The Department of Planning and Natural Resources has launched a new educational podcast series designed to help Virgin Islands residents better understand zoning laws and how land use decisions affect communities across the territory, according to a Wednesday press release.
The series, titled “Zoning 101,” was developed by DPNR’s Division of Comprehensive and Coastal Zone Planning and is available on the department’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. According to the release, the episodes are intended to make the Virgin Islands Zoning Code easier to understand for residents, property owners, developers, business owners and other community stakeholders.
“Many people first encounter zoning when they are preparing to build, purchase property, start a business, or navigate a development project,” DPNR Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol said. “The Zoning 101 podcast series was created to help residents better understand the rules that guide development and empower them to participate more effectively in planning decisions that shape our communities.”
The podcast explains the history, purpose and practical application of zoning while exploring how land use regulations influence housing, business development, environmental protection and community growth throughout the Virgin Islands, the press release stated.
Topics covered in the series include the relationship between planning and zoning, zoning districts and maps, property rights, permitted uses, development standards, home occupations, parking requirements, subdivision regulations, appeals, variances and the role of planners in administering the zoning program, the release stated.
The series also examines current planning issues affecting the territory, including housing needs, short-term rentals, renewable energy development, infrastructure planning, environmental stewardship and ongoing efforts to modernize the Virgin Islands zoning framework, according to the release.
Episodes are organized around the concepts of a building’s foundation, walls, roof, finishings, occupancy, maintenance and subdivision to guide listeners through the structure of the zoning code in a step-by-step format, the release stated.
According to DPNR planners, the podcast is part of a public education initiative intended to increase transparency and encourage greater public participation in land use decisions.
“Zoning influences everything from neighborhood character and property values to economic development and environmental protection,” the Division of Comprehensive and Coastal Zone Planning said in the release. “When residents understand how the system works, they are better equipped to make informed decisions and engage in meaningful conversations about the future of the Virgin Islands.”
The department is encouraging residents, civic organizations, professionals, students and community groups to listen to the series and share it with others interested in planning and development in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
