OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Gastonia City Council Meeting - August 20, 2024

City Council & Commissions — Tuesday, August 20, 2024
BodyGastonia, North Carolina
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateTuesday, August 20, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:14:53

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

On behalf of myself and the city council, I welcome you to our August 20th, 2024 meeting.

0:07

I will now call the meeting to order.

0:10

And before we get started, we have a member of our commission.

0:18

So I was going to entertain singing happy birthday to Councilman Casupius.

0:30

Anybody want to sing?

0:35

Happy birthday, D.

0:37

Thank you.

0:39

I was hoping we could sing happy birthday.

0:43

At this time, I'll recognize Councilwoman Danielle Barber, and she will bring the invocation.

0:49

Thank you.

0:56

If anyone is declined to join me in a word of prayer, let us bow at this time.

1:01

God, I thank you for allowing us to see a new day.

1:04

I thank you for everyone who is present in this meeting this evening.

1:08

I pray that you would bless each and every one of them and their families.

1:11

God give us as a council the guidance, the wisdom, and understanding that we need to make the best decisions on behalf of our citizens, our staff, and our administration of this, the city of Gastonia.

1:25

God help us to make the best decisions for our communities and our residents.

1:30

God, we ask you to continue to bless our city, bless the residents of our city, our staff, our administration, and those who put their lives on the line each and every day to protect us.

1:42

We even ask you, God, to bless uh those who are uh providing security for us as we undertake your business here in this meeting.

1:51

All these things we ask in Jesus' name we pray, amen.

1:56

At this time we will at this time we'll do the Pledge of Allegiance and uh Miss Dot Guthrie is gonna lead us.

2:10

To the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic who's one nation under God, indivisible of liberty and justice for all councilwoman Steph is not present tonight, so can I have a motion to excuse her from tonight's meeting?

2:38

So moved.

2:39

Second.

2:40

I have a second by councilman Odom.

2:42

All those in favor, it's unanimous.

2:51

Next we have the adoption of the agenda.

2:55

Uh I need to make a few adjustments.

2:59

We're gonna move E2 to be the first item, and then we will have E1 and F1.

3:10

Well can I have a motion to make that amendment?

3:15

So moved.

3:16

Second.

3:17

Have a second by Dr.

3:18

Curlin.

3:19

All those in favor.

3:21

It's unanimous.

3:24

So everybody should have the agenda in front of you.

3:27

Are there any corrections, additions, deletions to the agenda as presented?

3:33

Motion to approve.

3:34

Second.

3:35

Second by Councilman Odom.

3:37

All those in favor.

3:39

It's unanimous.

3:41

Next, we have the approval of the amendments from our regular city council meeting on August the 6th, 2024.

3:49

Do we have a motion?

3:50

Mr.

3:51

Mayor motion to approve.

3:53

Second.

3:53

We have a second by Councilwoman Barber.

3:56

All those in favor, it's unanimous.

4:02

Next up, we're gonna have a uh proclamation recognizing September 2024 as Ki are Malformation Awareness Month.

4:14

And Councilwoman Barber is going to present that proclamation.

4:28

Good evening.

4:30

Mayor and Council at this time I'd like to present this proclamation to Miss Ashley Anderson.

4:35

You can come forward, and she is with Conquer Chiari.

4:45

And the proclamation reads, whereas Chiari malformation, CM is a serious neurological disorder affecting more than 300,000 people in the United States, was first identified by Austrian pathologist, Professor Hans Chiari in the ninth in the 1880s and categorized in order of severity.

5:07

CM types 0, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, and 4.

5:13

And whereas Chiari malformations are defects in the cerebral, the part of the brain that controls balance, this creates pressure on the cerebellum, sorry, and brain stem and may block the normal flow of cerebral spinal fluid to and from the brain.

5:33

And whereas the cause of chiari malformation is unknown.

5:38

However, scientists believe it is either a congenital condition caused by exposure to harmful substances during fetal development, or that it can be a genetic condition as it may appear in more than one family member.

