City says pastor housing homeless in warehouse is violating code

GASTONIA, N.C. — The Rev. Moses Colbert has been helping the homeless for years in Gastonia by serving them meals. Recently, he decided he wanted to open a shelter.

Colbert rented a warehouse on North Chester Street and brought in 20 to 30 people a day.

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"Got a warm place to stay and something soft to lay on," Melvin Mitchell said.

But Colbert did not notify the city of his plans to let people live in the warehouse, which is zoned as industrial and not for housing.

Gastonia city officials told Colbert he was violating code and sent Channel 9 a statement that read:

"The use being made of the property located at 1410 N. Chester Street by the current tenant does not comply with the state building code or the state fire code.

"These standards are critical life-safety protections, both for any person who happens to go into the building but also for the adjoining residents and property owners. Additionally, the current use being made of the property is not in compliance with our zoning ordinance. The state building code and our city zoning standards apply equally to all land, buildings, structures and uses located within our city limits."   

Colbert said the city is giving him 10 days to leave the building.

"I would love to sit at the table with them, because I have a lot of ideas of how we can operate this thing and how it's going to work for everybody," Colbert said. "It's going to work for the city. It's going to work for everybody."

Cox Media Group