Gastonia City Council Meeting - November 19, 2024
Gastonia City Council Meeting - November 19, 2024
The Gastonia City Council met on November 19, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chamber. The meeting included proclamations, presentations, multiple public hearings, and action on rezoning requests, a transit grant, and a scooter program. No public expression was held (no sign-ups). Key decisions included approval of consent agenda items, a Federal Transit Administration grant, a scooter program contract, and continuances for two rezoning hearings.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda (10 items) was approved unanimously. Items included proclamations, plat approvals, budget amendments, and policy adoptions.
Public Comments & Testimony
- During the public hearing for the Tucker Springhaven rezoning, one citizen spoke in opposition. The speaker expressed concern about the pace of development, traffic congestion (citing a mother commuting to Belmont), loss of rural character, and questioned whether the project was community-beneficial or led to urban sprawl. The speaker acknowledged the tree save area but emphasized the negative impact on the surrounding community.
Discussion Items
- Proclamation – Season of Agape (Item E.1): Councilman Koutsoupias presented a proclamation recognizing Thursdays and Saturdays in November and December 2024 as the third annual Season of Agape, referencing mental health statistics (19% of U.S. adults had a mental illness in 2024, with only 43% receiving care, and 64% reporting worsening during holidays). The proclamation was accepted unanimously.
- ACE Program Recognition (Item F.1): Councilman Odom and Mr. Tyler Davis presented a certificate of recognition to the Myrtle School Community Association for becoming a formally recognized community through the Alliance for Community Enrichment (ACE) program. The association was praised for community cleanups, elderly care baskets, and partnerships. Unanimously approved.
- Habitat for Humanity Update (Item F.2): Ms. Laura Belcher, President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region, provided an update on the recent merger with Habitat Gaston County (effective October 1, 2024). Highlights included: 28 families attended a financial education workshop in October, 34 families completed online assessments, and the organization averages three new home builds per year. Critical home repair program serves seniors (average age 69, 73% female). One home is under construction, with two more planned. Council discussed potential partnerships with schools and the “missing middle” (duplexes/triplexes). No formal action required.
- Christmas in the City Presentation (Item F.3): Ms. Christine Ingle, Ms. Juliann Lehman, and Mr. Troy Knight presented details for the December 1, 2024 event from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The parade starts at 5:00 PM, followed by a tree lighting. Features include 9 food trucks, 45+ vendors, free entertainment (face painting, balloon twisting, carolers, juggling elves, stilt walker, inflatable reindeer, snow-themed inflatables, trackless train), and a wreath decorating contest. Street closures will begin at 2:00 PM. No formal action.
- FTA Section 5307 Grant (Item I.1): Public hearing opened and closed. Ms. Randi Gates, Director of Transportation, explained that the city is applying for federal apportionments from fiscal years 2020 and 2022 to support Gastonia Transit and Go Gastonia. The funds are reimbursement-based, with a 80/20 or 50/50 federal/local split. The resolution was approved unanimously.
- Tucker Springhaven Rezoning (Item I.2): Public hearing for a request to rezone 262.84 acres on Union New Hope Road from PD-PRD to PD-RRDD (planned residential development). The applicant proposes 650 units (maximum 200 townhomes, 300 single-family, 150 age-restricted single-family). The planning commission voted 3-3. Staff recommended approval. Extensive council discussion centered on traffic impact (single access point on Union New Hope Road, future connection to Meritage development), the absence of a completed Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA), and density. After a motion to close the public hearing passed 5-2, the council rescinded that motion and voted unanimously to continue the hearing to the January 18, 2025 meeting to allow the applicant to address concerns.
- Industrial Pike Road Rezoning (Item I.3): Public hearing continued from October 15, 2024. The request is to rezone 15.898 acres from I-2 to I-3 CD (Exclusive Industrial – Conditional District). Staff requested a 30-day continuance. Council unanimously continued the hearing to December 17, 2024.
- Scooter Program (Item I.4): Consideration of a resolution to award a contract to Koder, LLC (DBA Peel) for operation of a scooter program. The program will launch with 25 scooters in the downtown area by June 1, 2025, with a 5-cent per ride fee paid quarterly to the city. Geofencing, swappable batteries, and rider education were discussed. Council approved the contract unanimously.
- City Attorney’s Report (Item J): Mr. L. Ashley Smith presented the Ward 4 city council seat appointment process documents, mirroring the process used earlier in 2024. Applications are due by December 6, 2024, with interviews scheduled for a special meeting on January 6, 2025, at 5:00 PM. The appointment is for approximately 11 months until the November 2025 election. Documents approved unanimously.
