Gastonia City Council Meeting – November 15, 2022
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Gastonia City Council Meeting – November 15, 2022
The Gastonia City Council met on November 15, 2022, at 6:00 PM in the Gaston County Courthouse. The meeting began with an invocation by Ray Hamam of the Islamic Society of Gastonia, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Walker E. Reid III. The council adopted the agenda and approved the minutes of the November 1, 2022 meeting. A series of proclamations and recognitions were presented, including honors for Senator Kathy Harrington, Miss Gastonia 2022 Sharidan Amiya Costner, retiring Planning Commissioner Bob Cinq-Mars, the Season of Agape, the Gaston Day High School men’s soccer team, and two neighborhood associations for the ACE program. Interim Police Chief Trent Conard gave a presentation on Shop with a Cop and holiday theft prevention, noting 495 thefts from motor vehicles and 264 motor vehicle thefts year-to-date. The meeting included four public speakers, three annexation/rezoning public hearings, a report from the Recreation Advisory Commission, and approval of an engineering services contract for the General Obligation Transportation Bond resurfacing program.
Consent Calendar
- Proclamation recognizing November 26, 2022 as Small Business Saturday.
- Resolution to recognize proceeds from surplus sales with budget amendment.
- Resolution to recognize remaining funds from an Eagle Scout project at Sims Park ($975).
- Resolution for a North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) agreement for Linwood Springs Redevelopment Project ($500,000 grant, $1,000,000 city match).
- Resolution to set public hearing date for closure of two portions of Sterling Lane (December 20, 2022).
- Resolution to replace the work order asset management system with CityWorks.
- Resolution to accept for maintenance portions of Camber Woods Phase I.
- Resolution regarding proposed regulatory standards under PURPA by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.
- Resolution to award contract for 2022 Annual Resurfacing to Blythe Construction, Inc. ($1,471,930.59).
- Resolution to approve vendor listing as sole source vendors.
- Resolution to amend traffic ordinance converting the intersection of Highland Street and Davidson Avenue to an all-way stop.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Hugh Crisp (Executive Director, CTS Health Community Development): Spoke about the need for foster parents, noting there are 400 youth in foster care in Gastonia. Urged support and provided contact information.
- Mike Ross: Criticized the handling of the Joshua Rohrer case and questioned the city’s commitment to homeless individuals. Asked if construction trailers delivered to shelter the homeless would be allowed or if people would be evicted again. Referenced a previous incident where dozens were removed from a warm shelter. Also praised Councilman Kellogg for efforts on homeless services.
- Unidentified speaker (likely a pastor): Expressed frustration over the police department’s actions in the Joshua Rohrer case, lack of unity, and perceived political motivations. Challenged council to care for the “least among us.” Mentioned the Agape season and questioned the city’s treatment of homeless individuals.
- Pastor (from Faith, Hope, and Love Community Enrichment Ministries): Thanked whoever allowed a trailer for showers for homeless individuals. Reported 253–258 homeless people in Gastonia, with 25% on their property. Described feeding and ministry efforts through COVID. Called for cooperation and noted three or four opioid deaths on their property.
- Laith Sneed (Huntington Forest resident): Opposed the Hand Property rezoning (Item I.7), citing increased traffic, crime, loss of natural areas, and concerns about an access point on Leonard Street. Asked for special consideration for Huntington Forest.
- Sharon Howard (Huntington Forest resident): Opposed the Hand Property rezoning, emphasizing the loss of natural resources and inadequate notification to the broader community. Requested maximum undisturbed green space and better future notification procedures.
Discussion Items
- Neal Hawkins Road Townhomes (Items I.3 & I.4): Request to annex 27.307 acres and rezone from Gaston County RS-12 to City of Gastonia PD-RRDD for up to 155 townhomes. Planning Commission recommended approval. Applicant Kyle DePretoro agreed to add a stub-out to Forbes Road (subject to Duke Power easement) to provide a second access. Council discussed connectivity, traffic, and tree ordinance. Approved with condition.
- Brookfield Residential / Crowders Creek Road (Items I.5 & I.6): Request to annex 47.90 acres and rezone to PD-RRDD for up to 200 single-family detached and 105 single-family attached units. Planning Commission recommended approval. Council discussed tree preservation, stormwater management, pedestrian safety crossing East Hudson Boulevard, and marketability of homes along major roads. Approved.
- Hand Property (Item I.7): Appeal of a rezoning request for 103.84 acres from RS-12 to PD-TND (Traditional Neighborhood Development) for 207 single-family detached, 133 single-family attached, 348 multifamily units, and two commercial out parcels. Planning Commission recommended approval. Public speakers opposed, citing density, traffic, and environmental loss. Developer representative explained timeline (construction December 2023, first move-ins December 2024). Council clarified no vehicular connection to Leonard Drive and noted tree save areas. Approved.
