Founders Ranch Zoning Bid Killed

EDGEWOOD — The Torrance County Commission unexpectedly shot down a zoning change request from the Single Action Shooting Society that would have allowed it to greatly expand shooting and non-shooting events at its Founders Ranch.

Although the commissioner who made the motion to turn it down, Lonnie Freyburger, had called it a “compromise” that was equitable to all. But the 3-0 no vote was actually a stunning defeat for SASS.

Freyburger, in whose district the 480-acre Founders Ranch is located, moved to deny SASS’ application for a special use district. He said he preferred to consider the application — or portions of it — at a later date and under SASS’ existing conditional-use permit, which was issued several years ago.

Freyburger said he based his motion on unresolved potential traffic problems that could lead to public safety issues and threats to the public welfare.

SASS submitted its application for the zoning change to the county last year, saying it wanted to open its private shooting range to the public and possibly begin hosting a number of events at the ranch.
— This article appeared on page B1 of the Albuquerque Journal