Framework for the Future 2030

16 GLOSSARY

This glossary provides definitions of terms and acronyms used in this report. The definitions are arranged in alphabetical order by the Chapter in which they first appear.

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION

City Council-

City Planning Commission - The public body in Newport News which is authorized by the Code of Virginia and appointed by the City Council to prepare and recommend to the City Council the City’s comprehensive plan, zoning and subdivision ordinances and capital improvements program. The Planning Commission consists of nine members who are residents of the City and who are considered to be qualified by knowledge and experience to make decisions regarding on the City’s growth and development.

Comprehensive Plan - A document required by State law which guides the future long range development of the City. It is recommended by the City Planning Commission and adopted by the City Council. After adoption, it is used to guide decisions on land use, economic development, transportation, environment, etc. The Framework for the Future is the City’s Comprehensive Plan.

goal - A purpose or aim toward which an endeavor is directed.

implementation - A specific action to put into practice a policy or strategy.

may - This word indicates an action that is permitted.

policy - A principle which guides decisions and courses of action. Policies are directed towards achieving goals.

shall - In an ordinance, this word is used to indicate a mandatory requirement. However, in the Framework for the Future , the word shall indicates an action that ought to happen.

should - In the Framework, the word should indicates an action which is strongly recommended.

strategic plan - A plan of coordinated actions designed to achieve stated goals.

strategy - An action that will accomplish a policy and thereby contribute toward achievement of a goal.

task force - A temporary group of people and resources for the accomplishment of an objective. During the Framework for the Future’s preparation and the Update process, five task forces were created, one for each planning district, and the city-wide Youth Task Force, to study and make recommendations.  

vision statement - The description of a desired future for an aspect of community life in Newport News.

CHAPTER 2. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

applied high technology - Advanced technology in manufacturing, as opposed to research and development.

Applied ResearchCenter - The first building constructed in the JeffersonCenter for Science and Technology to house business and university operations engaged in research and technology.

basic-sector jobs - Jobs in industries (primarily in manufacturing, tourism, research and development, transportation and state/federal government, including defense) that serve markets beyond the local region. Thus, basic-sector jobs bring in dollars from beyond the region, which are then re-spent in the local economy.

blue collar - The majority of skilled craftsman and repair occupational categories and the operations, transportation operations, laborers and agricultural, and fisheries occupational categories.

Capital Improvements Program (CIP) - A multi-year plan for acquiring, constructing and financing public buildings such as schools, parks, fire stations, libraries, etc., expensive equipment such as fire engines, and public works such as sanitary sewers, water lines, storm sewers and streets with improvements usually scheduled six years into the future. The first year of the CIP is the City’s capital budget.

CIP - See Capital Improvements Program.

computer integrated systems - Combinations of computers, peripheral computer equipment and software designed specifically to perform a complex task or set of tasks.

diversification - The process of increasing the types of industry present in the economic base so that the local economy is not reliant on one or two major industries (e.g. defense).

economic base - That part of the local economy containing industries which serve markets beyond the local region.

economic development - An activity, conducted primarily by local government and/or organized business groups, that seeks to expand and diversify the local economic base or otherwise improve the local economy through a combination of marketing, aiding existing businesses and creating a climate favorable to attracting new firms and retaining existing firms. The latter may include land assembly and site preparation, financial assistance, improvements to education and quality of life, transportation and other infrastructure improvements, etc.

economic engine - A metaphorical term used to describe a concentration of economic base employment.
Economic Framework - The element of the Framework for the Future comprehensive plan that addresses issues surrounding the local economy.

economy - An organized process of creating wealth.
Enterprise Zone - A State-designated area of economic distress in which qualifying businesses may receive tax credits, abatements and refunds, as well as other forms of assistance, from the State and local governments.

fixed-asset loan programs - Government programs which make loans to businesses to finance the acquisition or improvement of real property, machinery or equipment.

globalization - The process whereby local, regional and national economies establish linkages and interrelationships with economies of other nations and the world economy in general.

gold collar - The technical occupational category and highly skilled occupations in the skilled craftsmen and repair occupational categories.

high tech - Short for high technology, meaning technology of an advanced nature, whether incorporated into a product or used to produce goods and services.

IDA - Industrial Development Authority - the Industrial Development Authority of Newport News. Industrial development authorities are State chartered organizations that may be accountable to local elected officials or independent and which have certain powers to conduct real estate and financial transactions to aid private enterprises that are not given to municipal government.

JeffersonCenter for Research and Technology - The 107 acres of City-owned land adjacent to the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility and Canon, Virginia and reserved for businesses engaged in the development of research and technology.

Jefferson Lab - See Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility.

labor base - A pool of workers within the labor force with a specific set of skills, knowledge and or training.

micro business - A very small business, generally with less than five employees.

NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Generally referring to NASA’s research and development center in Hampton, the LangleyResearchCenter, which is a major regional employer.

national defense sector - That part of the national economy that is composed of the military services and firms that have their primary business relationship with the military.

neighborhood conservation district - An ordinance requiring new buildings to be similar in appearance with adjacent structures on the block, and requiring uniform front yard setbacks. Neighborhood conservation districts may also control parking.

New Horizons - The regional secondary school level vocational education program, sometimes also referring to the two physical locations of the program: one in Buckroe and one in Denbigh near Fort Eustis Boulevard.

non-basic sector - That part of the local economy composed of industries that serve a local market. “New” money is not generated in this sector. Money brought into the economy through the basic sector is re-spent in the non-basic sector. Wages and profits generated in the non-basic sector are again re-spent in the non-basic sector. However, with each round of re-spending, some money is spent outside of the local economy, and so the money originally brought in through the basic sector eventually all “leaks out.” Thus, a healthy basic sector that keeps bringing in “new” money is essential for a sound local economy.

ombudsman - A public official whose duty it is to intercede for the public with other government agents in order to resolve complaints or expedite government services.

public/private partnership - A type of real estate development in which financial investment, risk and benefits are undertaken jointly by a government and a business(es), generally in order to attract private investment by shifting some of the risk onto government.

quid-pro-quo - An equal exchange or substitution, generally agreed to by two negotiating parties, so that one, in getting something, must give something in turn to the other party.

regional base industries - Industries that have a market which is greater than the local (citywide) economy, but not larger than the metropolitan region. Thus, while not bringing “new” money into the region, regional base industries concentrate money and jobs in central areas.

research and development - The sector of the economy engaged in creating new knowledge, new products and/or new industrial or engineering processes.

SCOT - SchoolCenter for Operations and Transportation - The Newport News Public Schools physical plant for bus, food, textbook storage and related functions. SCOT occupies a portion of ARC and must eventually be relocated.

skilled labor - Workers possessing a high level of mechanical skill; those workers in the “precision production, craft, and repair occupations” as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, and sometimes including the “technicians and related support” category also.

socio-economic - Identified by indicators of social and economic status.

software - Sets of instructions (ultimately electronically/mathematically encoded) used by computers to perform various operations.

spin-offs - Something created or happening as a result of another occurrence; an economic activity that results from the presence of another economic activity.

standard of living - The ability to consume goods and services.

start-up firms - Businesses that are beginning operation.

Tax Increment Financing - A method of financing capital improvements whereby the tax revenue generated from new real estate development in a designated area, after a capital improvement is made, is used to service the bonded debt that was undertaken to pay for the capital improvement.

Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility - Formerly called the “ Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility,” the Jefferson Lab is a particle physics research laboratory owned by the U.S.
Department of Energy and operated by the Southeastern Universities Research Association and located north of Oyster Point of Newport News.

vocational education - An educational curriculum, generally at the secondary but sometimes at the post-secondary level, that emphasizes training for a particular occupation (usually an occupation requiring manual or technical skill), as opposed to an educational curriculum that emphasizes general academic learning.

white collar - The management, professional and clerical occupational categories.

CHAPTER 3. LAND USE

activity center - An area of the City concentrating a mixture of employment, shopping, services, education, culture, recreation and places of worship. There are five types of activity centers defined for Newport News in the Framework for the Future and they vary by size and function: neighborhood, community, regional, employment and transit oriented development.

blighted area - An area characterized by deteriorated or abandoned buildings.

buffer - Land designed to separate one type of land use from another in order to reduce or eliminate undesirable effects. Trees, landscaping and man-made screening are often placed in buffers for aesthetics and to reduce or eliminate noise and glare from lights.

condominium - Two or more dwelling units on land held in common ownership, where common grounds and facilities are maintained by a homeowners association.

