The Department of Planning and Natural Resources Division of Comprehensive and Coastal Zone Planning held public hearings for rezoning requests from two individuals in the St. Thomas-St. John district on Wednesday.
Stefan Jürgen of St. John submitted a rezoning request for his investment parcel located in Smith Bay, St. Thomas. Jürgen intends to add a second story to the existing, currently occupied structure. Doing so would create three additional two-bedroom apartments.
At its current R2 (residential – low density) zoning, the parcel can legally accommodate as many as two families. Jürgen is requesting that the zoning be changed to R3 (residential – medium density) to allow for the construction of the apartments.
“Dr. Jürgen intends to build a second story to the already occupied structure, creating three additional apartments, so he can help to alleviate the housing shortage which exists in the territory, while simultaneously getting a return on his investment,” said Roosevelt David, who presented on behalf of Jürgen.
David also specified that the additional units would be made available as long-term rentals, and that the apartments would collectively share twelve parking spaces.
Considering the large area that would be devoted to parking, CCZP Director Leia LaPlace-Matthew stressed the importance of negotiating easements with abutting landowners, if necessary, to ensure uninterrupted access to their parcels.
Peggy Yvonne Smith of St. Thomas requests that her three-acre parcel in Susannaberg, St. John be rezoned from R1 (residential – low density) to C (commercial). At present, there are six businesses operating on the property which do not conform to the parcel’s R1 zoning.
“This young businesswoman is in expansion mode and wants to capitalize on such financial opportunities …[Ms. Smith] is a positive thinking Virgin Islander who seeks and imparts entrepreneurial knowledge … I urge this esteemed division to grant this brilliant daughter of the soil her request, so she may be able to continue fulfilling her dreams,” David, who also presented for Smith, said.
Current commercial tenants include Shambles Island Bar and Grill, The St. John Repair Shop and Canines, Cats and Critters, among others. According to David, Smith plans to construct a self-storage facility on the plot.
While neither proposal garnered public comments during the hearing, the public comment period for both proposals will remain open until Aug. 2. Once the public comment period is closed, DPNR will prepare a recommendation report for the Legislature based on comments received as well as its own evaluation. The recommendation report can result in approval, denial, or requested modification of the applicant’s proposal.
