Northampton Board Chair: County will relax density regs to help housing crunch

Northampton Board Chairman John Coker ended his remarks at the ESVA Chamber’s Eggs & Issues Breakfast in Wachapreague on Thursday with what he called “a bomb.”

“We intended to invite developers to build houses to sell in the $250,000 to $350,000 range by offering incentives allowed by the Commonwealth, including higher density,” Coker said. “Right now, you can’t build a house in Northampton County on a lot smaller than a half acre, unless it’s already subdivided and platted… so we are talking about maybe changing that to allow building on a quarter acre, which makes a lot more sense for a house in the $250,000 to $350,000 range.”

According to a study by the Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission, Northampton County needs at least 1,000 units of low- or middle-income housing. Coker added that even if that estimate is only half right, there’s still a need for 500 units.

He acknowledged that high-end homes being built around Cape Charles—some valued at $500,000—are helping increase county tax revenue. But, he emphasized, there remains a pressing need for affordable housing.

Coker said he hopes to preserve open space in the county by focusing development within existing subdivisions. He noted that there are approximately 100 undeveloped subdivisions in the county, some 20 to 30 years old and created under previous zoning rules. The County plans to focus housing projects in these areas, particularly around towns.

He admitted the potential zoning change will be controversial.

“This is going to take some time, it’s going to create lots of work, and I am certain it is going to ruffle a lot of feathers,” Coker said in conclusion. “But we need more housing, and something has to change to get there.”