CDBG - Community Development Block Grant, a program that annually provides funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for community improvement and economic development in low income areas of the City.

CIP - See Chapter 2. Could not find 1209764493484

conditional use - A provision of the Zoning Ordinance whereby City Council may allow land uses not otherwise permitted in a zoning district, provided the development meets certain conditions. Requests for conditional use permits require public notice and public hearings before they can be approved.

 conservation district - See neighborhood conservation district.

covenant - An agreement between the buyer and seller of property which is contained in the property deed or otherwise formally recorded. Covenants may place restrictions on the use of property and either prohibit or require certain specified activities.  May also be called a deed restriction or restrictive covenant.

dedication - The donation of property to the City. Land conveyed to the City may be used for schools, parks, utilities, etc.

deed restriction - See covenant

down-zoning - A change in the zoning classification of land, usually to a less intensive use, such as from a multifamily or commercial district to a single family district. A down-zoning initiated by the City must be recommended by an adopted plan.

dwelling unit - A living space, including kitchen, in a permanent structure providing shelter for a family or household consisting of no more than three unrelated individuals.

easement - A right or privilege that a person, or persons, may have in another’s land. Types of easements, as referenced in this document include access easements--the right to enter, approach or use the property; and conservation easements--which limit an owner’s rights to develop a piece of property in order to preserve certain features.

fiscal impact - An analysis of the affect of a proposed development or policy decision on the short and long term finances of the City.

IDA - The Industrial Development Authority of Newport News. See definition in Chapter 2 of the Glossary.

improvement - Any man-made, immovable item which becomes part of, placed upon, or is affixed to real estate.

infill - The development of vacant parcels in a largely built up area.

infrastructure - The basic facilities needed to sustain industrial, residential and commercial activities.
Infrastructure includes water and sewer lines, storm drainage, streets, landfills, communications and public facilities such as fire stations, libraries, parks, etc.

master plan - A comprehensive plan to guide future development.

mixed use - A development with a combination of two or more different uses, such as residential and commercial or residential and office. The different uses may be in the same building or on the same parcel of land.

multiple-family - Three or more dwelling units in the same structure, usually an apartment building or a condominium.

neighborhood - See definition Chapter 14 of the Glossary.

neighborhood conservation district - See definition in Chapter 2 of the Glossary.

nonconforming use - A use that was allowed by right at one time but no longer conforms with zoning regulations due to changes in the Zoning Ordinance.

PRD - A Planned Residential Development which allows a mixture of residential uses in the same development and trades off smaller residential lot sizes for more open space. Such developments are required to follow a plan approved by the City.

pyramid zoning - A term describing a zoning ordinance which allows more than one type of use in the same district, such as single family, multiple family and commercial uses in the commercial district, thereby making development difficult to control.

screening - A method of visually shielding or obscuring nearby uses from each other by fencing, walls, berms or densely planted trees and vegetation.

single-family - One dwelling unit situated on its own parcel.

single-family attached - Single family dwellings sharing a common outside wall, such as duplexes or townhouses.

subdivision - The division of a parcel of land into two or more lots. The term also applies to a single family residential development consisting of several lots.

subdivision ordinance - The local law governing the division of land into lots or parcels for sale in the City.

Transit Oriented Development - Planned, high density, mixed use development usually within 1/2 mile of transit stations designed to encourage people to walk or use public transit instead of driving their cars.
zoning ordinance - The local law under which the City classifies land into districts, referred to as zoning districts or zones. For each zone there are rules that control the placement and use of buildings and structures on land. These rules may vary between districts.

CHAPTER 4. TRANSPORTATION

ADT - Average daily traffic, which measures traffic using a city street in a 24 hour period. The City maintains historical records of ADT for each street to determine traffic flows.

AMTRAK - The name of the company providing passenger train service in the United States.

arterial street - A major City street connecting major destinations and communities and whose prime function is to move large amounts of traffic.

CMAQ - Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality. The program is authorized under the federal transportation program TEA-21 which funds transportation improvements to improve air quality in regions that do not meet air quality standards.

Bikeway - A general term used for either bicycle trails, bicycle lanes or bicycle routes.

Bicycle trail - A Class I bikeway that is usually paved and has its owned corridor and sometimes its own right-of-way.

Bicycle lane - A Class 2 bikeway, which is a portion of a street that is marked for the exclusive use of bicycles.

Bicycle route - A Class 3 bikeway designated by signs and shares the street with other vehicles on the street.

collector street - A City street which collects traffic from local streets and channels it to arterial streets.

commuter rail - Regular train service during rush hours that takes people to and from work.

CSX - The company which owns the major rail line and provides rail freight service between Newport News and Richmond. The company was created by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad.

cross section - How a road would appear in a drawing if one looked at it head on.

curb cut - An entrance to property from the street, often requiring that part of the curb be removed to permit the driveway’s construction.

expressway - An arterial street that carries very large amounts of traffic but has access limited to designated points of entry or exits.

feeder bus - Public bus routes connecting with rail transit stations.

headway - The time a passenger must wait between buses.HOV lanes - High Occupancy Vehicle lanes, which are special lanes on streets that can only be used inrush hour by cars with two or more passengers.

Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) - The regional public transit service serving Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake which was created in 1999 by the merger of Pentran, operated by the Peninsula Transportation District Commission on the Peninsula with TRT, operated by the Tidewater Transportation District Commission on the Southside of Hampton Roads.

intermodal - Means more than one method of travel or transportation. 

SAFETEA-LU - Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). SAFETEA-LU represents the largest surface transportation investment in our Nation's history. The two landmark bills that brought surface transportation into the 21^st century—the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) and the Transportation Equity Act for the 21^st Century (TEA-21)—shaped the highway program to meet the Nation's changing transportation needs. SAFETEA-LU builds on this firm foundation, supplying the funds and refining the programmatic framework for investments needed to maintain and grow our vital transportation infrastructure. 

light rail - A form of public transit on rail tracks which is similar to the streetcar or trolley which is les expensive to build than a subway.

local street - A City street providing immediate access to property and which usually has low traffic volumes.

LOS - Level of Service, the method used by traffic engineers and transportation planners to measure the amount of traffic congestion on a street during the morning (am) or evening (pm) peak hours.

major thoroughfare - A collector or arterial street that usually also has a state or federal highway route number.

interstate - An expressway constructed under the federal interstate highway program and part of the national system of interstate highways. The interstate roads in the City are I-64 and I-664.

mass transportation - Usually means a system for carrying large amounts of people, such as buses or rail systems for commuters.

median - The grassy or concrete area between opposing travel lanes on a highway or street.

MPO - The Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) which is the regional agency required by federal law to prepare a long range regional plan and program of transportation improvements in metropolitan areas. In the Hampton Roads Region, the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission and its staff function as the MPO.

national highway system - The new system of major highways in the United States.

Part 150 Study - A study financed by the Federal Aviation Administration to reduce aircraft noise around an airport through land use controls, aviation easements, controlling approaches and regulating times of operation.

peak hour - Usually the times during which the morning and evening rush hours occur on the city’s streets.

PeninsulaAirport Commission -The agency created by the Commonwealth of Virginia to own and operate the Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport.

 reversible lanes - Travel lanes on a street which allow traffic to go in one direction in the mornings and the opposite direction in the evening.

right-of-way - The publicly owned land on which a street is constructed.

route deviation - Regular bus service whereby buses, assisted by global positioning devices, may deviate from assigned routes to pick up passengers.

six year program - A plan, now called the Virginia Transportation Development Plan, of state road improvements for a six year period which is prepared by the Virginia Department of Transportation and approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board.

TIP -The Transportation Improvement Program, which is a three year program of transportation improvements for the Hampton Roads Region. Usually, the first three years of VDOT’s six year program.

traffic management - A program of actions by employers to reduce traffic congestion by encouraging employees to share rides, use public transit, van pool, etc.

