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Council unanimously amends Unified Development Ordinance to ease industrial recruitment, raises industrial building height to 75 feet
Summary
Gastonia City Council adopted text amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance that reclassify some manufactured‑goods uses as by‑right in general industrial zoning and raise maximum building height in industrial districts from 50 to 75 feet to attract modern industrial development.
Gastonia City Council closed a public hearing and unanimously approved a text amendment to the city’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to reclassify certain manufacturing uses and to raise the allowable height for industrial buildings.
Joe Gates, assistant planning director, presented the amendments and said the changes emerged from a joint review with Gaston County and the city’s economic development staff to modernize the UDO and improve the city’s competitiveness for larger industrial users. The amendment moves specific North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) categories into a class that is permitted by right with supplemental regulations in the I‑2 (general industrial) zoning district. The change is intended to shorten administrative timelines for industrial users locating on already‑zoned industrial property.
The council also approved raising the current 50‑foot cap on industrial building height to 75 feet in chapter 7 of the UDO to accommodate modern production and distribution facilities that require higher clearances. Donnie Hicks, Gaston County director of economic development, said higher ceilings and simpler use classifications are typical requirements for the larger industrial projects the county and city are targeting.
Planning Commission reviewed the amendment and recommended approval on June 10 by a unanimous vote; the council closed the public hearing and approved an ordinance amendment and a statement of consistency and reasonableness with the Gastonia 2025 comprehensive plan by unanimous vote.
Ending: Councilors said the changes are an initial step and staff will continue to monitor zoning and development needs to keep Gastonia competitive for industrial recruitment.
