Framework for the Future 2030

Land Use Goals, Policies, Strategies and Implementation Actions

The long-range planning goals for Land Use are:

• Create a city of distinct, safe, quality neighborhoods which preserve and enhance the natural and historic diversity of Newport News.

• Promote citizen involvement and awaken community spirit.

• Plan for growth which promotes the most efficient use of resources and enhances the City's quality of life for present and future residents.

• Maintain a balanced, economically sustainable mix of land uses.

• Create an efficient and organized land use pattern in the City.

• Develop a hierarchy of regional, community and neighborhood mixed-use activity centers located to meet residents' needs for goods and services and to contribute to the overall quality of life*.

• Develop a quality image and sense of identity for Newport News and for the various individual neighborhoods within the City.

• Encourage quality in private development projects in the City.

• Strengthen the economic and social vitality and appearance of the City.

• Revitalize historic Downtown Newport News.

The Framework for the Future sets forth the following goals, policies, strategies and implementation for Land Use.

Strategy 1.1:Establish and maintain distinct neighborhood boundaries, where possible, utilizing natural and/or man-made barriers such as creeks and arterial streets.

Strategy 1.2.1: The City should help neighborhood residents collectively establish goals and plans for the future of their individual neighborhoods. Develop a process by which neighborhoods/corridors in need of additional planning would be identified and could be prioritized.

Strategy 1.2.2: Neighborhood plans should establish the desired character, intensity and land use consistent with the Framework for the Future Land Use Plan.

Strategy 1.2.3: New development, redevelopment, and public improvements should be compatible with adopted neighborhood plans.

Strategy 1.2.4: Establish and maintain open areas between neighborhoods, utilizing existing natural wooded, wetland, or landscaped areas.

Strategy 1.2.5: Establish and delineate specific entries to each neighborhood.  Preserve the entry ways to neighborhoods and protect them from incompatible land uses.

Strategy 1.2.6: Formulate and implement neighborhood design standards for streets, paving, landscaping, signs and all other public fixtures and improvements to enhance the desired character of individual neighborhoods.

Strategy 1.2.7: Establish appropriate design guidelines, standards, and a review process for private development in individual neighborhoods to achieve quality and compatibility in keeping with the neighborhoods' desired development character that is appropriate to the neighborhoods.

Strategy 1.2.8: Redesign our streets to minimize through traffic in residential neighborhoods.

IMPLEMENTATION 1.2:

1.2.1: Institute a neighborhood planning program which prioritizes the preparation of neighborhood plans, where needed, by the Department of Planning and carries out the above strategies.

1.2.2: Continue to formulate and implement neighborhood plans.

1.2.3: Include the design and location of public facilities in the neighborhood planning process.

1.2.4: Follow the strategies in policies 1.2 and 1.3 when formulating neighborhood plans in older, established neighborhoods of the City.

1.2.5: Adopt neighborhood plans.

1.2.6: Require that neighborhood plans be formally amended prior to any development which would deviate from the plan.

1.2.7: The Zoning Ordinance and other City ordinances should be revised, as necessary, to ensure conformance with neighborhood plans.

Strategy 1.3.1: Use planning, zoning, and other regulatory powers to keep incompatible development out of neighborhoods.

Strategy 1.3.2: Design and locate public facilities to enhance neighborhoods.

Strategy 1.3.3: Traffic patterns to and from arterial streets should be considered when evaluating new developments.

Strategy 1.3.4: High density residential uses should be developed in proximity to major roads where they have good access to public transportation. However, they must be setback and protected from the impacts of the road.

Strategy 1.3.5: Require that infill development be compatible with the character of the neighborhood and conform to the setbacks of existing buildings on adjacent parcels and on the block.  Where "infill" projects are proposed, special care in design shall be taken to assure compatibility with the existing character of the neighborhood. 

Strategy 1.3.6: Establish "Neighborhood Conservation Districts", where appropriate, to preserve the character of established neighborhoods and assure compatible infill development.

IMPLEMENTATION 1.3:

1.3.1: Prepare and adopt a new Neighborhood Conservation District Ordinance and apply it to insure compatible infill development in the older neighborhoods of the City.

1.3.2:  Revise and adopt the City’s Design Criteria Manual to ensure that design criteria that are consistent with the goals and policies of the Framework for the Future are current. 

