Gaston Planning Board accepts withdrawal of Act 32 lot 59 waiver, approves minutes and sets July 23 committee meeting

The Gaston Planning Board on July 9 accepted the applicant's withdrawal of a waiver request for Act 32, Lot 59 and approved minutes from its May 28 and June 11 meetings. Vice Chair Kimberly Peace chaired the session.

Joanne Duffy, the Planning and Economic Development Director, told the board the applicant chose not to move forward with the waiver that had been continued from the June 11 meeting. The board opened and immediately closed the public hearing on the matter, saying there were no members of the public present to comment, and then voted to accept the withdrawal.

The board confirmed the withdrawal motion on a voice vote after Joanne Duffy moved to accept the applicant's withdrawal and Joshua Douglas seconded. The motion carried; the transcript records no public comments on the withdrawn waiver.

Earlier in the meeting the board approved the minutes of May 28, 2026 and June 11, 2026. The transcript identifies Philip Debanza as making the motion to approve the May 28 minutes and Joshua Douglas as the seconder; an abstention by Barbara Griffin was recorded for that vote. The June 11 minutes were also moved and seconded and approved as presented.

Duffy told members that committee meetings will be held on July 23, 2026 to continue work on the town's development regulations. The board made a closing motion, voted in favor and adjourned.

The record includes an inconsistent reference to a member name: an abstention was recorded for “Barbara Griffin,” and later the transcript also mentions “Barbara Staines” (and a similar-sounding name, “Barris Staines”). The board minutes should be consulted for the official attendance and abstention record.