Copyright © 1995 by the City of Gastonia Any portion of this document may be reproduced for citizen participation, policy development or implementation purposes relating to the City of Gastonia. No other reproduction of this document may be made without permission of the City of Gastonia. TABLE OF CONTENTS Vision Statement....................................................................................................................................1 Why is Planning Important to Gastonia?...............................................................................................3 Gastonia’s Community Setting..............................................................................................................7 Historical Development ...................................................................................................................7 Physical & Environmental Setting.................................................................................................13 Regional Setting.............................................................................................................................17 Growth & Change................................................................................................................................21 The Piedmont Crescent..................................................................................................................21 Growth Trends in the Charlotte Region.........................................................................................23 Community Population & Economy Trends..................................................................................26 Major Development Issues ..................................................................................................................37 Key Issues in the Future Development of Gastonia ......................................................................37 Growth Scenarios...........................................................................................................................39 Community Economy ..........................................................................................................................43 Issues..............................................................................................................................................49 Objectives & Tools ........................................................................................................................51 Housing & Neighborhoods ..................................................................................................................55 Issues..............................................................................................................................................60 Objectives & Tools ........................................................................................................................61 Transportation......................................................................................................................................65 Issues..............................................................................................................................................73 Objectives & Tools ........................................................................................................................74 Public Utilities .....................................................................................................................................79 Issues..............................................................................................................................................87 Objectives & Tools ........................................................................................................................89 Community Services & Facilities ........................................................................................................93 Issues..............................................................................................................................................98 Objectives & Tools ........................................................................................................................99 Natural Environment..........................................................................................................................101 Issues............................................................................................................................................109 Objectives & Tools ......................................................................................................................110 Built Environment..............................................................................................................................113 Issues............................................................................................................................................117 Objectives & Tools ......................................................................................................................118 Recreation & Open Space..................................................................................................................121 Issues............................................................................................................................................127 Objectives & Tools ......................................................................................................................128 Annexation.........................................................................................................................................131 Issues............................................................................................................................................132 Objectives & Tools ......................................................................................................................134 i Land Use & Development .................................................................................................................135 Issues............................................................................................................................................139 Objectives & Tools ......................................................................................................................140 Northeast Sector.................................................................................................................................147 East Sector .........................................................................................................................................155 Southeast Sector.................................................................................................................................165 Southwest Sector................................................................................................................................173 Northwest Sector................................................................................................................................181 Central Sector ....................................................................................................................................189 MAPS Planning Sectors ....................................................................................................................................6 Historical Growth of Gastonia.............................................................................................................11 Textile Mills & Villages ......................................................................................................................12 General Soils........................................................................................................................................16 The Charlotte Urban Region................................................................................................................19 The Piedmont Crescent........................................................................................................................22 Change in Population/Change in Households .....................................................................................29 Median Household Income..................................................................................................................30 Percent High School Graduates ...........................................................................................................31 Thoroughfare Plan ...............................................................................................................................67 Traffic Volume.....................................................................................................................................68 Transit Routes ......................................................................................................................................70 Regional Transportation Plan ..............................................................................................................73 Water & Sewer Service Areas ...........................................................................................................107 Soils Unsuitable for Development.....................................................................................................108 Southeast Sector Strategies................................................................................................................167