From left, Leesburg Town Attorney Nick Jacobs and Leesburg Councilman Mitch Rader at Monday night’s town council meeting. InkFreeNews photo by Lasca Randels

By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews

LEESBURG —  A request for a zoning variance for a home-based gunsmith business was denied at the Leesburg Town Council meeting Monday, April 10.  

Jacob Riebe attended the meeting and stated he lives with his parents and is interested in starting a gunsmith/manufacturing business out of the home. Riebe said there are a lot of hoops to jump through, including obtaining a type 01 federal firearms license (commonly referred to as an FFL) and getting approval from both the town and the county. 

Leesburg Council Vice President Tom Moore asked if Riebe has an FFL. Riebe said he does not, as he felt it would be best to first see if he could get approval from the town before spending money on an FFL. 

Moore then asked if Riebe has gunsmith experience. Riebe replied he only has experience working on his own guns, as it would be illegal for him to work on guns belonging to other people without having an FFL. 

In addition to repairing guns, Riebe said he wants to obtain a type 07 FFL manufacturing license so he can build AR’s and resell them. 

Councilman Mitch Radar asked Riebe if most of his business would be internet traffic rather than foot traffic and Riebe responded that it would. 

Leesburg Town Council President Christina Archer. InkFreeNews photo by Lasca Randels

Riebe said the business would be open on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., as he already works a full-time job. 

Council members expressed reluctance to approve the request, pointing out the town spent years getting Area Plan Commission into Leesburg, which provides residents with an established protocol when it comes to zoning issues and how a property can be used. A decision was made in December 2020 to join the county-wide planning department.

“I think we should be very cautious about going out of what the APC has zoned as far as commercial and residential areas,” Radar said.

“I’m very hesitant, sir, to agree with your request just for the reasons we’ve kind of alluded to. It has taken a lot of years to get Area Plan here in town. I just don’t think this is the correct time to start changing what they have done,” Moore said, adding that he would prefer to take a “wait and see” approach at this time.

“It’s not about guns,” Moore  said. “I understand your legitimate request. It’s an honest request.”

Moore said what Riebe wants to do is in huge demand because finding a gunsmith is not easy.

“It’s a dying trade,” Riebe agreed.

Council President Christina Archer said the purpose of joining the APC was to have clear guidelines for where new businesses would be allowed. Archer said she was inclined to not grant Riebe’s request at this time.

Ultimately, the council unanimously denied the request. 

In another matter, Sue Charlton’s request to hold the town Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 29, was approved.

The parade will begin at 10:30 a.m., with lineup downtown at 10:15 a.m. Parade route will be south on Pearl Street, then west on Prairie Street to the cemetery. A memorial service will be held at the cemetery following the parade. 

Town officials would like to remind residents of the following: no parking on any street between 3-5 a.m. (every day); no burning anything, any time; and be mindful of what you flush. In addition, residents are to place yard waste in the town-provided trash totes. Sidewalks and trees are the property and responsibility of the residents, and sidewalks, streets and alleys are to be kept clear of low-hanging tree limbs to provide safe passage, per town ordinance 93:22 (B). Phone number for the Leesburg Street Department is 574-527-2884.

In other news:

• Derek Tenney of  Tenney & Sons Inc. provided a monthly sanitary sewer report. Tenney issued a violation notice at one residence due to prohibited items being found in the pump.
• Reminder that the sewer rate increase will show on next month’s bill.
• The next regular meeting will be 6:30 p.m. May 8.