At the last Council work session, I asked that a discussion of the gun range on Pleasant Valley Rd be brought before the Council. My intention is a review the intensity of the use and to have the Board of Adjustment oversee that review.

One resident suggested that my concern was the noise generated by the range. While excessive noise could be considered, it is not my primary motivation for asking for the review.

The gun range existed at that location long before the land was annexed into the city. Although the zoning that was subsequently adapted did not allow a range, the range is grandfathered as a legal nonconforming use. I fully support the property rights of the owners to be at that location.

As the son of a State Trooper, I have been around guns all my life. My mother has an indoor gun range in Central Texas. My concerns aren't guns.

I do have concerns of safety to area residents, contamination of drinking waters, and intense uses not confined within the boundaries of the property.

I do not know that there are any such problems but it is my duty to ask these questions and to learn the answers.

Two Garland residents that were sighting their guns report that someone was shooting at crows in trees with residences on the other side. Even if there are range rules against such actions, can such incidents be prevented?

I noticed that those using the skeet range fire over Rowlett Creek, off the property. The whole area is flood plain and very high waters could wash lead contamination to Lake Ray Hubbard, drinking water for over a million people. It is possible that we will learn that precautions are in place that eliminate any concerns.

Gun fire from the range can be heard a half mile away.

I strongly support property rights, as I have posted in different contexts several times on this site. A person should have the right to enjoy their property. That applies on both sides of the fence. Intense uses that spill over property lines can violate a neighbor's rights to the enjoyment of his property.

If the use of the gun range is confined to their property, I fully support the use. If the use is so intense that it is not being confined to the property, then it is time the city review the use.