Planning commission backs D.R. Horton rezoning for 282-acre Parkside at Endview with proffers

The Newport News Planning Commission voted unanimously April 2 to recommend City Council approve a change of zoning (CZ20250001) requested by the Newport News Economic Development Authority and applicant D.R. Horton to allow a new mixed‑use, neo‑traditional development on about 282 acres along Yorktown Road.

Planner Saul Garcia told commissioners the property at 350 Yorktown Road is currently vacant and that the proposed rezoning would replace earlier master‑plan standards with a substantially different plan governed by new proffers. Garcia said the plan is generally consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan and the LeHi Hall area plan and noted regulatory reviews — including stormwater, transportation and historic resources — remain required before construction.

The proffers submitted by the applicant limit residential density to no more than 620 dwellings, call for approximately 362 single‑family homes and about 258 townhomes, and preserve roughly half of the site as open space. The applicant has also proffered transportation improvements listed in a March 2022 traffic impact analysis, installation of sewer pump stations and stormwater management facilities, and a memorandum of understanding to address historic resources at Endview Plantation. Garcia said archaeological surveys have identified sensitive areas that the applicant proposes to leave undisturbed and to interpret with signage.

Developer representatives presented the project as Parkside at Endview. Brian Rowe, vice president of D.R. Horton Southern Virginia, said the company pursued extensive environmental and archaeological studies and designed the master plan to protect view corridors to the Endview Plantation historic site. "We kept the tree save in mind for the entire property," Rowe said, adding the firm aims for a multi‑phase buildout that could take several years.

Grady Palmer, land‑use counsel for the applicant, said an unsigned memorandum of understanding proffer would "preserve and promote historical awareness" around Endview and provide a second layer of protection beyond the zoning proffers.

Several residents urged caution. George Etter of Crawford Road called the design "beautiful" but said his concerns include added traffic, long‑term maintenance obligations for infrastructure and effects on local property values. Manuel Ankram, a resident on Yorktown Road since 1977, questioned whether the location is appropriate given existing congestion and seasonal tourism traffic. William Grimes and other speakers cited potential negative impacts on the historic site, increased noise and safety concerns along nearby roads.

Former fire chief Kenneth Jones urged stronger safety measures, asking the commission to require that new units include residential sprinkler systems and to confirm emergency‑vehicle access. Jones said lightweight modern construction collapses faster in fire and that sprinklers both improve safety and can be a marketing advantage. Commissioners and city staff confirmed fire and engineering review were part of the development‑plan stage and that departments had reviewed the rezoning application.

Commissioners asked questions about the historical park boundary, proffer language and traffic mitigation. Staff noted Newport News Public Schools had raised capacity concerns and indicated the district would reassign students if new enrollment requires it. Garcia and the applicant said traffic signals at the main entrances would be installed if warrant analyses at established certificate‑of‑occupancy thresholds demonstrate need; the developer also proffered that one secondary entrance onto Crawford Road would be limited to emergency access only and gated with Knox Box access for first responders.

Chairperson Taylor moved the commission’s recommendation to City Council to approve CZ20250001 with the submitted proffers; the motion was seconded and passed on a 7‑0 roll call. The commission’s recommendation sends the rezoning to City Council, which is scheduled to hear the matter in April.

Votes at a glance

• CZ20250001 — Recommendation to City Council to approve change of zoning with proffers (applicant: Newport News Economic Development Authority / D.R. Horton). Motion: recommend approval. Mover: Chairperson Taylor. Second: not specified on the record. Vote: 7‑0 (all commissioners present voted in favor).