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Planning commission approves tighter planned-open-space overlay standards
Summary
Poquoson planning staff and commissioners approved a city-council-initiated text amendment on March 16 to increase certain buffers and change how non-tidal wetlands count toward open-space requirements; commissioners described the changes as modest but more restrictive overall.
The Poquoson Planning Commission approved a city-council-initiated zoning text amendment on March 16 that tightens standards in the Planned Open Space Conservation Overlay District.
Planning staff summarized the proposed changes, which include increasing minimum boundary buffers (example: from 40 feet to 50 feet in certain contexts), adjusting required gross land-area percentages for open space and the allowable percentage of non-tidal wetlands that may be counted toward that open-space total, and a requirement that planned open-space developments of six lots or more be served by public streets. Staff said the amendments were initiated by city council and are intended to address design and density concerns in residential zones (RS, R1 and R2).
Rob Carter, a resident of Oakmore, asked whether the changes would apply to the Northwoods/Big Woods North area; staff confirmed the overlay applies within RS, R1 and R2 districts and therefore could be relevant to that area. Commissioners said the changes were generally modest adjustments that would make the overlay more restrictive in some proposals but that the exact effects would depend on site conditions, including wetlands and other constraints.
A motion to pass the text amendment as written was made, seconded and approved by roll call: Armen Trout: I; Hirsch: I; Joerger: I; Vice Chairman Gisinger: I; Chairwoman Shot: I. The amendment will proceed to city council for final action as required by the city’s adoption process.
