[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6285861,"mediaKeyId","2566761-7c9f3b91fc6d233b1e7687d40f152a78","parentId",2566761,"title","Council holds public hearings on two rezoning requests; one parcel rezoned to B-3, staff seeks broader plan for gateway corridor","audioSeconds",722,"startMs",598000,"endMs",1320000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2566761-7c9f3b91fc6d233b1e7687d40f152a78&start=598&end=1320","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2566761-7c9f3b91fc6d233b1e7687d40f152a78/thumbnail_598000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6285861/Mount-Holly-City/Gaston-County/North-Carolina/Council-holds-public-hearings-on-two-rezoning-requests-one-parcel-rezoned-to-B-3-staff-seeks-broader-plan-for-gateway-corridor","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285861-e0ca35978472124fc98be5dbcb85c100/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198913&Signature=jvJENVUN6a34IC~BtLyQ~40ZHTSyUh6f7dlXGWqt1LINh6uA3SyJo7eXXxSgS3gFYKgZnj-kacRUJ5~ZCZCFM2dUE3lm0SNZt7KIIWXizP9SoZIWGSo2G7V35L5IorLM7ATh7w1IF~QuoKWGMD9XNw~k2VrxXdetHwwFOI~1fmxfup6mDLez2JnCcMWvvOAv-4Q3rTA~hTj~U8vWd0jHJ4gsaq7fxmvicKEONpxwJ4Voh-~Y1YVijBtt~-Lj5hAdYC3YdlErt0FLDOMCkLx3QTvD9Sru-5VAIKKbywWhGOxvHkS9vwLK6c-5m6WqGu24dM80EVhX~P92GmTiFQ6qiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Mount Holly, NC","date","2025-03-11T12:17:43Z","article","Mount Holly City Council on Tuesday considered two rezoning matters affecting gateway properties along West Central Avenue and Belmont/Mount Holly Road.

Paul Lowe presented a staff-initiated request to rezone about 18.15 acres along West Central Avenue from HI (Heavy Industrial) to B-3 (General Business), noting that the city’s future land-use plan designates the area as a ‘‘community corridor’’ intended for more commercial uses and limited residential development. Lowe said the planning commission held a public hearing the prior week and voted to recommend approval; staff also recommended approval. Nearby property owners and brokers who spoke at the public hearing — including Chris Hargett, who owns property at 801 West Central Avenue, and broker Zach Simpson — asked council to “work hand in hand” with property owners and suggested a master-plan approach rather than limiting uses to a single standard under B-3.

Separately, the council considered a rezoning for a portion of a 2.13-acre tract at 501 Belmont/Mount Holly Road (case R-253) submitted by Billy Rick to change the parcel from R-12 (single-family) to B-3 (general business). Rick told the council the commercial buyer under contract plans an 800-square-foot rear addition and needs additional rear parking, and staff confirmed the request was consistent with the statement of consistency in the council packet. After a public hearing with one speaker (Billy Rick), Councilmember Harris moved to approve case R-253; Councilmember Reeves seconded. The motion passed.

For the larger staff-initiated rezoning (R-252), city staff presented use counts for the districts (241 allowed uses in B-3 versus 56 permitted uses in HI) and said notice to owners exceeded state statutory requirements. Several members of the public urged flexibility — for example, retail or mixed-use on the frontage and limited housing toward the rear — and city staff said such phased or conditional plans could be pursued by future rezoning or master planning. The transcript for this meeting does not record a final council vote on the staff-initiated R-252 that night; planning commission recommendation and staff support were recorded.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 03-10-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Mount Holly City Council on Tuesday considered a staff-initiated rezoning of roughly 18.15 acres along West Central Avenue from HI to B-3 and approved a separate rezoning for a 2.13-acre parcel at 501 Belmont/Mount Holly Road to B-3.","taxTitle","Mount Holly City, Gaston County, North Carolina","taxId",52283,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6285866,"Council declines to cancel $3.4M in downtown land purchases after contamination concerns; environmental tests show localized soil contamination",453,2534000,2987000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2566761-7c9f3b91fc6d233b1e7687d40f152a78&start=2534&end=2987","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2566761-7c9f3b91fc6d233b1e7687d40f152a78/thumbnail_2534000.jpg","/articles/6285866/Mount-Holly-City/Gaston-County/North-Carolina/Council-declines-to-cancel-34M-in-downtown-land-purchases-after-contamination-concerns-environmental-tests-show-localized-soil-contamination","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285866-0e131c1a4ef9aa8b69dd7d1928dc37dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198913&Signature=lkIfi9UMHX~v6h7r1mZZc5c1jiWfLVIWKg~3j8jPAKVzt-ItlFN113WcFomkEdc4T6GRYFfgvFEVrREZdiZPw5JTX9fCIiB3Qf8Ho~NSwUT865N9NrDKw~A4W35mnOCkaoeD2CDGLYDUU8odivR8Td~FkgJgfaPP0XY5LzsvaNZ~B9p3vpmvMbVc5pNZAKQF8a-jcWmwxb4bvZGGSkzWwCVaTD42IZMMZa63g-c4n~vXQKm5A88aIuhGPXa4VZHMaquHuFPLVooL4dUyN8r-teXCU7GznQr2T10LMIg7oEEP5cQ0TAvTQlxuhnpX4h34YQHMOJTFfEao2R~sun5mYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mount Holly City Council on Tuesday heard the results of a Phase I environmental review for properties under contract as part of the Veterans Park expansion and voted against canceling two purchase contracts worth about $3.4 million.

