March 22, 2007 — During this week's two-day legislative session, senators took action on a number of bills and initiatives left behind in the 26th Legislature, including several zoning requests, leases and a bill to reprogram money within the Community Development Block Grant program.
Among the more controversial zonings approved during the session was a request made by the owners of Plaza Extra Supermarket, to rezone a 9.5-acre parcel of land behind the Fort Mylner Shopping Center to allow for the construction of another grocery store.
The rezoning, which was first introduced last June, has been loudly opposed by residents on St. Thomas' East End, who said the building would increase traffic congestion and cut down on the area's already limited "green-space" (See "Senators Hear Testimony on Rezoning Requests").
However, at a hearing held in December, the company's attorneys said measures have been taken to address residents' concerns. According to attorney Susan Moorehead, an additional 0.5 acres of land had been purchased next to the proposed building site for use as a new entrance and exit. Plans for the development have also been altered to include the construction of new sidewalks and drains to divert rainwater, she added.
On Tuesday, senators decided to approve the request, which rezones land between Fort Mylner and PriceSmart from R-2 (residential, low density) to C (commercial).
A request from the Department of Planning and Natural Resources to rezone land near Tutu Park Mall from A-1 (agricultural) to P (public), to allow for the construction of a library and records center, was also approved.
On Wednesday, senators also moved quickly through a number of lease agreements, which were first introduced during a Senate Finance Committee hearing held late last month. While a majority of the leases were approved during the session, senators voted to axe an agreement between the government and Delbert Hill Taxi and Jeep Rental Inc., for a space on St. John.
Senators said they were listening to concerns voiced by At-Large Sen. Carmen M. Wesselhoft, who said she was worried about the terms of the lease, which would be executed over a period of 40-years.
"That's a long time, and there's a land crunch on St. John," Wesselhoft explained. "It's not about the family renting the property. It's about the terms of the lease."
Voting against the lease agreement were Sens. Liston Davis, Carlton Dowe, Louis P. Hill, Terrence "Positive" Nelson, Basil Ottley Jr., Usie R. Richards, Ronald E. Russell, James Weber III, Wesselhoft and Celestino A. White Sr.
Sens. Neville James and Norman Jn Baptiste voted in favor of the lease, while Sens. Juan Figueroa-Serville, Shawn-Michael Malone and Alvin L. Williams abstained.
Wrapping up the session, senators also approved a bill reprogramming money from the Community Development Block Grant program. According to Richards, the measure had come down last year from former Gov. Charles W. Turnbull, but was not dealt with during the 26th Legislature (See "Block Grant Program Needs to Spend Funds ASAP, Official Says").
Other zoning requests approved during the session:
— rezone two parcels of land located in the Bovoni landfill from R-2 (residential low density) to C ( commercial);
— rezone land in Smith Bay from R-2 (residential low density) to B-2 (business- scattered/secondary neighborhood) to allow for the construction of a shopping center with retail and office rentals;
— rezone property near the Hovensa refinery on St. Croix from A-1 (agriculture) to R-3 (residential, medium density) to allow for the construction of 70 single-family units designed to house the refinery's emergency response personnel;
— rezone land in La Grande Princesse, St. Croix, from R-3 (medium density- residential) to C (commercial) to allow for an animal hospital and pet-boarding facility;
— grant a use variance for a home in Salt River, St. Croix, to be converted into a bed and breakfast; and
— allow Radio Latino to broadcast from a small business complex in Estate Strawberry on St. Croix.
Leases approved during the session are between the government and:
–the Virgin Islands Council Inc. (the Boy Scouts of America); the lease is for 1.87 acres on St. Croix at a rate of $300 per year;
–Hazely Jackson, dba Jackson's Crane Service Plus; the lease is for a 10,000-square-foot parcel in Sub Base on St. Thomas at a rate of $16,408 per year;
–the V.I. Waste Management Authority; the lease is for a 31,000-square-foot parcel in Estate Nisky on St. Thomas at a rate of $15,000 per year.
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