SHOREWOOD – Residents who saw archery students practicing their aim in Cene’s Four Seasons Park won’t be able to shoot arrows of their own, unless they follow a strict and stringent protocol.
The village board approved an ordinance clarifying the shooting of arrows in village parks Tuesday after several residents called the village to ask if they can practice their bow and arrow skills.
Strictly Archery LLC conducted four one-hour target practice sessions over the summer at the base of the sledding hill in the main park to prepare for the Junior Olympic qualifying. Those practices were conducted with permits, several safety measures and the knowledge of police and village officials.
“Their safety protocols were spectacular,” said Denise Schmidt, the village’s parks, business and recreation planner. She recounted how the group used several precautionary measures to ensure no one using the park got hurt.
The new ordinance allows groups to conduct target practice in parks if they have approval by the village. But all archers will have to sign releases, provide proof of insurance and the group needs to sign a waiver of liability, Schmidt said.
“This basically just says, we really prefer you not come to the parks and fire arrows,” she said.
According to Shorewood's code, bows and arrows aren't specifically listed under the unlawful use of weapons statute.
“This goes one step further and allows it with restrictions,” village attorney David Silverman said.
Development fees
The board tabled ordinances that would have reduced the library impact fees and extended the sewer tap-on fee. The ordinances were introduced as a first read.
The library fee automatically increases 5 percent on April 1. The current fee is $409.67 per residential unit.
However, Community Development Director Karen James said the consumer price index has only risen at an average of less than 2 percent over the past five years. So the annual increase with the ordinance would make each residential unit require $417.86 instead of $430.15.
The sewer tap-on fee is currently reduced to $2,940. The ordinance would continue that rate until it defaults back to $3,834 on April 1, 2017, along with all other development fees except for the water fee. The water fee would default next year.
Truck restrictions
The board also heard plans on restricting truck traffic on several roads leading to industrial areas in the village. A vote was tabled until the next meeting.
“We’ve had a lot of complaints about semis going to [Heartland Corporate Center],” Village Administrator Roger Barrowman said.
The ordinance would restrict trucks weighing more than 20,000 pounds from traveling on Seil Road from Frontage Road to the western village limits, Mound Road from Frontage to the western limits, and River Road from Route 52 to the southern limits.