City Manager Blanton told the council that monitoring wells installed after the Phase I report detected soil contamination adjacent to 122 East Central Avenue — the site of a former auto repair shop — and that contractor estimates to remove the contamination ranged from about $14,000 to $29,000 for the specific area tested. Blanton said the city’s examination period for the contracts was extended in recent months and will expire May 2 if not otherwise acted on.

The issue drew extended public comment. Residents urged caution and criticized the city for pursuing property they described as contaminated instead of preserving other downtown assets. Rodney Williams told the council the city “does not need this property” and warned that cleanup costs could burden taxpayers. Clyde Davis and Bob Hendricks urged additional testing before any purchase. Gary Brinkley and others repeated opposition to the broader veterans redevelopment plan, saying citizens had not been adequately consulted.

After public comment, Councilmember Reeves moved to terminate the two purchase-and-sale contracts with the Dean Stroop family partnership and SPCS Properties. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Harris. The motion failed on a roll call: yes — Reeves, Harris; no — Huff, Craig, Shoemaker, Meadows. Mayor Moore announced the motion had failed and the city would proceed with the scheduled examination period unless the council took further action.

Blanton said the city has already spent roughly $3.5 million related to the Veterans Park effort, including about $2.6 million on property acquisition along Catawba Avenue, and that staff would continue to coordinate with the city attorney and contract holders on next steps if council was comfortable proceeding.

The council did not adopt any new remediation plan during the meeting. Blanton said he had received monitoring-well results on March 3 and that only the area adjacent to the former auto repair shop showed contamination in the Phase I follow-up. He identified the specific properties under contract by the owners’ names but did not supply a final remediation contract for council approval during the session.

The council’s decision leaves the contracts in place while residents and council members continue to debate the financial and environmental risks of assembling land for a proposed Veterans Park expansion.","Mount Holly City Council heard results of environmental testing on properties under contract for a planned Veterans Park expansion, learned of limited soil contamination next to a former auto shop, and voted down a motion to terminate the purchase contracts for two parcels totaling roughly $3.4 million.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6285846,"Council updates nuisance code to address dead, dangerous and diseased trees",141,3379000,3520000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2566761-7c9f3b91fc6d233b1e7687d40f152a78&start=3379&end=3520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2566761-7c9f3b91fc6d233b1e7687d40f152a78/thumbnail_3379000.jpg","/articles/6285846/Mount-Holly-City/Gaston-County/North-Carolina/Council-updates-nuisance-code-to-address-dead-dangerous-and-diseased-trees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285846-7dfd55f64672830fce04578250e712d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198913&Signature=eK2qoxNk7x5bMdsh6~J2li0T2gq47kXzEU6rFawb3NqQUXBPlIxsO7SRs-2kfcFcNF7Tbsn8v0JV-8K8Ah0Sdz2q3GsfR5vDzlLaPp~qYfpKIjPlZ7rtg-tj8URacEQbYrzTzc3HWErh~wA88a99C0wSHylz2YST30Cm~ZGL~DS8eR-GevQ8H7YNDpeD3GrKxifrLLE1r8oGEdKuQCzoVd9lphKbTWun6J2D4KsrMo6qILgD2LU9OuzHoRP7rc9Ve8xG-wAZA2WDymPx4UzGlVCw6Sx9vWbCDO7FUURTCkPGqBVA8hMTCz2S5gvuUoa8naM3ew7lqJp00V7Uz5PyNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mount Holly City Council approved a draft ordinance to regulate dead, dangerous and diseased trees by locating the provision in the city’s existing nuisance-abatement section of the code.

Parks/Code staff explained the proposed text would classify trees that are dead, diseased, infested or otherwise creating a hazard to public health, safety or welfare — including projecting into public rights-of-way, obstructing streetlights or signs, or interfering with pedestrian passage — as nuisances. Under the proposal, the city would follow existing nuisance-abatement procedures: the city would issue a violation letter and, if appropriate, abate the hazard and bill the property owner; unpaid bills would be handled through the same enforcement and lien processes used for other nuisance abatements.

