Commission places sheriff’s proposed firearms training range on hold after public opposition and agency comments

The Warren County Planning Commission on Nov. 13 moved to hold (table) the conditional use permit application for a public protection facility — a firearms training range proposed by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office — after residents raised safety, noise and environmental concerns and staff summarized agency comments.

Staff told the commission it had received comments from the Virginia Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Quality and provided a site‑boundary update for the county transfer station. The county also distributed a letter it received the day before from the Department of the Interior representing Shenandoah National Park, which the planner said "is in opposition to this location" and flagged likely park impacts.

Public speakers living near the Bentonville site said the proposed range is too close to homes, schools and a therapist’s office. Justin Waldman, who said his therapy practice is about 470 yards from the Bentonville location, told commissioners the range "would effectively end my ability to practice at my location" and asked whether the county had data showing a training range was needed. Diane Popic told the commission a neighbor’s disabled child has seizures triggered by loud noises and warned that nearby gunfire "could have seizures, and it's a medical emergency." Michael Marks told commissioners federal agencies had signaled opposition and suggested a larger, more remote county parcel might be preferable.

Sheriff Crystal Klein (identified in the packet and by staff) was reported to have reviewed alternative county‑owned sites, and staff said the sheriff had indicated willingness to resubmit a permit for an alternate site (Iso/Esa Lane) if it met needs. Commissioners discussed contracting an outside consultant to evaluate multiple county sites and financial tradeoffs, and debated whether an internal working group could perform initial screening. The commission ultimately approved a motion to table the application until the sheriff or staff requests it be brought back or until further study is completed; the motion carried by voice vote.

What happens next: staff will keep agency comments in the record, pursue additional site evaluation options and await either a sheriff resubmittal or direction from the Board of Supervisors about contracting outside expertise. The tabled application remains available for reintroduction at a future meeting.