Local

Rezoning approved for 93 homes in Gastonia, addressing community concerns

Site of a proposed project named South New Hope Villages near City Church on South New Hope Road. Mike Hensdill/USA TODAY NETWORK

GASTONIA, N.C. — Gastonia city leaders have approved a rezoning request, paving the way for the construction of up to 93 homes between South New Hope and Lowell Bethesda Road, according to reports from the Gaston Gazette.

The development, which is planned as a 55+ community, aims to address concerns about traffic impact by limiting the number of vehicles during peak hours. Bethesda Oaks residents, whose properties border the proposed site, have expressed worries about increased traffic and the loss of greenspace.

“We have one concern. We do not want to be a cut-through between Lowell Bethesda and New Hope Road,” said William Radcliff, president of the Bethesda Oaks Homeowners Association.

Developers have included a 10-foot landscaping easement along the property line to address some of the community’s concerns about greenspace. Additionally, the Gastonia City Council approved the rezoning with the condition that a ‘stub’ entrance will be accessible only to emergency vehicles, following a motion by Councilman Jim Gallagher.

The unanimous approval of the rezoning request marks a significant step forward for the development, though it remains to be seen how the changes will affect the Bethesda Oaks community in the long term.


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