A proposal to convert part of the property at 1110 N. Market St. into a private dormitory for basketball players attending a proposed prep school there is drawing opposition from neighbors.

During its meeting Tuesday, the Washington Planning board voted 4-0 to recommend the City Council deny Joe Davis Jr.’s request to amend the city’s zoning ordinances to allow private dormitories in the R9S (single-family residential) zoning districts. Davis, who owns the NCAA-approved basketball scouting service ScoutsFocus, wants to open a post-secondary prep school that works with basketball players to improve their SAT and ACT scores and basketball skills so they can possibly get scholarships to play at the college level. The players, who would have the option of also taking classes at Beaufort Community College, would study in the mornings and receive basketball coaching in the afternoons, according to Davis. Players would pay from $7,000 to $10,000 for an academic year at the prep school, he said.

A public hearing on Davis’ request — unless he withdraws his request — will be conducted at 6 p.m. July 13 by the City Council, which has final say on whether to amend the zoning ordinances to allow private dormitories in the R9S districts. Currently, private dormitories are allowed only in the RMF (residential multifamily) districts. If the council approves the request, the city’s Board of Adjustment would have to issue a special-use permit for Davis to operate the private dormitory. A special-use permit allows for a specific exception to the zoning regulations from a list of acceptable exceptions for a particular parcel of land in a district of a particular zoning character.

Davis said in its first year the dormitory — the large house next to the former St. Agnes Catholic Church — would house the prep school, about a dozen students and the instructors/coaches who would provide 24-hour supervision of the players. Under existing city codes, the house could house up to 18 people, according to John Rodman, the city’s community and cultural resources director.

The student-athletes would practice at the former Washington High School gymnasium near the Bobby Andrews Recreation Center on East Seventh Street, Davis said. Some of the likely would have cars. The school would use a 15-passenger van to transport them to different functions, such as shopping for groceries, he said. The players would have a curfew at night, Davis said.

The school would have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to use of illegal drugs, illegal behavior and disrupting the neighborhood, Davis said.

Several people, most of them who live near the former church site, and board members voiced concerns with Davis’ request. Some said they like his idea, but they believe the prep school would not be compatible with the residential neighborhood. Others voice concerns over supervision of the players, monitoring of their academic work, increased traffic and noise and the school’s proximity to a child-development center operated by the Beaufort County Developmental Center.

Elena Cameron, children’s services manager at the child-development center at 1109 N. Respess St., opposes allowing the prep school at the Market Street site.

“I am concerned with the safety that’s been exhibited over the past years,” she said about the former residents of the house, which has been vacant for at least a year.

“While we were on the playground, I had to vacate the playground many times due to the marijuana smoke. I had to deal with public intoxication while children were on the playground. … The last straw was when someone publicly urinated in front of our kids when they were on the playground,” she said.

Cameron said she and others concerned about such activities “put a stop to what was going on there.”

Cameron and others also asked if the school’s students, coaches and staff would be screened for sex offenders and those with criminal pasts.

Ed Hodges said he did not see the school as something that would enhance the neighborhood.

Davis responded to the speakers’ concerns and questions. He said the students would be properly supervised when it comes to behavior and academics.

“We’re going to screen all this kids coming in. They’re going to be good kids that are going to be there for a purpose,” Davis said.

Davis added: “I feel like … there may be some concern that maybe some of these kids may not be the right color. … I don’t think that should be a concern.”

Davis told the board “the whole purpose (of the venture) is getting these kids scholarships.”