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Gaston County approves one rezoning near Dallas; second request tabled after dumping complaint
Summary
The Gaston County Board approved a rezoning request (REZ-243) for two wooded parcels north of Dallas but tabled a second rezoning (REZ-244) after residents reported illegal dumping and staff opened a code investigation; the board asked staff to follow up and will revisit REZ-244 at a future hearing.
The Gaston County Board of Commissioners on May 26 unanimously approved a general rezoning (REZ-26-03-06-00243) for two vacant parcels north of the town of Dallas but tabled a separate rezoning request (REZ-26-03-26-00244) after neighbors reported illegal dumping and a code investigation was opened.
Payton Wiggins, the county's Land Development Manager, described REZ-243 as a request by applicant Zachary Carpenter to rezone two parcels (PIDs 169984 and 312523), totaling 6.06 acres, from R-1 (single-family limited) to R-2 (single-family moderate) under the county’s US urban standards overlay. Wiggins said the parcels are wooded, outside flood areas, and sit on a 22-foot grade change; the planning and zoning board recommended approval by a 9–0 vote.
Carpenter told commissioners he bought the land to raise his children locally and plans to place a single modular home on each parcel served by private well and septic. "I did purchase the 2 parcels of property because I would like for my children to get to grow up and be raised in a manner similar to the one that I have been," he said.
Neighbor Mike Overcamp presented a petition reportedly signed by a majority of abutting property owners and urged denial, arguing that rezoning to R-2 "would open the property up to further develop in mobile homes or modular homes" and could affect traffic, stormwater runoff and property values. Commissioners asked staff clarifying questions about access easements (Wiggins said a 20-foot platted access easement serves the site) and lot capacity (staff said current plats would allow one home per lot). After discussion Commissioner Sheehan moved to approve REZ-243, Commissioner Hovis seconded, and the board voted unanimously to approve the rezoning.
The board then considered REZ-244, an 11.63-acre rezoning request also north of Dallas. Wiggins said staff had received multiple calls about the site, including one that led to opening a code case for possible dumping. Parcel owner Kayla Vernon told the board her property easement crosses the subject parcel and asked that the board deny or delay the rezoning until the county's investigation and cleanup are completed.
Given the open investigation and neighbors' access concerns, a motion was made and seconded to table REZ-244 to the next public hearing; the board approved the motion. The county directed staff to continue the code investigation and said the item will be back on a future agenda.
No binding land-use conditions or amendments were adopted for REZ-244 at the meeting; the county clerk will publish the official action and the hearing date when it is scheduled.
