Vote on Franklin Woods Rezoning Delayed Until November

GASTONIA, NC – A local community’s fight to stop a proposed shopping center will continue for at least two more months.

Gastonia City Council decided to postpone a vote on a plan to rezone nearly 14 acres on Franklin Boulevard until November 21st.

Dozens of neighbors showed up Tuesday night to oppose the rezoning.

Neighbors want to preserve a wooded area they say buffers their homes from Franklin Square shopping center.

They say the land where a proposed new shopping center would go is one of the few remaining undeveloped areas nearby and prevents flooding in their neighborhood.

Developers argue the land would be clear cut regardless of what happens and that land owners have the right to do what they want with the property.

They also argue the development would include a stormwater basin and piping that would help prevent flooding.