Plan Commission Recommends Denying Rezoning, Special Use Permit for Indoor Shooting Range

The Effingham City Plan Commission Tuesday voted to recommend the City Council deny a rezoning request and a special use permit that would allow operation of an indoor shooting range downtown.

Chris and Cindy Shimboff own a gun shop in the Zehner Building at 4th and Washington, and would like to develop the shooting range next door. Shimboff said his research indicates it would be the only indoor range in an hour's drive in any direction. They hope to operate Monday through Saturday during daytime hours, and understand the need to retrofit the building to accommodate the range.

There were concerns on the Commission, though, about rezoning the property to B-5, or highway commercial zone, which is usually available around the interstate interchanges. Building Official Bruce Devall said he decided it would be the appropriate zone since the operation would involve the public paying to take part in a recreational activity.

Roy Upchurch, who pastors the United Pentecostal Church just north of the building, had concerns over the impact if they had outdoor activities at their facility. 

Several members of the Plan Commission hunt or have visited shooting ranges, but said they were not located in downtown areas.  Bob McGee saw no problems with the proposal and moved that the rezoning be recommended to the Council for approval, but the motion died for lack of a second. A motion to recommend the rezoning be denied passed 4-1 with Kurt Buehnerkemper, Jeff Bloemker, Mark Thies and Brian Hayes voting in favor and McGee voting against.

The Commission also voted 4-1 to recommend the Council deny the request for a special-use permit that would allow the shooting range in a highway commercial zone, with McGee voting against the motion.

The City Council will have the final say on both requests, probably at their next meeting.

Plan Commission members voted to approve a site plan for two retail buildings, to be built adjacent to Maurice's and Hibbitt Sports along Ford Avenue.  No word on what stores will occupy the buildings.