York County planning panel recommends special-use permit for Lafayette Gun Club indoor range

The York County Planning Commission on Jan. 14 voted to forward resolution PC25-26R recommending approval of a special-use permit for the Lafayette Gun Club to build an approximately 12,600-square-foot indoor firing range at 331 Dare Road.

Planning staff told commissioners the 26.3-acre parcel is mostly zoned resource conservation (RC) with a small R-20 pocket at the entrance, and that indoor firing ranges are permitted in RC by special use permit under the county code (citing sections 24.1-306 and 24.1-457). Staff recommended approval while noting the applicant must submit certified documentation during site and building plan review showing the new facility will prevent range noise from being audible at property lines; the county's Fire and Life Safety department also requested a Knox gate switch for emergency access as a proposed condition.

The applicant, Zev York of Lafayette Gun Club, told the commission the club engaged with nearby homeowners' associations and has proposed several physical and operational mitigations to reduce off-site impacts. "A new indoor range is beneficial to the club, the community, and the county," York said, and described measures including additional landscaping, increased earthen-berm heights, a catchment net on the eastern boundary, limiting certain shotgun activities to specified bays, and limiting shotgun use to 12 gauge. He added the club will shift most activity to the new building and limit the existing indoor facility to .22 rimfire.

Neighbors voiced safety concerns. Greg Peterson, who lives adjacent to the club, said multiple police reports document projectiles landing on private property and urged the commission to require enforceable conditions that address documented escapes: "We are the ones that have the bullets in our yards and the shrapnel on our decks." Al Culver, who said he filed two police reports after finding bullets in his yard, told commissioners he wants a third-party inspection and stronger, enforceable measures: "I don't need to take a bullet in my backyard." Both speakers praised the club's outreach while urging that commitments be codified in approval conditions rather than remain verbal.

Commissioners and staff discussed how to incorporate the applicant's narrative into the approval. Staff said the resolution can reference the narrative materials (the packet includes a narrative dated 12/23/2025 and a sketch plan) and that zoning and code enforcement staff would check compliance annually. A commissioner clarified the planning commission's role is to recommend action to the Board of Supervisors; enforcement would follow through county compliance processes.

After discussion a commissioner moved to forward PC25-26R with the revisions discussed to reference the applicant's narrative. On roll call the motion carried and the commission recommended approval to the Board of Supervisors.

The resolution forwarded to the Board of Supervisors will include the applicant narrative and sketch plan as referenced materials and the file notes that staff will check compliance annually; the commission record shows 9 letters of support and 1 letter expressing concern were received during the review period. The Board of Supervisors will consider the county's final action in a subsequent meeting.