Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting

The following is a staff-prepared summary of key discussion points and decisions from this meeting. For the complete official record, please refer to the approved minutes above.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Public Hearings The Board conducted a series of required public hearings as part of the town's application for a North Carolina Small Cities Community Development Block Grant.

• This grant application covers two projects: a water line and fire hydrant infrastructure project in the south Ranlo area (Redland, Booker, Neely, Franklin, Love, and Crescent neighborhoods), and COVID-19 emergency relief funding authorized by the governor.
• Staff noted the existing water lines in the targeted area date to the mid-1960s, when the town purchased them from the City of Lowell, and that no fire hydrants currently exist in that area — making the project highly competitive for grant funding.
• The grant program operates on an annual funding cycle; if the town is not awarded funds this cycle, it may reapply the following year, and future applications could target different areas of town.
• The first public hearing was held at the October regular meeting with no public comments received. The second public hearing was held at the October 22 special meeting, also with no public comments. A third and final public hearing was scheduled for November 12 prior to submitting the completed application.
• Motions to open and close each public hearing were made, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Variance Request – 2489 Ridge Avenue The Board held a public hearing to consider a variance request from Mr. Trussler, who is seeking to build a new home at 2489 Ridge Avenue and needs relief from the required 40-foot front yard setback in the R-12 zoning district.

• The applicant is requesting a 10-foot variance, which would allow a 30-foot front yard setback instead of the required 40 feet. The reason cited is the topography of the lot, which slopes sharply at the rear, limiting usable backyard space without moving the house forward.
• One neighboring resident, Chris Duncan of Strawberry Lane, addressed the Board. He expressed concern not about the variance itself, but about potential on-street parking resulting from a shorter driveway, particularly given that Ridge Avenue is steep, shaded, and prone to icy conditions in winter.
• The applicant clarified that the home would likely have a front-entry two-car garage with room for approximately four additional vehicles in the driveway, and that construction will proceed regardless of whether the variance is granted.
• Staff reported that notice was sent to all abutting property owners and the variance was advertised in the Gaston Gazette twice. No neighboring property owners voiced formal opposition.
• Some Board members expressed a desire for more tangible information — such as a site plan or house plan — before making a decision, noting concern about setting a precedent for future variance requests.
• No motion to approve or deny the variance was made at this meeting. The matter did not receive a vote and was not resolved during the session.

Lien Settlement – 77 Crescent Avenue The Board considered and voted on a settlement offer related to outstanding liens on a property at 77 Crescent Avenue, which the town demolished approximately one year prior to this meeting.

• The town held four code enforcement liens on the property dating to 2010 and 2011, totaling $700 in principal (primarily for grass cutting and nuisance abatement), plus a demolition lien of approximately $2,800. With accrued interest, total liens were approximately $3,500.
• The property owner's representative proposed a $3,000 settlement to clear all liens from the property.
• The Board voted to accept the $3,000 settlement offer. A motion was made and seconded; the vote was unanimous.
• Staff noted that town attorney Mr. Windom would handle the necessary paperwork to finalize the settlement.

Holiday Events – COVID-19 Considerations The Board discussed whether to proceed with planned holiday community events given rising COVID-19 case numbers in Gaston County.

• Staff reported that neighboring municipalities — including Gastonia, Cramerton, and Mount Holly — had decided to cancel their Christmas parades, and that Gastonia also canceled its Thanksgiving parade, citing public safety concerns as hospitalizations at CaroMont Health continued to rise.
• The Board reached consensus to cancel both the town's Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas parade for 2020.
• Halloween trick-or-treating was noted as still proceeding, with the Ranlo Police Department planning to be present throughout Mountain View, Spencer Heights, Woodside, and the Mill Village neighborhoods to hand out stickers and bracelets to children.

Revised Meeting Schedule The Board approved an updated meeting schedule to account for the special meetings needed for the CDBG public hearings and variance hearing.

• The revised schedule included special meetings on October 22 and October 27, and a special meeting on November 12 at 6:00 p.m. prior to the regular November Board of Commissioners meeting.
• A motion to approve the revised schedule was made by Commissioner Jamie, seconded, and carried unanimously.

Town Manager Report The Town Manager provided updates on several ongoing town operations and projects.

• The Ranlo Police Department's call volume doubled compared to the same period the prior year — rising from 327 calls to 722 calls — reflecting a significant increase in workload.
• The Public Works Department had been working extended hours nearly every day of the week responding to multiple large water main breaks.
• Financing for a new rear-loader garbage truck was secured and was expected to close with the bank shortly, with some minor delays in the loan closing process.
• The water tower painting project was pending contractor arrival to begin site staging; paint was confirmed as ready, and staff expected work to begin during the week of October 23.
• Staff submitted a $100,000 grant application to the North Carolina Outdoor Heritage program to fund expansion of the splash pad, addition of shade shelters, and tree planting at the town park. A concern was raised about a leaning tree near Sunset Road that may pose a hazard; staff committed to follow up.
• Curbside leaf pickup service was confirmed to be returning for the fall season, with a regular pickup rotation expected to begin within a few weeks.