Planning & Zoning Department

The Planning and Zoning Department administers the County's land use regulations. Department staff perform zoning and development review and serve as the first contact for developers and landowners who are considering new development or changes to existing development. Most importantly, the Planning and Zoning staff work alongside the community's citizens to create the long range goals, plans and strategies that shape the future of Northampton County.

GOALS

1. As stated in the Northampton County Strategic Plan (July 26, 2002), to achieve, under the leadership of the County Administrator, the goals set forth by the Board of Supervisors; to provide efficient, effective, equitable services to our citizens and visitors.
2. To ensure that sound land use and development practices are employed and guide future development in an efficient and serviceable manner which is protective of Northampton County's predominantly rural, coastal, and ecologically sensitive character.
3. To regularly review and revise the County's land use documents and consistently enforce ordinances.
4. To maintain an adequate, high-quality staff to provide efficient, timely service to residents and towns.

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Special notes and other information:

 

Public Notice

The Northampton County Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, February 2, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. in the Main Conference Room (Room 201) in the Northampton County Administration Building, 16404 Courthouse Road, Eastville, VA. For more information please contact Sandra Benson, Director of Planning & Zoning, (757)678-0443, ext. 547, sbenson@co.northampton.va.us

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PLANNING WORKSHOPS TO BE HELD

Northampton County is updating the County Comprehensive Plan. This is an important activity that concerns all county residents. The Comprehensive Plan is the basic blueprint to guide the future policies and land uses of the county for the next 20 years. As part of this effort, Public Workshops are being held to understand the issues and concerns of citizens in each community. The input from these workshops will be used to develop basic policies and plans regarding the county’s future.

The county will hold seven Public Workshops this January and February. Anyone interested in the future of their community should attend at least one of the workshops. All meetings are scheduled for 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Please note time change for the Rural Areas–South Workshop on February 6, 2012 and the time and location change for the Rural Areas-North Workshop on February 9, 2012.

1. NASSAWADOX AREA:
Wednesday, January 18, 2012, at Northampton Fire & Rescue, 10239 Pine Avenue, Nassawadox.

2. EXMORE/BELLE HAVEN AREA:
Thursday, January 19, 2012, in the fellowship hall of Epworth United Methodist Church, 4158 Seaside Road, Exmore.

3. CHERITON AREA:
Monday, January 23, 2012, at Cape Charles Rescue, 22215 S. Bayside Road, Cheriton.

4. CAPE CHARLES AREA:
Wednesday, January 25, 2012, in the fellowship hall of Trinity United Methodist Church, 109 Plum Street, Cape Charles.

5. EASTVILLE AREA:
Monday, January 30, 2012, Eastville Volunteer Fire Company Bingo Hall, Courthouse Road, Eastville.

6. RURAL AREAS SOUTH:
Monday, February 6, 2012, at Kiptopeke Elementary School, 24023 Fairview Road, Cape Charles. This discussion will be focused on unincorporated areas of the county south of Eastville. Time: 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

7. RURAL AREAS NORTH:
Thursday, February 9, 2012, This discussion will be focused on unincorporated areas of the county north of Eastville. The time and location of this workshop has been changed. The meeting will be held 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Occohannock Elementary School, 4208 Seaside Road, Exmore.

The Workshops will be FUN, INFORMATIVE WORK SESSIONS. There will be information about the communities and the county as a whole. Refreshments will be served and attendees will have an opportunity to share their opinions on:

• What are the best things about their corner of the county?
• What could be improved?
• What should remain as it is?

Everyone with an interest in the future of the county is welcome. If you are a RESIDENT, PROPERTY OWNER, BUSINESS OWNER, or just someone who cares about how the county should shape its future, please plan to attend at least one of the Public Workshops.

For more information please contact the Department of Planning & Zoning, (757) 678-0443.

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Public Notice

The Northampton County Planning Commission will meet on Tuesday, January 3, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Chambers located at 16404 Courthouse Road in Eastville, Va., for the purpose of conducting public hearings on the following matters.

A. Special Use Permit 2011-10: Timothy & Jeanine Wivell have applied for a minor special use permit to operate a small-scale oyster shucking and grading business with on-premise sales in an existing 400 square-foot structure located at 19444 Nu Lane. The property, zoned H Hamlet District, contains 6.37 acres of land located in the Cobb Station area and is described as being Tax Map 76, double circle 7, parcel L.

