Planners nix public safety center proposal

He called the private gun range operator near Midland extremely cooperative in every way.

But a large number of people would be discomforted by an expansion of Range 82 to accommodate the county's proposed public-safety center, Planning Commission Chairman Jim Stone (Cedar Run District) said.

For this and other reasons, the five-member commission last Thursday unanimously recommended that the county board of supervisors deny Elk Mount Farm's special-exception permit request to enlarge Range 82.

The proposal expansion would allow the sheriff's office and career and volunteer fire and rescue workers to train at the Route 610 site.

Neighbors immediately objected to the proposed expansion, complaining a public-safety center would unacceptably increase area noise and traffic in the predominantly rural community.

Fauquier County would enter into a lease to use the site. Its initial investment, including a state grant, would total about $1 million.

That concerned planners Adrienne Garreau (Scott District) and Ken Alm (Center District).

They both questioned the wisdom of spend big sums of public money on land without an agreement that specified lease conditions.

The proposed center would fail to serve the greatest number of residents in an effective and economic way, said Garreau, quoting the county comprehensive plan.

It's too intense for the neighborhood, planner Ann McCarty (Marshall District) said.

All along, Planner John Meadows (Lee District) has questioned why the county would give serious thought to the Range 82 site without a lease in hand.

The sheriff needs a place to shoot, Meadows said moments before the April 30 vote. This doesn't seem to be the place to do it.

For the full story, read the May 6 Fauquier Times-Democrat