EDENTON — The Town of Edenton may formally request that the Edenton-Chowan Partnership release ownership of the existing firing range at the Phase II airport industrial park back to the town, according to documents included in Monday’s town council agenda.

The November 10 meeting, moved up one day due to Veterans Day falling on Tuesday, will include consideration of “Edenton Police Department Firing Range Acquisition,” presented by Town Manager Corey Gooden.

The town council meeting begins at 6 p.m. Monday at 504 S. Broad Street. Remote access is available at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2524822155 (passcode: 458434) or by calling 301-715-8592.

Public comments are limited to three minutes per speaker. A copy of the agenda appears below the story.

The partnership is scheduled to meet at 4 p.m. Nov. 13 in council chambers to continue discussions on the firing range issue and possibly approve sale of the property, located near the Northeastern Regional Airport.

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A letter from Gooden to the partnership states: “On behalf of the Town of Edenton and the Edenton Police Department, the Town of Edenton would like to formally request that the Edenton-Chowan Partnership board consider the release the current ownership of the existing firing range, in the phase II industrial park, to the Town of Edenton.”

The letter cites “the overall training, recruitment, and long-term emergency service needs for the Town’s Police Department” as justification, noting “this facility would be better utilized for our local law enforcement.”

Council would have to agree to allow Gooden to send this letter to the Partnership.

Reversing Course on Sale

During its October meeting, the partnership tabled a vote to sell the property to Ronald Haight, who plans to develop a commercial shooting range and training facility at the site.

The partnership postponed finalizing that sale, primarily due to law enforcement concerns about access requirements. Under Haight’s proposed lease agreement, law enforcement would have unlimited access to a 25-yard pistol range but would need to provide a week’s notice to use longer rifle ranges so the facility could be closed to other users during training.

The partnership scheduled a meeting with Edenton Police Chief David LaFon and Chowan County Sheriff Scooter Basnight to discuss the matter. The agreement with Haight is contingent on law enforcement’s agreement with the proposal.

Some residents who opposed the sale attempted to attend the late October meeting between the partnership and law enforcement. They claimed they were removed shortly after the meeting began. The Partnership did not advertise the meeting, so the Albemarle Observer can not confirm whether it was open to the public.

The partnership currently has no written agreements governing law enforcement use of the existing range, leaving all parties exposed to liability, according to Industrial Park Committee Chair Joe Wach, who spoke at the October meeting.

Haight’s Vision for Commercial Range

Haight has responded to community concerns on social media, providing detailed information about his plans for the facility.

While he considered building an indoor range, Haight said “the cost makes that impractical.” Instead, he proposes improving the existing outdoor range with a pro shop, classroom space, indoor simulation training area, firearm manufacturing capabilities, and organized outdoor shooting lanes.

The lanes would include 100-yard rifle ranges and 25-yard pistol ranges, “each with walls and roof covers over shooting positions designed to minimize noise,” Haight said. “In addition, trees will be planted and allowed to mature along the west side of the property to further reduce sound.”

Haight clarified operating hours that are more conservative than earlier proposals:

• Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Training classes: 2-3 evenings per week from 5 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
• Suppressed classes: 1-2 times monthly in summer from 6:45 p.m. – 10 p.m. using subsonic ammunition “that will not be audible to surrounding properties”
• Sundays: Closed except for one or two special events annually

“The club’s focus extends well beyond shooting,” Haight said, describing a comprehensive training program emphasizing “situational awareness, leadership, first aid, and protective tactics—skills that benefit everyone, whether or not they carry a firearm.”

Environmental Management

Addressing contamination concerns on social media, Haight said the facility would implement Best Management Practices and an Environmental Stewardship Plan recommended by the NRA, National Shooting Sports Foundation and EPA, including “an implementation schedule to recover lead currently in the shooting berm.”

He noted the property currently “lacks fencing or clear boundaries, and as a result, many individuals access it to shoot unsupervised,” arguing that a formal gun club would provide “a safe, controlled, and supervised environment.”

Haight provided historical context, noting the range “was originally built in 1944 along with the airport by the military. It was used to test guns from the airplanes.”

“I recognize and respect the concerns of nearby residents. My goal is to ensure this facility enhances the community—not disrupts it,” Haight said.

Who Owns the Property?

The Edenton-Chowan Partnership—a joint economic development organization sanctioned by both the town and Chowan County—currently owns the property.

The town of Edenton is listed as the owner on the county’s GIS website.

The partnership operates separately from town and county governments, but both entities are represented on the board. According to the website, Edenton Mayor Hackney High, Edenton Councilmember Bob Turner and Chowan County Commissioners Bob Kirby and Larry McLaughlin sit on the board.

Earlier this year, the partnership voted unanimously in April to sell to Haight after months of evaluation by the Industrial Park Committee, led by Joe Wach. That vote remains binding unless the partnership votes to rescind it, which could damage the organization’s credibility for future economic development efforts, according to partnership officials.

The town’s proposed request for the property to be returned adds another layer of complexity to a process that began nearly a year ago.

Other Monday Business

The town council meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. Monday in the Council Chambers at 504 S. Broad Street, will also address:

• A public hearing on a text amendment to establish an R-3 residential zoning district to allow smaller-lot development in medium- to high-density areas
• A resolution authorizing participation in a New Markets Tax Credit transaction to finance the Sears Building renovation and acquisition of 204 Court Street (parking lot behind the Sears Building) for the Provalus project
• Direct sale of property at 116 W. Peterson Street
• A resolution of intent to permanently close a portion of “paper street” on South Moseley Street in the 400 block
• Approval for Main Street Edenton staff to attend the 2026 Main Street Now Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma, April 13-15