, which Metzger said would have been too small. Ordinance 21-038 passed 5-1 with only Boeve voting in opposition.

“I believe we’re in huge demand in need for this and the program’s awesome,” said Assemblyman Rob Yundt. “My only regret is it’s not in downtown Wasilla.”