Gastonia planning board rejects townhome project
A Gastonia planning board denied a rezoning request that would have allowed a developer to build 102 townhomes in the Cramer Woods neighborhood off South New Hope Road.
More than 100 Cramer Woods residents attended the public hearing held last week in opposition to the project.
Atlanta-based real estate company Kaplan Residential had asked the city to rezone 14 acres in the neighborhood of mostly brick, single-family homes to allow multi-family housing.
If approved, the townhomes would have been built in a mostly wooded area at the subdivision entrance and intersection of Cramer Wood Drive and South New Hope Road.
Some of the residents attending the meeting held signs with the words "say no to rezoning" across the front, similar to signs lining South New Hope Road just outside the neighborhood.
Residents' biggest concerns surround the potential decrease in their property value with Kaplan bringing rental properties into their subdivision.
"These are not townhomes that they’re building. Let’s be real, these are apartments,” said Cramer Woods resident Laurie Wince.
Developers countered by telling the planning board they were building "luxury townhomes" where rents would range from $1,700 to more than $2,000 per month.
Those types of rents would attract people who could afford to buy homes, but are choosing to rent for personal reasons, project manager Ryan Welch told the board.
Those already living in Cramer Woods also voiced concerns over increased traffic, particularly concerning those taking children to neighborhood schools Cramerton Middle and New Hope Elementary.
"While we are disappointed by the rezoning meeting outcome, we remain nimble as we evaluate next steps," said Kaplan. "We remain committed to Gaston County, seen through our upcoming 322-unit project in Belmont breaking ground this week, and look forward to introducing additional thoughtful and successful residential properties throughout the Southeast."
Morris Kaplan, president of Kaplan Residential, remains undecided whether he will appeal the Planning Commission's decision to Gastonia City Council.
Residents in the Cramer Woods neighborhood had opposed the project for months leading up to last week's meeting.
Reach Janiya Winchester at 704-869-1842 or jwinchester@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Gastonia board rejects townhome project in Cramer Woods neighborhood