Strategy 1.4.1: Develop community and corridor plans in cooperation with the owners of impacted private property.

Strategy 1.4.2: Community plans should include the following: Beechmont/Beechwood, Colony/Menchville, Richneck, Deep Creek, Hidenwood and the neighborhood surrounding Christopher Newport University, Glendale, Warwick on the James, Beaconsdale, Brentwood, the Southeast Urban Waterfront, and the Southeast Community.

Strategy 1.4.3:  A corridor plan should be prepared for the following areas: lower Jefferson Avenue, J. Clyde Morris Boulevard, Harpersville Road, and north Jefferson Avenue. 

IMPLEMENTATION 1.4:

1.4.1: Establish priorities and prepare neighborhood plans for major redevelopment areas of the City, especially those noted in Strategy 1.4.2.

1.4.2: Prepare corridor plans that are consistent with the Goals and Strategies of the Framework for the Future for lower Jefferson Avenue, J. Clyde Morris Boulevard, Harpersville Road, and north Jefferson Avenue.

1.4.3: Update the Richneck Area Plan.

Strategy 1.5.1: Prepare and apply development standards that are appropriate for semi-rural areas of the City.

Strategy 1.5.2: Preserve the working waterman’s livelihood that is associated with once rural areas such as Deep Creek. 

IMPLEMENTATION 1.5:

1.5.1: Prepare and adopt a revised engineering Design Criteria Manual where its regulations can accommodate semi-rural, suburban, as well as urban high density characteristics of the City.

Strategy 1.6.1: Plan neighborhood activity centers near neighborhoods. (See Land Use Goal 6.)

Strategy 1.6.2: Where appropriate, provide accessible neighborhood parks and recreation facilities within each neighborhood.  (See also Chapter 6. Parks and Recreation, 6.)

Strategy 1.6.3: Provide neighborhood schools. (See also Chapter 5, Public Education.)

Strategy 1.6.4: Acquire and reserve sites for new schools and community facilities where they will best serve neighborhoods.

Strategy 1.6.5: Require developers to dedicate land for schools and parks and seek legislation to allow the City to require land dedication or fees in lieu of dedication from developers.

Strategy 1.6.6: Support neighborhood schools as centers for community life in neighborhoods.

Strategy 1.6.7: Redevelop vacant strip commercial centers into mixed use community centers incorporating community facilities where possible.

Strategy 1.6.8:  Reduce the proliferation of used car dealerships within the City.

IMPLEMENTATION 1.6:

1.6.1: Provide quality service, recreation, education and other community facilities, when preparing neighborhood plans.   Include in the plans pedestrian access and a continuous bikeway system to access these neighborhood facilities.

1.6.2: Obtain legislation to permit the mandatory dedication of land for schools, parks, and other community facilities, or fees in lieu of land dedication when the need for these facilities is generated by new development or redevelopment.

1.6.3:  Continue efforts by the City’s Economic Development Authority to option available sites to solicit proposals for vacant commercial strip centers consistent with Strategy 1.6.7.  

Strategy 1.7.1: Avoid concentrating group homes in over-impacted neighborhoods of the City to prevent negative impacts to the host neighborhoods.

Strategy 1.7.2: Encourage home childcare facilities in neighborhoods in appropriate locations and under strict guidance and controls.

Strategy 1.7.3: Integrate small, specialized adult and elderly care facilities into appropriate locations in neighborhoods and under strict guidance and controls.

Strategy 1.7.4: Ensure that provisions for citizens with disabilities are incorporated into all development both public and private. 

IMPLEMENTATION 1.7:

1.7.1: Develop a policy to insure the fair and equitable distribution of group homes in the City.

1.7.2: Include child and elderly care facilities when formulating neighborhood plans.

1.7.3:  Incorporate childcare and senior living uses in mixed use developments and activity centers.

1.7.4:  Periodically review the City Code to ensure that provisions for citizens with disabilities are incorporated into existing and new regulations. 
 

Strategy 2.1.1: Use citizen task forces, community meetings, citizen planning, and design workshops and other means to maximize citizen involvement.

Strategy 2.1.2: Encourage public participation in the selection and ranking of projects for the City's Capital Improvements Program.

IMPLEMENTATION 2.1:

2.1.1: Devise a program for citizen involvement when outlining programs for the design of City projects. 

