Council members Paul Jones and John Smith voted against rezoning the 5.8-acre parcel north of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church for the 16-unit complex. They cited fears that the development could easily become another low-income facility should it be sold by Partners for Lancaster Schools Foundation, the nonprofit organization behind the project.

Council members Barbara Robertson, Rebecca Tebbs Nunn and Howard Straughan supported the rezoning despite failing to receive assurances the foundation would not eventually sell the property to a developer who would turn it into “Section 8 housing.”

Town attorney Chris Stamm told council that nonprofit organizations must follow federal guidelines that would never allow covenants or other stipulations to restrict usage by segments of the population.

“The agreement (the foundation) signed with the government is not easy to get out of...there’s a lot of government stopgaps,” Stamm said in assuring council it would be difficult for the organization to walk away or sell.

Mayor Curtis Smith objected to county officials pushing for affordable housing and directing it to Kilmarnock.

“The county wants affordable housing, but we don’t see it going in Irvington or White Stone,” Smith said.

“Section 8 housing is usually a problem because of absentee landlords,” said the organization’s founder, Bill Warren. “Foundation board members live here.”

“Who lives in Kilmarnock?” Smith asked.

“Emerson Gravatt and Tara Booth,” Warren replied. “We considered putting it in White Stone, but the board wanted it in Kilmarnock not only for water and sewer but because of the proximity to shops, parks” and other conveniences that would attract young professionals to jobs at the schools and hospital. Warren said renters would have to qualify in a certain wage bracket geared to young professionals just starting out. Also, a lease agreement would spell out the number of people allowed in a unit, he added.

“Yes, the teachers need a nice place to live,” said Gerald Sellers. “Harvey Lane was a very nice, respected place to live 15 to 20 years ago, but look at it now. I just don’t want this to turn into another situation like we have now.”

“We lose teachers every year because they can’t afford to live here,” said Bob Wille.

St. Andrews pastor Tom Coye noted his congregation considered planting a hedge between the church and the apartments, but decided to put in a sidewalk instead to welcome their new neighbors.

“It’s perfect for young people when they can walk to everything in town,” said Frank Burke, representing the property’s seller, Suzanne Bellows. “If Gerald sold his house, he may sell to people the neighbors don’t like.”

“This is the only chance to have, maybe not a gold-plated, but a brass-plated apartment complex,” said town manager Tom Saunders.

Council member Randy Mowbray did not attend the meeting.