Planning commission advances One City, One Future 2045 comprehensive plan to council after one dissent

The Newport News Planning Commission on June 3 recommended that City Council advance the One City, One Future 2045 comprehensive plan by a 7–1 vote.

Retina Jensen presented the update, saying staff conducted broad public outreach (surveys, stakeholder meetings, workshops and open houses), reviewed existing conditions and revised future land-use and transportation maps. Jensen said the update retains the plan’s core themes — prosperous and resilient; sustainable; accessible; healthy and safe; unique; and balanced places — and refines planning opportunity areas to reflect completed projects and new priorities.

"Public outreach was extensive," Jensen said, citing surveys, 28 stakeholder meetings, 12 public workshops and three open houses. She said staff incorporated feedback and updated the future land use and transportation maps, including proposed bicycle facilities and long-range transportation projects.

During discussion, Commissioner Lambert said he had been told of possible discrepancies and formatting errors in exhibits and of compatibility questions with the recently adopted strategic housing initiative. Lambert asked that those issues be resolved before the plan goes to council and said he would vote against advancing the plan in its current form.

"I do not yet feel that these concerns have been addressed. So I will be voting no on advancing this plan," Lambert said. Staff responded that corrections and final edits had been submitted to the graphic designer and would be incorporated prior to the City Council hearing; staff characterized the plan as a "living document" that will be refined before adoption.

The commission moved and seconded to recommend the plan; the motion carried 7–1. The case will be scheduled for City Council on July 14, 2026.