Thursday, October 1, 2026
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Cherryville, NC (WNN)—The Cherryville Zoning and Board of Adjustment voted to deny a zoning request for a newly proposed cluster neighborhood at 363 Anthony Grove Road, Cherryville, NC. The 6 PM meeting on Monday, June 16th, was conducted at the Cherryville Community Building at 106 South Jacob Street.
In attendance for the meeting were Planning and Zoning Director Richard Elam, City Attorney Yansea Taylor, Board Chairman Ed Yount, Vice Chairman Frank Morehead, and Board members William Scott Beam, Mark Mauney, and Matthew Mauney. Absent members were Wade Stroupe and Reid Huss. Also in attendance for BRD Land and Investment was representative Alvin T. Johnson, PE, and VHB Civil Engineering representative Peter Dostor, PE. Current land owner Cathi Putnam also attended virtually via phone. Wise News Network covered the meeting for the media.
The Gaston County, NC, parcel number 159109, consisting of approximately 67.19 acres located at 363 Anthony Grove Road, Cherryville, NC, is being considered for development and rezoning. The current owner, Cathi Putnam, requests a change in the zoning from Rural Residential R-40 to Conditional Zoning CZ/R-15 and a Special Use Permit required by the City of Cherryville per Part 6, Section 6.5 Cluster Development. The parcel is currently in the Future Land Use Plan as "Rural Preservation R-40."
At a previous meeting, the Planning and Board of Adjustment requested changes to the plan, including increasing the side setbacks to 8 feet, which reduced the lot count from 134 to 125. The typical lot will be 70 feet x 143 feet or .229 acre. The overall average lot will be .272 acre. The proposed development will have amenities such as a dog park, walking trail, community garden, multi-use area, and playground.
Other Cherryville neighborhoods such as Crown Creek, Westgate, Eastwood, Vista, and Dewey Beam Estates have average lot sizes of .45 acres to 1 acre with designations of R-15 and R-12. These existing neighborhood lot sizes are more than twice the size of the proposed new neighborhood.
During Monday's meeting, discussions also included HOA requirements, roadways, water and sewer supply, and maintenance. There is no plan to annex the property inside the City of Cherryville. Therefore, roadway and other maintenance would be performed by third parties at the cost and direction of the HOA (Homeowners Association). Gaston County would provide police protection, and the Crouse Fire Department would provide fire protection. The City of Cherryville would supply water and sewer to the development at double out-of-town rates. The developer would run water and sewer inside the development and provide a sewer lift station. Rutherford Electric would provide electricity to the site, not the City of Cherryville.
During the meeting, current landowner Cathi Putnam stated, "I wanted to leave Cherryville a neighborhood that promotes green space, a sense of family and community, some good amenities, and a place where new families can start their lives."
Also, during the meeting, it was mentioned that the development land is adjacent to the potential lithium mine processing plant. Putnam explained that, in her opinion, the lithium mine was at least four years out, if ever, and that Piedmont Lithium would build a wall as a buffer between the industrial plant and the residential neighborhood.
After more discussion, Board member Matt Mauney motioned to deny the zoning request, which Vice Chair Frank Morehead seconded. Matthew Mauney motioned: "I make a motion based that on all the circumstances, including the city's long-term plan and the safety of the potential residents of the neighborhood, that we deny this request." The motion was approved by votes from Frank Morehead, Matthew Mauney, Mark Mauney, and Scott Beam.
After the meeting, property owner Cathi Putnam stated:
"I am disappointed in the outcome of the planning board meetings...we made changes per their request while focusing on my vision and promoting affordability, green space, family, community, and gathering through amenities for future generations. We are continuing to the public hearing and city council vote, as I have a good, solid plan for my land use. Personally, I did not hear enough due diligence or fact-finding for their reasons to not support the project".
Alvin Johnson, who drove from Charleston, SC, specifically for the meeting, stated: "It's disappointing; we gave them what they wanted".
The next step for the planned development will be a public hearing at the Cherryville City Council meeting on July 14th, 2025, at 6 PM. The meeting will be held at the Cherryville Community Building, 106 South Jacob Street, Cherryville, NC. The public is invited to speak at the meeting. The Council will have the final say on the fate of the proposed development. The City Council has not always agreed with the Zoning Board on past zoning issues.
Cherryville also has a new cluster neighborhood being constructed on Requa Road. Calico Creek by Meritage Homes, which has 20 homes built thus far, is advertising homes starting in the mid-$200,000 range. Initially, the homes were advertised in the mid $300,000 range, signaling a possible slowdown in the current real estate market.
Cherryville Zoning & Board of Adjustment Information
Richard Elam
Planning & Zoning Director
Phone: (704) 435-1705
City Limits Members
Ed Yount (Chairman)
Frank Morehead (Vice Chair)
Reid Huss
Wade Stroupe
ETJ Members
William Scott Beam
Mark Mauney
Matthew Mauney
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