- GO Bond Resurfacing Program (Item I.8): Resolution to authorize scope of services with Withers Ravenel for engineering services not to exceed $1,342,700. Rusty Bost reported that voters approved $75 million in transportation bonds a week prior. The program aims to resurface 30 miles of roads in 2023 using two contracts. Work will be clustered by neighborhoods. Funding will be coordinated with bond issuance. Approved.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
- Neal Hawkins Road Annexation/Rezoning: Approved with a condition that the developer provide a stub-out to Forbes Road (subject to Duke Power easement).
- Crowders Creek Road Annexation/Rezoning: Approved unanimously.
- Hand Property Rezoning (Appeal): Approved unanimously over the appeal. Statement of consistency modified to reference the 2025 Comprehensive Plan.
- GO Bond Engineering Services: Approved, authorizing the City Manager and City Attorney to negotiate a final contract not to exceed $1,342,700.
- Appointments: Glenn Silverman appointed to the Planning Commission (Ward II) by acclamation. Mayor Walker E. Reid III appointed to the ABC Board by acclamation.
- Proclamations and Recognitions: All 7 items under Item E (E.1–E.7) were accepted and approved by motion.
- Committee Report: Recreation Advisory Commission report provided for information; no action taken.
- Future Meeting: Next regular City Council meeting December 6, 2022 at 6:00 PM. A continued public hearing for Items I.1 and I.2 set for December 20, 2022.
Meeting Transcript
My name is Ray Hamam. I'm from the Islamic Society of Gastonia. Mr. Mayor, ladies and gentlemen, let's pray. Smillah Rahman Rahim, was salatu was salamuada, Muhammad Sajak al-Amin. In the name of God, most compassionate, the most merciful, the Lord of all things that exist, the Lord of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, the Lord of all things, we pray in your name, our sustainer, our guide, ever present, never unaware, infinitely able, your servants and loving care, guide us, guide us to pure convictions that inspire in us the courage to match those convictions. We pray for love, not hate, benevolence, not greed, unity, not division, and we commit to you. Let us be for truth, no matter who or for it is against, and justice no matter who or for it is against, and hope no matter what obstacles lie ahead. Let us be emboldened by the love that God gathered us together to remember you. We ask you to guide the deliberation of our city council member to just decisions and bring forth prosperity and blessings to our city and citizens. And we ask you to guide our nation to the abode of reconciliation. May we honor one another, glorify you together, and inspire the world to be better. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Ray. A pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, in the visible, with liberty and justice for you all. You may be seated. Under item C, the adoption of the agenda, the additions, deletions, corrections to the agenda this evening. If not, what are we counseling? I move that we accept the agenda as presented. Of motion second, all in favor, please indicate. Thank you very much. And item D, approval of the minutes for the regular council meeting on November 1st. Are there any corrections? Changes, if not, for the wishes council. Mayor move to approve. Second. Over motion and a second, all in favor, please indicate. Thank you very much. On the item E, award ceremonies and promotions. Proclamation recognizes Senator Kathy Harrington, our recipient this evening. I will be presenting it to her. Ms. Harrington, if you're here, I ask that you come to the podium. Good to see you. Whereas the honorable senator Kathy Harrington grew up in Gastonia, is a graduate of Hunter Hus High School, and attended Gas and College, and has been involved in Gas County politics for decades, including many grassroots campaigns for local, statewide, and national Republican candidates. And whereas Senator Harrington, who is also a North Carolina real estate broker, was first elected to represent Gasson County in 2011, as center, as senator in the state of North Carolina General Assembly, and was elected Senate Majority Leader in 2020, making her the first woman elected to that position. And whereas Senator Harrington has received numerous awards from organizations in her district, including the Metro Mayor's Coalition Award for Transportation Policy, and because of her history of staying connected with her constituency, she has often been referred to as the People Senator, and whereas Senator Harrington gives back to her community in many ways, including being an advocate for abused and elected children, and a volunteer mentor and tutor at several elementary schools, as well as serving on several community boards, such as Gason County Museum of Art and History, Gas and Dance Theater, and Piedmont Community Charter School, where she served as chairwoman of both the governance committee and the interim high school board. Now, therefore, I walk E. Reed III, Mayor of the City of Gastonia, and the City Council of the City of Gastonia here do recognize and congratulate the Honorable Senator Kathy Harrington as she completes her final term in the Senate and thank her for her dedication and commitment to serving our community. A witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the city of Gastonia to be a fixed this the 15th day of November in the year of our Lord 2022. Walk E. Reed the third mayor, Suzanne Gibbs, City Clerk. I think we she deserved a great round of applause for her service. Now, now it's your time. I would just like to say that it's been an honor to represent the people of Gaston County and the City of Gastonia for these last 12 years. It's been a privilege and an honor, and I thank you so much for this proclamation. Thank you. You're welcome.
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