A concept rendering and current site image for Bill 36-0291 show the proposed climate-controlled self-storage facility planned for Estate Barren Spot near Home Depot and AutoZone on St. Croix. Photo Credit: V.I. LEGISLATURE.
Lawmakers are weighing several St. Croix zoning measures that would clear the way for a family-run restaurant with short-term apartment rentals, a six-unit residential development, a climate-controlled self-storage facility, and the Department of Health’s continued use and planned modernization of its public health laboratory property.
The proposals were reviewed by the Committee of the Whole and include requests for rezoning or use variances across Christiansted, Strawberry Hill, Barren Spot, and Estate Penitentiary Land.
Bill No. 36-0272 seeks to rezone Plot No. 4 of 12 Estate Richmond, St. Croix, from R-3, Residential-Medium Density, to B-2, Business-Secondary/Neighborhood. The property owner intends to open a family-run bar and restaurant on the bottom floor, with three short-term rental apartments on the top floor. Because the site is within the historic Christiansted town district, all permits must be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission.
Although opposition was raised because of the “current condition and lack of maintenance of the property,” the Department of Planning and Natural Resources reported that no post-hearing comments were submitted regarding the proposed development.
Xavier Acevedo, who represented the property owners, said the restaurant would serve alcohol, but later clarified that it would not operate as a nightclub or remain open into the early morning hours. He described the project as a “practical and responsible improvement to an underutilized property.”
Lawmakers, however, raised concerns about traffic, parking, alcohol service, and possible noise.
“We already have parking issues downtown, so that's my only concern with that issue,” Senator Hubert Frederick said.
Senator Ray Fonseca was told that the restaurant would close by 11 p.m.
“There's an establishment that caters to that nightlife environment. So we definitely don't want to compete with that person,” Mr. Acevedo explained.
Senator Kurt Vialet remained concerned about the presence of a bar in the restaurant, noting its proximity to homes and a church.
“This is right behind a residential [neighborhood] and right next to a church… You cannot have a bar open until 11 o'clock in a residential neighborhood. I wouldn't want to live right there,” he stated.
Mr. Acevedo said alcoholic beverages would be served with meals and that the establishment would not be a nightclub. Still, Senator Vialet suggested adding a provision stating “no bar, no music.” He said he was open to the restaurant and three apartments, but feared that alcohol service could “just mushroom into something else.”
Another proposal, Bill No. 36-0288, seeks to rezone several parcels in Strawberry Hill, Queen Quarter, St. Croix, from R-2, Residential-Low Density-One and Two Family, to R-4, Residential-Medium Density. The change would allow Earl Charles to build a two-story, six-unit apartment building with a mix of two-bedroom and one-bedroom units.
According to Planning Technician Gail Pagan, “proposed amenities include high-speed internet, CCTV, trash removal, green space, landscaping, buffering and 10 parking spaces.” Construction is expected to take two years. Because of nearby historic ruins, a cultural resources survey is required.
Nia Sylvester, operations manager at Rittenhouse Consulting, LLC, said the development is a “direct response to the chronic shortage of affordable rental housing on St. Croix.”
Citing the need for affordable, long-term housing, lawmakers are expected to support the measure during an upcoming legislative session.
Bill No. 36-0291 requests a zoning use variance for Plot No. 295-D-2 Estate Barren Spot, King Quarter, St. Croix, to allow CDP, LLC to construct a self-storage facility. The site is expected to include 491 climate-controlled units and is located within an active commercial subdivision bordered by Home Depot and AutoZone.
The 6,000-square-foot building would include 12 parking spaces, with construction expected to take 10 to 12 months. Developers expect two employees will be sufficient to operate the facility. Lawmakers did not object to the request, although Senator Angel Bolques Jr. expressed interest in seeing more employment opportunities.
Finally, Bill No. 36-0270 seeks to rezone Parcel Nos. 11-F and 11-G Estate Penitentiary Land, Company Quarter, St. Croix, from R-3, Residential-Medium Density, to P, Public, for the benefit of the Department of Health.
The property currently houses DOH’s certified public health laboratory and the Emergency Medical Services state office. Assistant Commissioner Rueben Malloy said the rezoning would not introduce a new use, but would instead “aligns the zoning designation with the existing and ongoing public use of the property.”
The rezoning is also a “critical component of the planned rebuild and long-term modernization of the Donna M Christian-Christensen public health facility.” Aligning the property’s zoning with its public use is expected to help DOH as it applies for federal funding.
Lawmakers acknowledged the need for the laboratory, though some concerns remained about the handling of infectious diseases. Department of Health representatives assured the Committee of the Whole that multiple layers of protection are in place.
“We are proud of our biosafety procedures that we have in place,” Dr. Brett Ellis stated.
Advertisements
