Committee of the Whole forwards zoning change to allow firearms sales and indoor ranges as conditional uses after residents raise safety, traffic concerns

GLENDALE HEIGHTS, Ill. — The Village of Glendale Heights' Committee of the Whole on Sept. 18 voted to forward a Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation to the Village Board that would add firearms sales with indoor shooting ranges and electric-vehicle charging stations as conditional uses in the C‑3 General Commercial District.

The move does not approve any specific gun shop or range; it would only allow those uses to be considered, on a case-by-case basis, in properties zoned C‑3. Planning staff told the committee that conditional-use reviews would require a public hearing and could include conditions such as traffic studies or other safeguards.

Planning staff said the intent is to keep potentially sensitive uses subject to individual review rather than making them outright permitted. “The conditional use is a mechanism for us to get a quality product that…