Poquoson planners review conditional-use permit for indoor gun range; debate 40-foot road easement

The Poquoson Planning Commission on Jan. 23 heard an application from Jose Raffles, applicant for Islander Outdoor Sports, to operate a multi-use facility at 300 City Hall Avenue that would include an indoor shooting range, gunsmithing and firearm manufacturing, retail space, offices and classrooms.

The application is for a conditional-use permit (CUP) in the Village Commercial (VC) zoning district. Thomas (city staff) summarized the proposal and the staff-recommended conditions, saying the CUP would allow uses that are not permitted by right in the VC district and that the city will require site-development review and Architectural Review Board approval for building materials and signs.

Why this matters: the proposal touches three planning issues the commission weighed in public comment — public-safety and emergency access tied to a long-discussed future connection (referred to in materials as Willanna/Willie Ann Road and conceptually as a future extension of Alpha Street), noise from an indoor gun range, and compatibility with the City’s Village Commercial district. The commission’s discussion included a draft amendment that would require the owner to convey a 40-foot strip on the northern property line for a future city right-of-way, with the transfer contingent on later city-council action on a roadway project.

Project details and staff conditions - Applicant: Jose Raffles, Islander Outdoor Sports (applicant and property owner). He described the proposal as a purpose-built, multi-level facility with a below-grade “flat range,” a 100-yard rifle lane, 25-yard pistol bays, a quiet/airgun range, retail and gunsmithing space, and upstairs offices and conference rooms. He said the design uses double masonry walls and other acoustical features intended to limit sound transmission. - Location: 300 City Hall Avenue…