TRAFFIX -The public agency created to develop traffic management progress in Hampton Roads.

traffic volume - The number of cars using a street during a 24-hour period (See ADT).

transportation plan - A part of the City’s comprehensive plan, Framework for the Future, which recommends improvements to the City’s streets and public transportation.

Virginia Transportation Development Plan -VDOT’s six year program of transportation improvements for Virginia.

VDOT - The Virginia Department of Transportation, the State agency responsible for planning, constructing and maintaining transportation improvements in Virginia. Most of the money for road construction and maintenance in Newport News comes from VDOT.

VMT -Vehicle Miles Traveled, a measure of traffic volume over a period of time on a street, locality or region.

urban allocation - Highway funds the City receives from the state for engineering and building streets.

CHAPTER 5. PUBLIC EDUCATION

Applied Academic Diploma - Required for college bound students and is designed to invoke intellectual stimulation.

Academic Technical Diploma - Emphasis is on technical skills for students who are not college bound.

alternative high school - A school for students that do not thrive in a traditional high school setting, need different methods of learning and/or would like to begin working while still attending high school.

alternative teacher certification - Different certification requirements which enables persons in professions other than education to teach in the classroom.

apprentice programs - programs where students are required to work for a specific amount of time in return for instruction in a trade, art or business.

At Risk -A term school administrators use to identify students who are at risk of academic failure at school.

BIG/ED - Business/Industry/Government and Education Program - A regional forum established to promote dialogue between business, industry, government and education through which business, industry and government can transmit their specifications to education.

CIP - See definition under Chapter 3 of the Glossary.

curriculum - All the courses of study offered by an educational institution. (Curricula is plural).

developmental learning program - A teaching method based on an individual child’s readiness.

Economically Disadvantaged - Students who are currently receiving free or reduced price lunches.

educational and training technology clearinghouse - A central office containing all new training technology and educational tools for use by educators.

internship programs - Programs that allow students to work in their chosen field while in school.

impact fees - Fees paid by developers to governments which help to offset the cost of additional services, such as trash collection, schools, police, fire, etc. that are required when large development projects are constructed.

language arts - English class.

latchkey children - Children left unsupervised at home after school until their parents come home from work.

Looping -When teachers stay with the same group of students for two years as they advance in school.

magnet programs-Designed to attract and challenge students with a proven ability in a specific advanced area of study.

magnet school - A school with an emphasis in a certain area of study, such as science and technology, available to qualified students.

mentor program - A program that enables a student to pair up with a trusted professional adult for guidance and counseling.

New Horizons - A technical high school for Newport News and Hampton students interested in learning a technical skill or trade.

NNPS - Newport News Public Schools.

PACES - Peninsula Area Cooperative Educational Services - The regional educational organization which serves six area school divisions. It administers New Horizons and develops and operates day programs for handicapped children.

primary block - A unified Pre-K to Grade 2 program consisting of a coherent philosophy, a well defined curriculum, an efficient and effective instructional delivery system, no grading and parental involvement.

school-based-management - Each school principal is totally responsible for the management of their school including teaching methods, curriculum and personnel administration.

Standards of Accreditation(SOA’s) -Regulations for accrediting public elementary and secondary schools in Virginia.

Standards of Learning (SOL’s) -State developed, criterion - referenced tests designed to measure student mastery of the academic content and skills specified.

Standards of Quality - Standards set by the State Board of Education to make sure all schools are performing at an acceptable level and enabling each student to achieve the essential basic skills which are necessary for success in school and for a productive life in the years beyond.

school rezoning - The process of redefining school attendance boundaries.

School Plant Resource Advisory Task Force - A group made up of City and school personnel and concerned citizens to determine the need and location of additional schools.

TeacherResourceCenter -A central location for educational materials located on the WarwickHigh School campus. Some City-wide educational programs are housed here.

student-teacher ratio - The number of students per teacher in a classroom.

truancy - A student who is absent from school without permission.

vocational schools - A school with an educational curriculum that emphasizes technical training for a particular occupation, as opposed to an educational curriculum which emphasizes general academic learning.

World Class Educational System - A system of education that seeks to educate all students and is accountable for student achievement and school performance. The goals being that all students will demonstrate competence in a core of knowledge that is critical to their understanding of the world in which they will live; all students will develop a system of ethics and values reflecting individual and shared responsibilities for themselves and to the community in an increasingly global society; and all graduates will be prepared to directly enter and continue in the skilled work force, or to enter and complete further academic and technical education.

CHAPTER 6. PARKS AND RECREATION

active recreation-Generally refers to sports, such as baseball, volleyball, tennis, boating, hiking, jogging, playground activities and other action-oriented uses.

amenity - Facilities that add to one’s comfort and convenience or the attractiveness of a place.

bike lane - A lane signed for bicycle use adjacent to a traffic lane and delineated by pavement markings.

bike path (or trail) - A trail signed for bicycle use that is physically separate from roadways.

bike route - A roadway with shared bicycle traffic and signed accordingly. Generally designated as such on low traffic roads.

bikeway - Encompasses bike lanes, routes and trails in one all-inclusive term. See Chapter 4 definintion.

easement - See definition under Chapter 3 of the Glossary.

community park - Serves several neighborhoods, typically contains an indoor recreation center, ball fields and other facilities and can range in size from 15-25 acres and serves an area encompassing 1 to 1-1/2 miles from the park. Located on collector or arterial streets.

district park - Serves a large section of the City, provides indoor recreation centers and a concentration of active recreational facilities. Located on major arterial streets and accessible by public transit with minimum size of 50 acres and a service radius of 5-7 miles. Huntington Park, Deer Park and RiverviewFarmPark in Newport News are considered District Parks.

greenway - An open space corridor along a creek, railroad or other natural or cultural feature. Greenways may be used to connect parks, neighborhoods, activity centers and other facilities with trails.

neighborhood park - Serves one or two neighborhoods, contains a playground, picnic tables, ball courts and landscaping. Located on local or collector street with an ideal size is 3-5 acres. Serves an area within a half mile walking radius.

open space - Land preserved for its scenic and natural qualities. May include wooded buffers and/or stream corridors. Also refers to open land, such as power line corridors, that offers opportunities for recreational trail construction.

regional park - Serves several metropolitan areas, provides active recreation and specialized outdoors activities such as boating or camping. Generally 100-200 acres in size and larger. Newport NewsPark is classified as a regional park..

street tree - Refers to a tree planted within, or immediately adjacent to, the public right-of-way along a street.

CHAPTER 7. HOUSING

cluster (units/housing) - A development technique that concentrates buildings in specific areas on site to allow remaining land to be used for recreation, common open space and preservation of environmentally sensitive features.

conditional use permit - A permit that must be granted by City Council through a public hearing process that allows an individual to place a use in a zoning district where it is not otherwise permitted as a matter-of-right. Usually conditions are applied to the permit to mitigate impacts from the proposed use.

condominium - A residential building in which the dwellings are owned individually while the common grounds and facilities, such as swimming pools, parking, recreation areas and streets are owned in common.

congregate housing - Large-scale group quarters with central food preparation and eating areas. Serves special needs populations, such as the elderly or persons with disabilities.

conservation district - See definition in Chapter 2 of the Glossary.

Consolidated Plan - The replacement to the Housing Assistance Plan and CHAS.

contextual character - New housing that is similar in style and design to existing housing.

conversion - To change. A rental unit apartment building that changes to an apartment building with units which are purchased.

density - The number of inhabitants or housing units in a given area.

Department of Codes Compliance-City Department responsible for responding to zoning and building code violations and issuing building and other permits.

design review process - A process of reviewing preliminary development plans to ensure they comply with design regulations.

detached housing - A house that stands alone and is not connected to another house by a common wall.

dwelling unit - See Chapter 3 above for definition.

federally subsidized - The Federal Government shares in the cost of building, maintaining, operating or renting the housing.

federally subsidized low-income properties - The Federal Government provided the loan for construction of the buildings; if apartments, they can only be rented to low-and moderate-income persons; and, if single family homes, they can only be sold to low-and moderate-income persons.

group homes - A single family residence shared by a small number of unrelated adults, who do not require institutional care. In the zoning ordinance, the group home is defined as a residential facility for nine or more mentally ill, mentally retarded, or developmentally disabled persons, for which the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services is the licensing authority.

halfway house - A house where persons adapt to independent living before being released from incarceration or drug and alcohol treatment.

housing development - An area with only residential housing.

housing stock - The supply of residential housing.

housing subdivision - An area with only residential housing, usually identified by its own unique name.

housing type - A different residence, such as an apartment or single family residence.

housing unit - One house or apartment.

