Gastonia City Council Meeting – October 21, 2025

The Gastonia City Council met on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Gaston County Courthouse Public Forum Room. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including recognition of visiting firefighters from a sister city, closing the cable access channel, addressing student homelessness, approving a new sports and entertainment commission, amending development ordinances, adopting the 2050 Comprehensive Plan, and making appointments to the Senior Advisory Commission.

Presentations

• Recognition of Firefighters from Gotha, Germany: Fire Chief Phil Welch welcomed four firefighters (Christian Seitz, Daniel Schroeter, Matthias Goerlach, and Phillipp Koellmer) from Gastonia's sister city of Gotha. They had been training with the local fire department for nearly a week.
• ACE Program Recognition: Councilman Demetrios Koutsoupias and Neighborhood Program Administrator Karely Chavez presented a certificate to the North Beaty Road community (represented by Jordan Petrus and Kayla Price) for becoming a formally recognized community through the Alliance for Community Enrichment Program. The community includes approximately 60 single-family homes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Deanna Graham (Vice President, NAACP Gastonia Branch 5394B): Urged the council to prioritize affordable housing construction, strengthen social safety nets, and clarify how CDBG and HOME funds are used to assist families with school-age children experiencing homelessness. She referenced 600 homeless students highlighted in a recent Gaston Gazette article.
• Sean Bates (President, NAACP Gastonia Branch 5394B): Called for greater accountability and action on student homelessness, emphasizing that the city has fallen short. He requested a future agenda item involving citizens for full transparency.
• Sierra Hall (Advocate with lived experience): Spoke about the invisibility of those needing help, lack of urgency, and the need for mental health resources. She announced a public meeting on October 28, 2025. Mayor Franks offered free haircuts for 50 children through a local barber shop.
• Tony Stubbs (resident): Addressed issues of unhoused individuals, lack of engagement with certain communities, and speeding on his street (Franklin Boulevard). City Attorney Edgerton noted a traffic ordinance is on the November 6 agenda.

Committee Reports

• Facilities / Management Committee Report (Councilwoman Donyel Barber, Chair):
  • Caramont Health Park: A facility assessment will be completed in November 2025.
  • Zarya Sports and Entertainment (Ballpark): Opening weekend attendance was 7,189; record attendance in June 2025 reached 7,333. The venue hosted 128 events (179 including private events). Ticket sales, sponsorships, food/beverage, and merchandise all increased.
  • Gastonia Sports and Entertainment Commission: Council voted unanimously to create a 15-member advisory commission to provide recommendations on athletic and entertainment facilities.
  • Ordinance Text Amendment (Sine Die and Organizational Meeting): Approved unanimously to formalize the process for annual organizational meetings.
  • Donation of Real Property (715 N. York Street): Approved unanimously, subject to payment of approximately $1,200 in outstanding property taxes.
  • Depot Building Renovation (151 Snyder Place): Approved unanimously to authorize bidding for the renovation project. The council will consider a contract award after bids are received.

Consent Calendar

• Proclamation recognizing November 1, 2025 as "Extra Mile Day" (H.1)
• Sale of city-owned property at 608 N. York Street for $186,000 (H.2)
• Contract award of $300,000 to Bio-Nomic Services, Inc. for biosolids dewatering and landfill services (H.3)
• Approval of final recording plat for Westfall Phase 2 Map 1 subdivision (H.4) – pulled for discussion about a storm utility easement, then approved unanimously.
• Acceptance for maintenance of portions of Boulder Ridge Phase 1 Map 1 subdivision (H.5)