5:53

And whereas symptoms usually appear during adolescence or early child adulthood and can include severe head and neck pain, vertigo, muscle weakness, balance problems, blurred vision or double vision, difficulty swallowing, or sleep apnea.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████25%
Zoning█████████████13%
Community Events███████7%
Economic Development██████6%
Public Safety██████6%
Environmental Protection██████6%
Public Engagement█████5%
Affordable Housing█████5%
Historic Preservation████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Gastonia City Council Meeting - August 20, 2024

The Gastonia City Council met on August 20, 2024, at 6:00 PM. The meeting opened with an invocation by Councilwoman Donyel Barber and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Dot Guthrie. Councilwoman Jennifer Stepp was excused. The agenda was adjusted to move proclamation items (Chiari Malformation Awareness Month first, then Deaf Awareness Month), and the consent agenda was adopted. A birthday greeting was extended to Councilman Casupius.

Consent Calendar

  • All 12 consent agenda items were approved unanimously, including sole source vendor approval for CrewBoss P.P.E., acceptance of subdivision maintenance for Nolen Farm Phase 3, Tupelo Phase 3, Stagecoach Station Phase 2 Map 2, Robinson Oaks Phase 5, and 85 Commerce Gastonia Industrial Park; amendments to the Duharts Critical Infrastructure contract ($181,350); acceptance of the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant ($400,000); NC Commerce Industrial Development Fund Grant ($2,272,275); CDBG revenue recognition ($558,853); third-party engineering plan review funds ($100,000); and asset forfeiture revenue ($112,027).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Tanahe (regarding Bradley Center): Questioned why the Bradley Center remains closed three months after minor roof damage from a tornado, suggesting the rest of the building could be used. Requested updates and a timeline for repairs. He stated he speaks for over 500 pickleball players.
  • Angela Arents (regarding Willowbrook at Union Road): Expressed concern about dust, noise, and allergies from the Carolina Speedway (operates Thursday through Sunday), urging that the track not be shut down due to new residents' complaints.
  • Stan Parrish (regarding Willowbrook): Emphasized the speedway has operated since 1962 and wants to be a good neighbor, but warned of noise and dust, and asked that new residents be fully aware.
  • Holly Burrell (regarding Willowbrook): Raised concerns about school capacity (W.A. Bess and Forest Brook High School), traffic on Union New Hope Road, and the cumulative impact of multiple nearby developments (Meritage, Rufus Ratchford project). She noted Nolan Farms is not yet complete and no new schools are planned.
  • Matthew (regarding Crawfords Cove): Live on Superior Stainless Road; opposed the development, citing traffic, loss of wildlife habitat, strain on police (already 40-50 officers short), and incompatibility with rural lifestyle. He presented a petition with 32 signatures against the project.
  • Nicholas (regarding Crawfords Cove): Opposed the subdivision, arguing it would destroy a vital ecosystem, harm wildlife, increase traffic and risk of accidents, and potentially contaminate well water with HOA chemicals. He urged preservation of the existing rural character.