Housing Assistance Plan - A plan to address low-and moderate-income housing needs in the City which,in 1990, was replaced by the Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS).HUD - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

in-kind contribution - Contributions other than money.infill development - See definition in Chapter 3 of the Glossary.

infrastructure - See definition in Chapter 3 of the Glossary.

interest buy-down - the lowering of the interest rate for a home mortgage by paying a fee to the lender,thus making homes affordable to lower income buyers. May be funded by various governmental programs.

large-lot development - Development on lots larger than one-acre.

limited equity tenant cooperative - A group of people, with limited funds, who pool their resources to buy and maintain the building where they reside.

low and moderate income housing - Housing financed by the Federal Government for persons or families with incomes less than 80 percent of the Hampton Roads Region’s median household income. Very low income is less than 30 percent of the region’s household income. Low income is less than 50 percent of the region’s median household income. Moderate income is less than 80 percent of the region’s household income.

low-interest loan - A loan with an interest rate that is considered low, usually no more than three percent.

manufactured housing - A prefabricated house that is put together in standardized sections.

mid-rise - A three to four story building.

mobile home - A manufactured home, built in a factory, where the home is built on a wheeled chassis and can be relocated easily.

modular home - A home where the main compartments are constructed in a factory and transported and assembled on the site.

mortgage holder - The company or person to which your mortgage is paid.

multiple-family - See definition in Chapter 3 of the Glossary.

NNRHA - Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority - A political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The general power of the Authority is to acquire, lease, operate and maintain public housing projects.

PRD - See definition in Chapter 3 of the Glossary.

public hearing - A process of allowing the local citizenry to voice their opinion before Planning Commission and City Council on issues of importance.

public housing - Housing that is owned and operated by the Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority.

public housing distribution policy - A policy established by City Council in March 1978 to evenly distribute public and subsidized housing throughout the City. The distribution was zero for Planning District I. 18 percent in Planning District II, 33 percent in Planning District III and 48 percent in Planning District IV.

public housing homeowner demonstration program - Single family residential public housing units, constructed by the NNRHA, on individual lots and sold to qualifying low income residents.

redevelopment area - An area experiencing deterioration and a population decrease targeted by the City for revitalization.

rehabilitation - An old, unmaintained house that is repaired and restored to its original condition.

relocation - To move a family out of their existing residence into another.

relocation assistance - Funding that enables a family being relocated not to incur any cost.

rental unit - A dwelling that is rented and not owned by the tenant.

revolving loan program- Interest which is paid on mortgages and other loans and is put back into a central loan pool to be loaned again to other borrowers.

Section 8 certificates - Certificates issued to the NNRHA which, in turn, enters into contracts with approved, privately owned existing apartments. The certificates pay the difference between the HUD determined Fair Market Rent and the rent which the tenant is able to pay, usually 30% of the tenants income.

Section 8 vouchers - A housing coupon, given directly to low-income persons and is redeemable by any landlord within the State whose rental housing meet safety standards.

Section 8-project based rent subsidy - A privately owned housing project that was subsidized and the rental certificates are attached to the unit. If the tenant leaves the unit, the certificate remains.

Section 8-tenant based project - The construction of the project was subsidized through HUD funding but the tenants bring the certificates and the certificates move with the tenants.

Section 8 moderate rehabilitation - This program has been scaled back and now only funds single room occupancy housing (SROs).Under this program, a building owner who rehabilitates a substandard multiple unit property is guaranteed project-based Section 8 rental assistance for the tenants.

set-back - A requirement from the Zoning Ordinance which defines where a building may be put on a lot by establishing minimum distances of the building from front, side and rear lot lines.

single-family detached unit - A house. A free-standing residential building which contains one housing unit intended for occupancy by one family.

single-room occupancy - A type of housing which provides a one room home for low income single persons.

Site Plan Ordinance - See definition under Chapter 3 of the Glossary.

smart house - A house which contains automated, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems.

social and economic integration - The integration of people and families of varying social and economic status.

special-purpose housing - Housing designed specifically for people with special needs such as the elderly or handicapped.

Subdivision Ordinance - See definition under Chapter 3 of the Glossary.

subsidized housing - Housing which is paid for in part by government programs.

subsidized housing clusters - A grouping of subsidized housing units.

substance abuse rehabilitation center - A live-in or out-patient facility for the rehabilitation of persons addicted to drugs and/or alcohol.

substandard housing - Housing lacking some or all plumbing and/or housing of poor exterior and/or interior condition. Overcrowding and unsanitary conditions are also factors usually considered.

tax credit - A formal term for a reduction of taxes owed after the tax bill has been calculated, as opposed to a tax deduction, which is a reduction of taxable income before taxes are calculated.

tenant management - The management of public housing by the tenants who reside there.

townhome/townhouse - A single family housing unit which is attached to another adjacent unit or units but has no other units above it or below it. The ownership of the land beneath the unit, and sometimes a small area on two or three sides of the unit, is included with the ownership of a townhome.

urban renewal - A government program for the clearing and rebuilding of blighted areas.

vacancy rate - The percentage of vacant housing units within an area.

VHDA - Virginia Housing Development Authority.

Zoning Ordinance - See definition under Chapter 3 of the Glossary.

CHAPTER 8. PUBLIC SAFETY

aerial apparatus - A fire truck designed to fight fires in tall buildings, e.g. an aerial ladder truck or an aerial tower.

aerial ladder - A fire truck mounted ladder that can be extended for reaching high places to fight fire or effect rescue.

aerial tower - A fire truck mounted, hydraulic powered, 100 foot telescoping boom with a tap mounted articulating platform from which to fight fires or effect rescue.

auxiliary officers - Unpaid, volunteer police who have received the same training as regular police officers.

automated special needs tracking system - A computerized method for recording the people who will need special assistance in an emergency, such as a hurricane.

Building Code - The rules controlling the construction of structures. As in most of the country, localities in Virginia use the rules of the International Building Code (IBC).

Call Management System - A triage method for managing police calls whereby the police are sent first to the most serious crimes.

Citizens Observer Program - A program of the Newport News Police Department where citizens ride with police officers who are on patrol.

City Farm - The minimum security prison operated by the City’s Department of Adult Corrections. Inmates perform work by maintaining the landscaping of City parks and streets.

code enforcement - Rules controlling the construction and maintenance of buildings and property to protect the public safety and welfare.

community based policing - A philosophy of policing in which police officers are assigned to neighborhoods, become familiar with citizens they protect, and work in partnership with citizens to fight crime.

crime rate - The number of serious (Part I) crimes per 100,000 people in a jurisdiction.

DARE -The Drug Awareness and Resistance Education program in which police officers work with the public schools to teach children to resist drugs.

emergency medical services- Units in the City’s Fire Department which respond to medical emergencies and accidents.

enhanced 9-1-1 (9-1-1 E) - The City’s emergency number where calls for service to the City’s central dispatch are displayed on a computer monitor and indicate the caller’s phone number and address.

Drug Offender Mapping Project - A program that focuses on identifying neighborhoods with concentrated drug and violence activity and limits the ability of drug offenders to frequent those designated areas.

Hazmat Team - The unit in the City’s Fire Department which deals with chemical, radioactive and toxic spills.

Insurance Services Office (ISO) - A national organization who rates the fire defenses of cities and counties. The ISO rating is used to determine the cost of fire insurance in a locality.

Live FireTrainingBuilding - A specially constructed building in which fire fighters can train under actual fire conditions. The building is constructed in a manner that prevents it from burning so that the building can be reused for many years.

medic unit - The vehicle and personnel of a fire station which respond to calls for medical emergencies such as a heart attack.

Neighborhoods in Partnership with Police - A program where police are assigned to work with citizens in neighborhoods or housing projects having high crime rates.

neighborhood sweeps - A technique of code enforcement when inspectors quickly cover an entire neighborhood to determine violations and encourage neighborhood-wide clean up.

offense reporting system - A detailed reporting of all crimes for each area of the City.