2.1.2: Hold community meetings during the formation of the Capital Improvement Program.

Strategy 2.2.1: Help citizens organize neighborhood groups, such as homeowners associations, to facilitate community interaction and cooperative problem solving.

Strategy 2.2.2: Develop a City-wide network of neighborhood groups to provide mutual support for neighborhood improvement efforts.

Strategy 2.2.3: Establish a program to provide neighborhood groups with ongoing advance information on government decisions and activities which might affect their neighborhood.

Strategy 2.2.4: Promote special events, such as a farmers' market, street dances, block parties, and outdoor festivals on a neighborhood scale.

IMPLEMENTATION 2.2:

2.2.1: Inventory community groups and involve them and neighborhood residents in neighborhood development efforts.

2.2.2: The City's Public Information Office should maintain a current list of neighborhood groups and their contact persons. The City should provide these contact persons with information regarding upcoming public hearings and actions which may affect their neighborhoods.

2.2.3: Encourage neighborhood groups to organize special neighborhood events to promote citizen involvement and pride in their community.

2.2.4: Utilize the City’s web site in a user-friendly manner to facilitate information to community organizations and neighborhood groups.

2.2.5: Initiate a Newport News Day celebration and parade for the whole City.

2.2.6: An office should be established within the Intergovernmental Relations Department that works strictly with neighborhoods and communities. 

Strategy 3.1.1: Keep growth at a moderate, steady pace.

Strategy 3.1.2: Improve existing areas while investing in areas of new growth.

Strategy 3.1.3: Negotiate with developers to create a more balanced costs sharing. 

Strategy 3.1.4: Prepare land use plans to direct growth, including specific plans for major redevelopment areas of the City.

Strategy 3.1.5: Minimize the negative aspects of growth on the environment and quality of life.

Strategy 3.1.6: Protect the residential areas from negative intrusions.

Strategy 3.1.7: Strengthen requirements to ensure quality development.

IMPLEMENTATION 3.1:

3.1.1: Explore and develop new growth management tools.

3.1.2: Continue to streamline and simplify the development review process and incorporate innovative design elements that reduce the demands on City services.

3.1.3:  Adopt “Green Building” guidelines and codes as an opportunity to use our resources efficiently while creating healthier buildings that improve human health, the environment, and provide cost savings. ⁽¹⁴⁾

3.1.4:  Ensure that all development in the City, both public and private, incorporate facilties for those citizens that are

Strategy 3.2.1: Develop a method to determine the fiscal impacts of new development and assess impact fees whereby developers pay their equitable share of infrastructure costs.

Strategy 3.2.2: Achieve a balanced mix of land uses which generates sufficient revenues to pay for the costs of City services. (See Land Use Goal 4.)

IMPLEMENTATION 3.2:

3.2.1: Develop legislation authorizing the City to use impact fees.

Strategy 3.3.1:  Improve the City’s Zoning Ordinance where necessary to implement the goals of the Framework for the Future.

Strategy 3.3.2: Continue to revise the Site Plan Ordinance (Chapter 33.02 of the City Code) to improve required green area and landscaping on new developments.

Strategy 3.3.3: Revise the Engineering Department's Design Criteria Manual to allow different standards in the different City areas--built up urban, suburban and rural areas--in accord with the adopted Land Use Plan and subsequent neighborhood plans.

IMPLEMENTATION 3.3:

3.3.1: After the Framework for the Future Update has been adopted, amend the City Ordinances to implement recommendations, as appropriate.

Strategy 4.1.1: Protect the vacant, strategic commercial and industrial sites remaining in the City for uses identified in the Land Use Plan.

Strategy 4.1.2: Encourage quality commercial and industrial development in the City.

Strategy 4.1.3: Pursue economic development efforts as described in the goals, policies, and strategies of the Framework for the Future.

Strategy 4.1.4: Where the city can assist in assembling parcels, the city should be proactive and constructive in the redevelopment of the City.

Strategy 4.1.5: Develop a fair and equitable distribution of all City resources throughout the City.

IMPLEMENTATION 4.1:

4.1.1: Prepare detailed plans and implementation programs for activity centers facing pressure to develop or redevelop.

4.1.2:  Reclassify targeted areas in the city that have been identified as areas that are appropriate for mixed use developments to encourage a balanced mix of land uses.

