The Live Oak Planning and Zoning Board and Board of Adjustment on Monday approved a special exception for the construction of an outdoor shooting range for the Live Oak Police Department.

The proposed shooting range will be constructed on city owned property at 701 Lime Ave. NW near the waste water treatment plant. Site plans include a 50-yard pistol range and a 200-yard rifle range with 10 shooting stations.

The purpose of the range is to provide a training facility for local law enforcement agencies. Currently, LOPD officers training at Hamilton Correctional Institute and a local private range.

“To provide quality training you have to have the right facility and equipment,” Police Chief Buddy Williams said Wednesday. “It’s a definite positive step in the right direction for us to provide quality training.”

Williams said LOPD officials conducted a neighborhood survey earlier this year to determine reaction of surrounding property owners.

“We had a 99 percent positive reaction,” he said.

The proposed range will be constructed on about five acres located within a 25-acre tract owned by the city. An additional 40-200 feet of natural buffer area will surround the shooting range.

City Development Manager George Curtis said once the permitting process is finalized, construction on the project will be scheduled.