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Council approves conditional use for Wholeness to Freedom Ministries’ vocational school and dormitory
Summary
The council unanimously adopted Ordinance 2026-10 to allow Wholeness to Freedom Ministries to operate a vocational school with an 18-room dormitory on a 3.49-acre property, following unanimous Planning & Zoning support and several public testimonies emphasizing the program’s rehabilitative mission.
Melbourne City Council on March 10 adopted Ordinance 2026-10, granting a conditional use to Wholeness to Freedom Ministries to operate a vocational school and an 18-room dormitory on a portion of a 3.49-acre property on Ferndale Avenue.
Cindy Dittmer of community development summarized the proposal as a conversion of existing buildings (no new construction) to house classrooms, a fellowship hall and a three-story dormitory with 18 rooms, kitchen/dining facilities and common spaces. Staff and the Planning & Zoning board recommended approval, finding the school would be a low traffic generator relative to the former K–12 use on the site.
Multiple nonprofit leaders and program partners addressed council in support. Jake Wise, representing the applicant, said the project had “been a long time coming” and emphasized interior renovations rather than new construction. Beverly Squire Wiggins, program director for Still Waters (a program of Wholeness to Freedom Ministries), described the program as an intensive, faith-centered transformation program for single women and single mothers that combines counseling, life coaching and vocational classes to help graduates achieve stability and employment.
Council members asked detailed questions about the program’s class sizes, dormitory capacity and accreditation. Staff and speakers clarified that classes are small (typically 8–12 students per cohort), the dormitory will provide housing to support immersive programming, and the program connects students to partner organizations for job training and services.
After public testimony and council discussion, council approved the ordinance on second reading by unanimous vote. Staff said conditions of approval require ongoing compliance with the site plan and that council may revoke the conditional use if conditions are not met.
The decision allows the ministry to proceed with interior renovations and implementation steps required by the site plan approval process.
