COMMITTEE CONSIDERS TERRITORIAL REZONINGS

ST. THOMAS, VI — The 36^th Legislature of the Virgin Islands, led by Senate President Milton E. Potter convened into Committee of the Whole at the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall.  Lawmakers received testimony on rezonings in the territory. Lawmakers do not vote in the Committee of the Whole and action will be taken at the next scheduled Legislative Session.

Senators considered Bill No. 36-0413,  An act amending Official Zoning Map No. STZ-9, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands to rezone Parcel No. 1 CA Estate Frydendahl, No. 4, East End Quarter, St. Thomas from R-2 (Residential-Low Density-One and Two Family) to R-3 (Residential Medium Density).

Keshoy Samuel, Planning Technician at the Department of Planning and Natural Resources delivered the Department’s planning report.  Stefan Jurgen, through authorized agent Roosevelt St. Clair David seeks to amend the zoning designation of the parcel. The applicant seeks to increase residential density by building three additional two bedroom apartment units above an existing one story residential structure that currently contains a pair of two bedroom units, resulting in a total of five dwelling units on the property.  The property is located in a mixed used area, consisting of residential, commercial, and public land uses.  The report stated that the requested R-3 zoning already occurs in the neighborhood, making the request  compatible with surrounding development patterns. During the DPNR-CCZP public hearing held on July 22, 2026, no comments were received. The Department recommended that the request be approved.  

Lawmakers considered Bill No. 36-0409, An act amending Official Zoning Map No. SJZ-1, St. John by rezoning Parcel No. 30 Estate Susannaberg, No. 17A Cruz Bay Quarter, St. John, consisting of 2.935 acres as described on survey drawing No. A9-591-T002, from R-1 (Residential-Low Density) to C (Commercial).

Gail Pagan, Planning Technician at the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, delivered the planning recommendation.  Peggy Yvonne Smith, through authorized agent Roosevelt St. Claire David seeks to amend the zoning of the property to bring existing nonconforming commercial activities on the property into zoning conformity and to support commercial development opportunities.  The property currently contains several established businesses, including a landscaping business, animal care and veterinary services an automotive repair shop, a restaurant, ad boating related business, and a solar energy service business. The applicant has indicated that future development may include an additional commercial building to accommodate business rentals and storage units.  No public comments or testimony were received during or after the DPNR-CCZP hearing on July 22, 2026. The department said that the proposed rezoning is consistent with the vision established for the Susannaberg and Centerline Road Corridor, and recommended that the rezoning be approved.

Policymakers considered Bill No. 36-0408, An act amending Official Zoning Map No. SCZ-11 to rezone Parcel Nos. 5-A and 5-C VI Corp Land (Estate Castle Burke), Prince Quarter, St. Croix from A-1 (Agricultural) to P (Public).

Keshoy Samuel, Planning Technician delivered the planning recommendation. The Virgin Islands Department of Education, seeks to amend the zoning application of the aforementioned parcels to bring the St. Croix Educational Complex High School and Career and Technical Education Center (SCEC-CTEC) into zoning conformity with its existing and public educational use. At the DPNR-CCZP public hearing held on July 23, 2026, concerns were raised about impacts to the residential neighborhood located to the east of the site. No post hearing public comments were received. The Department stated that the educational complex is compatible with nearby residential and vacant lands and recommended that the request be approved. Chaneel Callwood, New Schools Architect at the Virgin Islands Department of Education, stated that the rezoning supports the Department’s efforts to modernize and improve public school facilities in the territory. These include repairing and replacing facilities damaged by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, improving school safety and resilience, modernizing existing educational infrastructure and supporting future development and expansion of the St. Croix Educational Complex.

Senators considered Bill No. 36-0400, An act amending Official Zoning Map No. STZ-10, St. Thomas to rezone Parcel No. 9 A-6 Estate Nazareth, No. 1, Red Hook Quarter, St. Thomas from R-1 (Residential-Low Density) to R-3 (Residential-Medium Density).

