📰 Today’s Local News from WSPC 107.3 FM & 1010 AM
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📅 Wednesday, July 10, 2025
🕙 Your mid-morning briefing from the WSPC newsroom
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Headlines at a Glance
• 🏛️ Faith Alive Ministries’ Rezoning Request Denied in Tie-Break Vote
• 🧒 Proposed Emergency Housing for Foster Children Sparks Debate
• 🏘️ Mayor Voices Concern Over Loss of Residential Housing
🏛️ Faith Alive Ministries’ Rezoning Request Denied in Tie-Break Vote
The Albemarle City Council voted against a proposed rezoning that would have allowed Faith Alive Ministries to convert a residential home into office space and temporary housing for children in crisis.
- 📍 Property Address: 936 North Fifth Street (near North Fifth & Yadkin)
- 🏠 Current Zoning: R-10 Residential
- 🏥 Proposed Zoning: Hospital Medical District (HMD)
Faith Alive Ministries presented the rezoning request on behalf of Jordan Whitley, with the goal of offering both administrative support and emergency services for vulnerable children and widows in the community.
🧒 Proposed Emergency Housing for Foster Children Sparks Debate
Executive Director Jordan Whitley outlined a plan to:
- Use the home as daytime office space for four staff members
- Offer overnight refuge for children entering foster care, for one or two nights only
- Provide 24/7 supervision with two trained adults present at all times
- Limit outdoor play to a fully fenced backyard
- Ensure the home meets the same safety standards as licensed foster homes in coordination with Stanly County DSS
Despite strong community support for the mission, some neighbors raised concerns about location suitability, parking, and neighborhood impact.
🏘️ Mayor Voices Concern Over Loss of Residential Housing
The final vote was tied 3–3, prompting Mayor Ronnie Michael to cast the deciding vote against the rezoning:
“We consistently hear that we do not have affordable housing in our city… I am going to vote no.”
🗳️ Council Vote:
- For rezoning: David Hunt, Bill Aldridge, Dexter Townsend
- Against rezoning: Chris Bramlett, Martha Sue Hall, Benton Dry
- Mayor’s Tie-Breaker: No
Councilman Chris Bramlett summed up the core issue:
“This is not about how good the ministry is—it’s about whether this particular property should be rezoned.”
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