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Historic commission begins redline updates to design standards, considers reusable placards and warns neighbors about scam invoices
Summary
Commissioners reviewed redline edits to align local design standards with the UDO, discussed signage options for public hearings and COA placards, and staff shared a fraudulent invoice circulating that asks applicants for wire transfers — the commission urged staff to issue a public warning.
At the May 28 meeting, Gastonia’s Historic District Commission began reviewing a redline version of the design standards intended to align the standards with the city’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO §7.6.2). Staff asked commissioners to study the draft and return with comments by August.
The commission discussed specific items that differ between the standards and the UDO, including categorization of major works versus administrative approvals and how to treat landscaping changes such as removal of shrubbery. Commissioners suggested clarifying definitions and including pictorial examples or specifications (for example, what "toothed in" brick repair looks like) to reduce ambiguity for applicants and staff.
Staff also proposed replacing large paper public‑hearing placards with more durable reusable metal hearing signs and smaller COA placards for front doors. Commissioners discussed visibility concerns and agreed that public‑hearing signs should remain visible from the street while the COA placard could be a smaller on‑door notice for contractors.
Separately, staff presented an example of a fraudulent invoice that was emailed to an applicant with a request for a wire transfer and a large, fabricated fee. Staff told the commission the city never requests wire transfers for fees and asked commissioners to share a consumer‑awareness blurb with neighbors. "This is not an accurate invoice," staff said, adding that all fees are paid through the city portal.
Commissioners agreed staff should coordinate an outreach note and that the design‑standards redline and signage options would return for further discussion.
