The Johnstown council Monday night voted 5-1 to amend zoning in an area southeast of Interstate 25 and U.S. 34 to includes gun stores and related uses, which allows plans for the Liberty Firearms Institute to proceed.
Mayor Mark Romanowski was the lone dissenting vote, noting that most of the people who spoke Monday opposed the facility.
will include a 100,000-square-foot building with five underground firing ranges for shooters of pistols and rifles. The structure will also include a gun store, restaurant and classroom space for firearms instruction.
The $18 million shooting center is proposed by the owners of USA Liberty Arms in Fort Collins.
Many in the packed hearing, which preceded the council vote, said they were concerned about traffic and noise. They also worried about an accidental discharge of a weapon outside of the building and whether people using the range would have to pass background checks.
But supporters said they want the shooting center because it will provide a safe, contained area to practice.
