County planner previews zoning and subdivision ordinance rewrite; survey and engagement results summarized

New Kent County planning staff briefed the commission on the ongoing rewrite of the county’s zoning and subdivision ordinances, describing an 18–24 month effort led with consultant Berkeley Group.

Patrick Silva, principal planner, said the project’s first phase (investigation) is effectively complete and that the next phase will produce draft ordinance text in segments for ‘‘bite-sized’’ review. The diagnostic report, including a summary of outreach and survey responses, is scheduled for presentation at a joint work session on June 29. Silva said the investigation phase included focus groups, in-person pop-up events (May 16 and May 30), an in-person middle-school open house (May 20) and a virtual session (June 2).

Silva reported the public survey closed with 786 responses after the department extended the deadline because mailed postcards were delayed and a technical issue affected an extension weekend. He said the ordinance drafting phase will break work into topical pieces (general administration, district standards, variances, use-specific standards) so commissioners and the public can review manageable sections before the adoption phase, which will include further community engagement and public hearings.

The department aims to complete the ordinance rewrite by late 2027 and said future joint work sessions will allow the planning commission, board of supervisors and board of zoning appeals to review policy recommendations and draft language as it is produced.

A commissioner asked about outreach reach and suggested mailing notices with tax bills to boost participation; staff said materials and draft pieces will be posted on the project website and that the planning department email is available for public feedback.

Next step: diagnostic report and summary of engagement responses to be presented June 29 at the scheduled joint work session.