Frequently Asked Questions
What is Thrive Kings Mountain!’s Mission? Thrive Kings Mountain! supports strategic development and business growth in Kings Mountain, NC. Kings Mountain is in a unique situation where the City is growing and attracting new businesses and therefore can be particular with what is approved, that matches the character of Kings Mountain – encompassing both the City’s heritage and history, as well as its future.
Kings Mountain is growing. Is Thrive Kings Mountain! against all property development? No! Thrive Kings Mountain! believes that the extensive work that was put into the Comprehensive Plan 2040 should be honored. Thrive Kings Mountain! is bringing those who own land and/or live in Kings Mountain together to support economic and social development that allows the city to thrive, prosper and grow, to preserve the character of Kings Mountain, as well as to protest developments that diminish housing values, our community, jobs and the environment in Kings Mountain.
Where is Kings Mountain, NC? Kings Mountain, North Carolina is a small city about 30 minutes west of Charlotte, spanning both Cleveland County and Gaston County. Kings Mountain is an expanding city attracting both commercial and residential growth, intertwined with beautiful vistas and vast history. Kings Mountain is in a unique position, where businesses are looking for land close to Charlotte, which means that Kings Mountain can and needs to be strategic in its growth.
What is meant by the “Character” of Kings Mountain? Per the Kings Mountain Comprehensive Plan 2040, “Character is the feeling an area has that comes from aesthetic enhancements such as architectural design, landscaping and screening, signage standards, and site amenities. These all contribute to development appearance. However, many of these factors can and should vary with the area character, which as defined here involves the interplay between buildings, paved surfaces and unbuilt areas. For example, in a downtown core like Kings Mountain’s relative to suburban areas, landscaping shifts more to the public realm given minimal building setbacks and yard areas.”
What is Thrive Kings Mountain!’s key issue currently? A developer has submitted plans to rezone of 300+ acres on the side Shepard Mountain down to Dixon School Road. (For more information on the Dixon Ridge Project click here.)
I don’t live in that area of Kings Mountain, so why should I care? This may not be in your backyard, but if Kings Mountain City Council allows the Dixon Ridge Project to be rezoned as a Planned Development District, any parcel in Kings Mountain could be rezoned to beyond the zoning recommended by the Future Land Use Map, including your neighbor’s property!
What is the Kings Mountain Comprehensive Plan 2040? Kings Mountain recently completed a Comprehensive Plan 2040 for the city, to be used to guide the “growth, redevelopment, and overall improvement of the City. The plan serves as official policy for the City of Kings Mountain and detail our vision, goals, policies, and strategies to manage growth, define and reinforce its identity and character and provide high-quality public facilities and services for all residents.”
What is the Kings Mountain Future Land Use Map? Per the Kings Mountain Comprehensive Plan 2040, “The Future Land Use Map is a graphical representation of the policies and goals in this plan. These designations and their placement is very specifically designed to promote the ideals of character found in each district.” The Future Land Use Map outlines what each parcel of land in Kings Mountain can be zoned as. Kings Mountain put time and effort into creating this Comprehensive Plan for the City and it should not be tossed aside when a developer with lots of money comes to town.
What is a Planned Development District? A Planned Development District Zone was added to the Kings Mountain Unified Development Ordinance on August 29, 2023. The Unified Development Ordinance governs rezoning in Kings Mountain. The Planned Development District allows properties larger than 50 acres to be developed such that they would require at least 3 different uses of the property with no one of them being able to be more than 60% of the total acreage. It also requires 15% of the property to be open space. A detailed and full site plan would need to be submitted and approved by the City Council, after a public hearing. Details of a Planned Development District zone can be found on page 59-68 of this meeting agenda: https://www.cityofkm.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08292023-633.