Gail Pagan, Planning Technician delivered the planning recommendation. The Virgin Islands Department of Property and Procurement seeks to amend the zoning designation of a plot in order to bring an existing Children’s Home into zoning compliance. The property is owned by the Government of the Virgin Islands, and the surrounding area is primarily residential, with adjacent vacant and resident lands as well as nearby waterfront related zoning classifications. The property is currently developed with a two story, 12,000 square foot residential structure that has been concerted from a short term rental into a 24 hour emergency group home for infants and children, operating in partnership with a non-profit organization. The facility provides care for up to 12 children, ages newborn to 12, with up to three staff on site at any given time and minimal expected traffic.  

At the DPNR-CCZP public hearing held on April 20, 2026, no opposition or concerns were expressed, and no post hearing comments were received. Under the current zoning code, Children’s homes are only permitted in specific zoning districts, including R-3, R-4, and R-5. The subject property’s existing R-1 zoning is inconsistent with its current use, resulting in a nonconforming condition. All government owned properties are zoned (P) Public, regardless of previous classifications. The report supported the intent to bring the property into compliance, however the Department requested that the zoning designation be changed from R-1 (residential low density) to P (Public), and that a use variance be granted to allow for the continued operation of a children’s home on the property.

Lawmakers considered Bill No. 36-0406, An act amending Official Zoning Map No. SCZ-7 to allow for the rezoning of Parcel No. 1 Estate Mt. Welcome, Eastend Quarter “A”, St. Croix from W-2 (Waterfront-Industrial) to B-2 (Business-Secondary/Neighborhood) zoning designation.

Keshoy Samuel, Planning Technician delivered the planning recommendation.  Stonehouse Junction, LLC seek to amend the zoning designation of its parcel to allow the development of a 68 room extended stay hotel and supporting commercial space. The surrounding neighborhood is characterized by commercial and public uses, and has been zoned W-2, B-2, B-3 and P (Public), with several zoning map amendments having transitioned nearby properties from Industrial to Commercial Designations. The property has remained vacant for more than twenty years.  The proposed development consists of a three story hotel approximately 35 feet in height, featuring guest suites with kitchenettes, 76 parking spaces, office and storage areas, landscaping and public utilities.  At the DPNR-CCZP public hearing held on July 21, 2026, discussion primarily focused on drainage, flooding, and water table considerations. No public comments were offered during the hearing and no post hearing comments were received. The Department recommended approval of the rezoning.

Policymakers considered Bill No. 36-0407, An act amending Official Zoning Map No. STZ-7, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, by rezoning Parcel Nos. 2N-1 and 2N-2 Estate Bakkero, No. 5 Frenchman’s Bay Quarter, St. Thomas, consisting of 1.37 acres as described on survey drawing No. G9-3048-T80, from R-1 (Residential-Low Density) to R-3 (Residential-Medium Density).

Gail Pagan, Planning Technician delivered the planning recommendation. St. Thomas Hospitality, LLC, seeks to amend the designation of their  parcels to bring the subject properties into conformity with adjacent R-3 properties under the same ownership and facilitate the development of a hospitality project.  The surrounding area includes a mix of R-1 and R-3 zoning districts, with several previous zoning amendments approved in the vicinity for hospitality and residential development.  The applicant proposes incorporating the subject parcels into a larger resort style hotel development adjoining other R-3 properties owned by the applicant. The proposed development would include 169 rooms distributed among multiple buildings with amenities including a pool, restaurant, spa, parking facilities, and hotel support services. One existing residential structure is proposed to be kept and repurposed for hotel related services.  At the DPNR-CCZP public hearing held on July 20, 2026, concerns were raised regarding parking adequacy, traffic circulation, road improvements, stormwater management, wastewater treatment, impacts on nearby residential properties, and the projects proximity to the coastal resources and Morningstar Beach.  Following the hearing, adjacent property owners voiced opposition to the rezoning request, citing concerns regarding the scale and density of the proposed hotel, traffic generation, parking demand, noise, visual impacts infrastructure capacity and potential effects on the character of the neighborhood. The Department recommended that the rezoning be approved.

Senators present at today’s Committee of the Whole included Milton E. Potter, Marvin A. Blyden, Angel L. Bolques, Jr., Ray Fonseca, Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Alma Francis Heyliger, Hubert L. Frederick, Marise C. James, Franklin D. Johnson, Carla J. Joseph, Avery L. Lewis, and Kurt A. Vialet.

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