Central Business Design (CBD) and Urban Mixed-Use (UMU) District
The City of Gastonia has recently adopted revised standards for the exterior design and characteristics of structures located within the central business (C-B) district. The purpose of the C-B district design standards is to ensure that new development and rehabilitation taking place in the central business district is executed with appropriate urban design, site planning and architectural principles & techniques. In order to achieve these goals, these design standards focus on a set of key principles that aim for human scale patterns of development and context-sensitive design. Projects will be evaluated by a professional staff Design Review Committee (DRC), allowing for creativity and flexibility while also ensuring compatibility with these key principles. Through conformity with these standards and the design review process, development and rehabilitation projects will contribute to a stable, attractive, economically viable, pedestrian-scaled environment in the downtown area of Gastonia.
The City of Gastonia has recently adopted revised standards for the exterior design and characteristics of structures located within the central business (C-B) district. The purpose of the C-B district design standards is to ensure that new development and rehabilitation taking place in the central business district is executed with appropriate urban design, site planning and architectural principles & techniques. In order to achieve these goals, these design standards focus on a set of key principles that aim for human scale patterns of development and context-sensitive design. Projects will be evaluated by a professional staff Design Review Committee (DRC), allowing for creativity and flexibility while also ensuring compatibility with these key principles. Through conformity with these standards and the design review process, development and rehabilitation projects will contribute to a stable, attractive, economically viable, pedestrian-scaled environment in the downtown area of Gastonia.
So how do I apply for a Design Review Application:
1. Complete a Design Review Supplemental Form. (This form is not the application)
a. Make sure to email, download and/or print a copy of your completed supplemental form. You'll need this when you apply.
2. If you haven’t used the CityView portal before, you'll need to register first at https://devsvcs.gastonianc.gov/
3. Log-in to the CityView portal at https://devsvcs.gastonianc.gov
4. Under the title Planning Department, click on Apply for a Planning Permit, and choose the project type: Downtown Design Review
5. Complete remaining questions
Note: Step 4 is when the supplement form will need to be uploaded, as well as, any photos other documents.
For information regarding the Design Review Committee (DRC), please contact Chrystal Howard, Zoning Officer at chrystal.howard@gastonianc.gov or Jason Putnam, Zoning Administrator at jason.putnam@gastonianc.gov.
