CITY OF NORFOLK, VIRGINIA
The city of Norfolk, Virginia began an effort to comprehensively rewrite its Zoning Ordinance in 2014. Vlad Gavrilovic, while at Renaissance Planning was part of a multidisciplinary group of consultants that has been engaged to rewrite, update and modernize the ordinance that was last comprehensively re-written in 1992, and bring it in line with a recent comprehensive plan update.
The current Zoning Ordinance is one of unusual complexity containing outdated requirements, and in some instances language that is difficult to understand for many code users and citizens. Additionally, there has been a change in conditions, demographics, and preferences in the City over the last two decades, resulting in a gap between the community’s desired development outcomes and the development outcomes allowed by the current ordinance. Key policy directions that are being incorporated into the rewrite include making Norfolk a more environmentally sustainable, pedestrian-friendly city that respects its historic character while encouraging 21st century industries. In addition, Norfolk is the second most vulnerable city in America for sea level rise and a key aspect of both the City’s policy direction and the new Ordinance are to make Norfolk a more resilient city, physically and economically.
Vlad led the physical form, community design and landscape aspects of the zoning ordinance rewrite, as well as graphic visualization and support of the community engagement strategy. The 3 year process to restructure and modernize the zoning ordinance is a key aspect of both economic and community development for the city in the coming decades.
Contact:
George M. Homewood, AICP CFM, Director
City of Norfolk, Department of City Planning
810 Union Street, Suite 500
Norfolk, VA 23510
(P) 757.664.4770
George.Homewood@norfolk.gov
Total Value of Services:
$500,000
Dates of Service:
June 2014 – Ongoing