Commission recommends approval of special exception for two‑story home on narrow lot at 2810 Roanoke Avenue

The Newport News Planning Commission recommended approval, by a 7-0 vote, of a special exception that would allow a two-story single-family house to be built on a narrow, nonconforming lot at 2810 Roanoke Avenue.

City planner Zakar presented the application filed by NCR Homes and Construction LLC, saying the lot is approximately 0.086 acres and has less than the 50 feet of frontage required by the zoning ordinance. Staff cited the zoning ordinance provision allowing the Board of Zoning Appeals to grant a special exception to improve a nonconforming lot for a single-family dwelling, provided the proposed dwelling is two stories or of similar design and meets minimum setback rules. "The proposed dwelling will be two stories with a front porch and similar design to adjacent single-family homes," Zakar said.

Planner Zakar told commissioners the front yard setback was calculated as 13.4 feet to the covered porch, side-yard setbacks as shown at 5.1 feet (meeting the five-foot minimum), and an attached or detached garage requirement would apply. Staff recommended that the Planning Commission forward approval to the Board of Zoning Appeals with 10 conditions, including the submission of building plans and elevations to the Department of Planning for director review prior to issuance of a building permit and use of brick veneer at the front façade and base of the structure.

No members of the public spoke in opposition. The commission voted 7-0 to recommend approval; staff said the case will be scheduled for the Board of Zoning Appeals in March 2025 for final action.

Commissioners recorded no amendments to the staff recommendation at the meeting.