The Newport News Planning Commission on Oct. 15 recommended approval of two special-exception applications that would allow two-story single-family homes on substandard, 37.5-foot-wide lots in the city's Southeast neighborhood. Planning staff presented both applications — filed by Toby Homes LLC — and recommended each be forwarded to the Board of Zoning Appeals for final action.

Planner Ms. O'Kee of the Department of Planning told the commission that each property contains 0.0861 acres and is zoned R-4 for single-family dwellings. She said the requests meet the criteria in Section 45-3-204(e)(2) of the zoning ordinance for allowing homes on nonconforming lots with less than 50 feet of frontage, and that staff added nine conditions to each recommended approval, including brick on the foundation and first-floor elevation, a recessed attached garage, a six-foot-deep front porch and heavy-gauge siding with a minimum thickness of 0.44 millimeters.

The two parcels under consideration were described in the staff presentation as located on Fifth Street (case SC25-0013) and Fourth Street (case SC25-0014). Both plans show two-story homes with front porches, double-hung windows and hip rooflines designed to reflect the block's prevailing character; staff noted the proposed front-yard setbacks meet the block average and the minimum 10-foot requirement, and side setbacks meet the five-foot minimum.

Residents and nearby property owners spoke during public comment. Faye Blackwell of Sixth Street said she worries that repeatedly filling small lots will create a “clustered” look and worsen on-street parking because many new homes include driveways. “It looks awfully small,” Blackwell said of the proposed infill lot and added that a row of similarly sized houses could change the neighborhood’s character and make enforcement of property maintenance more difficult.

Terrence Moore, who said his family has owned the adjacent property at 1345 20 Fourth Street for more than 50 years, told the commission he is concerned about encroachment and existing site conditions, including trees the city has flagged as hazardous and damage he said they caused to his property. “We want to make sure the developers have the best interest of the community,” Moore said.

Roy Graves, identifying himself as the developer’s representative, told the commission the houses are intended for owner-occupants and said typical construction time from ground-breaking to completion is about six months. Graves said the build team plans on standard site protections and will have an on-site project manager during construction; he also said the developer would consider breaking up a solid driveway with runners or contrasting materials to preserve more lawn area and reduce the continuous concrete appearance along the street. “We’ll have the silt fence out there and somebody on-site… to address any issues while it’s actually being done out there,” Graves said.

Commissioners pressed staff and the developer on proximity to neighboring homes and the long-term effect of infill on street parking and sidewalks. Commissioner Black echoed resident concerns about shifting the look and function of traditional neighborhood streets as more driveways are added. Planner Ms. O'Kee and other staff noted that many existing, older houses were built before current setback and driveway patterns were established and that the special-exception process is the mechanism for allowing infill on legally recorded substandard lots when the ordinance criteria are met.

Both motions — to forward a recommendation of approval for SC25-0013 and SC25-0014 to the Board of Zoning Appeals — passed by unanimous roll call votes of 6–0. The commission noted the applications will be heard by the Board of Zoning Appeals on Nov. 18, 2025. During the executive secretary’s report, staff said the commission may develop design guidance or criteria for 37.5-foot lots in the future to address broader concerns about parking, driveways and neighborhood character.

Votes at a glance

- SC25-0013 (Toby Homes LLC, property described in staff report on Fifth Street): Planning Commission recommended approval to the Board of Zoning Appeals, 6–0. Conditions: nine staff conditions including brick foundation/first-floor elevation, heavy-gauge siding (min. 0.44 mm), attached garage recessed 18 feet, submission of elevations to Department of Planning prior to building permit.

- SC25-0014 (Toby Homes LLC, property described in staff report on Fourth Street): Planning Commission recommended approval to the Board of Zoning Appeals, 6–0. Same nine staff conditions as above; BZA hearing scheduled for 11/18/2025.

What happens next

Both special-exception cases will go to the Board of Zoning Appeals on Nov. 18, 2025, which will make the final determination. Several commissioners and staff said they plan to continue monitoring infill development patterns in the Southeast neighborhood and consider drafting design criteria for narrow lots.

(Reporting from the Oct. 15 Newport News Planning Commission meeting.)