Hampton City Council Legislative Session – November 13, 2024

The Hampton City Council held its legislative session on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall. Councilwoman Hope Harper was excused while attending the National League of Cities conference. All votes were 6–0 unless otherwise noted. The council approved consent items, multiple public hearing approvals (including a deferral), adopted the 2024 Natural Infrastructure Resilience Plan, approved the 2025 General Assembly legislative priorities, and authorized a joint economic development incentive agreement with Liebherr-America, Inc.

Consent Calendar

• Approved a resolution amending the FY 2025 budget to accept and appropriate a FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance Program grant through VDEM for the Central Newmarket Creek Flood Mitigation Study.
• Approved an encroachment agreement allowing Elora Danen Kelsey and Caitlin Elizabeth Godwin to install a fence within a city drainage easement.
• Approved a resolution requesting VDOT program eight State of Good Repair projects into its Six-Year Improvement Plan and appropriating $3,100,522 in available VDOT funds.
• Accepted a gift of a Sensory Activation Vehicle valued at $50,000 from the Coliseum Central Business Improvement District.
• Approved minutes from seven prior council meetings (work sessions Sept. 11 and 25, ceremonial Sept. 25 and Oct. 23, and legislative Sept. 25, Oct. 9 and 23, 2024).

Public Hearings

• Rezoning – Semple Farm Road (D.R. Horton): The applicant requested a deferral of the proposal to rezone four parcels totaling ±7.93 acres from R-11 to MD-1 for 67 townhomes. Four residents spoke in opposition, citing traffic, pedestrian safety, and neighborhood character. Council voted unanimously to defer the item to December 11, 2024.
• Rezoning – 1721 N King Street (Armia Real Estate LLC): Approved 6–0 with seven conditions to rezone a ±0.88-acre parcel from R-M and C-1 to C-1 with proffered use limitations and landscaping improvements.
• Use Permit – Virginia Peninsula Foodbank: Approved 6–0 with six conditions for a community center on ±4.5 acres at 112 Research Drive. CEO Bob Latvis said the facility would be about 90% warehouse and 10% community center/meeting space offering wraparound services.
• Use Permit – Hampton University: Approved 6–0 with 13 conditions to amend Use Permit No. 23-0350 for the 14th floor of the Harbor Center at 2 Eaton St. A representative said capacity will be 400; rooftop railing will be addressed in Phase 2.
• Comprehensive Plan Amendment: Adopted the 2024 Natural Infrastructure Resilience Plan by reference into the Hampton Community Plan. Approved 6–0.
• Y.H. Thomas Community Center Use Agreements: Approved agreements with The 200+ Men Foundation (5–0, Bowman abstained), Y.H. Thomas Athletic Association (6–0), and Urban League of Hampton Roads (6–0), all for five-year terms. The 200+ Men agreement includes $1,218 per year rent; the Urban League agreement includes $1,455 per year.
• Downtown Hampton Development Partnership Lease: Approved 6–0 for a five-year lease of 2,144 sq. ft. on the second floor of the Hampton Maritime Center at $12,800 per year.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Teresa Roundy expressed ongoing concerns about Barnes Cemetery (Woodland Cemetery), stating she had documented about 85 burials and that the state cemetery board had advised against moving bodies or building on the site. She alleged the city issued permits in 2022 despite earlier warnings.
• Brenda Marks congratulated newly elected officials but noted 5,000 voters did not vote for either mayoral candidate. She raised conflict-of-interest concerns regarding a $12,000 donation from Molly Ward to Councilwoman Harper and stated she would monitor the downtown carousel project. Mayor Tuck responded that campaign fundraising does not influence council votes.
• Dawn Mann advocated for trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs, citing an economic study showing TNR is far less costly than trap-and-euthanize.
• Kristin Schultz echoed support for TNR and recounted recent dumped cats, asking the city to support managed colonies. Mayor Tuck and City Manager Mary Bunting responded that the city supports managed cat colonies but must follow a Virginia Attorney General opinion that restricts releasing feral cats unless properly managed.
• Joan Weaver expressed solidarity with Semple Farm Road residents and criticized the council’s earlier decision on the Virginia State School for the Deaf and Blind property.
• Craig Knopp asked whether the city would lobby to extend the 2035 electric vehicle mandate to 2050.

Discussion Items

• 2025 General Assembly Legislative Priorities: City Manager Mary Bunting presented the package, which had been reviewed in a prior work session and added community services board requests. Council approved it 6–0.
• Liebherr-America Performance Agreement: Bunting announced a Commonwealth Development Opportunity Fund agreement among Hampton, Newport News, their EDAs, VEDP, and Liebherr-America. The expansion is expected to add at least 175 jobs and $23 million in real property improvements. Newport News will match $1.47 million; Hampton’s share is approximately $257,000. Approved 6–0.

Key Outcomes

• Deferred the D.R. Horton Semple Farm Road rezoning to December 11, 2024.
• Approved all other rezoning, use permit, and lease items as noted.
• Adopted the 2024 Natural Infrastructure Resilience Plan.
• Approved 2025 legislative priorities and the Liebherr incentive agreement.
• Appointed Dr. William Moore to the Virginia Air and Space Science Center Board for a first full term until November 30, 2028.
• The meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m. The next council meeting is scheduled for December 11, 2024.