Residents took turns sharply criticizing and defending Mills River Mayor Shanon Gonce over his role in the General Assembly’s rollback of the town’s unique carveout from a state ban on downzoning, at a recent Town Council meeting.
Earlier this year, Gonce opposed a new comprehensive, updated development ordinance which added tighter zoning restrictions. After it was adopted 4-1 under the town’s special exemption, Gonce spoke to state legislators, claiming the UDO was improper. The exemption was then rolled back, which meant the nullification of the new UDO.
More than one person at the Aug. 13 meeting went as far as calling for Gonce’s resignation or removal for what they said was a betrayal of the public. Others said they welcomed the UDO’s nullification and supported Gonce’s actions…