InformationDepartment Staff Information
Sandra Benson
Director of Planning & Zoning
757-678-0443 Option 6 or ext. 547
Melissa Kellam
Zoning Administrator
757-678-0443 Option 3 or ext. 544
Pete Stith
Long Range Planner
757-678-0443 Option 4 or ext. 545
Kay Downing
Administrative Assistant
757-678-0443 Option 2 or ext. 543
Nyoka Hall
Building - Zoning Technician
757-678-0443 Option 1 or ext. 542
Katrina Hickman
Zoning Inspector
757-678-0443 Option 5 or ext. 546
Department of Planning & Zoning
PO Box 538
16404 Courthouse Road
Eastville, VA 23347
Hours of Operation
9 AM - 5 PM
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Northampton County
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
- 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.
- 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.
- To regularly review and revise the County's land use documents and consistently enforce ordinances.
- To maintain an adequate, high-quality staff to provide efficient, timely service to residents and towns.
Special notes and other information:
Online Comment Option – Comprehensive Plan Review
An online option is now available for persons wishing to submit comments concerning the county Comprehensive Plan and their vision for the County’s future. The Comprehensive Plan is now under review in accordance with Virginia legal requirements. To access the Plan, click here. To access the comment section, click here.
Persons who were unable to participate in the recent series of public input meetings may also be interested in completing a Visioning Work Sheet and Questionnaire. To access the Work Sheet and Questionnaire, please click here. The completed form may be submitted via email to sbenson@co.northampton.va.us , by fax to (757) 678-0483, or by mail to Department of Planning & Zoning, P. O. Box 538, Eastville, VA 23347. Work Sheets should be submitted by March 5, 2012.
If you have questions concerning this process, please contact Sandra Benson, 757-678-0443, ext. 547, sbenson@co.northampton.va.us, or Peter Stith, 757-678-0443, ext. 545, pstith@co.northampton.va.us
Public Notice
The Northampton County Planning Commission will meet on Tuesday, February 7, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Chambers located at 16404 Courthouse Road in Eastville, Va., for the purpose of conducting a public hearing on the following matter.
A. Zoning Text Amendment 2012-03: Savage Neck VA, LLC has applied to amend the Northampton County Code, Chapter 154 Zoning Code, by adding to §154.145 Height and Bulk Regulations, in Section (G) a new item to be known as (2) additional building height may be permitted where the building is set back from a side or rear property line two additional feet horizontally for each one foot of additional height over 35 feet, up to a maximum of 60 feet.
The Northampton County Board of Supervisors will also conduct a public hearing on the above matter on Tuesday, February 14, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Chambers as well.
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, Eastville, Va. Anyone wishing to comment on the above item is invited to attend the meetings and make their comments known.
Handicapped assistance available: Please telephone (757) 678-0440, extension 516 at least 48 hours in advance.
Public Notice
The Northampton County Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, February 9, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. in the Downstairs Conference Room (Room 115) 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 or Peter Stith, Long-Range Planner, (757) 678-0443, ext. 545, pstith@co.northampton.va.usPublic 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
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.
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.
Planning and Zoning Fees
Planning & Zoning Fees Effective 7/14/10
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 Revised Zoning Regulations
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:
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY VISUAL PREFERENCE SURVEY
SUMMARY OF 2005 COMMUNITY SURVEY
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