HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Hendersonville city officials are taking a look at ways to stay ahead of possible downfalls often experienced by growing cities, including possibly passing new laws on panhandling, shopping carts and vacant buildings.
“We want to make sure that we stay in the top three or four of the safest cities in Tennessee,” Hendersonville mayor Jamie Clary said.
Outside of vacant buildings, Clary said things like homeless camps are — as of publication — not huge concerns for their city. With more people moving to Hendersonville each year, though, the goal is to stay proactive.
“We don’t want to be a haven for homeless people. I’m not saying that homeless people commit crimes, but where there are homeless encampments — [it's] a crime magnet. And it might not be them committing the crime, but it invites crime,” Clary said during a February meeting of Hendersonville’s Public Safety Committee.
Hendersonville’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen were originally slated to discuss topics like panhandling during a previous meeting, but they've pushed back reading over the proposed ordinances so they can refine the wording, the city told News 2.
The BOMA will instead look at an ordinance Tuesday that would ensure property owners maintain their vacant buildings through registration, updated contact information and an annual fee.
“We have a couple property owners who don’t live here and they own some pretty visible pieces of property in our commercial areas,” Clary explained. “It’s really becoming an eyesore for a couple of those.”
One local store owner believes if something doesn’t change with their vacant storefronts, it could lead to an “economic depression.”
“Really, it becomes more of a safety issue for the city...” Greg Yandell, who owns the Ace Hardware on W. Main, said. “When you address that up front, you really are addressing a potential future problem — not a today problem.”
Handling the concern over vacant buildings is about creating a positive “economic impact,” said Yandell.
“When you have other residents moving to town or other businesses moving to town, when they see those vacant buildings, it sends the wrong message,” said Yandell.
Clary said the main focus for Hendersonville in 2025 will continue to be traffic improvements, with "trash" concerns around the city likely becoming their focus next year.