Part I crime - A serious offense such as murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, auto theft or arson.

patrol area - An area of the City where police are assigned for patrol on a regular basis. There are presently 18 patrol areas in Newport News.

patrol district - One of two administrative areas under which patrol areas are grouped. The City has two patrol districts: the north and south patrols which are headquartered, respectively, in Denbigh and Downtown.

police athletic league - A sports league for youth sponsored by the Police Department.

problem oriented policing (POP) - A technique where crime patterns are analyzed using various disciplines, and non-conventional solutions are developed to reduce crime.

property maintenance code - Rules controlling the upkeep of private property which prohibit high weeds, junk cars, etc. in a neighborhood.

precinct - A police station from which police officers operate and which is located in the community area it serves.

pumper - A fire truck that pumps water on a fire.

quint - An aerial ladder truck with a water pump added to provide multipurpose fire fighting capability.

rehabilitation programs - Programs that help drug users end their addiction to drugs.

squad unit - The vehicle and personnel in a fire station who respond to a serious traffic accident, medical emergency or fire.

Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) - A reporting system developed by the Federal Bureau of Investigations that enables a comparison of crime and crime rates in United States’ cities.

Zoning Ordinance - See definition in Chapter 3 of the Glossary.

CHAPTER 9. HISTORIC PRESERVATION

adaptive re-use - The process of converting a building to a use other than that for which it was designed, while retaining its historic qualities.

archaeological resources - A collection of material evidence, such as graves, buildings, tools and pottery remaining from past human life and culture.

architectural resources- A structure or collection of buildings unique to a specific period, in style and design, or patterns of development which are significant to the City’s history.

architectural review - The process of ascertaining whether modifications to historic and other structures, settings and districts meet standards of appropriateness established by a governing or advisory review board.

architectural review board - A board made up of citizens residing within a historic district whose duties are to prepare guidelines and review exterior building changes and all new construction in the district.

cultural resources -Buildings, structures, districts, sites including their landscape settings, objects or documents that are representative or  that exemplify the cultural, architectural, economic, social, political, or historic heritage of the City or its communities.

historic district - A geographically definable area with a significant concentration of buildings, structures, sites, spaces or objects unified by past events, physical development, design, setting, materials, workmanship, sense of cohesiveness or related historical and aesthetic associations. The significance of a district may be recognized through listing in a local, state or national landmarks register and may be protected legally through enactment of a local historic district ordinance administered by a historic district board or commission.

historic interpretation - Explanation of the meaning of things, buildings, places and events from the past.

historic preservation - Generally, saving from destruction or deterioration old and historic buildings, sites, structures and objects and providing for their continued use by means of restoration, rehabilitation or adaptive use.

historic preservation review committee - A group of citizens that oversee the conservation of buildings, sites and districts that have importance in or influences on the City’s history.

historic resources - A collection of sites, buildings, areas and things that have importance in or influence on the City’s history.

historical archaeology - The study of the cultural remains of literate societies, including excavated material as well as above-ground resources such as buildings, pottery, weapons, tools, glassware, cutlery and textiles.

landmark - A building, site or object that has historical significance.

landmarks register - A listing of buildings, districts and objects designated for historical, architectural or other special significance that may carry protection for listed properties.

Preservation Commission- A generic term for an appointed state, municipal or county board that recommends the designation of and regulates changes to historic districts and landmarks. It may be called a historic district review board or commission, architectural or design review board or landmarks commission. The latter’s authority may be limited to individual buildings.

CHAPTER 10. HUMAN SERVICES

adult day care - The provision of daytime supervision, training and medical services for the elderly.

Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) - A joint federal/state program which provides economic and social benefits to low income families with dependent children, which has been replaced by TANF.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) - A condition of acquired immunological deficiency that is associated with infection of the cells of the immune system with the retrovirus HTLV-III.

anabolic steroids - Any of several synthetic hormones often used to increase muscle size and strength.

Area Agency on Aging - Established through a 1973 amendment to the 1965 Older Americans Act, these agencies facilitate the provision of services to the elderly. Services include information and referral, outreach, transportation, in-home services, legal services, protective services, counseling, socialization, recreation and education.

Commission on Health Care for all Virginians - A task force appointed by the General Assembly to address health care issues.

Community Services Board - An extension of local government responsible for coordinating mental health, mental retardation and substance abuse services for residents within the communities it serves.

Community Services Division - A division of the Newport News Police Department.

computer prescription network - Linking various pharmacies and doctors’ offices through a comprehensive computer network.

congregate meals - Providing meals to a group of persons.

Emergency Resources Forum - A task force made up of individuals associated with a variety of emergency assistance programs and agencies charged with coordinating the provision of services to local citizens.

Employee Assistance Program - A service designed to assist employees whose lives are being affected by any of a variety of life problems including medical, financial, alcohol, drugs, marital, mental health and family problems.

food stamps - A stamp issued by the government and sold or given to low-income persons to be redeemed for food.

Friends of the Homeless - A charitable organization which provides emergency housing, assistance and counseling.

Habitat-for-Humanity - A charitable organization providing low cost housing for eligible participants.

HIV - Also known as HTLV-III - a retrovirus implicated as the agent causing the underlying immunodeficiency in AIDS.

human services - Organized efforts to advance human welfare; social work.

human support programs - Efforts to provide for or maintain a basic quality of life by supplying needy individuals with money or necessities.

in-home care - Medical and physical assistance to persons confined to their home due to a disability. indigent population - Persons lacking the means of subsistence; impoverished, needy or destitute persons.

infant mortality - Frequency in number of deaths of young children in proportion to the total population.

intervention services - In the treatment of substance abuse, the actions taken by persons to eliminate the abuse by an individual.

Job Bank - A list of available jobs.

Living Interfaith Network (LINK) - A charitable organization formed by area churches to coordinate emergency assistance to the needy.

Long-Term Care Committee -A task force of health care human services agencies which addresses health care issues.

Meals on Wheels - A program in which meals are delivered to persons confined to their home due to disability.

Medicaid - A program, jointly funded by the states and the federal government, which provides medical aid for people who are unable to finance their own medical expenses.

Medicare - A program under the Social Security Administration that provides medical care for the elderly.

midwives - Women who assist other women in child birth.

nurse practitioner - A person trained to care for the sick or disabled, especially under the supervision of a physician.

Office of Human Affairs - Local agency responsible for assisting eligible persons in their efforts to become self-sufficient. Their services include GED education and tutoring, senior centers, counseling and job leads for ex-offenders, employment and training services, daycare, housing placement, transportation and emergency assistance.

Office of Substance Abuse Prevention - A federal agency focused on the prevention of substance abuse.

Patient Advocacy Care Team (PACT) -A program sponsored by the Newport News Health Department which links private physicians with the Newport News Health Department to enable eligible persons to access medical care.

Peninsula Aids Foundation (PAF) -Provides client services and outreach to persons with HIV infection and their families; promotes education to prevent infection and increase awareness of AIDS.

Peninsula Health Services Coordinating Commission - A task force of health care professionals responsible for coordinating and evaluating the delivery of health services.

Peninsula Institute for Community Health (PICH) -Community based public health care clinic located in southeast Newport News.

prenatal care - Medical care given to a pregnant woman during her pregnancy to protect her health as well as the health of the baby.

prevention services - Actions taken by individuals or groups to stop or hinder actions which may lead to substance abuse by other individuals.

public assistance programs - The provision of economic or social benefits to a certain group of people furnished by the government.

Rescue Mission - Temporary emergency housing shelter.

Resource Mothers Program- A program sponsored by the State and the Newport News Office of Human Affairs which matches pregnant teens with specially trained women who provide personal support and ensure they get prenatal care.

Salvation Army Shelter - Temporary emergency housing for persons in need which is run by the Salvation Army.

Sheltering Arms -Temporary emergency housing.

TANF -Temporary Assistance For Needy Families, the federally and state funded public welfare program providing assistance to low income families.

