Senate approves rezonings and two submarine-base leases to spur housing and commercial use
March 18, 2026 | Legislative, Virgin Islands, International
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The Legislature approved a package of rezonings and lease agreements on March 18 aimed at enabling housing, transit infrastructure and commercial activity.
Key votes: the Senate ratified a coastal-zone permit (36-0235) for Anquet Inc.; rezoned a Smith Bay parcel from A1 to R3 for residential medium-density use (36-0267); granted a zoning variance to allow a bus and passenger terminal on St. Croix (36-0269); rezoned Strand Street in Christiansted from R3 to B1/B2 to enable neighborhood business uses (36-0271); and approved two lease agreements for Submarine Base parcels (36-0199 and 36-0204) intended for multi-tenant development and logistics/storage. Roll-call tallies on several bills were recorded as unanimous or strongly in favor (multiple results recorded as 14 yays, one absent for several items) and the measures will be forwarded to the governor.
Why it matters: The approvals are intended to activate underused property, increase housing opportunities and expand transportation and logistics capacity—issues senators said would support jobs and recovery.
What happens next: Approved measures will be sent to the governor. For rezonings, municipal and permitting steps will follow; for leases, oversight and approved development plans will guide subtenants and operations.
Key votes: the Senate ratified a coastal-zone permit (36-0235) for Anquet Inc.; rezoned a Smith Bay parcel from A1 to R3 for residential medium-density use (36-0267); granted a zoning variance to allow a bus and passenger terminal on St. Croix (36-0269); rezoned Strand Street in Christiansted from R3 to B1/B2 to enable neighborhood business uses (36-0271); and approved two lease agreements for Submarine Base parcels (36-0199 and 36-0204) intended for multi-tenant development and logistics/storage. Roll-call tallies on several bills were recorded as unanimous or strongly in favor (multiple results recorded as 14 yays, one absent for several items) and the measures will be forwarded to the governor.
Why it matters: The approvals are intended to activate underused property, increase housing opportunities and expand transportation and logistics capacity—issues senators said would support jobs and recovery.
What happens next: Approved measures will be sent to the governor. For rezonings, municipal and permitting steps will follow; for leases, oversight and approved development plans will guide subtenants and operations.
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