Lakewood Ranch gun club gets approval

Manatee County Hearing Officer Lori Dorman officially approved a special permit for the long-debated gun club in Lakewood Ranch when she issued her final order yesterday.

The order must be recorded as official record with the Manatee County Clerk of Court before the club opens, at a still undetermined but near date.

Previously Dorman had reopened a public hearing for the club after an initial letter of intent to approve. 

In her final order, Dorman pointed to findings by an engineer hired by Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, the club’s developer, who ran sound tests around the proposed property.

Decibel readings ranged from 43.2 to 47.7 — below the 60-decibel county limit.

Officials and parents from the Center for Montessori School and officials from Bayside Community Church, both neighboring residents to the proposed site, had expressed reservations about the gun club’s proximity to their facilities.

Ancient Oak Gun Club will operate from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Pistols and rifles will not be allowed.