Smyth County Planning Commission recommends permit for outdoor law‑enforcement shooting range

The Smyth County Planning Commission voted 7–0 on Dec. 11 to recommend approval of a Special Use Permit request from the Smyth County Board of Supervisors to establish an outdoor shooting range on former landfill property at the Smyth County Transfer Station on Highway 107 in Chilhowie.

Becca Creasy, Smyth County Zoning Administrator, summarized the County’s application and said required application materials and fees were submitted and adjoining landowners were notified; legal advertisements ran in the Smyth County News on Nov. 29 and Dec. 6 in accordance with Virginia Code § 15.2-2204. Creasy said an informal on‑site sound demonstration with nearby landowners and county staff “largely alleviated” initial noise concerns and that the County would notify neighbors in advance of larger training sessions.

Sheriff Chip Shuler told the joint hearing the county needs a dedicated training facility, particularly in the wake of officer‑involved incidents, and described the proposed location as “one of the safest sites in the County for a shooting range.” Sgt. Gale Greer, a firearms trainer with the Smyth County Sheriff’s Office, said the range would allow more realistic, secure training, would be maintained by the sheriff’s office, would include signage when firing is occurring and would be used for law‑enforcement training. Sgt. Neal Brooks said the site lies in a natural bowl that reduces sound transmission and estimated it would be about 400 yards from the nearest residence.

One resident, Charles Wassum of Wassoma Park in Marion, recounted roughly 40 years living near the existing Marion range, described increasing use there and an episode in which tear gas was carried into a nearby house and prompted an evacuation; he said the proposed county site’s natural surroundings could reduce impacts on homes.

Commissioners asked about use of chemical agents for training; Sgt. Greer said tear gas would be “extremely limited,” used only during tactical training to test gas masks, would not be used on windy days and would be announced with signage. Commissioners also discussed potential structures (shooting lanes, concrete pads and small equipment shelters), fencing that largely already exists on the property, scheduling conflicts at the Marion range and liability exposure, which staff said would likely rest with the County and the Sheriff’s Office should an accident occur.

Commissioner Graham Davidson Jr. moved to recommend approval with the condition that the facility be used only by County law enforcement and that any use by other entities receive prior approval from County Administration; Commissioner Tony Dean seconded and the motion passed 7–0 (Buchanan Jr., Campbell, Davidson Jr., Dean, Meadows, Shepherd and Wagoner voted yes). The Planning Commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to the Board of Supervisors for final action.

The hearing record references Tax Map No. 53-4-99 for the Transfer Station parcel; materials on file also show related parcel references in the public notice. An elevation map of the site was distributed to Board members and Commissioners during the hearing. The County’s application packet and supporting studies are available in the offices of the Zoning Administrator and County Administrator.