Opelika commission corrects Wellspring development agreement name; commissioners press for local resident preference

The City Commission unanimously approved a resolution correcting the name on a development agreement for a senior affordable housing project, changing the listed developer from Wellspring Community Resources Inc. to Wellspring LLC. The correction was described by the city attorney and manager as clerical: county records had split folios and the agreement needs to match that title before dignitaries visit the project. Commissioners pressed staff and the developer about how the project will serve Opelika residents. Vice Mayor Kelly and Commissioner Natasha Irvin said the commission had been told the development would give preference to Opelika residents, and asked staff to confirm that priority would be enforced. City staff said there is a waiting list for the project and that the city has engaged the developer about resident outreach. City records shown at the meeting also indicated the developer paid outstanding impact fees related to the project earlier in August. The resolution passed 5-0 after the manager explained the name correction was necessary because the county had amended folio identifiers and the city's record must align. Commissioners said they want a covenant or clearer written mechanism so a promised local preference does not remain only an oral assurance. Speakers included Mayor John H. Taylor Jr., Vice Mayor Joseph K. L. Kelly, Commissioner Natasha L. Irvin, Planning Director Gregory Gay and City Manager Shamika Lawson.