Design Review Commission Meeting

On August 19, 2026, the Walnut Creek Design Review Commission held a study session for the Elite Armory project at 2615 N. Main Street. The applicant proposes a 1,280 sq. ft. addition to an existing 3,000 sq. ft. building for a recreation and entertainment use (indoor shooting range) requiring a Conditional Use Permit and Design Review. The Commission provided advisory input for the Planning Commission's future consideration.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Barry Tyras (50-year resident) spoke during public communications about a separate issue concerning soccer field access at Heather Farms.
• Gail Contreras (speaker card submitted, no verbal comment noted).
• Chris Hart (out-of-state former Contra Costa resident) expressed support, noting the need for indoor ranges as others have closed.
• Jason (Pleasant Hill resident, works near proposed site) expressed support, arguing the community is gun-friendly and the vocal minority opposes.
• Joshua Mathis (Contra Costa resident) expressed support, citing educational value for youth and safe firearm handling.
• Daniel Steiss (51-year Contra Costa resident, NRA safety officer) expressed support, emphasizing safety training and the need for facilities for growing CCW holders.
• Cynthia Schneider asked how to stay informed as the project moves to Planning Commission.
• Barry Tyras (second comment) expressed opposition, questioned safety measures (robbery, rifle use), argued Walnut Creek is not a gun community, cited existing gun stores, and referenced studies linking gun stores to increased violence.
• Another speaker (name not captured) mentioned a recent shooting near the site and expressed fear.

By 4:00 p.m. on the meeting day, staff had received 101 public emails: 54% in opposition, 44% in support. Top support reasons included local jobs, sales tax revenue, and a safe controlled environment for gun owners. Top opposition reasons included noise, safety, and community impact.

Discussion Items

• Staff Presentation (Gerardo Victoria, Associate Planner): Detailed the project's site context (service commercial zoning), existing Lewis and Lewis carpet building, proposed improvements (new landscaping, lighting, 21 parking stalls where 17 required). The noise study, conducted by The Acoustics Group, found compliance with Walnut Creek's 70 dB commercial daytime noise limit for all four nearby residential areas, using day-night average sound levels. The project qualifies for a Categorical Exemption under CEQA Section 15301.
• Applicant Presentation (Gabriel, co-owner; Tracy Canoni, architectural designer; Chris from Action Target): Presented company history (15 years, three locations, 25 employees), safety record (calls for service initiated by staff, not neighbors), market gap (nearest indoor ranges 25–75 miles away), and design intent. The indoor range uses concrete construction, PEP and baffle panels for sound abatement, and full acoustical treatments. Chris from Action Target stated that passing traffic on N. Main (peaking at 85 dB) is louder than shots from the range, and other similar ranges operate near residential areas without complaints.
• Commission Questions & Comments:
  • Discrepancies between two front elevation renderings (one with one door, one with two doors) were clarified: the two-door version is for the range (separate law enforcement access).
  • Noise study covers only standard operating hours (Weekdays 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Weekends 10 a.m.–8 p.m.); law enforcement training is requested outside these hours (7 a.m.–9 p.m.). Commissioners asked if additional sound study is needed for those hours.
  • Landscape plan: applicant confirmed the rendering with the sign removed is correct; plant list was not in packet but includes native species (per designer); slope from sidewalk needs better coverage.
  • Lighting: wall sconces should be shielded to meet dark-sky requirements; bollards should be downward-facing.
  • Bollard rating: only rated for 20 mph impact; staff suggested higher rating for 35 mph street.
  • Utilities on front right corner should be screened with an architectural element, not a band-aid.
  • Commissioner Newsom (absent) provided written comments: include sound mitigation as conditions of approval, clarify operating vs. training hours, make building more welcoming/less fortress-like, keep roll-up door inside, consider fewer bollards or landscape integration.
  • Commissioners advised the design should avoid a fortress appearance and instead blend with the commercial retail strip.

Key Outcomes

• The Commission provided the following advisory input for the Planning Commission:
  1. Plant design should address the slope from the pedestrian sidewalk.
  2. Provide more information on sound impacts during the proposed early morning (7 a.m.) and late evening (9 p.m.) training hours.
  3. Bollards should be upgraded to a higher impact rating.
  4. Screen existing utilities with an architectural element that matches the building materials.
  5. Continue developing the more welcoming rendering (without sign on top) to reduce the fortress-like appearance and better fit the commercial context.
  6. All sound mitigation measures and safety features (e.g., rubber padding) should be included as conditions of approval.
• This was a study session only; the project will proceed to the Planning Commission for a future public hearing on the Conditional Use Permit and final Design Review.