Newport News council sends contested Iverson-area zoning back to planning after process concerns

On March 11, 2025, the Newport News City Council voted 6-0 to reconsider item E‑1 — an ordinance adoption tied to conditional zoning application Charlie Zulu‑2024‑001 — and then voted 6-0 to send the matter back to planning until the applicant completes additional community engagement and documentation.

Council leaders said the action was driven by concerns about the project’s review process and the need for clearer community input. “I think we need to do a better job when it comes to our process,” Mayor Jones said before the roll call, adding, “I’ll take the blame for this.” The motion to reconsider and the subsequent motion to defer were both carried unanimously.

The project’s representative, identified in the meeting as Mr. Kiel and describing himself as the project CEO, told council he accepted responsibility for shortcomings in how the proposal was presented and pledged to re-engage neighbors and local council members if given another opportunity. “I’ll take all the blame on me,” Kiel said, adding that the team planned to “check all of the boxes that need to be checked” and reach out to district council members to address community concerns.

Residents who spoke during the public-comment period urged the council to continue pushing for pedestrian-friendly development and more community facilities. Ephraim Regassa, a North District resident who addressed council during the citizen-comment portion, said the rejected proposal for the Woods Run area was “disconnected from the neighborhood” and criticized development that does not provide sidewalks, safe crossings or nearby parks. “Affordable housing is not just affordable rent with amenities, but also to live in an area with adequate public transit options,” Regassa said, urging the council to prioritize walkable, transit‑linked projects.

Council’s votes left the zoning matter active with the council retaining jurisdiction: staff said the item will return to council when the applicant presents a revised package and community outreach results. The council did not adopt any zoning changes at the March 11 meeting; instead, it directed the matter back to planning and deferred action until the item is ready to be heard again by this body.

Clarifying details from the meeting record: the item under reconsideration was described in the agenda as “conditional zoning application Charlie Zulu‑2024‑001.” Council members who participated in the roll call and vote were Mayor Jones, Councilman Long, Councilwoman Vick, Vice Mayor Bethany, Councilman Coleman and Councilman Harris. The developer referenced working with the North District council member (Councilman Bethany) and Councilman Harris in future outreach.