After investigating noise concerns, two Village Board members in Clarendon Hills, Ill., found there was no “actual evidence, other than anecdotal, that there is any violation occurring with the noise generated from the shooting.” One neighbor is hoping to meet with representatives of the club to further discuss the matter.

Clarendon Hills, Ill., likely will issue a skeet shooting permit later this month to the Hinsdale Golf Club, which has been hosting the activity since 1943, despite the activity being questioned over the past few months by some nearby residents, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The residents have expressed concern about noise and safety. An investigation by Village Board members Don McGarrah and Greg Jordan, both of whom are on the village’s Public Safety Committee, found that homes closest to the shooting range at the golf club are well beyond the range of shooting, the Tribune reported.

“It’s now pretty much come down to noise,” McGarrah said. “We’re not trying to disregard residents’ concerns about noise, but we haven’t had any actual evidence, other than anecdotal, that there is any violation occurring with the noise generated from the shooting.”

McGarrah said the Public Safety Committee would recommend to the Village Board at its October 17 meeting that a permit is issued to the club for skeet shooting this winter, the Tribune reported.

Jack Chamberlin said he is hoping residents have the opportunity to meet soon with representatives of the Hinsdale Golf Club to discuss the matter. “They’re supposed to meet with us, but no date has been set, yet,” he said. “My hope is that maybe they can build some kind of berm to reduce the noise. The trees are bare during the winter, so there’s nothing there to muffle the noise.

“No one has stood in my backyard and listened when they’re shooting. You can’t even rake leaves in the backyard without protecting your ears.”

McGarrah said Hinsdale Golf Club officials have been proactive in trying deal with the concerns of residents and have taken three measures in that direction, including no longer using ported shotguns, which are louder than other shotguns, and using a different type of ammunition, the Tribune reported.

“They also are taking it upon themselves to contact the National Shooting Sports Foundation, which has someone who deals with noise issues,” McGarrah said.

“I think it’s commendable for them to make three changes on their own,” Village President Len Austin said.