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 Technician
at 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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on legislative proceedings and other events at the Legislature of the Virgin Islands.
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