Gastonia Planning Commission Meeting - July 9, 2026: Rezoning Approval and Training on Hearing Types
Gastonia Planning Commission Meeting - July 9, 2026
The Gastonia Planning Commission convened on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 5:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included the administration of the Oath of Office for newly appointed and reappointed commissioners, approval of minutes from the May 7, 2026 meeting, a public hearing on a rezoning request at 1701 N. New Hope Road, and an informational presentation on the differences between legislative and quasi-judicial hearings. The commission voted to approve the rezoning request with a 5-1 vote (more than three-fourths), making the decision final unless appealed by July 24, 2026.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes (May 7, 2026): The minutes were adopted unanimously with a motion and second.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public signed up to speak for or against the rezoning request. Staff noted no communications were received regarding the project.
Discussion Items
- Oath of Office (2026-2027 GPC Appointments): Commissioners Julie Coffee (Ward 5), Megan Chapman (Ward 6), and newly appointed Juan Garcia (At Large #1) were sworn in. Chair noted the role comes with a 0% raise.
- Public Hearing – 1701 N. New Hope Road (File #202600097): A request to rezone 0.34 acres from RS-12 (Single-family Residential, 12,000 sq. ft. lots) to RS-8 CD (Single-family Residential, 8,000 sq. ft. lots - Conditional District) to allow development of two duplexes (four total units). Staff presentation by Veronica Bateson, AICP, Senior Planner, indicated the project is consistent with the 2050 Comprehensive Plan's General Residential designation. A neighborhood meeting on July 2 had no attendees. Staff recommended approval based on provided site plan conditions. Discussion included questions about stormwater detention triggers (answered by Keith Leinberger, Engineering), driveway access (required off Ferris Street, a less trafficked side street), and site grading. Applicant Dirk Tannis described the project, noting affordability (units projected at $310,000-$325,000 for ~2,000 sq. ft.) and existing similar developments. He explained challenges with stormwater and site slope.
- Presentation – Legislative vs. Quasi-Judicial Hearings: Joe Gates, AICP, Assistant Planning Director, provided training on the differences. Legislative hearings (e.g., rezonings) involve broad discretion and policy changes; quasi-judicial hearings (e.g., special use permits) require factual evidence, findings of fact, and strict adherence to standards. The board was advised to avoid ex parte communication in quasi-judicial matters. Staff noted a special use permit for an apartment complex in an office district may come before the commission in the future. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about evidence standards and ex parte rules.
- Announcements: Staff announced approval of a text amendment by City Council (relating to automatic referral to council for conditional zoning) and the kickoff of the UDO update contract with Kendig Keist, expected to take 18 months. Commissioner Juan Garcia introduced himself as a senior transportation planner with Gaston County.
Key Outcomes
- Rezoning Approval (1701 N. New Hope Road): Motion to approve the rezoning to RS-8 CD as presented, with a statement of consistency with the 2050 Comprehensive Plan and findings of reasonableness. Vote: 5 in favor, 1 opposed (more than three-fourths), making the decision final. Appeal deadline: July 24, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
- Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned after the presentation. No further business.
Meeting Transcript
I would like to welcome you to today's meeting. I will now call the June July 9th, 2026 meeting of the Gastonian Planning Commission to order. If you plan to address the commission in favor or in opposition this evening, please sign the appropriate sign-in sheet on the table next to the door outside. Item one roll call sound check. Commissioners, I'll ask as you go around the room, we'll state your name and if you've received any calls or contacts for the record, I will start on my left. No uh contacts. Meg Mason chat in Ward 61 contact. Julie Coffee, Ward 5, no contacts. Call Harris, Ward 4, no contact. Deanna Murphy. Deanna Murphy, Ward 2, no contact. Okay. David Will, no contact. Well got a Clarch 1, no contacts. And Chad Gorley, Ward 1, no contacts. I hereby declare a quorum for the meeting. Next we move on. We'll move on to item two A, the Oath Office. I'd like to ask for reappointments for Commissioners Julie Coffee and Ward 5 and Megan Chapman Award 6 and our newly appointed Juan Garcia to fill the at large number one position. You can down here. Yeah, all three. Just jump over. Yeah, just we're gonna let one have the ones. I'm just gonna take a run and jump over. I'll be like you um put your left hand on the item, right? Right hand. All of you together. Yes, that's the square and you will be a new wheels of ordinance in the constitutional sign roles of the United States. The constitutional side laws and no caroline on the ordinance of the CD or this is somebody. I do thank you all for volunteering and your service to Gastonia. That also comes with a 0% 0.0 raise. Item three, minutes. Are there any corrections or additions to the May 7th, 2026 meeting minutes? Is there a motion to adopt the meeting minutes as submitted and/or revised? I move. Second. Mr. Howes a second. All those in favor of the motion, please raise your hand. All yep. Passionanimously. Thank you. Rules of procedure. Before we begin the public hearings, let's let me first explain the procedures that will be followed. A time limitation policy is used to conduct a meeting. Generally, we ask that opponents and proponents limit their total time total time to a total of 20 minutes, distributing this time two to three minutes per speaker. Time will be available for rebuttals as needed. At any time following the opening of the public hearing, the planning commission may consider continuing the hearing to a later meeting in order that sufficient information may be obtained for the commission to make a decision. Following the hearing, the planning commission will consider action on the request. The commission may take action this this evening or delay the action to another meeting.
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