Discussion Items

  • Proclamations:
    • September 2024 as Chiari Malformation Awareness Month – presented by Councilwoman Barber to Ashley Anderson (Conquer Chiari). Accepted unanimously.
    • September 2024 as Deaf Awareness Month – presented by Councilman Odom to Starr Clinton (Nita's Silent Hands, Inc.). Accepted unanimously. Councilman Odom suggested exploring a sign language interpreter for televised meetings; no formal action taken.
  • Street Sign Presentation: Councilman Odom presented street signs reading "Aunt Charlotte's Way" to the African American Museum of History and Culture and the Gaston County Museum, honoring midwife Charlotte McClee.
  • Façade Grant – 177 W. Main Ave. ($20,000): For The Wake Shop (photography studio) with $55,000 private investment. Council discussed brick painting and signage. Approved unanimously.
  • Façade Grant – 359 W. Main Ave. ($30,000): For Goodwill’s new career center (job training, classrooms). $152,906 façade investment. Council questioned parking and roofing inclusion. Approved unanimously.
  • Annexation & Zoning – 3300 Kendrick Road (3.97 acres): City attorney explained the parcel is a "doughnut hole" surrounded by city limits. Rezoning from Gaston County R-1 to RS-12 for one single-family home. Planning commission recommended 7-0. Approved unanimously.
  • Annexation & Zoning – Union Road – Willowbrook (44.6478 acres to PD-RRDD): Proposed 291 dwelling units (24 single-family, 233 rear-loaded townhomes, 34 front-loaded townhomes). Conditions include a traffic impact analysis, second access connection after 100 units, landscaping, and sound disclosures about the Carolina Speedway. Developer Kent Olson committed to fiber cement siding (Hardy Board). Public comments noted dust/noise and schools/traffic. Approved unanimously.
  • Annexation & Zoning – Superior Stainless Road – Crawfords Cove (170.893 acres to PD-RRDD): Proposed 331 single-family lots (1.9 units/acre) with 22 acres open space, greenway trail, buffers, and improvements to Superior Stainless Road. Traffic impact analysis still ongoing. Developer Kyle Dipertoro presented consistency with the 2025 Comprehensive Plan focusing on missing middle housing ($300s price range). Opponents cited loss of rural character, wildlife, well water concerns, and police capacity. The existing zoning is I-2 (heavy industrial). Planning commission recommended 7-0. Vote: 5 in favor, 1 abstention. The Mayor ruled the abstention counts as an affirmative, so the motion carried.
  • UDO Amendment (Section 9.9 – Accessory Structures): Extended reduced side yard setback exceptions to UMU and historic districts; for parcels ≥3 acres, accessory structure size calculated on total acreage rather than primary dwelling size. Approved unanimously.
  • Sister Cities Board Appointment: Mayor appointed Erica Deals to the board. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Approvals (unanimous): Consent agenda, proclamations, street sign presentation, façade grants for 177 and 359 W. Main Ave., annexation/zoning for 3300 Kendrick Road, Willowbrook at Union Road, UDO amendment, and Sister Cities Board appointment.
  • Approval (5-0-1, with one abstention counted as affirmative): Crawfords Cove at Superior Stainless Road annexation and rezoning. The motion carried after the Mayor stated an abstention would be counted as an affirmative vote.
  • Directives: The city manager will email a microtransit update and prepare for the September 5 special projects meeting. A closed session was requested after announcements.
  • Next Meetings: September 3, 2024 (Regular Council), September 5, 2024 (Project Update Session at MOC).

Meeting Transcript

On behalf of myself and the city council, I welcome you to our August 20th, 2024 meeting. I will now call the meeting to order. And before we get started, we have a member of our commission. So I was going to entertain singing happy birthday to Councilman Casupius. Anybody want to sing? Happy birthday, D. Thank you. I was hoping we could sing happy birthday. At this time, I'll recognize Councilwoman Danielle Barber, and she will bring the invocation. Thank you. If anyone is declined to join me in a word of prayer, let us bow at this time. God, I thank you for allowing us to see a new day. I thank you for everyone who is present in this meeting this evening. I pray that you would bless each and every one of them and their families. God give us as a council the guidance, the wisdom, and understanding that we need to make the best decisions on behalf of our citizens, our staff, and our administration of this, the city of Gastonia. God help us to make the best decisions for our communities and our residents. God, we ask you to continue to bless our city, bless the residents of our city, our staff, our administration, and those who put their lives on the line each and every day to protect us. We even ask you, God, to bless uh those who are uh providing security for us as we undertake your business here in this meeting. All these things we ask in Jesus' name we pray, amen. At this time we will at this time we'll do the Pledge of Allegiance and uh Miss Dot Guthrie is gonna lead us. To the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic who's one nation under God, indivisible of liberty and justice for all councilwoman Steph is not present tonight, so can I have a motion to excuse her from tonight's meeting? So moved. Second. I have a second by councilman Odom. All those in favor, it's unanimous. Next we have the adoption of the agenda. Uh I need to make a few adjustments. We're gonna move E2 to be the first item, and then we will have E1 and F1. Well can I have a motion to make that amendment? So moved. Second. Have a second by Dr. Curlin. All those in favor. It's unanimous. So everybody should have the agenda in front of you. Are there any corrections, additions, deletions to the agenda as presented? Motion to approve. Second. Second by Councilman Odom. All those in favor. It's unanimous. Next, we have the approval of the amendments from our regular city council meeting on August the 6th, 2024. Do we have a motion? Mr. Mayor motion to approve. Second. We have a second by Councilwoman Barber. All those in favor, it's unanimous. Next up, we're gonna have a uh proclamation recognizing September 2024 as Ki are Malformation Awareness Month.

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