Eyeing gun range land

A Summerland councillor is looking to help the local gun range expand its facilities, proposing a motion to change the area's zoning and look into obtaining the lot for ownership.

Coun. Richard Barkwill put his support behind the Summerland rifle range, who are reportedly struggling to make improvements to their lot.

The long-standing rifle range, which reportedly has existed since before the Second World War, at some point had forestry & grazing zoning applied to its area. The range was allowed to continue as a non-conforming use.

Since then, there has been no expansion of the land use, or additional structures allowed.

Barkwill noted that since the lot is owned by the provincial government, the club operating the range needs a lease with the province, which the group has struggled with.

Barkwill proposed a site-specific zoning amendment for the range to allow rifle shooting and archery sports as a permitted use and for municipal staff to look at options to buy the lot.

“This would simplify their life,” he added. “They have big ambitions. They would like to be able to provide better facilities.”

Mayor Holmes asked whether the range operators wanted the district to be in charge rather than the provincial government.

“In my conversation with the president of the association, he was completely supportive of what we can do that might make things easier,” Barkwill said, adding that research the district does could examine whether or not this is feasible.

Holmes suggested that the Summerland Sportsman’s Association look into purchasing the area themselves.

Coun. Adrienne Betts asked Brad Dollevoet, Summerland director of development services, about his thoughts on the proposed change in zoning.

“The first part of the resolution I don't think staff has any concerns with it, as it's a historical non-conforming use that's been there for years. Before we even had a zoning bylaw, probably, in place, that gun range has been there,” Dollevoet said.

“I think that this will allow for ease for the gun range moving forward.”

Holmes shared concerns about whether taking the land out of the hands of the provincial government and handing it to the municipal government would be best for the gun range.

"You could probably bet, 50 years from now, Crown land is going to be Crown land, and nothing is going to change much," Mayor Doug Holmes said.

"Now, if [the government] could sell it to the Sportsman's Association and they could somehow buy it, that might be a much better [option] for them."

The motion passed to direct staff to prepare a proposal for changed zoning, and investigate obtaining the lot for ownership. Couns. Janet Peake and Adrienne Betts were opposed.

The zoning application will be brought back before council at a later date, as will results of the ownership investigation. There is no commitment to purchase at this time.