Commission recommends BZA hear special-exception request for a two-story house at 111630 Second Street

The Newport News Planning Commission on Aug. 20 unanimously recommended that the Board of Zoning Appeals hear Special Exception SE-2025-10, an application by applicant and owner Judea Brown to construct a two-story single-family detached dwelling on a nonconforming lot with less than 50 feet of frontage at 111630 Second Street.

Planning staff said the property contains 0.072 acres and is zoned R4 (single-family dwelling). Staff reported the proposed front porch setback would be about 15.14 feet, side setbacks meet the five-foot minimum on the west and 10.25 feet on the east, and the plan includes a detached one-car garage located at the rear and angled to reduce street visibility. Staff recommended forwarding the special exception to the Board of Zoning Appeals subject to eight standard conditions, including final plan and elevation submittal for Planning Department review.

Applicant Judea Brown, who spoke from the public podium, told commissioners the garage was angled to make the structure accessible and to allow a garage to fit on the narrow lot. Several nearby property owners attended and asked questions; Donia Payne, who said she owns property nearby on First Street, said she attended to view the plans. Commissioners and staff discussed the unusual lot shape and the fact that the lot is narrower than typical parcels; staff noted that such narrow lots were historically sold as separate lots and may not have been combined.

A commissioner moved to approve staff’s recommendation to forward SE-2025-10 to the Board of Zoning Appeals and a second was recorded. The commission voted by roll call and the motion passed unanimously, 8-0. Planning staff said the Board of Zoning Appeals will consider SE-2025-10 at its Sept. 16, 2025 hearing.