The Virginian-Pilot
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PORTSMOUTH
It won't change the city overnight, but a new zoning ordinance that received final approval Tuesday should slowly but surely leave its mark for decades to come.
The changes, approved after more than two years of staff research and public input, mark the first major rewrite of the rules that govern local development in more than 20 years.
City planners hope the new ordinance will make the city more attractive with more pleasing designs, more pedestrian-friendly with an emphasis on sidewalks and flexible parking spaces, and more environmentally friendly with new green incentives.
The City Council voted unanimously to approve the changes, which will take effect May 1. At the same meeting, they received a presentation on one of the first new stores to come in under the new guidelines.
A developer plans to build a CVS pharmacy near Frederick Boulevard and Turnpike Road. Influenced by the new zoning ordinance, the store will have a peaked roof to resemble the design of surrounding homes, extensive landscaping and bike racks.
Randy Royal, a member of the development team, told the planning commission last month that the store would be the "best-looking CVS in Hampton Roads."
Deputy City Manager Paul Holt has stressed the changes will not put any new requirements on existing homes or businesses, nor will it change things such as voting districts or school districts. The new guidelines are geared to new development.
The revisions also seek to streamline the review process for new projects. At a work session Monday, Councilwoman Elizabeth Psimas shared a story with the council about a developer who told her how the process has already improved drastically. The developer said that responses on a set of plans were taking a few weeks, rather than the several months it would have taken in the past, Psimas said.
Dave Forster, (757) 446-2627, dave.forster@pilotonline.com
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Great Idea
The article didn't actually call it as such, but the new zoning rules are very close to being considered form-based code. This is an excellent idea. All other implements of this type of code have been extremely successful. Good Luck Portsmouth
Are you serious?
This is just another really bad idea! They tore down Howard Homes, now they have rebuilt it. They tore down Jeffrey Wilson, and they are going to rebuild that too! New Section 8 and welfare housing replacing old Section 8 and welfare housing in that neighborhood --- Portsmouth City Council at work again! The CVS that is planned here will get robbed at least four times in the first year --- guaranteed!
Great, but why not build to attract
Hardworking people, rather than low rent 40ozers?
Like a Trader Joes, or a Harris Teeter?
What article are you commenting on?
I found none or your smart remarks relate to anything directly in the article. I support your right to free speech, but I feel bashing positive development is uncalled for - no matter what your prejudices may hold.
Thank God
You set me straight.
There for a second I was worried my prejudices were regarding supression of a city that already has a hard enough time with being labeled the ghetto, and instead of confirming it, perhaps they could put thought into constructing businesses that attracted more than the hood mantality.
Thank God you came along in the nick of time to set me straight.
THANSK YOU!