Planning board backs Mount Jubilee Ministries rezoning for residential community serving adults with disabilities

Mount Jubilee Ministries presented a conditional rezoning request to the planning board to convert an ~11.66-acre parcel from mixed residential/other designation to conditional Highway Business (CZ-HB) to allow a mixed-use, "work-live-play" campus for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Executive director Jessie Medder described the organization's record running Camp Jubilee and day programs and said the proposed project would include small residential homes (a maximum of four residents per house), services to foster independence, and a roughly 15,000-square-foot multi-use building for programming and possible small retail or coffee shop that would be open to the public. The applicant said the plan would be funded by a mix of Medicaid provider revenue, grants, private donations and program fees and that Mount Jubilee would work to become a Medicaid service provider to sustain care staffing.

Planning staff briefed the board on applicable watershed rules (Jordan Lake and Troublesome Creek) and noted limits on impervious surface and the need for state DEQ approvals where required. Neighbors asked about a retention/holding pond and how setbacks would be measured; staff said the site is not in a FEMA floodplain and that setback and watershed rules would drive final placement. The planning board discussed safety and staffing ratios and asked about maximum residents per unit; the applicant said typical homes would house up to four people with appropriate staff supports. The board voted to recommend the rezoning petition Z2026-01 to city council, including the applicant—s proffered limitations on allowable uses.

The matter moves next to city council for final action; planning staff and the applicant said additional engineering, NCDOT driveway approvals and watershed compliance will be required before construction can begin.