Thursday, October 1, 2026
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Gastonia, NC (WNN) - The Gaston County Board of Education held its monthly meeting on September 22, 2026, at the Gaston County Courthouse. During this meeting, they covered zoning map changes, the comprehensive land use plan, project legacy, and the proposed schedule of values.
They first issued a proclamation designating September 25, 2026, as the National Day of Remembrance for Homicide Victims. Representatives from the District Attorney’s office and the Hope United Survivors Network emphasized the importance of creating a haven for families navigating the aftermath of tragic losses.
The next proclamation designated the week of October 4-6, 2026, as Fire Prevention Week in the Gaston County area. This would be a moment to educate the public on the safe use of lithium-ion batteries, which are found in common household electronics.
The Subject Property under the Zoning Map Change
Credit: Gaston County Board of Commissioner Meeting | September 22, 2026
The Board had many public hearings scheduled, the first of which was about the Zoning Map Change correlated with REZ-26-07-26-00255. The Land Development Manager, Payton Wiggins, provided a brief overview of said zoning and map changes. It is requested that NextStep Land 2 LLC have two parcels located between Cherryville and High Shoals changed from R1 (Single-Family Limited) to R2 (Single-Family Moderate). The current parcels are vacant and wooded with no flood hazard on the property. The Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval by a 9-0 vote. The Board of Commissioners approved the request unanimously.
The Comprehensive Land Use Plan
Credit: Gaston County Board of Commissioner Meeting | September 22, 2026
Envision Gaston has updated its 2050 Comprehensive Land Use Plan, a long-range planning document for the county's unincorporated areas that guides land-use and infrastructure investment decisions. Since the last report, they have a draft report on their website and have revised it to include permanently protected properties in the conservation classification. The plan was approved as presented, with the commissioners voting 4-2.
Competing against South Carolina, Project Legacy is an economic development initiative expected to bring over 150 jobs to the area. The jobs are projected to offer an annual wage that is higher than the Gaston County Average. Miss Parish Williams was seeking an EDC Level 4 Grant for the project.
Miss Parish Williams speaking on Project Legacy
Credit: Gaston County Board of Commissioner Meeting | September 22, 2026
For the first five years, the company will receive an 85% reimbursement on eligible property taxes, followed by a 70% reimbursement for the remaining five years. Commissioner Jim Bailey raises concerns about the success rate of companies receiving tax incentives. Bailey asked if there is a "safe fall" in place should the company fail to follow through after receiving the grant. Parish explained that it would all be tax-reimbursed. With that, the Board approved the level 4 grant.
The tax director, Chelsea Tarbush, provided a brief overview regarding the 2027 reappraisal of real property. The schedule of values was presented on August 25, followed by an educational meeting on September 8. Following public comments, the final adoption of the schedule of values is scheduled for October 27. Citizens who disagree with the adopted schedule may appeal to the Property Tax Commission (PTC) in Raleigh.
Concerned Citizen Brian Weyeneth
Credit: Gaston County Board of Commissioner Meeting | September 22, 2026
Since it was a public hearing, both concerned citizens, Brian Weyeneth and Samantha Esters, mentioned that the document contains inconsistencies, conflicting instructions, and missing tables, making it difficult to determine whether properties are being valued fairly.
In response, Commissioner Chad Brown directed that all possible modifications be reviewed before final adoption.
Moving on, Commissioner Bailey pulled item H from the consent agenda, which addressed the acceptance of additional grant funds for the Healthy Wells Project. Bailey wished Justin Amos, the Health and Human Services director, to clarify how the grant was being used.
Amos explained that the grant would be used to fund the digitization of well records and the identification of abandoned wells. Stating that the CDC Healthy Wells Project wishes to digitize records, create a GIS database location, and identify wells since 1989.
Commissioner Cathy Cloninger
Credit: Gaston County Board of Commissioner Meeting | September 22, 2026
Commissioner Jim Bailey, who stated he advocates for transparency in local government, provided the public with some information just before adjournment. The county received an independent report from an outside investigator claiming that Commissioner Cathy Cloninger violated several provisions of the Board Code of Ethics. If these allegations are accurate, the Board should take action, such as adopting a censure.
"Commissioner Cloninger violated a number of board code of ethics violations. If this is true, the board should consider whether to take action against Commissioner Cloninger, including adopting a resolution of censure."
- Commissioner Jim Bailey
Bailey recommended a public hearing, and after some discussion, the topic will be placed on the next board meeting, per Board Chairman Chad Brown.
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