Strategy 5.1.1: Revise the City's Zoning Map as necessary to implement the updated Framework for the Future Land Use Plan after it is adopted.

Strategy 5.1.2:  Maintain the comprehensive plan as a guide to future development of the City until it is appropriately revised through citizen participation as part of a formal update to the plan in accordance with State Code provisions, unless otherwise directed by specific actions from City Council.

IMPLEMENTATION 5.1:

5.1.1: Adopt the revised Framework for the Future as the General Plan for the City.

5.1.2:  Adopt an ordinance requiring development to conform to the adopted Framework for the Future.

IMPLEMENTATION 6.1:

6.1.1: Amend the zoning map to conform with the recommended changes to the revised Framework for the Future.

Strategy 6.2.1: Develop regional mixed-use centers at Downtown (Maritime Center), Oyster Point/Middle Ground, Denbigh-Warwick Area, Bland Commercenter, the Patrick Henry Mall/Operations Center area and Newmarket.

IMPLEMENTATION 6.2:

6.2.1: Develop master plans with implementation recommendations for regional-scale mixed-use activity centers with property owners and citizen involvement.

6.2.2: Private property owners should partner with the City’s Department of Development to facilitate public/private initiatives to redevelop commercial areas into regional centers.

Strategy 6.3.1: Develop master plans, including implementation recommendations, for community-scale mixed-use activity centers cooperatively with property owners and citizen involvement.

IMPLEMENTATION 6.3:

Strategy 6.3.2: Work with the City’s Department of Development to facilitate public/private initiatives to redevelop commercial areas into community-scale  mixed use centers.

Strategy 6.4.1: Develop neighborhood centers to serve one or more neighborhoods. They should include retail shopping and service uses, school and park complexes, facilities for community meetings, churches and pedestrian paths and amenities.

IMPLEMENTATION 6.4:

6.4.1: Develop master plans, including implementation recommendations, for neighborhood centers with property owners and citizen involvement.

Strategy 6.5.1: Employment centers should be developed with connections to major road ways for convenient automobile access located on major transit corridors and provide safe pedestrian and bicycle connections to surrounding neighborhoods.

Strategy 6.5.2: Protect the heavy industrial centers at the Shipyard, Seaport and Sea food Industrial Park from encroachment from residential development.

Strategy 6.5.3: Protect and develop light industrial centers at Copeland Industrial Park, CSX sites, Patrick Henry CommerCenter, Peninsula Industrial Park, Oakland Industrial Park.

Strategy 6.5.4: Develop a high technology center around the Jefferson National Accelerator Facility at the Jefferson Center for Research and Technology, Oyster Point and nearby sites.

Strategy 6.5.5: Encourage small office parks strategically located throughout the entire City as located on the Framework for the Future Land Use Plan.

Strategy 6.5.6: Develop mechanisms - including zoning, development rights purchase, and development agreements - to preserve critical industrial land for its highest and best use.

IMPLEMENTATION 6.5:

6.5.1: Develop master plans for the City's major employment centers with property owners.

6.5.5: Involve the Newport News Economic Development Authority in assembling land and development of employment centers in the City.

Strategy 6.6.1: Provide design unity within activity centers through uniform signs, fixtures, pedestrian amenities, streets and landscaping.

Strategy 6.6.2: Where appropriate, provide connections between centers via greenways and transit

IMPLEMENTATION 6.6:

6.6.1: Place additional emphasis on the protection, establishment, and use of greenways.

6.6.2:  Implement greenway plans as functional natural features.

Strategy 6.7.1: In accordance with the Land Use Plan, rezone obsolete strip commercial areas that are planned for non-commercial uses.

Strategy 6.7.2: Develop other incentives for creative design and legal mechanisms to discourage strip commercial development.

Strategy 6.7.3: Create commercial nodes along the City’s corridors at key locations where activity centers are appropriate.

IMPLEMENTATION 6.7:

6.7.1: Rezone commercial areas based on recommendations of the Framework for the Future Land Use Plan, neighborhood, or activity center plans.

Strategy 7.1.1: Establish scenic gateways to the City by acquiring key sites for retention of open space and key gateway properties.