B. Zoning Text Amendment 2012-01: The Northampton County Board of Supervisors intends to amend the Northampton County Code, Chapter 154 Zoning Code, by revising the following sections: §154.003 Definitions, revisions to the definitions of Coastal Primary Sand Dune and Construction Footprint; §154.040 Zoning Clearance, to delete (B) (1) Zoning clearance required; §154.043 Amendments, to delete (2) (c) providing for a quarterly application schedule; §154.126 General Regulations for Residential Districts, revision to correct conflict with height restrictions in Appendix B; §154.141 General Modifications to Yard Regulations, addition of structures and installations for which setbacks may be modified; §154.142 Front Setback/Yard Regulations, addition of language to clarify an abbreviation; §154.145 Height and Bulk Regulations, revision to correct conflict with height restrictions in Appendix B and to eliminate the maximum area for a widow’s walk; §154.146 Accessory Buildings and Fences, clarification of fence placement; §154.164 Chesapeake/Atlantic Preservation District (CAP), addition of language in General performance standards for development and redevelopment to allow for yard area; §154.191 District Sign Regulations, to allow business signage in the Agriculture/Rural Business District; §154.207 Cooperative Parking, to allow administrative approval of reduction of spaces for combined usage; §154.209 Parking Area Design, to refer to controlling sections of illumination and landscaping requirements; §154.246 Nonconforming Uses, Lots or Buildings, to reformat; Appendix A-Use Regulations, to eliminate references to the county Wetlands Ordinance and to eliminate in Category 4, Community Service Uses, as a county-regulated use item 13 Mass/community subsurface drainfield, on site; and by deleting §154.067 Minimum Separation Distances: Subsurface Absorption Systems and Wells.

C. Zoning Text Amendment 2012-02: The Northampton County Planning Commission intends to amend the Northampton County Code, Chapter 154 Zoning Code, by adding to §154.190 Signs, in Section (C) (2) a new item to be known as (q) Off-site Business Way Finding Signs and by adding to §154.191 (A) a new item (11) and to §154.191 (B) a new item (13), both to be known as Off-site Town Business Directory Sign.
The Northampton County Board of Supervisors will also conduct public hearings on the above matters on Tuesday, January 10, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Chambers as well.
The applications will be on file and open to public inspection in the office of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and in the Department of Planning & Zoning located at 16404 Courthouse Road, Eastville, Va. Anyone wishing to comment on the above items is invited to attend the meetings and make their comments known.
Handicapped assistance available: Please telephone (757) 678-0440, extension516 at least 48 hours in advance.

Sign Ordinance Proposed Amendments

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Public Notice

The Northampton County Planning Commission will meet on Tuesday, November 1, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Chambers located at 16404 Courthouse Road in Eastville, Virginia, for the purpose of conducting regular business and a public hearing on the following matter.

A. Zoning Text Amendment 2011-11: Michael and Nan Arpino have filed to amend sign regulations in the Northampton County Code, Chapter 154 Zoning Code, Section 154.190 et seq., in order to allow existing sign structures in the Existing Business (EB) District to be used as off-premise advertising signs.

The Northampton County Board of Supervisors will also consider the above item on Monday, November 7, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Chambers located at 16404 Courthouse Road in Eastville, Virginia.

The application will be on file and open to public inspection in the office of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and in the Department of Planning & Zoning located at 16404 Courthouse Road in Eastville, Virginia.

Handicapped assistance available: Please telephone (757) 678-0440 at least 48 hours in advance.

 

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Waterfront Villages Visioning - Final Report available

The Department of Planning & Zoning recently conducted public workshops to review and update the Visions for the waterfront villages of Willis Wharf and Oyster. Milton Herd of Herd Planning & Design and Vladimir Gavrilovic of Renaissance Planning Group facilitated the workshops. The final report of the consulting team is available through this link.

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Planning and Zoning Fees

Planning & Zoning Fees Effective 7/14/10

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Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map Amendments and Text

Revised zoning regulations, including an amended zoning map, were effective Oct. 21, 2009.The links below access the adopted zoning map and text. A notice will be posted when the County Code is updated in the American Legal Publishing website.

2009 Adopted Zoning Map

2009 Revised Zoning Regulations

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Cost of Land Uses Study

The Cost of Land Uses study by Thomas Point Associates, Inc. and Peter Johnston Associates, Ltd. dated April 7, 2009 is now available for download below:

Cost of Land Uses study

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COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR THE EASTERN SHORE: SUMMIT REPORT (VA TECH, OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AUGUST 2007)

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY VISUAL PREFERENCE SURVEY

SUMMARY OF 2005 COMMUNITY SURVEY

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Staff and Contact Information

Sandra Benson - Director of Planning and Zoning
sbenson@co.northampton.va.us

Melissa Kellam - Zoning Administrator
mkellam@co.northampton.va.us

Kay Downing - Administrative Assistant
kdowning@co.northampton.va.us

Nyoka Hall - Zoning Technician
nhall@co.northampton.va.us

Katrina Hickman - Zoning Inspector
khickman@co.northampton.va.us

Peter Stith - Long Range Planner/GIS Administrator
pstith@co.northampton.va.us

Department of Planning & Zoning
PO Box 538
16404 Courthouse Road
Eastville, VA 23347

Phone: 757-678-0443

Hours of Operation
9 AM - 5 PM

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