Powhatan County will hold a series of public input sessions to receive feedback from residents on a draft ordinance limiting the discharge of firearms and pneumatic guns in certain residential areas in the County.
Target shooting is a popular pastime in many rural communities like Powhatan. Several residents told Powhatan supervisors last week, however, that they fear for their safety due to constant recreational shooting near their homes in the Glenbrooke neighborhood near Judes Ferry Rd.
The listening sessions follow several months of residents voicing concerns about shooting in their neighborhood during Board meetings and asking the Board to adopt a Countywide ordinance that prohibits shooting in residential areas.
During the June 22 Board of Supervisors meeting, staff provided examples from other localities that regulate shooting including restriction based on distance from occupied structures and public streets, restriction based on named subdivisions and restriction by zoning district.
Following the presentation, the Board approved a resolution directing staff to organize a series of public input sessions by the end of August to hear from a broader section of citizens and community groups on the topic prior to considering next steps.
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The public input sessions will provide an opportunity for residents to share their thoughts about whether and how the County should consider limiting the discharge of firearms in certain residential areas.
The County will hold three public input sessions on the following dates:
- Tuesday, July 14 from 5 to 7 p.m.
- Monday, July 20 from 3 to 5 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 21 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Each session will be limited to 20 Powhatan residents to allow for a facilitated discussion on the topic. Residents may register for a session at this link. Registrants will be asked to sign up for one of the three time slots and provide their name, email address, and address in Powhatan when they register.
In the event all slots have been taken, residents may submit an email to administration@powhatanva.gov to make the County aware that they wish to provide input. Should the Board decide to move forward with an ordinance, any resident who wishes to speak will be able to do so during a required public hearing.
