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Planning commission approves subdivision‑ordinance updates to align with new state laws
Summary
The Planning Commission approved city code amendments to Chapter 33.1 to comply with 2025 Virginia legislation (SB 9‑74 and HB 26‑60), shifting approval authority to a designated agent and shortening review timeframes; commissioners raised questions about public notice and consistency of interpretation.
On Sept. 2 the Portsmouth Planning Commission voted to approve proposed amendments to the city subdivision ordinance (CA‑25‑02) to align local processes with legislation enacted by the 2025 Virginia General Assembly.
Planner Patrice Branch summarized the changes staff proposes to implement House Bill 26‑60, which shortens review timeframes, and Senate Bill 9‑74, which transfers certain approval authority from the planning commission and governing body to a designated agent (the planning director or a delegated staff member). Branch told the commission the amendments also include routine clarifications to remove outdated Code citations and to improve administrative review usability.
Commissioners discussed how the authority shift will operate in practice, with proponents noting it will speed approvals and reduce developers' carrying costs by removing an administrative public hearing step. Several commissioners asked how the city will ensure consistent interpretation when authority rests with an individual designee; staff replied the planning director may delegate to professional planners and that engineering and other technical sign‑offs remain part of the review.
Concerns were also raised about the removal of a required public‑hearing advertisement for administrative subdivision approvals; Branch explained that because subdivisions reviewed administratively no longer require an advertised public hearing, statutory notice requirements change, and the city will no longer be required to notify adjacent property owners for these administrative approvals.
After public comment requesting clearer materials on designated‑agent roles and examples, the commission approved CA‑25‑02 (motion by Commissioner Glover; second by Commissioner Jacobson) by a vote the secretary reported as 6‑2‑0. Staff indicated the amendments will be forwarded for City Council consideration and final adoption.