VirginiaPeninsula Council on Domestic Violence - An agency which assists victims of domestic violence by providing a 24-hour hotline; emergency, second-stage and transitional shelters; court advocacy; children’s programs; support groups and volunteer services.

welfare - The provision of economic or social benefits to a certain group of people furnished by the government or by private agencies.

Youth Services Division - A division of the City of Newport News Police Department.

CHAPTER 11. CULTURE

Arts in the Park - Annual festival sponsored by the City of Newport News featuring exhibits and displays of a variety of arts and crafts.

Beach Blast - Annual Fourth of July celebration with live entertainment and a variety of foods sponsored by the City of Newport News.

Bookmobile - A small truck or trailer equipped to serve as a mobile lending library.

branch libraries - A small satellite library.

community center - A meeting place used by members of a community for social, cultural or recreational purposes.

convention center - A meeting place for the formal assembly of persons.

Fall Festival - Annual arts and crafts festival, sponsored by the City of Newport News, which is held in Newport NewsPark in the fall.

illiteracy - Lacking the ability to read and write.

The NewsomeMuseum - Museum and cultural center operated by the City of Newport News, commemorating the life of Joseph Thomas Newsome, Newport News’ first black lawyer to practice before
the Virginia Supreme Court.

library outreach services - A systematic attempt to provide library services beyond the conventional limits of the library building.

Literacy-for-Juveniles-on-Probation Program - A program to teach juvenile offenders how to read.

Mid-Week Oasis - An annual festival held weekly during the summer in OysterPointPark featuring live entertainment.

mini-branch libraries - A smaller version of a branch library located for the convenience of the library user (e.g. storefront library or lending library in a train or bus station).

PeninsulaFineArtsCenter - Private, not-for-profit museum for visual arts, located in MarinersMuseumPark.

Peninsula Literacy Council - A not-for-profit charitable agency which promotes reading.

Peninsula Tourism and Conference Bureau -A publicly supported entity designed to enhance the tourist industry and travel business of municipalities on the Peninsula.

performing arts - The presentation of dramatic or musical work or other entertainment before anaudience.

performing arts center -A facility for the presentation of dramatic or musical work or other entertainment before an audience.

Pride in Your Community Days - Festivals to celebrate local events, accomplishments or history.

special populations - Individuals who require assistance to utilize library facilities (i.e. blind, deaf, mentally or physically disabled).

U.S.ArmyTransportationMuseum - Museum located at FortEustis which commemorates the history of Army transportation.

VirginiaLivingMuseum - Private, not-for-profit museum which commemorates the historic and present living environment of the southeastern region of Virginia.

WarMuseum - Museum, operated by the City of Newport News, which commemorates the history of conflict involving the United States. The museum is located in Huntington Park.

visual arts - Work in graphic or plastic art forms.

CHAPTER 12. ENVIRONMENT

air pollution episode - A situation which is declared by responsible authorities when weather or air pollution conditions, or both, indicate a potential threat to human life.

air quality index - A visual representation of air quality which shows the value of the most prevalent pollutant in a range from “Good to Unhealthful”.

algae bloom - An overpopulation of algae in a body of water.

alternative fuels - A fuel other than oil, natural gas, coal, etc., all of which are fossil fuels.

asthma - A chronic disorder characterized by wheezing, coughing and difficulty breathing.

Best Available Technology - The most stringent technology available to bring a pollution point or non-point source into compliance.

Best Management Practices (BMP) - A practice, or a combination of practices, that is determined to be the most effective, practical means of preventing or reducing the amount of pollution generated by non-point sources to a level compatible with water quality goals.

buffer - An area of natural or established vegetation.

carbon monoxide - A colorless, odorless, highly toxic gas which is a normal byproduct of incomplete fossil fuel combustion.

Chesapeake Bay Agreement - A 1983 agreement, amended in 1987, 1992 and 2000, between the States of Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, District of Columbia, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Chesapeake Bay Commission, which established a cooperative approach to managing the Chesapeake Bay and its integrated ecosystem. It contains goals and priority commitments for Living Resources, Habitat Protection, Water Quality, Sound Land Use, Public Information, Education and Participation, Public Access and Governance.

Chesapeake Bay Preservation Program -Encompasses implementation of Chapter 37.1 Article V of the City Code.

Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance - Chapter 37.1 Article V of the City Code.

Chesapeake Bay Preservation Map - The map adopted as part of Chapter 37.1 Article V of the Newport News City Code.

chlorofluorocarbon - Chemical compound made of chlorine, fluorine and carbon atoms.

Clean Air Act - Federal legislation enacted to provide comprehensive air pollution abatement and control which set national standards for air quality.

Clean Water Act - Federal legislation enacted to provide comprehensive water pollution abatement and control and clean the nation’s rivers so that the nation’s water will be suitable for drinking, swimming and fishing.

community background noise - A noise signature that corresponds to the type and spatial arrangement of industrial activities, transportation corridors and land-use patterns within the region as well as atmospheric conditions and the topography.

declared alert, warning, emergency - Progressive stages of poor air quality. Declaration is made when air quality standards are exceeded and either atmospheric stagnation exists or exceedances will remain high for periods of 12 hours or more, or in the case of ozone reoccurrence within 24 hours.

Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) - The VirginiaCommonwealth agency responsible for administering the State Air Pollution Control Board Regulations, State Water Control Board Regulations and the State Waste Management Regulations.

detention ponds - A storm-water management facility which temporarily stores runoff, with discharge to the downstream system through an outlet structure designed to completely empty the facility over a short time period of six hours or less.

drainage basin - The area drained by a river system.

drainage swales - An elongated depression in the land surface that is at least seasonally wet, usually heavily vegetated, and normally without flowing water. Swales conduct storm-water into primary drainage channels.

endangered species - Defined as a species which is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

Engineering Design Criteria Manual - A manual published by the City of Newport News, Department of Engineering, containing design criteria to be used in the design and review of all public facilities and in the review and approval of site and subdivision plans.

Newport News Environmental Commission - Formerly the Newport News Recycling and Clean Community Commission.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)- The federal agency which deals comprehensively with private and public activities that adversely affect the environment.

erodability - The ability of a soil, rock, mineral or other substance to erode.

Erosion Control Plan - A document containing material relating to the conservation of soil and water resources of a unit or a group of units of land which may include appropriate maps, an appropriate soil and water plan inventory and management information with needed interpretations and a record of decisions contributing to conservation treatment.

estuary - This is where freshwater joins saltwater, such as; the James River, Hampton Roads, Chesapeake Bay, etc.

Fecal coliform - Nutrient water pollutant derived from the breakdown of animal feces.

finfish - A fish with fins, such as flounder, rockfish, etc.

flood plain - This is a relatively flat or low area adjoining a river, stream, or watercourse subject to partial or complete inundation.

fossil fuels - Coal, oil, gasoline and natural gas; so-called because they are derived from the remains of ancient plant and animal life.

French drains - Commonly known as a subsurface drain which is a perforated conduit such as pipe, tubing or tile installed beneath the ground to intercept and convey groundwater.

frequency - The number of times an action or occurrence is repeated in a given period of time.

habitat - The native environment for plants and animals.

Hampton Roads Sanitation District -A body corporate and politic, created by virtue of Chapter 407 of the Acts of Assembly of 1940 of Virginia, which provides and administers regional wastewater treatment.

hazardous substances- Those substances which, by their nature, are inherently capable of causing substantial harm to health or the environment if improperly managed. They include but are not limited to pathological wastes, radioactive materials, explosives and some chemicals.

heavy metals - Metals present in municipal and industrial wastes which pose long-term environmental hazards. Such metals include copper, lead, mercury, etc.

highly erodible soils - Soils that are very susceptible to erosion.

highly permeable areas - Areas that are very susceptible to penetration by liquid, such as water.

hydric soil - A type of soil that due to a lake of oxygen during periods of inundation by water develops certain characteristics.

hydrocarbon fuels - Hydrocarbon fuels include natural gas (methane and ethane), butane, propane and petroleum.

hydrocarbons - Any chemical compound containing only hydrogen and carbon, such as benzene and methane, usually created by burning fossil fuels such as gasoline from automobile engines.

hydrology - The science dealing with the waters of the earth, their distribution on the surface and underground.

hydrologic cycle - This is the cyclical movement of water within the environment.

hydrophytic vegetation - Plants that live in conditions of excess wetness, saturated soils and/or standing water.

impervious surface - A surface composed of any material which significantly impedes or prevents natural infiltration of water into the soil including, but not limited to, buildings and other structures and their components, streets, parking, and any concrete, asphalt or compacted gravel surface.

