LEESBURG, Fla. — People living in a Lake County community say they want loud noises and excessive traffic brought on by a community gun range to stop.
- Application for Conditional Use Permit currently being reviewed
- Management District hopes to soon reopen part of Emeralda Marsh
- Part of marsh was shut down because bullets were striking trees
- More Lake County stories
For more than 40 years, the peaceful sound of nature is what Louise Crews has come to love about her quiet, close knit community in the Treasure Island community of Lake County.
That peace and serenity has been shattered, she says, by loud booming noises coming from nearby Ares Firearms Training.
Although the range has been around for several years, Crews says lately, the noise and traffic caused by people coming in and out of the gun range has become unbearable.
Even though she lives a little more than a mile away from the gun range, she says the sounds are crystal clear, one loud boom nearly knocking her off her feet.
“The sound wave from it hit me in the back of the head, and I had a headache for several hours afterward,” Crews said.
Additional concerns
Letter from the St. Johns River Water Management District to Lake County's Planning and Zoning Office, sent in regard to ongoing issues with Ares Firearms Training in Treasure Island. (Courtesy of the St. Johns Water Management District)
Crews is not alone. The St. Johns River Water Management District is also raising concerns. A year ago, the state agency shut down part of the Emeralda Marsh because of bullets striking trees on their property.
In a letter addressed to the Lake County Planning and Zoning Office, the District’s acting attorney states the Treasure Island range as built is incompatible with public use of the Conservation Area.
The letter goes on to say that 56 trees were damaged in the Conservation Area at an estimated cost of more than $100,000.
According to Lake County leaders, a request for a conditional use permit has been submitted for Ares Firearms Training. Documents from the county show plans for berms that would also be put in place.
Avid hunter and gun collector Kevin Chandler also lives near the gun range. He suggests a confined space as a possible solution.
“Bullets aren’t flying anywhere. No one can hear it," Chandler says. "Build a building and put it in, and I wouldn’t have a problem with it at all then."
Like Crews, Chandler wants to see an end to the excessive noise, but for the time being, they both are remaining hopeful that their concerns are heard over the booms of the gun range in the woods.
Gun range responds
An attorney representing the applicant requesting a conditional use permit for the gun range sent us the following statement:
“With regard to the existing range and the pending conditional use permit application, we want to be good neighbors and are working with the neighbors and others to craft a workable framework that takes their concerns into consideration.
As such, we are voluntarily agreeing to limit hours of operation and special events, enhance safety requirements to the levels recommended by the NRA, and limit operations of the range. We believe these accommodations address the concerns of the neighbors while allowing for the operation of this valuable asset to the community — operations which include safety training for local law enforcement personnel.”
County leaders are expected to hear public comment on the conditional use permit for the gun range during a meeting Wednesday morning.