Gastonia City Council Meeting - August 21, 2025

Note on meeting date: The agenda and transcript indicate the meeting occurred on August 19, 2025, but the provided metadata specifies August 21, 2025. This summary uses the latter date as instructed.

The August 21, 2025 regular meeting of the Gastonia City Council was called to order by Mayor Richard Franks. The meeting included an invocation, pledges, adoption of the agenda and minutes, a proclamation, public comments, committee reports, a consent agenda, and two public hearings on annexation and rezoning requests. The most contentious item was a proposed 218-unit residential development on Briar Oak and Penny Park drives, which was approved after amendments addressing road repairs, stormwater maintenance, and rental limits.

Consent Calendar

• Approved 6-0: Agenda and minutes from August 5, 2025.
• Approved 6-0: Eight consent items, including:
  • Transit planning grant ($60,343) with NCDOT.
  • Contract with LaBella Associates for Water Treatment Plant Master Plan ($348,000).
  • Performance and Wellness Grant ($25,237) from NCACP.
  • Safety Grant ($15,000) from Norfolk Southern for drone program.
  • Traffic ordinances (no parking on Stoneybrook Ave; 25 mph speed limits on multiple streets).
  • Ordinance prohibiting engine compression braking (second reading).
  • Donation of a 2005 fire truck to Gaston College.
  • Natural Disaster Preparedness Grant ($25,000) from Duke Energy for drone program.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Don Sanders (Rankin Avenue resident) described two recent shootings on his street, expressing frustration with police response and stating he would take matters into his own hands if the area is not controlled.
• Leonard Martin criticized Mayor Franks for allegedly saying "bomb" in a previous meeting and using a racial slur ("rice burners"), and accused Councilwoman Littlejohn of conflicts of interest and blocking traffic. He called for the Mayor to step down.
• Gina Nick Gov Tree advocated for homeless services, urging the council to act with compassion and to prioritize people over budgets.
• Tony Stubbs (postal circle resident) supported homeless assistance and requested speed bumps on his street, citing dangerous speeding near a school bus stop. He also felt disrespected by city officials who did not return his calls.
• Councilwoman Cheryl Littlejohn attempted to speak from the floor during public expression but was ruled out of order by the mayor. She argued her First Amendment rights were being suppressed. The city attorney confirmed the council had authority to control the public comment period.

Discussion Items

Northway at Briar Oak Annexation and Rezoning (Items I.1 & I.2)

• Proposal: Voluntary annexation of 83.37 acres west of Davis Park Road and rezoning from Gaston County RS-12 and R-1 to City of Gastonia PD-RRDD to allow a 218-unit single-family subdivision. The project was originally 222 units but reduced after a traffic study.
• Traffic Study Findings: Improvements required at Davis Park Road intersections (left and right turn lanes, signal modifications). Developer committed to all mitigation measures, funded by the developer.
• Developer Commitments: Fiber cement siding (no vinyl), 50-year stormwater pond design, 17 acres of tree save area, public greenway access, license plate readers, perimeter buffering, and all off-site traffic improvements.
• Public Opposition: Residents (Paul Emmerich, Angelina, Jamie Carver, Jill Watson, Diane Babcocks) spoke against the development, citing traffic congestion from other nearby developments (LGIHomes, Stagecoach Station), road safety concerns (narrow roads, poor sight lines), floodplain issues, stormwater maintenance worries, and loss of neighborhood character. They requested a reduction in units or better mitigation.
• Council Debate: Councilmembers voiced concerns about density, road impacts, and the need for concessions. Councilwoman Littlejohn moved to table the item for negotiation, but Councilman Gallagher made a motion to approve with amendments. After discussion, the developer agreed to three additional conditions.
• Amendments Adopted: (1) HOA bylaws must include language requiring maintenance of detention basins; (2) developer will repair and repave Briar Oak Drive, Penny Park Drive, and Skyland Drive to NCDOT standards; (3) HOA bylaws will limit rental properties to no more than 12% of homes.
• Vote: The motion to approve the annexation and rezoning with the added conditions passed with three council members voting in opposition. (Exact tally not recorded; transcript states "all those opposed three.")

Kendrick Road Annexation and Rezoning (Items I.3 & I.4)

• Proposal: Voluntary annexation of 0.5377 acres at 3106 & 3112 Kendrick Road, rezoning from Gaston County R-1 to City of Gastonia RS-12. The property has two existing homes; the applicant plans to remodel and connect to city water.
• Staff Support: Consistent with comprehensive plan; recommendation from Planning Commission (8-0). Properties would be legal non-conforming (two homes on one lot) under city code.
• Vote: Unanimously approved (6-0).

Key Outcomes

• Proclamation: Recognized September 2025 as Chiari Malformation Awareness Month; accepted unanimously.
• Consent Agenda: All items approved 6-0.
• Northway at Briar Oak Development: Approved with three additional conditions (road repairs, HOA maintenance provisions, rental cap) after debate; vote was 3-0? (three opposed).
• Kendrick Road Annexation: Approved unanimously (6-0).
• City Attorney's Report: Noted upcoming revisions to in-kind services policy, formation of Senior Advisory Committee (seated by November), sidewalk dining ordinance changes, and comp plan feedback meetings.
• City Council Reports: Councilmembers reported on conference attendance (Electricities), community events, new fire truck push-in ceremony, and calls for improved oversight of city-owned sports facilities (fuse ballpark).