Strategy 7.1.2: Create an attractive appearance along the City's major thoroughfares with landscaping, underground utilities and sign control.  Increase buffer zones and landscaping along roadways. Preserve existing trees and plant new ones to create natural barriers. Place overhead utilities underground and buffer pump stations and other above ground utilities.

Strategy 7.1.3: Develop and protect views of the area's rivers, creeks and wetlands in strategic locations.

Strategy 7.1.4: Maximize buffers between residential areas and non-residential uses.

Strategy 7.1.5: Revise the City's sign regulations to significantly reduce the height, size and amount of signs and eliminate the use of temporary/portable signs.  

Strategy 7.1.6: Reduce the number of signs in the City's right-of ways.

Strategy 7.1.7: Develop and implement a landscape design and landscape construction program for the City's major thoroughfares.

Strategy 7.1.8: Develop and implement a program to relocate existing overhead utility lines underground and require that all new utility installations be underground.

Strategy 7.1.9: Promote development which is sensitive to natural features and will visually enhance the community.

Strategy 7.1.10: Encourage and support neighborhood and individual voluntary efforts to clean up and improve private property.

IMPLEMENTATION 7.1:

7.1.1: Formulate a landscape design and construction program for the City's major thoroughfares. Program this into the Capital Improvements Program.

7.1.2: Place utilities underground in new street construction and when reconstructing older streets and include costs in street construction budgets.

7.1.3: Sponsor community clean-up events in City neighborhoods.

7.1.4: Designate scenic gateways to the City and preserve open corridors to provide a visual break from neighboring jurisdictions where feasible. Design and construct landscaping, signs and other image features.

7.1.5: Improve City maintenance of the streetscape and other public facilities and property, including strict sign controls.

7.1.6:  Implement the recommendations of the "Warwick Boulevard Corridor Study" to help improve the aesthetic image of the City.

7.1.7:  Implement an incentive program, e.g., tax abatement, matching grant fund, etc., for façade and property improvements for properties fronting major corridors.

7.1.8:   Increase the enforcement of City Codes as they relate to the maintenance and upkeep of commercial properties throughout the City.

Strategy 8.1.1: Develop and adopt higher quality landscaping requirements and design guidelines for new development and redevelopment. Include these in the Site Plan Ordinance and other appropriate development ordinances.

Strategy 8.1.2: Require site layout, screening and buffering to prevent views of trash receptacles, service areas and other unsightly areas from streets and other public areas.

Strategy 8.1.3: Offer specific incentives for quality features and design in private development projects.

Strategy 8.1.4: Encourage use of well-planned “Cluster Developments” in new residential projects in appropriate locations.

Strategy 8.1.5: Develop a tree preservation ordinance for the city.

Strategy 8.1.6: Develop standards for buildings and structures to improve the appearance of the built environment and to create a more positive image of Newport News.

IMPLEMENTATION 8.1:

8.1.1: Revise City ordinances to achieve the improved landscaping, buffering, screening, etc.

8.1.2: Provide density bonuses in return for specific quality design features for rezoning, conditional use permits and site plans.

8.1.3: Eliminate the Planned Residential Development (PRD) Ordinance.  Replace with urban infill regulations that include cluster provisions and Neo-Traditional developments. 

8.1.4: Develop an annual City awards program for quality development or redevelopment and promote the beautification of the City, such as "Landscaping Awards," and "Excellence in Architecture Design Awards" for residential, commercial and industrial projects.

Strategy 8.2.1: Encourage use of private covenants, deed restrictions, and pattern books, to achieve unifying elements throughout a development such as design theme, scale, height, materials, color, signs and amenities such as bicycle trails, sidewalks, playgrounds, etc.

IMPLEMENTATION 8.2:

8.2.1: Include the use of private covenants in implementation strategies for neighborhood and activity center plans.

Strategy 9.1.1: Promote revitalization through the adoption of building and zoning regulations.

Strategy 9.1.2: Use public funds for infrastructure improvements in deteriorated neighborhoods to stimulate private investment in these areas.

Strategy 9.1.3: Formulate and adopt programs for redevelopment assistance for specific areas, such as neighborhoods in Denbigh, Richneck, the Southeast Community and the Jefferson Avenue corridor below J. Clyde Morris Boulevard.

Strategy 9.1.4: Assure that the maintenance and appearance of vacant properties are enforced.

