Council denies rezoning for shooting park

Aiken County Council shot down a rezoning request Tuesday on the grounds the proposed zoning is inappropriate for the area, but several members added that the intended use is something they would like to see in the County.

Applicant Sean Power sought to rezone 240 acres in eastern Aiken to rural district (RUD) from industrial (IND) to open an "outdoor shooting park" that would host only sanctioned events like corporate outings and 4-H shooting contests.

Power said the park would not be open to the public, and the public would not be allowed to apply for membership.

"Whether it's here or somewhere else, I'd love to bring this to Aiken," he said.

The land he is interested in is in the Rudy Mason Parkway and Rushton Road area and is surrounded by homes.

Several residents spoke during the public hearing portion of the meeting against the rezoning, saying the shooting park would disrupt their way of life.

"We just want to express that this is not what needs to be in a residential area," Darryl Messer said.

"It is too residential and too close to town for there to be gunfire all day long and all night long," another resident said.

Council members unanimously agreed that the rezoning is undesirable for the area. The body urged residents to be proactive regarding rezonings that might pop up in the future, considering that industrial districts permit a large amount of uses except wastewater treatment plants and correctional institutions, for example.

"You all need to address this because it'll be something different next time," Councilman Scott Singer said.

Councilwoman LaWana McKenzie said she would like to see a shooting park-type facility in the County because she has received calls from constituents asking where they can go for such activities.

"It is a great idea, but the location (in question) is a little off," Councilman Gary Bunker said.

Second reading of the proposed rezoning will be heard at Council's Jan. 5 meeting.

In other business, Council voted by majority to move forward with entering into a forgivable loan agreement with the state for $4 million in stimulus to rehab sewer lines in the Graniteville and Vaucluse area.

Singer abstained from voting, saying some contractual matters need to be ironed out to protect Aiken County's citizens.