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Falls Township board grants variances to Fairless Defense to allow indoor shooting range at 1900 S. Pennsylvania Ave.
Summary
The Falls Township Zoning Hearing Board granted four variances to Fairless Defense LLC on July 14 to permit a future indoor shooting range at 1900 South Pennsylvania Avenue, including reduced front‑yard setback, permission to locate the use in the Riverfront District, reduced parking and a reduced top‑of‑bank setback; the approvals were unanimous and will be followed by land‑development review and technical permitting.
The Falls Township Zoning Hearing Board voted July 14 to grant four variances to Fairless Defense LLC that clear the way for the business to expand and later add an indoor shooting range at 1900 South Pennsylvania Avenue.
Chelsea Jackman, attorney for Fairless Defense, told the board the 3.39‑acre parcel in the RD‑3 district had a history of nonconforming uses and that the proposed indoor range would operate entirely indoors with sound‑attenuation measures. "It will operate entirely indoors," Jackman said, stressing that the applicant plans to include modern sound mitigation and to work with law enforcement and the township on safety protocols.
Owner William Benscoter, sworn as a witness, said Fairless Defense has operated in the township about three years and plans to expand sales, training and an indoor practice facility; he expressed a desire to cooperate with local police. "I would definitely love to work with law enforcement for them to use the facility," Benscoter said.
James Oakes, a professional surveyor, described site constraints including a jogged right‑of‑way line, proximity to Biles Creek and a previously delineated FEMA floodplain, and testified that those features justify the requested setback relief. He said stormwater, floodplain and other technical issues would be handled within the land‑development permitting process.
The board moved to grant four variances: a reduced front‑yard setback (25 feet where 35 is required), permission to locate the use in the Riverfront District (section cited in the record), reduced parking (21 spaces instead of 66), and reduced top‑of‑bank setback relative to Biles Creek. The motion was seconded and approved on a roll call of the members present.
The board and applicant emphasized that the zoning relief is an enabling step; building an indoor range, implementing sound attenuation, and addressing any stormwater or floodplain impacts will occur in subsequent land‑development reviews and technical permitting.
Next steps: the applicant must pursue land development and technical permits (stormwater, floodplain considerations) and provide final plans that demonstrate compliance with noise and safety standards.
