Residents and commissioners press Warren County on proposed firing range, citing noise and safety

Several residents told the Warren County Planning Commission that a proposed sheriff—s firing range near Bentonville would be unsafe and unacceptably noisy, and they urged staff and commissioners to pursue alternative sites or indoor training options.

At least five residents spoke during the public-presentation period. John Jenkins, of 241 Gimlet Ridge Road, said the county previously set a property-line noise standard of 60 decibels for a different firearms special-use permit and questioned why the county had reportedly advanced $506,400 toward a local property owner—s loan; he proposed using an existing building on Kendrick Lane as an indoor facility instead. "If the county's already made $500,000 toward his loan . . . why don't you repossess that building and put the training facilities there," Jenkins said.

Neighbor Jeff Baggarly said a July sound test recorded about 119 decibels at his fence line during firing at the dump property and referenced what he described as a county code requirement for industrial sites to be below 62 decibels at property lines. "At 119 decibels you—re double that," Baggarly said, urging stricter separation than the 67-foot distance under consideration.

Other speakers, including Drew Baggarly and Michelle Fletcher, stressed risks to families, possible land contamination from spent projectiles, and the presence of inmates performing site work near the proposed facility. David Brotman, who represents Shangri La Road, reported measured background noise of 42–45 decibels and peak readings of about 69–70 decibels during a three-weapon test, and asked the county to conduct additional, seasonally varied testing with the actual weapon types and counts expected.

Commissioners acknowledged the concerns and debated tradeoffs between indoor and outdoor ranges, cost, and proximity to residences. Staff said they have provided maps of county-owned properties to the sheriff—s office and agreed to research ownership of specific buildings cited by residents, ask the GIS coordinator to add candidate properties, and work with the county administrator and the sheriff—s office to identify alternatives. Commissioners also discussed whether noise testing should be performed with the facility completed and with the expected weapon complement, as one speaker recommended to produce legally defensible measurements.

No final decision was made at the meeting. Staff told commissioners they would continue to explore alternative sites, refine noise-testing protocols, and report back to the commission and county administrator.

The issue is expected to return to staff for additional analysis; no vote or permit decision on the firing range was taken at this session.