ST. CROIX – The Committee of the Whole, led by Senate President Novelle E. Francis Jr. met in the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room to receive testimony on rezoning requests for the island of St. Croix. Senators cannot vote on measures in the Committee of the Whole; however, action will be taken at the next scheduled Legislative Session.

Lawmakers first considered Bill No. 35-0134, An Act granting a use variance from the B-1 (Business-Central Business District) zoning designation to Plot No. 7-a, 7-b and 8-b Hospital Street, Christiansted Town, St. Croix to allow for a marina. The measure was proposed by Senator Novelle E. Francis Jr., by Request of the Governor. Jewel Polimus, Planning Technicianat DPNR delivered testimony on the petition of Z Property VI, LLC to amend the Official Zoning Map No. SCZ-19 from R-4 (Residential Medium Density) to R-3 (Residential-Medium Density) for Plot No. 7-a, 7-b, and 8-b Hospital Street, Christiansted Town, St. Croix. The area is currently not in use. The intent is to redevelop the area into its previous use as a hotel, restaurant, and marina. The Department of Planning and Natural Resources recommended that the rezoning be approved.

Secondly, lawmakers considered Bill No. 35-0136, An Act amending Official Zoning Map No. SCZ-11 for the island of St. Croix to change the zoning designation of Parcel No. 4 Estate Paradise, Prince Quarter, St. Croix, Virgin Islands from R-2 (Residential-Low Density-One and Two Family) to C (Commercial), to bring it into compliance. The measure was proposed by Senator Novelle E. Francis Jr. by Request of the Governor. Leia Laplace Matthew, DPNR
Territorial Planner, presented the Department’s findings and recommendations. The property currently is being used for the storage of used equipment, trucks, and scrap metal. The proposed use is to bring the property into compliance and expansion of the storage use. The current R-2 zoning is no longer appropriate for the property as it is not in an area favorable for residential development. The Department recommended that the rezoning be granted.

Finally, lawmakers considered Bill No. 35-0138, An Act granting a zoning use variance for Plot Nos. 19 and 20 Prince Street, Frederiksted Town, St. Croix, Virgin Islands, to allow for a building contractors office, shops, and yards. The measure was proposed by Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. by request of the Governor. Jewel Polimus, Planning Technician at DPNR presented DPNR’s report on the application of CAT5 Builders, LLC, which is presently leasing the property. It is proposed that the property would be used to build a building contractor’s office, shops, and yards. The property had historically been used for nonresidential uses and had grandfather or non-conforming status. Per zoning code, after three years of discontinuance of use or abandonment, the grandfather or non-conforming use status ends. The Department recommended that a use variance be granted.

Senators present at today’s legislative session were Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Marvin A. Blyden, Diane T. Capehart, Dwayne M. Degraff, Ray Fonseca, Alma Francis Heyliger, Donna A. FrettGregory, Kenneth L. Gittens, Marise C. James, Javan E. James, Sr., Franklin D. Johnson, Carla J. Joseph, and Milton E. Potter.

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