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Topic Description:
Marriott Ranch has requested
Special Exception approval to use 200+/- acres of its
4,200+/- acres as a Hunting Preserve. It has also requested
a Special Permit to offer clay target shooting at a
designated site on the property and a firing range. These
uses would be for private groups, by appointment, and not
open to the general public.
Project Update:
On May 8, 2008 the Board of
Supervisors held a public hearing on these items. The
public hearing was closed and action on the applications was
postponed for thirty days. On May 23, 2008 Supervisor
Schwartz and staff conducted a site visit to Marriott Ranch
and met with adjacent property owners who had provided
permission to access their property. During the visit
shotgun rounds were shot from the bird hunting preserve
areas that had been noted as potential concerns by residents
at the public hearing. Shots were observed from close
range, ranch property lines and adjacent property owners
properties to demonstrate how the sound traveled.
As a result of the public
hearing input and the site visit, Special Exception
conditions for the bird hunting preserve have been further
refined to reduce the number of months the preserve may
operate; to limit the number of hunters per day; to reduce
the hours of hunting; to specify the type of shotgun to be
used (no greater than 12 gauge); and to encourage the bird
hunting be done in lower areas to help attenuate the noise.
Further the conditions clarify that the requested uses are
limited to guests of the ranch and that the Special
Exception/Special Permit is valid for two years and then is
eligible for one (1) administrative renewal.
Project Information:
The applicant has indicated
that the aforementioned uses would generate revenue to help
pay the operational expenses of maintaining the 4,200 acre
farm. Further, they say the plan is conducive to
Agritourism as promoted by Fauquier County. The proposed
additions to the Marriott Ranch portfolio of activities
would be compatible with programs already in place at
Marriott Ranch, and would not require any new construction
or changes to the landscape.
The locations for the uses
are proposed to be non-obtrusive to the surrounding
community (see Attachment 2). The proposed sites are
all located on the interior of parcels of land on Marriott
Ranch, creating a buffer zone from neighboring properties.
The sites are also easily accessed by using the current farm
road systems on the property, thus creating minimal impact
as no new ingress/egress is required.
Special Exception Hunting
Preserve
The applicant has proposed a
hunting preserve to be operated on its site in cooperation
with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
and managed by the applicant. It would meet all local and
state regulations and laws.
Special Permit Clay Target
Shooting
The applicant has proposed to
have clay target shooting at its site. This activity would
only be conducted at the designated area outlined in the
application (see Attachment 2). Only private groups
with appointments would be allowed to participate in this
program.
Special Permit Firing Range
The applicant has proposed to
have a firing range on its site to be located in the area
designated on the map (see Attachment 2). It would
be used for sighting in guns prior to guests participating
in the proposed hunting programs. The location is centered
on the interior of the ranch property and away from
adjoining properties.
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