During an open house, community feedback was taken on what business they would like to see operate out of the old Skipanon Marine and RV Supply.

WARRENTON — Encore Academy, a performing arts school, has been selected to take over a sought-after building off E. Harbor Drive.

The City Commission voted 3 to 1 on Tuesday night to award a three-year lease to Encore Academy over four other businesses also interested in the space that housed Skipanon Marine and RV Supply for three decades. The academy, which integrates academics and dance, is located in the neighboring building.

Denele Sweet, the owner and founder of Encore Academy, said the academy was nearing capacity and needed space to expand.

“We do want that building next door to us that is for lease so we can expand upon our programming and I just don’t want to turn any kids away,” Sweet told the City Commission. “That’s where we’re at, we need more square footage.”

The city held an open house earlier this month for the community to give feedback on five potential businesses who pitched their visions for the location next to the Warrenton Marina. The finalists included Encore Academy, two auto repair shops, a seafood market and a brewery.

Encore received accreditation last year as a prekindergarten-through-12th grade private school. Several students from the academy were at the meeting Tuesday night and made their case to the City Commission.

Commissioners also expressed interest in leasing the space to Battery 245 Brewing Co., a prospective brewery and restaurant, and OCD Performance, an auto repair shop in Seaside. But commissioners had concerns about putting a brewery next to a school.

“I had a tough time on this, because all of them really are deserving,” Commissioner Tom Dyer said.

The city is pursuing a short-term lease because the structure may fit city needs in the future, including the potential relocation of the Warrenton Fire Department. If the city does not see use for the building, the City Commission may extend the next lease or consider selling the property, City Manager Esther Moberg has said.

Commissioner Mark Baldwin, who filled in as mayor at the meeting due to Mayor Henry Balensifer’s absence, said he was uncertain about having to potentially kick out the academy after the lease ended.

“I’m going to say ‘nay’ just so we have one on that side. And the only reason I’m going to say ‘nay’ is I can’t look those girls in the face in three years and say, ‘Pack your bags, you’re moving,’” Baldwin, who had the only opposing vote, said.

The academy will need to go before the Planning Commission and appeal the interpretation of the zoning code, as the space is not zoned for schools.

Up until earlier this year, Jan and Richard Kelly ran Skipanon Marine and RV Supply on city-owned land. Just before their 30-year lease with the city neared completion, it was discovered that a clause in the contract passed off ownership of the structure to the city if the lease expired.

The City Commission expressed concern about the condition of the building and allowed the lease to run out. The city took ownership of the building in January.

The city has since looked to reassess leasing strategies after a number of unfavorable lease agreements and nuisance properties have plagued the city.

“I’m glad we went through the process like we did. I think we made the right choice on that and moving forward, I think we’re in a good place as far as the decision we made about cleaning the building up and the way we’re doing it,” Baldwin said. “It’s worked in everybody’s favor for that building and I look forward to maybe doing something more down the road.

“Other than that, I’m excited for the school.”