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing – Tucker Springhaven (Item I.1): Continued to February 17, 2026, by unanimous vote.
• Public Hearing – Unified Development Ordinance Amendment (Item I.4): Presented by Assistant Planning Director Joe Gates. The amendment corrects a non-conformity by allowing correctional facility class 1 (Gaston County) in the O-1 district and reduces the required buffer from 500 feet to 300 feet from residential uses. Special use permits will still be required for expansions. Sheriff Hawkins stressed the need for expansion to avoid a costly satellite facility. Planning commission recommended approval (6-0). Council voted unanimously to adopt the statement of consistency and approve the amendment.
• Public Hearings – Crowders Forest Annexation and Rezoning (Items I.2 & I.3): Combined. Presentation by Senior Planner Maddy Gates. The 37.615-acre property (west of S. York Highway between Crowders Creek Road and Davis Heights Drive) will be annexed and rezoned from Gaston County R-1 and I-2 to City of Gastonia PD-RRDD (Planned Development – Revised Residential Development District). Plans include 75 single-family homes (1.99 dwelling units per acre), a 25-foot Type C buffer, a 10-foot landscape easement, tree save area, and community amenities (dog park, trail, central green). Conditions include fiber cement siding with 50% brick/stone accents, garage doors with windows/trim, and license plate readers for the police department's real-time crime center. Neighborhood meeting had one attendee. Planning commission recommended approval (6-0). Discussion included concerns about rentals and homeownership. Council voted 4-1 to approve the annexation and rezoning. (One councilmember opposed.)
• Public Hearing – 2050 Comprehensive Plan (Item I.5): Presented by Planning Director Sushil Nepal and consultant Demetri Baches (Metrocology). The plan provides a policy guide for growth through 2050, emphasizing placemaking and aligning land use with infrastructure. It is not a legal document but a guideline. Councilman Gallagher questioned the car-centric nature of Gastonia; Baches responded that the plan aims to reduce trips, not eliminate cars. Motion to close the public hearing and adopt the plan passed unanimously.
• 2026 Council Meeting Schedule (Item I.6): Approved as presented unanimously.
• FY2027 Budget Calendar (Item I.7): Approved as presented unanimously.
• Senior Advisory Commission Appointments (Item I.8): Council members nominated two members from their respective wards. All nominations were approved unanimously. Appointees included: Ward 1 – James Barber and Yolanda Miller; Ward 2 – Harold Moore and Deborah Curns; Ward 3 – Mike Tamborell (and one other, name not fully captured); Ward 4 – Catherine Pale and Carolyn Pitts; Ward 5 – (from Councilman Koutsoupias, names not specified); Ward 6 – Rhonda Blilly and Genesia Dunbar. (Note: Some appointees may serve at-large if their ward was full.)

Key Outcomes

• Cable Access Channel Closure: Council voted unanimously to approve a resolution closing the cable access channel effective December 31, 2025. Alternative streaming via Granicus, YouTube, and Facebook will continue. Equipment replacement costs of approximately $40,000 will be avoided.
• Sports and Entertainment Commission Created: Ordinance passed unanimously establishing a 15-member advisory committee.
• UDO Amendment for Correctional Facilities: Adopted unanimously, reducing buffer to 300 feet and allowing the county jail to expand within its current footprint.
• Crowders Forest Annexation and Rezoning: Approved 4-1, paving the way for 75 single-family homes.
• 2050 Comprehensive Plan Adopted: Unanimously approved, providing a long-range policy guide for growth.
• Senior Advisory Commission Appointments: All nominated members approved.
• Depot Building Renovation: Bidding authorized; contract award to return to council.
• Student Homelessness: Council heard public pleas; Mayor offered free haircuts for 50 children and committed to ongoing discussions.

City Attorney & Manager Reports

• City Attorney Edgerton reported on moving litigation in-house to reduce costs and preparing agreements for a winter warming station.
• City Manager Peoples announced: Municipal Citizens Academy has 22 spots filled; a $237,500 grant for 107 S. Broad Street improvements; a rate committee will present electricity information in closed session; Via Go Gastonia experienced an AWS outage; I-85 northbound closures for geotechnical work; the November 6 agenda will include a goals and objectives update and a GO bond update; and the United Way campaign is underway.

Council Reports & Announcements

Council members highlighted upcoming events including trunk-or-treat (Oct 25), Faith and Blue events, Fall Festival, art exhibits, concerts, Veterans Day (Nov 11), and Keep Gastonia Beautiful Shred Day (Nov 8). Several members recognized Breast Cancer Awareness Month and shared personal stories.

The meeting adjourned at approximately [time not specified] after a unanimous vote.