10-04-2025
Council hears update on new shelter
A new homeless shelter at 507 S. Third St. is 85% complete.
That's the word from Hamer Carter, the president of Outreach Mission Inc.
He updated the Sanford City Council about progress on the building during a council work session on Tuesday, April 8.
Carter said that work at the site is under budget and on schedule to open soon. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for June 24, he said.
He came to the work session to request that the city offset an approximate $16,500 tap fee for city water and sewer service at the site.
Although council didn't make a decision on his request, they will likely do so in an upcoming council session.
'I can't think of a more worthwhile cause,' Councilwoman Linda Rhodes said.
DEPOT
Mary Depina, city engineer, updated the council on the renovation of the historic Depot at 106 Charlotte Ave. downtown.
The interior design recently changed due to a decorative chimney inside the building, she said.
Completion is scheduled for October. Critical Path Solutions of Fayetteville is the contractor, and Jerry Traub of Raleigh is the architect.
VERMILLION PROJECT
George Young, vice president of land acquisition with Mattamy Homes of Cary, came with several employees who were prepared to speak about the proposed Vermillion project.
He was prevented doing so because city attorney Susan Patterson cautioned council to not talk about any rezoning prior to a public hearing.
Mattamy Homes, who Young called the largest private home builder in North America, plans to annex and rezone land north of Sanford. He said it would be difficult to talk about the project without mentioning rezoning, so he said he would return later.
According to a concept plan dated Feb. 5, the development would consist of 1,219 lots, including single-family homes and townhomes, on 488 acres at Riddle Road, north of 421 and south of Post Office Road in Lee County.
During council discussion, Mayor Rebecca Wyhof Salmon said this was the first she knew about the legal restriction, and would comply with it going forward.
Her comments came after Councilman Byron Buckels asked, 'Can we prevent this in the future?' He was referring to scheduling topics for work sessions that legally cannot be talked about.
