V.I. Code tit. 29, § 237 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 29 - Public Planning and Development|Chapter 3 - Virgin Islands Zoning and Subdivision Law|Subchapter I - Zoning Law|§ 237. The Virgin Islands Planning Office

 General review of zoning law by the Virgin Islands Planning Office  (a) The Planning Office shall carry on a continuous review of the effectiveness and appropriateness of the Zoning Law and recommend to the Legislature such changes that are in keeping with the General Development Plan for the Virgin Islands. Specific powers of the Virgin Islands Planning Office to review applications  (b) Applications for the following special permits shall be referred to the Planning Office for a report of its recommendations at least thirty (30) days prior to the public hearing assigned to the matter on which the opinion was requested. Group dwellings as set forth in section 231. The Division of Planning of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources shall be responsible for the review and approval of such proposal. In considering the proposal, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources shall consider in particular the groupings and arrangement of the structures, landscaping, and whether modification in the yard and/or grouping provisions will permit better site planning, and whether the proposed development is compatible with adjacent uses and properties, and whether the proposed location is in harmony with the general plan of development. Planned area or planned residential developments as set forth in section 232. In reviewing such proposal, the Planning Office shall consider all aspects of the proposal as set forth in this subchapter, and in particular the grouping and arrangement of the structures; the location of permitted uses and their relationship to adjacent properties; the development and distribution of open spaces; the pedestrian and vehicular pattern; the zoning district or districts in which the Planned Development and adjacent properties are located; whether any amendments to said zoning district or districts should or ought to be recommended in conjunction with the proposed development plan; whether any modification in the yard and/or grouping provisions should or ought to be recommended to provide for a better arrangement of buildings and open space and to provide better site planning; whether the proposed development is compatible with adjacent properties and uses, and does not deprive such properties or uses of adequate light and air; and whether the proposed location and development is in harmony with general plan of development and in the public interest of the Virgin Islands. The full report of the Planning Office regarding such proposal shall include the reasons for the decision thereon and shall be incorporated into the records of any public hearing held thereon. The Planning Office shall report its findings in regard to these and any other relevant consideration in its report to the Zoning Administrator. Review of zoning amendments by the Virgin Islands Planning Office  (c) Any petition for an amendment to the text of the Zoning Law or the Zoning District Maps shall be referred to the Planning Office for a report to be submitted to the Legislature of the Virgin Islands after due public notice and hearing, containing its recommendations in the manner set forth in section 238. In reviewing a petition for an amendment to the Zoning Law or the Zoning District Maps, the Planning Office shall consider, in particular, changes that have taken place in the Virgin Islands in patterns of development and land use, the supply of land and its suitability for various purposes, the effect of the change of any rule or regulation in the text upon the Islands as a whole, the purpose of Zoning and the particular zoning districts, and whether the change is in harmony with the general plan of development of the Virgin Islands. General rules of procedure of the Planning Office  (d) The Planning Office shall adopt, from time to time, general procedural rules and regulations necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this subchapter. Except as otherwise provided for in this subchapter, these shall include, among other things, procedure for the conduct of public hearings, the time and place of meetings and public hearings on particular matters, forms to be used in the submission of applications, assignment of duties to a secretary and/or assistant secretary who shall be designated by the Director of Planning from employees of his staff to carry out the official business of the Office, formation of committees, and the forms of written reports and findings of the Office. Time for hearing. The Virgin Islands Planning Office shall fix a reasonable time for hearings, giving due notice thereof as required by section 239, but in no case shall a hearing on a particular matter be held later than sixty (60) days after the filing of an application with the Planning Office on that matter. Agenda. The agenda of any meeting of the Planning Office shall be released not less than five (5) days prior to the meeting at which matters so listed are to be considered. Advisory counsel of the Planning Office to other agencies  (e) When requested, the Planning Office and its staff shall give such technical advisory counsel as deemed appropriate to the Zoning Administrator, the Board of Land Use Appeals and other agencies. Notification of zoning amendments by Planning Office  (f) The Planning Office shall notify the Office of the Tax Assessor and the Department of Finance of all amendments or changes to the text of the zoning law or the zoning district maps within 15 days of every such change. Within sixty days of notification of any zoning changes, the Office of Tax Assessor shall reassess the affected properties.