Katherine O’Kane
will advocate for Belmont, NC to continue its small town feel, strengthen safety, focus on family values and community, promote small businesses, infrastructure upgrades and development, protecting the environment, preserving historical buildings while balancing growth-the Charlotte sprawl….
Katherine O’Kane is more than OK for Belmont City Council…
The main challenges of Belmont are related to the Charlotte sprawl:
1. Rapid growth:
Belmont is experiencing very fast growth, leading to increased population and demand on resources (water, sewer, energy, etc.) and more traffic means more roads needed There are limited river crossings: Only two river crossings connect Belmont to Charlotte, contributing to traffic bottlenecks. (My husband drives in it every day Monday - Friday). We live this reality.
2. Environmental concerns:
Groundwater contamination: A significant environmental issue revolves around coal ash contamination back in 2015, with reports indicating hazardous levels of pollutants, including cobalt, in the groundwater near coal plants. The Belmont coal ash site has been ranked as the second worst in the nation for groundwater contamination, leaching several harmful contaminants.
Potential impact on drinking water: While tests haven't definitively linked the groundwater contamination to private drinking water sources, residents near the Allen Steam Station have been buying bottled water for years due to concerns. Duke is supposed to remove coal ash by 2035! CCR excavation will be completed in 2034 with final landfill closure in 2035. Wow what a long "process". The revised closure plan is currently under review by department staff. A copy of the revised closure plan for Allen may be reviewed online at: https://deq.nc.gov/news/key-issues/coal-ash-excavation. New housing developments are being sold around this area.
Flood risk: Belmont faces a moderate risk of flooding, with 12.6% of properties at risk over the next 30 years, according to firststreet.org. We don’t need to panic, but it does need to be continually evaluated.
3. Affordability and housing: The rising cost of living in Belmont is concerning. Housing and apartment prices are increasing significantly. The increase in housing costs has made it difficult for many families to afford to live in Belmont, leading to a shortage of affordable housing options. If you are wanting to buy a home in Belmont, it is difficult to find a home under $500K.
The Median real estate tax bill:* For Belmont = $3,311 For Gaston County = $2,180 For North Carolina = $1,813 For the United States = $2,400
Katherine has dedicated her life to advocating for North Carolina families and children which continues to be her passion. Katherine wants a Belmont that works for everyone and where everyone is being represented.
*according to www.ownwell.com, updated March 2025