Intensely Developed Area - Any portion of a Resource Protection Area or a Resource Management Area designated by the City Council where development is concentrated and little of the natural environment remains.

I & M Program - Inspection and Maintenance Program of vehicle exhausts for pollutants and emissions.

Kepone - A toxic pesticide.

Land Disturbance Plan - See definition of Erosion Control Plan in Chapter 12 of the Glossary.

LEED - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a national third-party rating system certified by the US Green Building Council for encouraging environmentally sensitive and sustainable development and design. 

Metropolitan Statistical Areas - Geographical area defined by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistical analysis.

NAAQS -The National Ambient Air Quality Standards established for air quality regions by the Environmental Protection Agency for Ozone (O3), Carbon Monoxide (CO), and Particulate matter (PM) in the air.

Newport News Green Foundation - A non-profit tax exempt organization established by resolution of the City Council in June 1998. Purpose is to acquire title to real parcels which have little or no use for development in the City.

nitrogen - Is a diatomic gas produced when plant and animal proteins are broken down, as in digestion and decay, and released into the atmosphere and soil.

non-point source pollution - Pollution that enters a water body from diffuse origins on the watershed, such as runoff and not from a point source.

non-tidal wetlands - Those wetlands other than tidal wetlands that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions.

nutrients - A substance necessary for the growth and reproduction of organisms. In water, those substances that promote growth of algae and bacteria; chiefly nitrates and phosphates.

organic fertilizers - Fertilizer made of animal or vegetable matter such as manure, bone meal, compost, etc.

ozone (O3) - An air pollutant regulated by EPA. Ozone is created by the reaction of volatile organic compounds, hydro carbons and Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) to sunlight. At present the air quality in the Hampton Roads Region is in compliance with the EPA standard for Ozone.

Ozone Transport Assessment Group- This group is composed of members from thirty-seven (37) states working with the EPA to analyze transport of ozone and Nitrogen Oxides and hydrocarbons.

Ozone Transport Commission - This commission was created in 1990 by the Clean Air Act. The commission is composed of members from twelve (12) northeastern states and the District of Columbia. They are charged with coordinating and advising the region of twelve states on strategies to reduce ozone.

particulate matter - Any airborne finely divided solid or liquid with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 100 micrometers.

permeability - The rate of diffusion of a fluid through a porous body under standard conditions of area, thickness, and pressure.

petroleum - A flammable liquid solution of hydrocarbons.

pharmaceutical products - These products are manufactured drugs or medicine.

point-source pollution - A stationary source of a large individual emission (air pollution) or discharge (water pollution) generally of an industrial nature.

Pro rata share - This means proportionate share.

rare species - A few species or uncommon species.

retention pond - A storm-water management facility comprised of: (a) a permanent pool of water which loses water primarily through infiltration and evaporation which may be increased in volume to enhance water quality; and (b) additional capacity above the permanent pool for the storage of storm-water runoff.

riparian - Adjacent to, or living on, the bank of a river, or other water body.

riprap - Sloped stone or rubble with a filter cloth barrier between the highland and the riprap.

Resource Management Area (RMA) - A Chesapeake Bay area that includes the area 100 feet land ward of the RPA and adjoining areas having steep slopes greater than 15%, areas having highly erodible soils and the 100 year flood plain.

Resource Protection Area (RPA) - A Chesapeake Bay area including tidal wetlands, tidal shores, non- tidal wetlands hydrologically connected to tidal wetlands and a 100 foot landward buffer.

runoff - That portion of precipitation that falls onto the surfaces of roofs, streets, ground, etc., and is not absorbed or retained by that surface, but collects and runs off the land and carries non-point pollution.

sediment - Organic or mineral matter deposited by water and wind.

sedimentation - The deposition or formation of sediment.

shellfish - Any aquatic animal with a shell for protection such as clams, oysters, crab, lobster, etc.

shoreline bulkhead - A vertical wall or embankment for holding back earth.Site Development Regulations - Chapter 33 of the City Code.

socioeconomic - Of or involving social and economic factors.

Soil Removal and Other Land Disturbing Activities Ordinance - Chapter 35 of the City Code.

solums - The altered soil or material overlying the parent material.

species - Biological classification consisting of plants or animals which have a high degree of similarity and persistent differences from other species.

State Air Pollution Control Board - A State board with the power to adopt, amend and repeal regulations for the control and abatement of air pollution throughout any part of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

State Department of Health - The agency responsible for rules and regulations for the control of communicable disease in humans and environmental health.

State Erosion and Sedimentation Control Regulations - The regulations created and administered by the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board to implement the Erosion and Sedimentation Control Law, Code of Virginia, Section 10.1-560.

State Water Control Board - A State board with the power to adopt, amend and repeal regulations for the control and abatement of water pollution throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.

stormwater - Rainfall or any other forms of precipitation.

stormwater management - The purposeful and systematic control of stormwater.

Stormwater Management Regulations - Chapter 37.1 of the City Code.

stormwater retention - The storage of stormwater to prevent it from entering the storm sewer system.

stormwater retention basins - A natural or artificial basin that functions similar to a detention structure except that it maintains a permanent water supply.

surface ozone - Ozone found in the troposphere.

threatened species - Defined as a species which is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future.

tidal flat - This can be mud or sand and is located in tidal shore area.

tidal shores - The area of land between mean low water level and mean high water level.

tidal wetlands - Vegetated and non-vegetated wetlands.

toxins - Poisonous substances.

transportation noise - One of the most prevailing sources of sound in the urban area produced by the thousands of cars, trucks, airplanes and other transportation modes.

Tributary Strategy for the James River- A report that was produced by the Commonwealth of Virginia as part of its commitments to the Chesapeake Bay Program Directives which develops policy guidance for restoration of water quality and living resources in the James River.

tributary streams and rivers - Streams and rivers feeding a larger body of water.

Tributylin - A chemical substance used in the paint for ship and boat hulls that keeps barnacles, mussels, and other marine creatures from attaching to the hull. It is harmful to fish, clams and other aquatic life.

troposphere - The layer of the atmosphere closest to the earth’s surface.

upland - Dry land that is at a higher elevation than wetlands.

Veined Rapa Whelk -A whelk that is native to the Sea of Japan that was brought to this area in ballast water.

velocity - Rate of motion in a particular direction.

VirginiaInstitute of Marine Science - Marine science research and teaching facility for the College ofWilliam and Mary.

Virginia Marine Resources Commission - The State commission responsible for tidal and non-tidal wetlands and marine life.

Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit- A permit required by and obtained from the State Water Control Board to establish appropriate levels of toxic discharge from point and non-point
sources of water pollutants.

Virginia Water Quality Assessment - Water Quality Inventory Report describing conditions during a specific time period which satisfies the Virginia State Water Control Board federal reporting requirements. It covers nine major river basins with over 27,000 miles of perennial streams and over 2,000 square miles of coastal wetlands and embayments.

Volatile Organic Compounds - Any organic compound which participates in atmospheric photochemical reactions.

water filtration - Processing of raw water into drinking water. water quality - A term used to describe the chemical, physical and biological characteristics of water, usually in respect to its suitability for a particular purpose.

water table - The level below which the ground is saturated with water. water treatment - The process by which raw water is treated and turned into drinking water.

watershed - The region drained by or contributing water to a stream, lake or other body of water.

Waterworks - The City’s Department of Public Utilities. wetland hydrology - Inundated and /or saturated at the surface by surface water or ground water for a specific period of time during the growing season in most years. Zoning Ordinance - Chapter 45 of the City Code.

CHAPTER 13. URBAN SERVICES

Best Management Practices - See definition under Chapter 12 of the Glossary.

biosolids - Are by-products of wastewater treatment.

brackish groundwater - salty groundwater.

Cable Television Advisory Commission - Advisory commission to the City Council which is responsible for studying cable television in the City with regard to future extensions and improvements of the system as well as, monitoring all aspects of the implementation and operation of the cable television franchise.

collection main - Commonly known as sub-force mains, usually of a smaller pipe size than force mains.