IMPLEMENTATION 9.1:

9.1.1: Develop with the Redevelopment and Housing Authority and the Industrial Development Authority and adopt regulations which permit and encourage redevelopment.

9.1.2: Encourage with the resources of the Redevelopment and Housing Authority and the Industrial Development Authority private redevelopment efforts by offering public assistance such as fee waivers, low interest loans, density bonuses, public improvements funding and technical design assistance for quality housing revitalization meeting specific community goals.

9.1.3: Program with the Redevelopment and Housing Authority and use Community Development Block Grant Funds, the Home Program and other appropriate resources to redevelop and rehabilitate deteriorated areas in accordance with an approved plan.

9.1.4: Develop, adopt, and enforce strict maintenance standards for vacant properties.

Strategy 9.2.1: Help revitalize obsolete commercial centers into more productive uses such as police precincts, community centers, youth or senior citizen centers, storefront libraries, residential, office or other uses.

Strategy 9.2.2: In accordance with the adopted Land Use Plan, rezone areas that no longer are appropriate commercial uses.

IMPLEMENTATION 9.2:

9.2.1: Work with owners of declining strip commercial properties during neighborhood and activity center planning in order to formulate redevelopment plans and programs for their properties.

Strategy 9.3.1: Evaluate the economic impact on existing commercial centers before rezoning or assisting in the development of new commercial projects.

IMPLEMENTATION 9.3:

9.3.1: Require sponsors of new commercial centers who seek City rezoning approval or financial assistance to fund a third party analysis of the economic impact on existing commercial centers in the new center's market area.

Strategy 9.4.1: Strongly enforce City ordinances that prohibit storage of inoperable and junk vehicles, abandoned appliances, and other property maintenance violations.

Strategy 9.4.2: Strongly enforce City ordinances that prohibit littering and defacement of property and public areas within the City.

Strategy 9.4.3: Continue to enforce the City's weed ordinance.

Strategy 9.4.4: Adequately maintain all City rights-of-way and property by removing litter, weeds, illegal signs, old political signs, paper signs, and other unsightly materials and continue proper street cleaning and landscape pruning.

Strategy 9.4.5: Keep the City’s right-of-way open, free of clutter, and clean.  

Strategy 9.4.6: Encourage volunteer citizen and business involvement in caring for public areas such as roadsides.

Strategy 9.4.7: Expand the "Adopt a Roadway" program whereby citizens and businesses work in cooperation with the City and other public agencies to ensure a well-cared-for and pleasing roadside environment.

IMPLEMENTATION 9.4:

9.4.1: Increase Department of Codes Compliance staff to permit more proactive enforcement of the City's property maintenance ordinances and to assist with neighborhood sponsored community clean ups, "Adopt a Spot" programs and similar efforts.

9.4.2: Create a public awareness program to eliminate all encroachments into the City’s rights-of-way. 

Strategy 10.1.1: Recognize the LDR Maritime Center Plan for downtown Newport News as an implementation element of the Framework for the Future.

Strategy 10.1.2:  Recognize that Downtown and the Southeast Community are connected.  The Southeast Community should be considered as a component to any downtown revitalization efforts.

Strategy 10.1.3:  Mitigate the division created by I-664 between the Southeast Community and Downtown.

IMPLEMENTATION 10.1:

10.1.1: Implement the recommendations of the LDR Maritime Center Plan for downtown Newport News, including new strategies to help link Downtown to the Southeast Community.

1. Complete public access to the waterfront from the Victory Landing Park to 31st Street.

2. Create a tourist attraction along the downtown waterfront.

3. Provide new residential development downtown.

4. Provide a new Gateway for the Shipyard on 34th and 35th Streets.

5. Develop a park and galleria on the Superblock.

6. Provide structured parking, offices, mixed use development and hotels downtown.

7. Develop the Huntington Heights Community Service Center.

8. Provide retail and commercial service commercial development (e.g. gas station, dry cleaners, and grocery stores) in the Maritime Center, especially along Washington and Huntington Avenues.

9. Provide landscaped buffers along surface parking lots.

10.1.2: Since the two are intrinsically and historically linked, the Downtown area should be considered and included as part of any plan to revitalize the Southeast Community.

10.1.3: Implement the recommendations of the "Southeast Community Urban Waterfront Plan".

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