Henderson County approves temporary closure of Edneyville Park to store sheriff’s vehicles

Hendersonville, N.C. — The Henderson County Board of Commissioners voted May 4 to temporarily close Edneyville Park and authorize its use as an impound lot and vehicle storage area for the Sheriff’s Office, with total costs capped at $100,000.

Assistant County Manager Chris Todd said the Sheriff’s current impound lot has been affected by the JCAR project and staff identified a county-owned 3.5-acre site behind the Edneyville Fire Department as a cost-effective alternative. Todd said the area’s fenced tennis courts could be repurposed for temporary vehicle storage with minimal modifications, including a gate and security cameras, and that fiber optic service is already available in the area.

Sheriff Lowell Griffin told the board the site could also support future law-enforcement training needs. Vice-Chair J. Michael Edney raised concerns about the remote location and the need for enhanced security; Todd said additional cameras and existing restricted gates would help mitigate risks.

Commissioner Rebecca McCall made the motion to temporarily close Edneyville Park and authorize its use as an impound lot and vehicle storage area for the Sheriff’s Office, with total costs not to exceed $100,000. “I move to temporarily close Edneyville Park and authorize its use as an impound lot and vehicle storage area for the Sheriff’s Office, with total costs not to exceed $100,000,” McCall stated. All voted in favor, and the motion carried.

The board supported a phased approach rather than full-site development immediately; staff shared a high-level draft concept should the site be used longer term. The motion authorizes short-term conversion and immediate temporary storage; any large-scale training or facility construction would require separate board approvals and budgeting.