CHRISTOPHER W. LANGASTER
Suffolk,VA
Summary
Planning and zoning professional with deep municipal experience in zoning administration, site plan review, ordinance interpretation, and regulatory compliance. Lead zoning staff, support Board of Zoning Appeals cases, and provide clear recommendations on variances, appeals, and special exceptions while coordinating with attorneys, enforcement teams, and public boards.
Overview
1
1
Certification
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
DEPUTY ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
City of Hampton, Virginia
Hampton, VA
03.2025 - Current
- Provide divisional leadership and operational oversight for Planning and Zoning Administration. Supervise zoning personnel and coordinate zoning services within the Development Services Center.
- Direct daily operations and supervise Zoning Officials. Coach and mentor staff, set performance expectations, and promote accountability. Identify training opportunities and professional resources that support staff development, strengthen capabilities, and maintain high-quality zoning services.
- Provide senior-level review and analysis of commercial and residential site plans, building plans, construction documents, property plats, subdivision plans, and other development applications.
- Evaluate Board of Zoning Appeals variance, appeal, and special exception applications. Prepare comprehensive written recommendations based on land-use planning principles and applicable laws.
- Coordinated with Property Maintenance and Zoning Enforcement leadership to ensure consistent and timely zoning enforcement aligned with regulations.
- Coordinated compliance efforts for departmental regulations with environmental regulations, including Chesapeake Bay Preservation District and Floodplain District requirements.
- Partner with the City Attorneys Office and departmental leadership to ensure accurate legal and policy interpretations of zoning regulations.
- Represent the Community Development Department at public meetings, civic engagements, task forces, and community outreach events.
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS COORDINATOR | PLANNER III
City of Virginia Beach Planning & Community Development
Virginia Beach, VA
10.1989 - 10.2024
- Provided senior-level planning, zoning administration, regulatory oversight, and operational leadership for municipal development. Managed Board of Zoning Appeals processes, supported zoning enforcement, and provided technical guidance to staff, applicants, public officials, and community stakeholders.
- Administered Board of Zoning Appeals operations, coordinating application intake, case management, technical review, public hearing preparation, and recommendations.
- Streamlined Board of Zoning Appeals application intake and administrative processes, enhancing efficiency and promoting effective staff communication.
- Led and guided 11 zoning inspectors and one administrative staff member while coordinating and monitoring zoning and community development activities. Recruited, trained, supervised, and evaluated personnel, providing constructive feedback to strengthen performance and organizational effectiveness.
- Applied independent judgment to complex land-use matters involving zoning compliance, enforcement, commercial and residential development, and ordinance interpretation.
- Evaluated rezoning requests, zoning ordinance amendments, site plans, special use permits, variances, and other development proposals.
- Managed zoning and planning review applications for wireless telecommunications facilities, including collocation and small-cell installations. Reviewed site plans, RF emission reports, intermodulation studies, and structural analysis reports for compliance with the City Zoning Ordinance and applicable conditional use permits.
- Developed and delivered technical recommendations, zoning interpretations, verification letters, and determination letters to Board of Zoning Appeals, Planning Director, other municipal agencies, and the public.
- Collaborated across departments to resolve complex zoning issues, ensuring consistent and defensible regulatory decisions.
- Overall municipal tenure: October 1989 October 2024 (Retired)
BASE COMMUNITY PLANNER
Brown & Root Engineering Services Incirlik Air Base
Adana
12.2000 - 12.2001
- Developed and implemented Base Comprehensive Plan as strategic framework guiding future installation development and infrastructure improvements.
- Created long-range project recommendations and presented future development proposals to military leadership and Turkish government officials.
- Worked with military leadership and Turkish government representatives to support installation and comprehensive planning, infrastructure development, and quality-of-life initiatives.
- Evaluated traffic patterns and coordinated transportation improvements, including roadway construction, directional signage, and pavement markings.
