Planning commission declines to recommend rezoning for Fort Eustis Boulevard apartment project; matter moves to council

The Newport News Planning Commission voted 6-2 to deny a staff-recommended rezoning that would have allowed 120 apartments to be built at 628 and 634 Fort Eustis Boulevard.

Planning staffer Saul Garcia presented application CZ2024Tech0001 on behalf of Fort Eustis Investment Partners LLC and said the two parcels total 6.29 acres and the city—s 2040 comprehensive plan designates the site for medium-density residential uses. "The applicant is proposing 120 dwelling units in keeping with the comprehensive plan land use designation," Garcia told commissioners.

The proposal would change the zoning from R-4 (single-family) to R-7 (medium-density multifamily). The plan—s density range for the designation is 12 to 24 dwelling units per acre, which staff said would allow up to 150 units on the combined acreage; the applicant proposed 120 units in four buildings. Staff said the applicant proffered a 20-foot landscape transitional buffer along the western and southern property lines, revisions to Fort Eustis Boulevard that include widening to a 32-foot travelway consistent with new city standards, optimized signal timing at the nearby intersection and a signal-warrant analysis to mitigate traffic impacts. The Department of Engineering accepted a traffic impact analysis prepared by McPherson Consulting dated Oct. 13, 2024, Garcia said.

Residents who spoke during the public hearing opposed the rezoning. Theresa Craver, treasurer of the Woodcreek Homeowners Association, told the…