Gastonia City Council Meeting, February 18, 2025

The Gastonia City Council held a regular meeting on February 18, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Gaston County Courthouse Public Forum Room. Key actions included approving a consent agenda (4-2) that created four new Parks and Recreation positions, continuing a major rezoning case to October 2025, unanimously approving annexation and rezoning for a 80-home development on Hudson Boulevard, and retaining the current city vision statement (4-2). Several public speakers addressed homelessness, in-kind service fees, and litter enforcement. The council also appointed an interim city attorney and recognized retiring City Attorney Lloyd Ashley Smith.

Consent Calendar

• H.1 (Approved 4-2): Created four full-time positions (one crew chief, three landscape technicians) in Parks and Recreation for increased landscaping duties, with an estimated annual cost of $235,488. The positions will serve the entire city, including the new Linwood Springs Park (140 acres). Council debate centered on whether to outsource the work; supporters argued in-house staff provide flexibility and cost savings, while opponents wanted to explore contractor bids.
• H.2–H.6 (Approved unanimously): Included Gastonia ABC Board travel policy update, speed limit reduction to 25 MPH on Niblick Drive, acceptance of a $5,000 safety grant for Flock Condor cameras, acceptance of maintenance for subdivisions, and a $4,800,000 installment financing agreement for vehicles and equipment.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sally Hendrick: Asked for a permanent 24/7 shelter with locked doors, bathrooms, showers, laundry, and space for services. She advocated for the homeless and noted a local man who died on the streets.
• Gerald Tate (Tours for Totten Motorcycle Run): Objected to new in-kind service fees ($4,340 for his event) and requested grandfathering or equal treatment for longstanding community events. He claimed the run has operated safely for 39 years.
• Tasha White (Juneteenth organizer): Said the $10,693 fee would be unaffordable and emphasized the holiday’s importance. She asked the city to reconsider removing in-kind support.
• Finland Fair (Highland Festival): Representing the festival (35th year), noted Ward 4 is a food desert with low income and asked for continued support.
• Cynthia Simpson (Highland Festival committee): Formally requested financial support for venue, safety, and promotion.
• Charles Odom: Expressed disappointment over the council’s decision to halt DEI programs, quoting the definitions of diversity, equity, and inclusion. He noted a Confederate monument at the courthouse as a source of ongoing hurt.
• Michelle Jarbo: Cited 388 unhoused people in Gaston County in 2023 (including 65 veterans) and asked about the use of HUD grants, the American Rescue Plan funds ($5 million), and the $115,000 annual action plan. She questioned whether city land could be used for a permanent shelter.
• Mark Solars: Criticized the city’s failure to keep streets clean, citing illegal dumping and trash along roadways. He argued the city prioritizes nonessential projects over basic services and should enforce litter fines.
• Kelly Shelton: Volunteered at the cold weather shelter and urged the council to create housing programs, citing models like Thistle Farms (Nashville).
• Rodney McGill (Save Our Children Movement): Offered to donate property for tiny homes for the homeless and supported an initiative led by Councilwoman Little John.
• Becca Curlin Heard: Volunteered at the cold weather shelter and asked the council to help the “least of these.”
• Elizabeth Martin: Shared personal experience with a homeless son and stressed the need for affordable housing and a shelter.
• Eduardo (resident): Opposed the Tucker Springhaven development, noting multiple large developments on Union Road (potentially 3,000 units) will overwhelm the two-lane road, creating traffic, safety, and litter issues.

Discussion Items

• I.1 – Tucker Springhaven Rezoning (Continued): The request to rezone 262.84 acres from PD-PRD to PD-RRDD was continued to October 21, 2025, to await completion of the Southeast Gastonia traffic study. The applicant agreed to continue. Two residents spoke against the development, citing traffic, erosion, and lack of community input. The council voted unanimously to continue.
• I.2 & I.3 – Hudson Boulevard Annexation & Rezoning (Approved Unanimously): The council approved voluntary annexation of 12.6794 acres and rezoning of 32.9 acres (including 20.22 acres already in city limits) to PD-RRDD for an 80-home single-family development (density 2.43 units/acre). The developer, Greg Williams (CCNW Development Group), stated homes will start at $330,000–$335,000. Conditions include a 6-foot privacy fence, a greenway, and flock cameras at entrances. The planning commission had recommended approval 5-2. The council vote was unanimous.
• I.4 – Unified Development Ordinance Amendment (Continued to March 4, 2025): The amendment aimed to clarify bulk and use standards, fix cul-de-sac length errors, and update references for state law. Councilwoman Little John requested more time to review; Mayor Franks noted the complexity. The council voted 5-1 to continue the public hearing to March 4, 2025. Sections 13.22 and 13.23 were not put for action pending the joint planning commission meeting on February 20.
• I.5 – New Vision Statement (Tabled; Current Retained): After debate, the council voted 4-2 to retain the current vision statement until the next strategic planning session in January 2026. Councilwoman Little John offered an alternative statement focused on sustainability, equity, diversity, and housing. Mayor Pro Tim argued for maintaining the current version.
• I.6 – Citizen Committee Appointments: Terry Di Polito appointed to Arts Committee (unanimous). David Douglas appointed as long-term tenant representative to Airport Advisory Committee (unanimous). David Fogarty appointed to Stormwater Advisory Commission (unanimous).
• I.7 – Interim City Attorney: Charles Graham appointed interim city attorney to replace retiring Lloyd Ashley Smith, effective upon Smith’s retirement (unanimous).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda H.1 passed 4-2 (Councilmembers Little John and Gallagher opposed).
• Tucker Springhaven (I.1) continued unanimously to October 21, 2025.
• Hudson Boulevard (I.2 & I.3) approved unanimously.
• UDO amendment (I.4) continued 5-1 to March 4, 2025.
• Vision statement (I.5) retained current version 4-2 (Councilmembers Little John and Gallagher opposed).
• Interim City Attorney appointed unanimously.
• All citizen committee appointments approved unanimously.
• The council agreed to schedule a work session to discuss DEI-related policies (following a unanimous motion).
• Councilman Casupius’ request for a future agenda item on reporting of meetings with developers was passed to the next regular meeting.

City Manager’s Report

• Sims mitigation project progressing; inclement weather preparations underway.
• City Electric Division survey runs Feb 25–Apr 4.
• BUILD grant advocacy letter to be sent to federal delegation; staff prepared a letter regarding HUD funding impacts.

City Council Reports

• Councilwoman Barber called for respectful discourse and cited city code on meeting decorum.
• Councilwoman Little John announced a “Calling All Men” event on Feb 22 at Irwin Center and shared a developer’s interest in building affordable housing and a grocery store in Ward 4.
• Councilman Gallagher requested clarity on DEI program status; a work session was scheduled.
• Mayor Pro Tim urged volunteerism at the cold weather shelter.