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Identifying himself as an acoustical engineer with 35 years experience. Bob Leibold questioned whether it would be monetarily feasible to build an amphitheater for a shooting range which would comply with noise restrictions set in Article 13 of the county’s zoning ordinance. He maintained that noise levels at a shooting range will be high enough to cause ear damage as well as pain.

To abate the noise, Leibold said, will require 1,000 feet of very dense evergreen foliage.

Doesn’t Apply

The zoning administrator explained that a shooting range in an agricultural district wouldn’t have to meet Article 13’s noise regulations. (The underlined title of Article 13 specifies that it applies to commercial, industrial, commercial recreational, institutional, multi-family housing, attached single family housing, rental, special housing and condominium housing projects, mobile home courts or trailer parks.) Under the proposed shooting range amendment, noise limitations would be attached to a special use permit by the Board of Zoning Appeals, Konick added.

As to the need for a shooting range. Leibold said he had no problem with sighting his guns on his own property, that he shoots three, four or five rounds every year or two. He reported that Prince William County is currently having difficulties with a firing range operated there by the Izaak Walton League, a range he described as much better designed than what Bowers plans to build.

Distance that noise will travel from a range depends on a number of variables, including humidity and temperature on any given day, he said. "Go by Clark Brothers (a gun shop with firing range in Fauquier County). It sounds like there’s a war going on.’’ According to Liebold, there are no houses within a half mile on either side. ’’There's got to be a reason for that...You can hear Gark Brothers before you can see it."