Newport News comprehensive plan update to address land use, transportation and six core themes
Plan moves toward public hearing and final production
Newport News City Council heard a presentation Tuesday on why the city’s 2045 Comprehensive Plan needs updating, with staff citing a state-mandated review, changing conditions in the city, evolving best practices and regulations, shifts in technology and how people get information, and a chance to streamline and refresh the document.
The presentation came during a work session held in the City Council Conference Room at City Hall. It was given by two senior planners, Regina E. Jensen and Angela Y. Hopkins.
According to the presentation, the comprehensive plan review is required under the Code of Virginia. Staff described the broader purpose of the update as gathering data and input from citizens and other sources, analyzing trends and feedback, determining what changes are needed based on the plan’s second phase, preparing and revising a draft, and eventually adopting and implementing the updated plan.
Staff also outlined the public engagement process used to inform the update. It has included a citywide survey, 28 stakeholder meetings, 21 interdepartmental meetings and 12 public workshops. Three open houses are planned to present the draft to the public, and an online interactive format is being proposed for the document itself. Looking ahead, the presentation listed a City Council public hearing scheduled for July 14, 2026, followed by final production of the document.
The draft update is structured around six themes, according to the presentation: a prosperous and resilient city, a healthy and safe city, a sustainable city, a city that celebrates uniqueness, an accessible city, and a city that balances good places and new spaces.
Staff said updates to the future land use map will include evaluating the office land use designation, evaluating how places of worship are designated, and revising Planning Opportunity Areas. For the future transportation map, staff listed new separated bike facilities, road widenings and the Trail757 project among planned updates.
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