The Columbus Board of Zoning Appeals requested to continue discussion of a home-based firearms business proposal to next month’s meeting due to a tie vote.
The request, made by B&P Custom Firearms, LLC, asked for conditional use approval to allow a home-based firearm business in an existing outbuilding on a property at South County Road 525W. The business would operate on a drop off and pick up system and would clean, repair, modify and sell firearms and ammunition.
Hydro dipping, which uses water to transfer graphics onto an object, would also be offered, according to the proposal.
In his appearance to the board Tuesday, applicant Jason Pierce clarified that customers would not be allowed to shoot on the property and would instead be directed to a local range. No employees would work on the site aside from him, he said.
All firearms sold would go through a 4473 and approved by the ATF before being sold, and all customers would have to go through a 4473 background check to get their firearm back, Pierce said. If that background check is not passed, Pierce said he would then call the sheriff’s department to pick up the firearm.
“It’s not going to be a retail store by no means, it’s more of a repair shop,” Pierce said to the board.
During public comment, a few nearby residents raised concerns of how the business could impact property values and the nature of their country neighborhood. Neighbor Doug Trueblood said he still had concerns that as the business would be located on a precarious intersection on a curve with a one-way stop, the traffic from it could increase accidents.
Pierce said he did not anticipate much traffic as he expects one to two customers a day, with him saying that is even a longshot as of now. He did agree that the intersection was tricky, however.
Assistant planning director Melissa Begley noted that the area would not be rezoned to commercial, but if he were to expand on the building, Pierce would have to return before the board.
Board member Chuck Doup motioned that they approve the proposal on the grounds that all criteria had been met, which board member Michael Kinder seconded. Board members Hilary Maple and Grant Hale did not agree with the motion. Due to board member Zack Ellison not being present at Tuesday’s meeting, the board agreed to forward the discussion to next month’s meeting on Sept. 23.
