A decision on the fate of the North Alabama Shooting Association’s firing range was postponed for two weeks to give the club time to complete a proposal addressing noise complaints made by residents of nearby Ridge Pointe subdivision.

The decision was announced by Mayor Ian Sanford at the beginning of Monday’s council work session.

The announcement was too late for about 60 people who filled every seat and lined the walls of the

city auditorium.

The audience quickly left the

auditorium after the mayor informed them that the issues would be discussed at the Feb. 20 council meeting.

Those who remained did not address the firing range during the meeting’s comment period.

Sanford told the council during the work session that he met with the association’s legal counsel and four or five members of the club Monday and agreed to give them until the next meeting to finish crafting a proposal.

“They requested that we not take action until the next meeting,” Sanford said. “I don’t know what they’re going to propose, but we will determine what is in the best interest of the city of Sheffield.”

Association President Dwight Pilkilton said the plan could involve installing larger dirt berms and fast growing bamboo to muffle the sound of gunfire.

“That’s what we’re working toward,” Pilkilton said.

He said the club will also pursue a written agreement with the city to allow the club use of the property for a specific amount of time.

During the work session, Muscle Shoals resident Sheryl Cannon asked the council to consider what the range offers to competitive shooters, to hunters, those who own firearms for protection. She said there is a growing number of women showing interest in the club. She suggested the city and the club attempt to coexist.

Ridge Point resident Mike Davis, who first brought the issue to the council, said in addition to the noise at the range, the area where it’s located it the only place available for growth in Sheffield.

“People will not build next to a rifle range,” Davis said.

At the Jan. 23 meeting, some council members said they did not believe the range should be in the city limits or near a residential area.

Pilkilton said the range had been in place since 1979 and has never experienced a shooting-related accident.

The range is on the site of the old city landfill.

Last week, Councilman Waylon Huguley Jr. said members of the shooting club fired various calibers of firearms at the range while he, Councilman Steve Stanley and other club officers were in the Ridge Pointe subdivision.

Huguley said some larger-caliber pistols could be heard, as could the 30.06-caliber rifle shots. Huguley said he could hear the .22-caliber rifle shots, but he “had to listen for it.” Gunfire could be heard clearly when multiple guns were fired at the same time, he said.

“It gave us a lot better feeling for what we are dealing with,” Huguley said. “For me, personally, the heavier guns would definitely be a nuisance.”

In addition to gunfire, Huguley said he could also hear noise from the Tennessee Valley Recycling Center from Ridge Point.

Russ Corey can be reached at 256-740-5738 or russ.corey@TimesDaily.com.