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 the panel to demand more design details before rezoning. "Sound is obviously a big consideration," said Darren Steel, a nearby resident, adding that there are "no sound barriers for the houses around there" and urging consideration of an indoor facility to avoid constant noise. Matthew Cummins, another neighbor, said the application shows the rezoning is for a broader "training facility" (EMS, fire, K‑9) beyond a gun range and asked why those intended future uses are not better described in the application.

Several residents also raised safety and environmental concerns. "Ricochets happen," said Bonnie Kinkade, who identified herself as president of Howard Schools Restoration Group Inc., and asked whether nearby children would be safe during school recess. Michelle Steele told the commission she is "concerned about ricochets" and asked for specifics on lead mitigation given the proximity of White Lick Creek.

Staff and the police chief described mitigation measures and next steps. The chief (identified in the record as the town’s chief) said firing would be oriented north, that berms were relocated to comply with buffer rules, and that the design includes a 30-foot berm with a fence on top. On lead, he described a vendor-managed process: a compound mixed into impact soil that captures rounds; that material is periodically excavated and replaced after a usage threshold or set interval. "I am not concerned about ricochets," the chief said, while acknowledging he could not guarantee zero risk and promising a subject-matter lieutenant would provide more technical detail at the commission’s next meeting.

Commissioners pressed staff on how much of the 40‑acre parcel the rezoning covers and on whether subsequent development on portions of the parcel would trigger additional review. Staff said the northwest corner is planned for the range and that any development requiring a development plan would return to the commission for review; the commission can also recommend conditions of approval to limit specific uses.

The motion to recommend approval was made "based on the staff report, staff recommendations, and the submitted findings of fact," and passed on the recorded roll call: Mister Thomas, Mister Harris, Mister Snowberger, Mister McGee and Mister Foresight voted in favor. The recommendation now goes to the Town Council for final action. Staff said it will return next month with more detailed range design information and technical presentations from law‑enforcement experts.

Clarifying details included in the hearing record: the application relies on a 1,000‑foot buffer from existing residences and a 200‑foot buffer from property lines; the parcel is described as roughly 40 acres; staff described a 30‑foot berm with fence; the chief outlined a vendor-led lead-capture and excavation process and said periodic dig‑outs would occur after a usage threshold or timing interval (vendor timing described in the record as tied to rounds or periodic maintenance). The record notes the range is intended for law‑enforcement training (not as a public open range) and that initial regular shooting is expected during regular daytime hours.

The commission’s recommendation does not itself authorize construction. Next steps: staff will provide further technical information (expert presentation on ricochet mitigation and more detailed range plans) at the next commission meeting, and the Town Council will consider the rezoning request at a later date.