Communications Act of 1934 - This act established telecommunications as a regulated industry and created the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

composting facility - A facility where a composting operation occurs. Composting is a controlled process of degrading organic material by micro-organisms.

flow certification - Technique to control customer demand by Waterworks which will require individual customers and developers to describe the amount of water needed as well as their usage patterns to include minimum peak and average flows.

force main - The discharge pipeline of a pumping station.

groundwater - Water within the underground region within which all openings are filled with water. The top of this region is called the water table.

Hampton Roads Sanitation District - See definition under Chapter 12 of the Glossary.

hazardous waste - Those wastes which, by their nature, are inherently capable of causing substantial harm to health or the environment if improperly managed. They include but are not limited to pathological wastes, radioactive materials, explosives and some chemicals.

infiltration - The soaking into the ground of water on the surface.

Inflow and Infiltration Elimination Program - City program to define the areas within the waste water collection system that are in bad condition and allow groundwater to infiltrate. Identified lines are to be rehabilitated.

Institutional Network - Separate cable television system which provides direct audio and video communication among the various City and School facilities independent of the subscriber system.

Interceptor Sewage System - The system of force mains, pump stations and wastewater treatment facilities owned and operated by HRSD.

Management Services - City Department responsible for the direct provision of staff and management support to the City Manager and City Council, as deemed necessary.

pass through - The discharge of pollutants through a wastewater treatment facility into State waters in quantities or concentrations which are a cause, in whole or in part, of a violation of any requirement of the wastewater treatment facility’s VPDES permit, including an increase in the magnitude or duration of a violation.

public access cable channel - Same as local government cable access channel.

pump station - A building in which two or more pumps operate to supply fluid at adequate pressure to a distribution system.

raw water - Untreated drinking water that is pumped to a reservoir for treatment.

Reservoir Protection Ordinance - Chapter 42, Article IV, of the City Code.

Reservoir Protection Zone - A special purpose area, known as the reservoir protection area, and delineated as reservoir drainage areas on City maps.

reverse osmosis process - This process filters out sodium chloride (salt) and natural organic matter from brackish groundwater.

sludge - The accumulated settled solids deposited from wastewater or other raw or treated wastes in lagoons, basins or tanks and containing enough water to form a semi-liquid mass.

stormwater - See definition under Chapter 12 of the Glossary.

Summer Conservation Rate- A special surcharge on all drinking water consumed during the each billing period in the months of May through October which exceeds the customer’s average monthly consumption for the immediately preceding months of November through April, inclusive.

surface water - All water present above the soil surface, including fresh and salt water, ice and snow.

System Development Charge - Charge based on the size of the water meter to be installed.

telecommunications - This is the transmission of electrically enabled information between two points.

Telecommunication Act of 1996 - This act of the U.S. Congress rewrote the code related to communications and established a comprehensive framework of jurisdiction for local zoning authorities over construction, modification and placement of facilities such as towers for cellular, personal communication systems and specialized mobile transmitters.

VirginiaDepartment of Transportation - State department responsible for operating and maintaining the State’s highway system.

Virginia Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit - See definition under Chapter 12 of the Glossary.

wastewater - The water-carried waste from a community and derived from any source whatsoever, including domestic wastewater and industrial wastewater. Rainwater, groundwater, or drainage or unpolluted water is not wastewater.

wastewater collection system - System of pump stations, force mains and collection lines.

water recharge area - Area where inflow to a ground water reservoir occurs.

water treatment - See definition under Chapter 12 of the Glossary.

Water Conservation Management Plan - This was adopted by City Council in 1995 which outlines ongoing water conservation programs and describes the mechanisms to reduce water consumption during
times of drought or other water supply emergencies.

Water Conservation Ordinance - This was adopted by City Council in 1995 and legally enforces policies in the Water Conservation Management Plan.

Water Control Board - See definition under Chapter 12 of the Glossary.

Waterworks - See definition under Chapter 12 of the Glossary.wet pond - See definition for retention basin under Chapter 13 of the Glossary.

CHAPTER 14. THE LAND USE PLAN

activity center - See Chapter 3 of the Glossary.

amenities - The physical conditions or facilities of a site which produce a pleasant environment and enhance the quality of life.

arterial street - See definition under Chapter 4 of the Glossary.

balanced transportation - Equal emphasis on all modes of transportation within the transportation system of the City.

bikeway - See definition under Chapter 4 of the Glossary.

character - The combination of qualities and features which distinguish one neighborhood or area of the City from another and which distinguish Newport News from all other cities.

cluster development - A development design technique that concentrates buildings in specific areas on the site to allow the remaining land to be used for recreation, common open space and preservation of environmentally sensitive features.

collector street - See definition under Chapter 4 of the Glossary.

commercial land use - Uses involving commerce, the buying and selling of goods and services.

commercial strip - A random mixture of numerous commercial enterprises, each with its own curb-cuts for auto access and signs that are lined along a street.

community center - A mixed-use activity center serving several neighborhoods or a large area of the City.

corrective zoning - A formal revision of the Zoning Map to make the zoning designation of an area consistent with the existing uses in that area.

employment center - A mixed-use activity center predominately devoted to job-generating uses.

gated community - An exclusive residential subdivision whose entryways are guarded.

greenway - See definition under Chapter 6 of the Glossary.

hierarchy of streets - The network of local, collector and arterial streets and expressways.

high-density residential - residential land use with 16 or more housing units per acre.

identity - The total effect of the characteristics by which a neighborhood, activity center, area or city overall is recognized and definitively known.

image - The concept of a neighborhood, area of the City or the City overall that is held by the public.

industrial land use - uses involving industry, the production of goods and services.

landmark - a prominent and identifying feature of the landscape.

local street - See definition under Chapter 4 of the Glossary.

low-density residential - residential land use with 2 to 7 housing units per acre.

master plan - See definition under Chapter 3 of the Glossary.

medium-density residential - residential land use with 7 to 16 units per acre.

mixed use - See definition under Chapter 3 of the Glossary.

multi-modal - See definition under Chapter 4 of the Glossary.

neighborhood - An identifiable area of the City consisting primarily of residences with supporting facilities such as parks and schools and sometimes with small retail or services such as a corner grocery or doctor’s office.

neighborhood center - a mixed-use activity center serving one or more neighborhoods.

neighborhood conservation district - See definition under Chapter 7 of the Glossary.

Neo-traditional - A type of neighborhood or community design which reintroduces qualities of traditional small towns. It combines a mix of uses within the neighborhood, including retail, office, civic buildings, public squares and multi-family and single-family housing, all within walking distance of one another. Design codes promote narrower streets with multiple connections to surrounding neighborhoods, uniform building setbacks and strict architectural codes to create a strong community image.

open space - Land or water left in an undisturbed natural condition and unoccupied by building lots, structures, streets or parking lots.

open space network - Interconnected areas of open space throughout the City.

pedestrian - A person traveling on foot.

pedestrian-oriented - Made for people traveling on foot.

public realm - Public spaces such as streets, sidewalks, parks and open space.

redevelopment - The partial or complete rebuilding of a previously developed area with the intent of improving the condition of the area and/or changing the type and/or intensity of uses.

regional center - A mixed-use activity center serving the entire City and Peninsula.

residential land use - Uses involving residences, the places where people live.

rural - The character of land in the country, often involving agricultural uses and lifestyle, as opposed to city and urban character.

semi-rural - The character of an area that retains the feel and some uses of the country but has some single-family residential and other more suburban uses.

streetscape - The street and the immediate environment visible from the street, including the roadway, adjacent walkways, vegetation, building fronts, signs, equipment and amenities.

strip development - Commercial or residential development oriented to a roadway with multiple access points which often results in increased traffic hazards and adverse visual impacts.

suburban - Low density, decentralized development occurring around central cities.

suburban sprawl - The spreading of low density development that consumes underdeveloped forests, farms and rural lands.

transit oriented development - See definition in Chapter 3 of Glossary.

urban - Characteristic of the city and areas of the most intensive concentration of uses.

very low density - Residential land use with less than 2 housing units per acre.

visual character