By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

EAST SPENCER — The Essie Mae Kiser Foxx Charter School has its sights set on a new building before the promised August opening day, but first must seek approval from the town of East Spencer to rezone.

During a presentation at the town board meeting this week, the request was made to rezone a former church building to allow it to be used for a school building.

The metal building located at 729 N. Long St. is across from Holmes Iron and Metal and is zoned R3 or residential. The building is owned by the Church of God of Prophecy.

“What they are looking at trying to do is a conditional use permit,” said Town Administrator F.E. Isenhour.

He indicated the group never closed on a previous property located behind the former Dunbar Center and they needed a temporary site. The school would lease the building.

Isenhour said he believed the Long Street building once housed a daycare center as well.

The planning board held a courtesy hearing May 8 to formulate a recommendation to the board. However, the town board must have a public hearing at its June 4 meeting. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at town hall, 105 S. Long St.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.