Planning Commission backs removal of mixed‑use PUD overlay from city zoning

The Poquoson City Planning Commission on March 17 recommended approval of a city council‑initiated amendment to eliminate the Planned Unit Development mixed‑use overlay (PUD‑MU, Article 8.4) from the City code and zoning appendix. The change was initiated by City Council on Jan. 27, 2025, and was presented to the commission by planning staff.

Planner Buck Horton told commissioners the amendment would remove the ability to apply for new mixed‑use PUDs going forward while leaving any legacy PUDs that were previously approved unaffected. Horton said the amendment does not alter the underlying zoning for any parcel — commercial remains commercial, research remains research, and existing approved PUDs (for example the Legacy development) will continue under the regulations that governed them at the time they were approved.

Horton explained that the change is intended to prevent new PUD‑MU applications that might prompt major, new mixed‑use projects before City Council defines a renewed vision for areas such as the northern part of Victory Boulevard. He described public‑notice steps (advertisements and mailed notices) and answered resident questions about the map, which showed the areas already activated as Legacy versus hatched overlay areas that would not be available for activation if the amendment is adopted.

After public questions and staff clarifications, a motion to recommend approval of the amendment was made and seconded; commissioners voted on a roll call to forward the measure to City Council for action. Staff noted that legacy developments approved prior to Jan. 27, 2025, remain grandfathered and that the amendment will not change existing zoning lines.

Next steps: the Planning Commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to City Council for its consideration and final action. The staff memo, public notices and the commission’s recommendation will be included in the council docket.