Whitestown planning commission recommends rezone for training facility despite neighbor worries about noise, ricochet and lead

The Town of Whitestown Planning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend a rezoning (PC25-078-ZMC) that would allow a public-institution training facility — including an outdoor law‑enforcement firing range — on roughly 40 acres, after a public hearing at which nearby residents raised repeated concerns about noise, ricochet and lead contamination.

Commission staff opened the continued hearing by presenting updated maps showing a 1,000-foot buffer from existing residences and a 200-foot buffer from property lines; staff recommended approval based on those parameters. The commission’s president moved for a favorable recommendation and a colleague seconded; a roll-call vote recorded the motion passing 5-0.

Why it matters: rezoning to a public-institution classification clears the way for police and other first‑responder training uses on the parcel but does not itself approve buildings or specific training components. Commissioners said future development concept plans and development plans will return to the commission for detailed review and that conditions of approval could limit specific uses if warranted.

Residents who spoke at the hearing urged…