ST. JOHN- Members of the Committee of the Whole led by Senate President Donna A. Frett-Gregory, met Thursday in the Cleone H. Creque Legislative Room, St. John. The Body met to receive testimony on several Zoning Map Amendment Applications. The first block consisted of several zoning map amendment applications geared towards economic growth, job creation, expanding housing opportunities, and restaurants in the St. Thomas-St. John District. The second block featured zoning map amendment applications seeking to establish businesses to include a convenience store and deli, Freight Forwarding Services, and a coffee shop/restaurant in the St. Croix District. Policymakers did not vote on the zoning map amendments.

ZAJ-21-1: Jennifer Blake and Jason Callwood (authorized agent Brian Turnbull). Parcel No. 22-H-1 Estate Enighed, No. 1 Cruz Bay Quarter, St. John be rezoned from R-2 (Residential-Low Density-One and Two Family to B-2 (Business-Secondary/Neighborhood). The purpose of the request is to allow business uses. Turnbull indicated that presently Parcel No. 22-H-1 Estate Enighed is undeveloped and is accessible from Centerline Road. Furthermore, all protocols and procedures required by the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) have been met which included addressing concerned residents during a public hearing, indicated Turnbull.

ZAJ-21-2: Gwenda Dagou. Requesting Parcel No. 3-4 Estate Beverhoudtsberg, No. 7 Cruz Bay Quarter, St. John to be rezoned from R-1 (Residential-Low Density) to B-2 (Business-Secondary/Neighborhood). The purpose of the request is to allow a restaurant and apartment units. Dagou shared the most recent action taken to achieve the zoning request occurred in August. In August 2021, the intent to operate a restaurant and have apartments was shared during a public hearing. In October 2021, DPNR recommended a variance to use the property as a restaurant.

ZAT-21-6: Simra Y. James-Sydney (authorized agent Roosevelt David). Parcel No. 11-16 Estate Contant, 7BA Southside Quarter, St. Thomas be rezoned from R-2 (Residential-Low Density-One and Two Family) to R-3 (Residential-Medium Density). The purpose of the request is to allow ten dwelling units upon completion of a single five-story building. Authorized agent David further indicated that this venture will boost the economy, create jobs, and establish revenues through investors. The rent will range from $1,000 to $1,800 per unit.

AC-21-11: Genoveva M. Tirado (authorized agent, Lilliana Belardo de O’Neal). Plot No. 96 Estate Profit, King Quarter, St. Croix be rezoned from R-4 (Residential-Medium Density) to B-3 (Business-Scattered). The purpose of the request is to allow a convenience store and deli. de O’Neal stated that the intent of the zoning request is to renovate the existing edifice which is currently abandoned and vandalized and convert the edifice to a community store.

ZAC-21-4: Timothy and Marie Granderson. Plot Nos. 167 and 168 Estate Clifton Hill, King Quarter, St. Croix be rezoned from R-2 (Residential-Low Density-One and Two Family) to B-2 (Business-Secondary/Neighborhood) or B-3 (Business-Scattered). The purpose of the request is to allow Freight Forwarding Services. Furthermore, Granderson stated that the intent is to relocate the company to a two-story building with fifteen parking spaces, operate for six hours, and have four employees.

ZAC-21-10: Ali and Hamad Yusuf of New Foundation Company, LLC. Plot Nos. 174 and 175 Estate Peter’s Rest, Queen Quarter, St. Croix be rezoned from R-2 (Residential-Low Density-One and Two Family) to B-1 (Business Central District). The purpose of the request is to allow business uses. Yusef stated that the biggest concern from neighbors was the possibility of a diversion from the purpose of the zoning request and placing a gas station instead. However, he mentioned that his request for a B1 zone was intentional to persuade his neighbors that a gas station is not in the plans.

Senators attending today’s meeting: Donna A. Frett-Gregory, Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Genevieve R. Whitaker, Kurt A. Vialet, Franklin D. Johnson, Samuel Carrión, Carla J. Joseph, Javan E. James, Marvin A. Blyden, Alma Francis Heyliger, Dwayne M. DeGraff, Steven D. Payne, Sr., Janelle K. Sarauw, and Milton E. Potter.