Gastonia Historic District Commission Meeting – October 22, 2026

The Gastonia Historic District Commission (HDC) met on October 22, 2026, to consider two certificate of appropriateness applications: an after-the-fact approval for window and door removal at 615 South Chester Street, and a new construction proposal at 424 West Second Avenue. The meeting also included the swearing in of new commissioner Mary Kelly and approval of minutes from August 27, 2026.

Consent Calendar

• No items were designated as a consent calendar; the minutes approval was moved to later in the agenda.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cathy Spencer (956 Oaks Road, Bessemer City; daughter of former owner) spoke on 615 South Chester Street. She stated that the removed door and window were not original to the house, but added when the porch was enclosed for a beauty salon/dog grooming business. She also said the property owner (her aunt, Miss Biddington) acted in good faith, relying on her constructor's assurances regarding permits.
• Brawny York (412 West 2nd Avenue) spoke on 424 West Second Avenue. She complimented the design and suggested a door color (Evergreen Fog) and noted that the windows and lighting looked good.

Discussion Items

• Oath of Office: Commissioner Mary Kelly was sworn in by Rebecca Mintz.
• Agenda Amendment: Commissioner Jeff Triple moved to postpone approval of the August 27 minutes to agenda item 4 (Other Matters) to allow time to review them; motion carried.
• Item 3B – 615 South Chester Street (after-the-fact approval): Staff planner Jalen Nash presented. The property (non-contributing in the York Chester Historic District) had a code enforcement complaint regarding unauthorised removal of a window and door on the front elevation (facing 6th Avenue). Additionally, all original 4/1 sash windows had been replaced with windows having grilles between glass (pohibited by design standards). Commissioners discussed the history and the non-contributing status. Legal counsel advised that non-contributing status gives the commission more discretion even with absolute prohibitions. A motion to approve both requests based on the property's non-contributing nature was made, seconded, and carried unanimously.
• Item 3A – 424 West Second Avenue (new construction): Senior planner Veronica Bateson presented. Applicant Garrett Cox appeared. The proposal for a new house and driveway had been previously subcommitteeed and updated with a survey and landscape plan. Commissioners discussed front door color (preference for Evergreen Fog over white or navy), addition of a faux window or architectural detail on the front gable, addition of at least one window on the rear elevation (a transom above bathroom and a window in bedroom), and lighting on the front porch (two sconces, size to be determined by staff). The applicant agreed. A motion to approve with these modifications was made, seconded, and carried unanimously.
• Approval of Minutes: The August 27, 2026 minutes were approved with a correction (changing “Commissioner Hower” to “Commissioner Hooser”).
• Other Matters: A subcommittee meeting scheduled for after adjournment was cancelled. Commissioner Charles announced his retirement; this was his last meeting. Staff reported that a project at 1223 Oakwood would require after-the-fact approval and is under internal review.

Key Outcomes

• Item 3B (615 S. Chester St.): Approved (unaimous). The motion cited the property's non-contributing status as justification for variation from design standard prohibiting the window grilles.
• Item 3A (424 W. Second Ave.): Approved (unaimous) with conditions: front door color either Navy or Evergreen Fog (not white); inclusion of a faux window or architectural element on the upper front gable; addition of a window on the rear bedroom and a transom in the bathroom; and two front porch sconces (size approved administratively by staff).
• Minutes: Approved with correction.
• Retirement: Commissioner Charles to depart after November 2026.