Paving Company Wants to Add Indoor Firing Range, Gun Shop

Black Diamond Group, which specializes in pavement and surfacing services, has an idea for what it wants to do with about 17,000 square feet of empty space at its Oak Creek headquarters, 6925 S. 6th St.:

An indoor firing range and a store selling guns and accessories.

No official plans have been presented to the Oak Creek Plan Commission, but the commission on Tuesday recommended a zoning change that would allow such operations to take place in manufacturing districts, like the Northbranch Industrial Park, which is home to Black Diamond.

The proposed zoning amendment, which still must be approved by the Common Council after a public hearing, would not allow firing ranges within 1,000 feet of a residential district.

"It would definitely limit the locations of indoor firing ranges in the city, to areas such as Northbranch," Zoning Administrator Pete Wagner said.

City officials modeled the amendment after what neighboring communities, including Franklin and Caledonia, have in place. Proposed indoor firing ranges would still need the Oak Creek Common Council to approve a conditional-use permit.

Mayor Steve Scaffidi, Police Chief John Edwards and Community Development Director Doug Seymour reviewed the zoning amendment and did not see any problems, Scaffidi said.

"I believe it is an appropriate use" for a manufacturing district, Scaffidi said.

In addition to the firing range, Black Diamond owner Deb Teglia said the business also plans to sell firearms and ammunition, as well as accessories such as clothing and ear and eye protection.