Gastonia · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Gastonia public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
New Single-Family Construction at 424 W. Second Ave.
Developers proposed a new house and driveway on a vacant lot in the York-Chester Historic District. Neighbors and commissioners worked out details for architectural enhancements like a faux gable window, rear windows, and exterior lighting.
Long Creek Wastewater Outfall Resiliency Project
The city is moving forward with $707,000 in engineering and resilience upgrades along Long Creek to repair storm damage and prevent future sewage overflows during heavy floods.
Martha Rivers Park Equipment Replacement
The city is partnering with Leathers and Associates on a design-build contract to replace the aging Martha Rivers Park playground while keeping its beloved castle theme.
Unified Development Ordinance Amendment for Vape and Tobacco Shops
The city is introducing new zoning rules to tightly regulate where tobacco, vape, and hemp shops can open. These shops will be banned from residential and downtown areas and forced to maintain large distance buffers from schools, parks, and homes.
Commercial Maintenance Code Enforcement
The city adopted new rules to stop landlords from leaving vacant downtown buildings boarded up indefinitely. Properties will face a 90-day board-up limit and a strict 30-day notice process to fix safety and aesthetic issues.
Martha Rivers Park Parking Expansion
The city is investing nearly $1.95 million to add parking lots and new road access at Martha Rivers Park to relieve heavy congestion and safety hazards during tournaments.
Rezoning at 1701 N. New Hope Road for Duplex Development
A developer is looking to rezone a small vacant lot at 1701 N. New Hope Road to build four attached duplex units. The project addresses middle housing needs but requires careful management of stormwater and driveway access onto Ferris Street.
License Plate Readers and Flock Cameras Transparency
During public comment, NAACP branch president Sean Bates raised concerns about community transparency, data sharing with agencies like ICE, and privacy oversight regarding Flock license plate reader cameras.
Project Alliance Gastonia 85 Industrial Park Incentive
Council approved a major Level Four tax incentive for Project Alliance Gastonia 85, a $61 million investment to build five speculative industrial buildings totaling 872,000 square feet off Dr. Martin Luther King Way.
Project Metro Economic Development Incentive
The city approved a 10-year tax incentive grant for Project Atlas, a UK-based advanced manufacturing company investing $21 million and bringing 95 high-paying jobs to the Westgate Building on Cox Road.
Unified Development Ordinance Major Development Rules
Gastonia updated its UDO to require residential projects of 20 or more units and commercial developments requiring a Traffic Impact Analysis to undergo conditional zoning review. This change gives the city more leverage to negotiate design standards and infrastructure improvements.
N. Boyce Street Townhome Development
Legacy Home Builders is bringing 38 new townhomes to N. Boyce Street near downtown. The project features rear-loaded garages, alley access, and public street parking.
Sierra Ridge East Duplex Development
Profile Homes is adding 44 new duplex units as Phase 3 of the existing Sierra Ridge neighborhood off Mount Mitchell Avenue.
Civil Solicitation Ordinance
The council enacted an ordinance creating civil fines for solicitors who ignore posted 'no soliciting' signs. Canvassing and criminal penalties were removed from the final version.
Downtown Revitalization Plan Adoption
Patrick Mumford presented the 'Gastonia Reimagined' plan, a strategic framework for downtown growth, green spaces, and housing. The council formally adopted the plan to guide future development decisions.
Subdivision and Variance Request at 1818 Winget St.
An applicant is seeking a variance to subdivide an existing parcel containing six rental homes into individual lots, addressing a long-standing nonconforming property layout. While four lots meet standard size requirements, two require lot size variances.
Fraudulent Invoicing Targeting Permit Applicants
City officials issued a warning about scammers sending fake invoices and wire transfer demands to people applying for historic district permits.
Opposition to State Property Tax Legislation
Gastonia joined over 30 North Carolina counties and numerous municipalities in passing a resolution opposing proposed state legislation that would limit local property tax growth and threaten essential public services.
