2018-08-11 - Cathy Binder Town Hall Notes

by Neil Richard

Cathy Binder, King George County Board of Supervisors, held her first Town Hall on August 11, 2018 along with her fellow Supervisor Ruby Brabo. Also there to give a presentation on their business plan was the Ognek brothers, Mike and Chris. Dr. Neiman Young, County Administrator, and Chief Moody, Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services, were also present in the audience.

The Ogneks began their presentation with only a handful of people in the audience but it quickly grew to about 30 or 40 residents. It also became quickly apparent that most of those residents were not in favor of the Ogneks' plan to develop the former Cameron Hills Golf Course into a private outdoor club. During the presentation, the main source of discord appeared to be the noise from the potential gun ranges and the potential safety issues they may pose.

Over the course of roughly two hours, Mike Ognek, a retired Marine, spoke about many of the plans for their future venture. His brother, Chris, a retired Navy pilot, occasionally chimed in with salient points. The overarching theme for their endeavor was to provide members of the private club a clubhouse for events, a few camping spots and hiking trails, and some gun ranges. Additionally, they had hopes to add a pool, plant more vegetation like an orchard, and keep the driving range in place.

Despite a few instances of heated debate and raised voices, the following points were presented by the Ogneks:

• They have no intent to obtain an ABC license nor do they plan to serve alcohol. However, they did say that should an event be held in the clubhouse, alcohol could be served by those hosting the party.
• The gun ranges would consist of a pistol range, rifle range, and a compact skeet range. The pistol and rifle ranges would employ baffles, berms, and other environmentally sound methods to ensure safety to users, non-users, and wildlife. The skeet range would have a restricted area, require steel shot, and have a compact design.
• RV and tent camping spots were expected to number between eight and twelve of each. Stays would be restricted to members and limited to about ten days.
• Public events would be allowed, such as for local breweries, Scouting groups, or weddings, however shooting on the ranges would not be allowed to occur at the same time.
• Plans for a future pool, zip line course, and plot farms are being considered.
• Membership is currently expected to be about 500 people. They would not give a specific dollar amount for the cost but said it would be about as much as a membership to the YMCA.
• The property was purchased for $850,000 in early July 2018 and measures about 255 acres. Only about 12 acres in the middle of the property would be used for the gun ranges.
• Hunting will not be allowed however the Ogneks will hunt the property occasionally to control the wildlife population.
• Members will be subject to background checks and be required to take range safety training.
• 50 caliber guns and automatic weapons will not be allowed. Custom weapons will be dealt with on a case by case basis. Black powder rifles would be allowed.
• Alcohol would not be allowed until the gun ranges are closed.
• Gun range hours would begin at 10am. No closing time was given however they intend to close earlier than the normal half hour before sunset.
• Sound testing was done with the highest measurement coming in at 58.8 decibels, roughly the sound of a car ten meters away. The ambient sound was louder than the guns in roughly half of the test shots.
• No ATVs will be allowed. The Ogneks said they were too loud, too destructive, and too risky for insurance.
• The Ogneks are not asking for any money from the County. They are asking for design variances, such as planting trees instead of building a fence, and they're asking for the County to allow them to phase things in.

By the end of their presentation, the Ogneks had faced some tough questions, some harsh criticism, and a few suggestions. While they felt the gun range was a key feature that would make their venture financially viable, they reiterated their desire to be good neighbors. They also said they were in the very early stages of the process of beginning their new business. Brabo, Binder, and Young also reiterated that it would be a long process with several stages that would require a public hearing.