Council approves rezoning of former Regal Cinemas site for high-density apartments after lengthy public hearing

Newport News City Council voted 7-0 on Aug. 12 to adopt an ordinance rezoning two parcels totaling about 13.02 acres at the former Regal Cinemas site (rezone docket “Charlie Zulu‑2025‑0003”) from C‑1 retail commercial to R‑8 high‑density multifamily dwelling with proffers offered by the applicant.

The vote came after a public hearing during which about 20 residents and stakeholders spoke for and against the proposal. Tim Trant, an attorney with Kaufman & Canoles speaking for the applicant, said developer Brad Waitzer, owner of Platinum Management and Signature Management, has experience in the market and revised the plan after community input. “We made some changes to our plan based on that feedback, particularly in our buffer and the location of our buildings,” Trant told council, noting an existing landscape of roughly 315 trees supplemented by about 100 additional evergreens in the proposed buffer.

The developers and multiple Signature Management…