Six Applicants Appeal to Legislature for Zoning Amendments

The Committee of the Whole reviewed six zoning map amendment applications during Thursday’s hearing – two requests for zoning changes on St. John, one on St. Thomas, and three on St. Croix.

“Our entire discussions were around economic development for folks who are Virgin Islanders and chose to grow their business here and contribute significantly to the economic development of the Virgin Islands,” Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory said.

Of the six applications, five requested residentially zoned property be rezoned as business property B-1, B-2, or B-3. Spot zoning is when the Legislature changes one property’s zoning within an area zoned differently, In the past, the territory has seen the process of spot zoning impact all other neighboring properties abiding by the current zoning.

Though the practice remains, it may bring resolution to Thursday’s applicants whose written delivered testimony staunchly justified their need for their respective zoning changes.

St. John

Having over 40 years of residency in St. John, applicant Gwenda Dagou who “cooks with love” requested the Legislature rezone her property from R-1 or residential-low density to B-2 or business-secondary/neighborhood, to allow her to operate a restaurant and apartments.

Dagou had been legally operating a mobile food truck on her property but kept it stationary. She said in 2019 the Licensing and Consumer Affairs informed her because the truck was not moving, she would require a different class license – one for restaurants.

“I agreed to go through the process not being aware of what it would involve,” Dagou said.

In October 2019, Dagou said the Department of Planning and Natural Resources stopped the issuance because the license could not be held in an R-1 zone. When she reapplied for her catering and mobile food van licenses, those licenses too were denied for the same reason.

“I was told that if I was found to be operating my business, I would be fined. So, with this hanging over my head, I decided to go ahead and rectify this situation and try to get the zoning changed,” Dagou said.

Similarly, applicants Jennifer Blake and Jason Callwood also wish their property rezoned from R-1 to business-secondary/neighborhood with the intention of creating commercial business space.

The applicant’s zoning consultant Brian Turnbull said the undeveloped parcel is located along Centerline Road with no residentially developed properties adjacent to it.

“My clients, who are local residents, wish to make commercial opportunities for small businesses to become available on the island of St. John,” Turnbull said.