Building/Development Review and Processing

The Community Development and Planning Office coordinates the review of subdivision plats, site plans for rezoning, special exceptions, and variance requests. More detailed information on each of these items is available in the Community Development and Planning Office. Staff will be glad to assist you with any of these processes.

Seven Oaks Subdivision......................... Monarch Place Townhouses

Subdivision Plats

Any time a property owner in Bristol Virginia intends to divide land, a licensed surveyor in the Commonwealth of Virginia must prepare a subdivision plat. A plat is also required if a property owner is moving a lot line or combining several lots into one lot. Any plat that increases the number of lots must be considered by the Planning Commission and approved by City Council. Plats that do not increase the number of lots are reviewed and approved in-house.

Rezoning and Site Plans for Rezoning

Each parcel of land in the City of Bristol has been assigned a zoning classification. This classification corresponds to a list of permitted uses in the Zoning Ordinance. The purpose of zoning is to separate land uses to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens while promoting orderly growth. From time to time the zoning classifications need to be changed. When a property owner would like to have their property reclassified, they must complete an application, pay a review fee, and have a Site Plan for Rezoning prepared by an architect, engineer or surveyor licensed to do business in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The site plan is reviewed by staff and presented to the Planning Commission and City Council. All rezonings must be considered by the Planning Commission and approved by City Council. A Joint Public Hearing must be conducted for each rezoning. If a rezoning is approved it must be read at two City Council meetings. There is a 30-day wait after the second reading before the rezoning is effective.

Special Exceptions

Sometimes a rezoning is not appropriate for a piece of property but the property owner would like to conduct a use not specifically permitted within the zoning designation. In these cases, a property owner may request a special exception. Persons requesting a special exception must complete an application, pay a review fee, and have a site plan prepared by an architect, engineer or surveyor licensed to do business in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Special exception requests must be considered by the Planning Commission and approved by the City Council. Unlike rezonings, special exceptions do not require two readings and there is not a 30-day wait after Council's consideration.

Variance Requests

Occasionally, when a property owner would like to construct an addition to an existing structure or build a new structure topography, the shape of the lot or some other physical hardship exists that prevents the property owner from conforming to the stated setbacks in the Zoning Ordinance. The Board of Zoning Appeals is enabled to consider these variance requests when such requests are needed to allow the property to be used. The Board is not enabled to grant variances that are a request of a property owner as a result of property owner preference. Property owners should schedule a meeting with Planning staff to determine whether or not the request is eligible for Board consideration.

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Revised
081500FEB05