Arlington School Mixed-Use Redevelopment
Developers are planning to transform the vacant 1922 Arlington Elementary School building and surrounding property into 116 apartments and ground-floor retail space, breathing new life into a historic blighted site.
GoGastonia Microtransit Fare and Surcharge Discussion
The Transportation Department proposed raising microtransit fares from $2.50 to $3.00 and adding a distance-based surcharge for trips over five miles. Public survey feedback showed strong opposition to the surcharge due to affordability concerns.
2025-2026 Winter Warming Center Operations and Homeless Services
A local pastor highlighted the ongoing need for city-provided transportation from warming centers and requested centralized shower and laundry facilities.
Project Explore Economic Development Grant
The city approved a Level 1 incentive grant to support a $16.8 million expansion in machinery and equipment by an existing local industry.
Downtown Hotel and Restaurant Redevelopment RFPs
The city is moving forward with requests for proposals to build a hotel near the conference center and a restaurant overlooking the FUSE District field to attract visitors and boost downtown commerce.
Apartment Complex Trash and Maintenance Issues
Council members addressed persistent excessive trash and code enforcement problems at Mountain View Apartments and Weldon Heights, pushing management companies for permanent solutions.
Project CHANGE Downtown Connectivity and Feasibility Study
The city received a $2 million federal grant, matched with $500,000 in local bond funds, to study capping the downtown railroad ditch. The project aims to reconnect the historic Highland neighborhood to downtown Gastonia and evaluate future economic development potential.
Project DeLorean Economic Development Agreement
The city is offering tax incentive grants to retain a major industrial employer investing $53 million and retaining/creating up to 400 jobs.
Governance Rules
Gastonia's city council is debating rule changes that would strip the mayor of some voting power. This political shake-up could completely change how local decisions get made in your backyard.
Marietta Street Corridor NRSA Plan
The city is pursuing a HUD Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area designation for the Marietta Street corridor to help revitalize housing, small businesses, and infrastructure while leveraging federal funds.
Police Surplus Weapon Trade-In
Gastonia Police are trading in older rifles to acquire modern equipment for their tactical team.
Opioid Settlement Fund Initiatives Update
City and county health officials updated the council on how $3 million in opioid settlement funds are supporting local recovery transport, paramedicine, and treatment programs.
Snyder Place Office Renovation Project
The city is spending nearly $795,000 in ARPA interest money to finish renovating the old train depot. The space will house Keep Gastonia Beautiful, Sister Cities, and the A.C.E. program, while providing a big 136-seat room for community meetings and employee training.
Gastonia Municipal Airport Apron Pavement Rehabilitation
The city is putting up $463,261 as a local match to secure over $3.8 million in state and federal funds to repave crumbling apron pavement at the municipal airport.
Election Results
Gastonia just wrapped up its 2025 City Council elections, meaning a mix of new and returning leaders are about to take the reins. These folks will be making the big calls on your property taxes, neighborhood safety, and everyday city services.
Election Candidate Questionnaire
Check out where Gastonia Ward 1 City Council candidate Adam Olivieri stands on the big issues in this quick Q&A. It's an easy way to figure out if he's the right person to represent your neighborhood before heading to the ballot box.
Public Transit
Gastonia is ditching its old-school fixed bus routes for an on-demand microtransit system, which means you'll have to use a new way to get around town. Think of it more like a local rideshare app rather than waiting for a bus that runs on a rigid schedule.
Public Transit Overhaul
Gastonia is ditching its old-school fixed bus routes for an on-demand microtransit service starting in July 2024. This means you'll be able to hail a city ride much like Uber or Lyft, completely changing how you navigate the town.
Disaster Mitigation Funding
Gastonia just locked down a cool $6 million from FEMA and the state to get ready for whatever crazy weather comes our way. This cash will help upgrade our disaster prep so we aren't caught off guard when storms hit.
City Manager Appointment
Gastonia has a brand new city manager! Michael Peoples just took over the top administrative job to run the city's day-to-day operations.