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1. What is a Comprehensive Plan?

The Comprehensive Plan is a document that establishes policies that guide the future development of the County, establishes a vision for the future, and identifies a strategy for achieving that vision. Although general in nature, the Comprehensive Plan includes a review of many different aspects of physical development including land use, transportation, resource protection, economic development, and public utilities. The Comprehensive Plan enables local government officials and citizens to anticipate and deal constructively with changes occurring within the community. Though its format varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, the Comprehensive Plan is a broad effort to address a wide range of community issues and concerns, understanding the important relationships between each part.

2. Why have a Comprehensive Plan?

Virginia State Law requires that all local governments have an adopted Comprehensive Plan, which spells out policies for future development in order to ensure orderly growth and the protection of the public health and welfare. The Comprehensive Plan may consist of a number of components, such as local area plans, service plans, and specific land-use related resolutions of the Board of Supervisors.

Section 15.2-2223 of the Code of Virginia states: "The Comprehensive Plan shall be made with the purpose of guiding and accomplishing a coordinated, adjusted, and harmonious development of the territory which will, in accordance with present and probable future needs and resources, best promote the health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity, and general welfare of the inhabitants..."

By requiring local governments to adopt Comprehensive Plans, the legislature implied that local government issues are best handled at the local level of government. This Comprehensive Plan, therefore, is the vehicle by which the local government officials and citizens of New Kent County express their goals for the future of their community.

3. Why update the Comprehensive Plan?

The Comprehensive Plan is used by citizens, developers, County staff, the Planning Commission, and the Board of Supervisors to develop and implement a course of growth for New Kent County. As much has changed in our community over the last 5 years, the update is necessary to assess new needs, develop solutions for new and long-term challenges, and to plan for new growth while enhancing our existing community. The Plan update will consist of current conditions, future trends, future land use plans, and researching and analyzing the County's goals, objectives, and implementation strategies.

4. What is the relationship between the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning?

The Comprehensive Plan forms the guide for zoning in New Kent County, and can be considered a "blueprint" for future zoning decisions. While future land use plan designations are only recommendations of possible future use, they are used as an important guide for the changing of any zoning classification. The Plan is not a zoning ordinance and amendments will not change existing zoning designations, but it is a guide for which zoning changes are anticipated and considered.

5. What is a subdivision?

The subdivision of land is regulated by the New Kent County Subdivision Ordinance and requires that a subdivision be recorded whenever a lot, tract, or parcel of land is divided into two or more lots, or for the building or creation of a public road.

6. What is a minor subdivision?

• The division of property into 20 or fewer lots
• OR the division of property into lots of at least 15 acres
• OR the division of property that creates more than 20 lots but does not require the creation of a new street or the extension of an existing street, including family subdivisions
• If a planned subdivision does not meet any of these criteria, it is considered a major subdivision and is subject to different rules and regulations.

Action on minor subdivisions is approved administratively and does not require public hearing

7. What are the types of minor subdivisions?

• Family Subdivisions: A family subdivision allows for the gift or sale of a newly-created lot to a family member.
o Only one division per family member is permitted.
o To be eligible, a parcel must have at least 6 acres, and each newly-created lot must be at least 1.5 acres.
o To be eligible for a family subdivision, the grantor must have owned the property for three years, and the grantee must commit to owning the property for two years.
• Parent Tract Subdivisions: To be eligible for a parent tract subdivision, a property must be unchanged since November 20, 1985 and zoned A-1.
o An eligible property may be divided into a maximum of four lots, each containing at least two acres.
o If any land is remaining in the original parcel, it must contain a minimum of two acres.
o Parent tract subdivisions that create more than one lot must be served by internal roads built to public road standards.
• 15 & 25 Acre Tracts: Property in the Agricultural District (A-1) can be divided into 15 acre tracts if there is a minimum lot width of 150 feet and each lot has frontage on a state maintained road.
o Parcels can be divided into 25-acre tracts without state road frontage, provided there is an unimproved, fee-simple or deeded right-of-way for access that is at least 50 feet wide

8. What is the approval process for minor subdivisions?

• Pre-Application Conference & Sketch Plan: Upon request, staff will review a sketch plan of a subdivision proposal, providing specific guidance and the necessary forms to complete for the subdivision application. The sketch should provide basic information regarding the proposed subdivision, allowing staff to begin the review process. The sketch plan allows staff to look at the proposal and its compatibility with the County’s development ordinances. In this way, County staff can provide the applicant with specific guidance before investing time and effort in detailed engineering plans and documents. Submitting a sketch plan is an optional, but helpful, part of the subdivision approval process. While the pre-application conference and sketch plan are optional, they are highly recommended.

• Development Plan: For subdivisions requiring the construction of publicly-used infrastructure (public and private roads, public water, and/or public sewer), a development plan must be submitted to New Kent Planning for approval. Along with the completed application, the applicant must submit ten copies of the development plan and the appropriate fees. The development plan is sent to various county and state agencies for review and comment. The applicant should receive all comments regarding the development plan within 60 days. Approval of the development plan allows the applicant to proceed with the preparation of the final plats.

• Final Plat: After the approval of a development plan (when required), an application for final plat approval may be submitted. Along with the complete application, the applicant must submit ten copies of the final plat and the appropriate fees. The final plat is sent to various county and state agencies for review and comment. The applicant should receive all comments regarding the final plat within 60 days. Approval of the final plat allows the applicant to proceed with the preparation of record plats depicting the information contained on the approved final plat. After the record plats have been signed by the appropriate agencies, the plat, along with the necessary legal documents, can be recorded by the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the New Kent County Courthouse.

9. Who owns a house/parcel?

Please contact the Commissioner of Revenue to check ownership of property.

10. How can I reach Planning?

Planning can be reached at (804) 966-9690 between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM Monday through Friday.

11. Who should I contact to report a missing street name sign?

To report missing street name signs please contact New Kent County Planning at (804) 966-9690.

Any missing Traffic signs should be reported to VDOT at (800) 367-7623.