Gaston County delays vote on 251‑lot Holly Springs subdivision amid water, traffic and annexation concerns

The Gaston County Board of Commissioners on July 22 continued the public hearing on a conditional rezoning for the Holly Springs property — a proposed planned residential development (PRD) that would create 251 lots on roughly 135 acres north of West Catawba Avenue near Mount Holly.

The board voted unanimously to continue the matter to Oct. 28 so county staff, the town of Mount Holly and the applicant can address outstanding questions about utilities, traffic and jurisdiction. The hearing remains open; no final rezoning decision was made.

County planning staff told the commissioners the applicant, representing the Springs family, is seeking a conditional RS‑8 designation with urban overlay to allow a PRD. Jamie Kimberlew, director of Gaston County Planning and Zoning, said the plan shows 251 lots total — including about 84 attached townhome units — and more than 60% of the site proposed as open space. "Staff has recommended a condition of approval that states all required state permits for any systems related to the collection, distribution, and treatment of water must be obtained prior to approving the construction documents for the site," Kimberlew said.

Why it matters: the site sits partly in Mount Holly's former extraterritorial jurisdiction and adjacent to Taylor's Creek, which flows to the Catawba River. Neighbors and municipal officials raised concerns about private community wells, an on‑site wastewater treatment plant, traffic impacts at West Catawba and Rankin roads, fire protection for homes not…