Councilmember Meadows moved to approve the ordinance change; Councilmember Reeves seconded and the motion passed. Staff said the proposed ordinance aligns with existing processes and recommended council adoption.","Mount Holly City Council approved an ordinance amendment to add dead, dangerous and diseased trees to the city’s nuisance abatement procedures, allowing the city to notify property owners and abate hazards under existing code.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6285851,"Council authorizes acceptance of offer and start of upset-bid process for former City Hall building",374,3004000,3378000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2566761-7c9f3b91fc6d233b1e7687d40f152a78&start=3004&end=3378","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2566761-7c9f3b91fc6d233b1e7687d40f152a78/thumbnail_3004000.jpg","/articles/6285851/Mount-Holly-City/Gaston-County/North-Carolina/Council-authorizes-acceptance-of-offer-and-start-of-upset-bid-process-for-former-City-Hall-building","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285851-5d57e68300fdefbdf6ee21f45c8d62fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198913&Signature=JrVuHNnAsuNdWFofnezK7rfZPhITNLgiEBwPkC0nevv~CqxDwPZ01LyCfKaqYhqp~wxN53V-NBjfb-VUbIw1IFHtWc49wKY3U6VH5H3KIsmYe18tc2eIrfE-FXTspMtwYZSzKgxYzgSr~wvkbSE4MCvjhd4O42AdASpbBkrq9ECQnptFnm16rprUJbjOp219WlaD0le2q2RA703ZpfHDfl91Dliis6b42iL3lwITxpnAXWYCmUoRoEFKzwPVAHpHvSk8vqy4YwVNlVSnmO~5~4RPkXUUemRC-87kthj0tR~BtRX8Xe6c6Zl9dy3tojYBCgExZdHPd5sXS3mp~x728A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mount Holly City Council unanimously adopted a resolution to accept an offer of $762,500 for 131 South Main Street, the former City Hall, and to initiate the statutory upset-bid process required by North Carolina law.

City Attorney Anders and staff outlined an addendum to the contract that preserves an easement for the armed-forces emblem on the building’s north wall, protects existing utility equipment that serves downtown festival lights and streets, clarifies the sale is ‘‘as is, where is,’’ and places publication and closing costs on the buyer. Anders told council the bidder had not objected to the proposed addendum and that, if the resolution were approved, the bidder planned to deposit the 5% statutory earnest amount; city staff stood ready to publish the required 10-day legal notice in the Gaston Gazette to start the upset-bid period under North Carolina General Statute 168-269.

Councilmember Meadows asked whether the council could exit the process; Anders noted the council may cancel during the 10-day upset-bid period or consider upset bids, but cautioned that once the upset-bid process is complete and the city is in contract the city would be bound. Meadows moved approval; Councilmember Craig seconded. The vote was unanimous.

If no qualifying upset bids are filed during the 10-day publication period, the sale will proceed into the buyer’s due-diligence period and eventual closing on the schedule set out in the contract addendum.","Mount Holly City Council adopted a resolution accepting a $762,500 offer for 131 South Main Street (former City Hall) and authorized the statutory upset-bid procedure under North Carolina law; the buyer must deposit 5% to trigger the notice period.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6285856,"Council approves final designs for two Ida Rankin mural projects",84,338000,422000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2566761-7c9f3b91fc6d233b1e7687d40f152a78&start=338&end=422","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2566761-7c9f3b91fc6d233b1e7687d40f152a78/thumbnail_338000.jpg","/articles/6285856/Mount-Holly-City/Gaston-County/North-Carolina/Council-approves-final-designs-for-two-Ida-Rankin-mural-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285856-d67c98c6b0da78245e5ac5cab693c6c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198913&Signature=LPgYIwZSGRxTFqViBSUI5XrTDI-Y04lfnD0fkBJCpv~mvTMtgS0y9mBNC38hY3ClFYq12kYdRI0ELkATsZ2-NpGEPP1fHzmNZFcVexF0FbHrOT4YfQ3AhrNUdYgPWuKRfrSFE8yuuWxBf4E7Kr9LHNWiVEMOcmFi1M50EaPD7AQYwK0miltFp5eXBBpWApKpLOTp2LmewQHOor1vqJ4XYztKIuL7~NdlfVGam3knxC2SsSX~H~8P-WrZB~T173Rw~Q4WcIWvDt5D9pUNJAR7m~xD03106-U9VmdYdVNMU-auhjPv4rSnJ02SNZVsvpsTs1yeU6QQlMejpt2jd1hdFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mount Holly City Council unanimously approved final designs for two public-art projects tied to Ida Rankin Elementary School and the Rankin Avenue corridor.

Paul Lowe presented the proposed artwork produced by Hand in Hand Creative and said the Public Arts Committee had recommended approval at its February meeting; staff recommended approval as well. Councilmember Shoemaker moved to approve the elementary-school mural design; Councilmember Meadows seconded and the motion passed. Council later approved a crosswalk art/corridor design at the Hicks Circle and Rankin Avenue intersection after a second presentation by Lowe; Councilmember Harris moved that motion, seconded by Councilmember Huff.

Lowe said staff will work with the school system on an easement and expects both the mural and crosswalk treatment to be completed by May. No public opposition to the designs was recorded during the presentations.","Mount Holly City Council unanimously approved final designs for a mural at Ida Rankin Elementary School and an associated crosswalk art installation at the Hicks Circle/Rankin Avenue intersection, with completion expected by May.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council holds public hearings on two rezoning requests; one parcel rezoned to B-3, staff seeks broader plan for gateway corridor

Council declines to cancel $3.4M in downtown land purchases after contamination concerns; environmental tests show localized soil contamination

Council updates nuisance code to address dead, dangerous and diseased trees

Council authorizes acceptance of offer and start of upset-bid process for former City Hall building

Council approves final designs for two Ida Rankin mural projects