- City Manager’s Report (Item K): Mr. Michael C. Peoples noted Citizens Academy applications due November 29, completion of the show parking lot resurfacing, leaf collection progress, and storm debris removal (300-350 large piles remaining, working with FEMA). He also reported being elected vice chair of the ElectriCities Board of Commissioners.
- City Council’s Report (Item L): Council members reported on various community events, including the Rotary Foundation event, a visit from Pulitzer Prize winner James Ijames (native of Gaston County), the Tyndall Ford 50th anniversary, the Peace Pole ceremony, and the retirement of Deputy Chief Aaron Worster.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
- FTA Grant Resolution: Approved unanimously.
- Tucker Springhaven Rezoning: Public hearing continued to January 18, 2025, by unanimous vote after rescission of an earlier close.
- Industrial Pike Road Rezoning: Continued to December 17, 2024, unanimously.
- Scooter Program Contract: Approved unanimously.
- Ward 4 Appointment Documents: Approved unanimously.
- Meeting Adjourned: Unanimously.
Meeting Transcript
And myself, I'd like to welcome you to the November 19th, 2024 meeting. I call the meeting to order now. Councilman Gallagher will lead us in the indication. If you're so inclined, please join me in prayer. Dear Lord, thank you for all the blessings that you have bestowed bestowed upon our city, Gastonia. I pray for all our citizens, staff, all our employees, the city council that will be traveling during this upcoming upcoming holiday season. That you provide us with traveling mercies, Lord. I also ask you, Lord, to provide us with wisdom tonight when we're doing the city's business. I ask you in your son's strong name, Jesus Christ. Amen. Chief, would you lead us in the Pledge of Legion? And to the Republic for which it stands, my nation, under God, liberty, liberty, and justice for all. Thank you, sir. Everybody should have the uh agenda in front of them. Are there any questions, additions, deletions of the agenda as presentation? Mr. Mayor, like to make a motion that we accept the agenda as presented. We have a motion. Do we have a second? We have a second by Councilman Odom. All those in favor? It's unanimous. All of you should also have the minutes in front of you. Uh can I have a motion to approve those from the November 7, 2024 meeting? We have a motion. We have a second by Councilwoman Barber. All those in favor, it's unanimous. Next up, we will have a proclamation recognizing the season of agape, and the recipient will be Pastor Johnny Brown. He is with the Genesis Church, and our presenter will be Councilman Dimitri Casupius. Oh, doing great. Thank you for being here. All right, I will begin with the uh proclamation, whereas National Alliance of Mental Health reports in 2024 an estimated 57.8 million adults, 19% of the country had a mental illness, but only 43% received any kind of mental health care, and 64% of people with a mental illness report that their condition worsens during the holidays. Most have experienced loneliness, too much pressure, and unrealistic expectations and find themselves remembering happier times in the past, contrasting with the present, or unable to be with loved ones. Whereas the Genesis Church has made a conscious choice and effort to bring some form of solace, happiness, peace, and joy to as many lives as they can while spreading agape throughout the season. A season as a season that transcends array of emotions throughout the holidays. And whereas the Genesis Church will cover specific areas throughout the community and project-based activities centered around outreach. The anticipated outcome of each session is for every participant to experience the season of agape. The benefactors will include child agencies, nursing homes, hospital patients, detention centers, and the families of slain victims. And whereas the Genesis Church has set aside Thursdays and Saturdays throughout the months of November and December to create monumental moments to help bring awareness throughout the season of Agape. The primary purpose of this movement is to foster an atmosphere and diversified approach that will reach those who may be considered displaced, wounded, disassociated, and challenged by life circumstances. It will always serve, it will also serve to bolster the tenacity to recover, restore, revive, restructure, rejuvenate, and to restart. Now, therefore, be it resolved. I, Richard Franks, mayor of the City of Gastonia, and the City of Council of the City of Gastonia, do hereby proclaim Thursdays and Saturdays throughout the months, November and December of 2024 as the third annual season of agape in the city of Gastonia and urge all citizens to create monumental moments throughout November and December in support of this movement. In witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Gastonia to be affixed this 19th day of November in the year of our Lord 2024. Signed by the mayor, Richard Franks, and attested by Suzanne J. Gibbs, our city clerk. And I'd like to present this to Pastor Johnny Brown from the uh Genesis Church. And I kind of find it fitting that I was selected to present this because agape is a Greek word, which means anybody else? Love. So it's it's it's kind of ironic that I'm standing up here practicing my Greek with the word agape.
openpublica.com