Monroeville planning commission approves Range USA indoor gun range at 300 Mall Boulevard

The Monroeville Planning Commission on Oct. 15 approved a conditional use permit for Range USA to operate an indoor shooting range at 300 Mall Boulevard in the Boulevard zoning district.

The commission’s approval followed a presentation from the applicant and several commissioners’ questions about safety, security and ventilation. Commission members voted to approve the conditional use for agenda item 25-6-c; the transcript records a motion, a second and a voice vote in favor but does not provide a numerical roll-call tally.

Kevin Ali, a representative of Range USA, said the company focuses on novice shooters and on firearms safety training. "We are the nation's leading gun safety educator, by far," Ali said. He described Range USA as operating roughly 50 locations nationwide and said the stores dedicate about two-thirds of their footprint to training and education rather than sales.

Ali outlined proposed site and building changes for the 12,100-square-foot end cap space at 300 Mall Boulevard. He said the company would install sound-mitigation systems including spray-applied foam insulation (K13), additional interior stud walls with an air gap and mineral-wool insulation where the range wall meets joists and ceiling decks to limit noise transfer.

On security, Ali said Range USA would reduce exterior glazing, install a hurricane shutter on the front door, concrete-filled CMU behind fake storefront windows where glazing is required, concrete bollards at vulnerable openings, exterior cameras, panic buttons and solid-core or solid-steel doors. He said firearms in the retail area would be secured behind those measures and that the company treats the store itself as a vault when the business is closed.

On operations and customer handling, Ali said customers may bring cased, holstered and unloaded firearms; rentals would be available. He said the store does not provide long-term lockers for customers and does not store customer firearms overnight. On permitted calibers, Ali said the range would allow rifles up to and including .308 caliber but would not permit larger cartridges on the firing line.

Ali described the ventilation and filtration system as a multi-stage industrial system that pushes air downrange, through bag filters and final HEPA filtration. He estimated the facility-grade ventilation equipment at about $700,000 and said the company documents filter changes and ships used filters in sealed, lined boxes to recycling facilities, noting that the process is handled as an OSHA matter.

On in-range staff, Ali said Range USA keeps range safety officers on the line at all times and that those officers and the company’s instructors are trained through the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA). He said the company recruits law-enforcement and federal partners to train at its locations.

Commission discussion included questions about hours, security, caliber limits, storage of firearms and ventilation. The applicant noted hours of operation as stated during the presentation: Sunday–Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The applicant also said the company would work to reduce visible storefront glazing to strengthen security and appearance.

Following the presentation and questions, a commissioner moved to approve the conditional use application; another commissioner seconded and the motion passed by voice vote. The applicant was told the project will be placed on the municipal council agenda in November and that representatives should appear at the council meetings noted by staff.

The approval grants conditional use under the Monroeville zoning ordinance as referenced in the application; any building- or life-safety permits, and any conditions of approval set by the planning commission or by subsequent council action, will be required before operation.