- Prepared research-based technical reports on existing infrastructure, land-use characteristics, population trends, and community development considerations.
- Planned and coordinated community programs and recreational facilities, enhancing quality of life for military personnel and families.
- Evaluated and redesigned parking configurations in AutoCAD to meet Air Force antiterrorism and force protection standards.
- Coordinated flight-line improvements and supported compliance with applicable Air Force Instructions.
- Prioritized installation projects and infrastructure improvements by mission requirements, national security, operational readiness, and quality-of-life objectives.
PLANNING TECHNICIAN II | PLANNER II | ZONING INSPECTOR II
City of Virginia Beach Planning Department
Virginia Beach, VA
10.1989 - 12.2000
- Career progression across multiple planning and zoning roles built extensive experience spanning municipal code enforcement, land-use review, development administration, and public engagement.
- Reviewed site plans, physical surveys, subdivision plats, landscaping plans, building plans, and construction documents for compliance with municipal zoning ordinances, Virginia building codes, and City Council conditions.
- Inspected properties for zoning violations, parking deficiencies, unauthorized business activities, and other land-use concerns, ensuring compliance with municipal regulations.
- Investigated zoning violations, researched and documented findings, and gave sworn testimony in General District Court.
- Conducted preliminary review meetings with engineers, architects, and developers to identify development requirements and proactively address regulatory compliance issues.
- Reviewed business license applications for compliance with applicable zoning classifications and permitted land uses for proposed activities.
- Presented zoning enforcement updates and regulatory guidance at civic league meetings and special-interest group forums, enhancing community awareness and engagement.
- Provided zoning information, ordinance interpretations, and municipal development guidance to citizens, property owners, developers, and business representatives.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Urban Planning
Virginia State University
Petersburg, VA05-1989
Associate of Applied Science - Aviation Maintenance Technology
Community College of The Air Force (Air University
Maxwell AirForce Base Gunter Montgomery, AL 3611405-1986
Skills
- Municipal planning
- Land-use analysis
- Long-range planning
- Site Plan & Subdivision Review
- Infrastructure planning
- Project management
- Zoning administration
- Zoning Ordinance Interpretation
- Policy development
- Code Enforcement & Oversight
- Leadership, Supervision & Staff Development
- Stakeholder engagement
- Community Outreach
- Urban Data Analysis; Microsoft PowerPoint; Electronic Application & Document Review; Site Plan & Development Document Analysis; Technical Report Preparation; Zoning & Land-Use Research
- Zoning administration
- Land-use review
- Ordinance interpretation
- Site plan review
- Zoning appeals
- Development review
- Zoning enforcement
- Planning coordination
- Public hearings
- Code enforcement
- Project coordination
- Staff supervision
- Written communication
- Interdepartmental coordination
LEADERSHIP & PROFESSIONAL STRENGTHS
Extensive public-sector leadership and municipal government experience managing complex regulatory operations and multidisciplinary teams. Strong analytical, organizational, and strategic decision-making skills support policy interpretation, regulatory problem-solving, and conflict resolution. Communicate effectively and deliver technical presentations to public boards, government officials, and community stakeholders, with a commitment to process improvement, accountability, and exceptional public service.
Certification
- Certified Zoning Administrator 2029
Accomplishments
- Certified Zoning Administrator of the Year 2025
Timeline
DEPUTY ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
City of Hampton, Virginia
03.2025 - Current
BASE COMMUNITY PLANNER
Brown & Root Engineering Services Incirlik Air Base
12.2000 - 12.2001
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS COORDINATOR | PLANNER III
City of Virginia Beach Planning & Community Development
10.1989 - 10.2024
PLANNING TECHNICIAN II | PLANNER II | ZONING INSPECTOR II
City of Virginia Beach Planning Department
10.1989 - 12.2000
Bachelor of Arts - Urban Planning
Virginia State University
Associate of Applied Science - Aviation Maintenance Technology
Community College of The Air Force (Air University