Members of the public have until Nov. 7 to send their comments to the Department of Planning and Natural Resources concerning the rezoning of nearly three acres of property in Estate Susannaberg from low-density residential to commercial.
The site is located along Centerline Road across from St. John Concrete and just east of Heading East restaurant.
At a DPNR zoning meeting held online on Wednesday morning, consultant Brian Turnbull presented two applications concerning Parcel 27 Estate Susannaberg, which appears on the Map Geo site as one 2.9-acre residential property. Parcel 27 has been subdivided into three separate parcels, although it was not made clear in the meeting when this took place.
The Jesse Lee Richards Irrevocable Trust now owns one of the parcels that was subdivided. Parcel No. 27 B Estate Susannaberg (appearing on the shaded map as light pink) is a .95-acre site which is jointly owned by Richards’ three children. Under R-1 (low-density residential) zoning, the site cannot be subdivided among the three children because R-1 zoning requires a minimum of one-half acre.
Turnbull said his clients decided their best option is to use the property for nonresidential purposes. There is a shortage of land on St. John available for commercial uses, and the area is already transitioning into a semi-industrial, mixed-use neighborhood, he added.
If the rezoning request is approved, the owners of Parcel No. 27 B intend to build a two-story warehouselike structure where tenants could store merchandise or open small businesses.
Turnbull also presented an application on behalf of the Jacqueline L. Jacobs Living Trust to convert Parcel Nos. 27A and 27 Remainder Estate Susannaberg from R-1 to Commercial zoning. (These two parcels totaling 1.9 acres appear as dark pink on the shaded map.)
Earlier this year, Jacobs had agreed to a request from a nearby construction business to store two trailers on her property. She applied for an earth change permit, which she received, but she didn’t realize that “zoning laws did not allow operation of a business at that site,” Turnbull continued. He advised her last summer to “cease any work on her property,” adding she has no plans to build any structures until rezoning takes place.
Turnbull said both applicants for zoning changes would agree to extend the setbacks for development on their properties to mitigate the impact of development.
But three property owners whose sites adjoin Parcel 27 spoke against the rezoning at the meeting.
Shikima Jones-Sprauve said she didn’t want to stop property owners from developing their land, but once a property is rezoned, the intended use can change. “We’ve already seen how land that was supposed to be a pineapple patch became a bar and grill,” she said. The commercial zoning category includes many uses, she continued. “What’s to say that our peace will not be disturbed?”
Turnbull responded, “That is a legitimate concern. I have no guarantees, to be honest with you.”
Another neighbor, Nika Gumbs, said her peace was already being disturbed. “Every morning there is noise, and it’s consistent throughout the day. I don’t know what they’re doing, but this ‘cease and desist’ did not make (activity) stop. There’s something still going on.”
Gumbs said she also had concerns about the construction of a warehouse on Parcel No. 27 B because storage units require safety lights and motion detectors. “We have all kinds of animals who go through that area. Lights will be going on and off all night shining onto our property.”
Turnbull said he would consider all of the concerns and reduce the negative impact in the design process. “I see many places where residential and commercial can coexist.”
Gary Pearson, another neighbor, didn’t see it that way. “The neighborhood is residential, and I want to see it remain that way,” he said.
The application number for the Richards property is CCZPoo88-25. The application number for the Jacobs property is CCZPoo89-25. The public can send in their comments about these two applications to leia.laplace@dpnr.vi.gov. DPNR staff have 30 days from the hearing date to make their recommendation to approve, modify, or deny the applications.
St. Croix Source
Local news
