Hampton City Council Legislative Session - July 9, 2025

The Hampton City Council met in legislative session on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at 6:35 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Jimmy Gray, with six members present (Councilmember Hope L. Harper excused). The session included approval of a consent agenda, four proclamations, a combined public hearing on a community plan amendment, rezoning, and use permit for the former Wood's Orchard property, public comment, and multiple board and commission appointments. The meeting adjourned at 9:08 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Item 25-0175: Approved resolution to amend the FY2026 budget to appropriate $715,057.37 from the Hampton Coliseum Fund’s Net Position for capital improvements. Unanimous.
• Item 25-0201: Approved resolution to accept and appropriate $1,010,000 from VDOT Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission funding for three capital projects. Unanimous.
• Item 25-0209: Approved resolution to appropriate $300,000 from General Fund committed fund balance to fund a portion of a 1.5% one-time bonus for employees. Unanimous.
• Item 25-0146: Approved minutes from four previous meetings (April 9, April 23, May 7, May 28, 2025). Unanimous.

Proclamations & Awards

• Mayor Gray read a proclamation honoring Colonel Matthew R. Altman, 633rd Air Base Wing Commander, for his service and community engagement. Colonel Altman received a city coin, flag, and certificate, and presented the city with a photograph.
• A proclamation was read recognizing the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (July 26, 2025). The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities Chair Vivian Austin and Vice Chair Philip Siff accepted.
• A proclamation was presented for the “Everybody’s Got a Story” Festival (July 18–20, 2025). Representatives Jay Johnson and Cindy Carlson accepted.
• A proclamation celebrated Hampton’s 415th Birthday (July 9, 1610).

Public Hearings (Items 5, 6, 7 – Combined)

Community Plan Amendment 25-0102 – Proposed change of land use designation for six parcels (183 E Mercury Blvd, 183A E Mercury Blvd, 261 Woodland Rd, 265 Woodland Rd, 303 Woodland Rd, 305 Woodland Rd) from Low Density Residential to High Density Residential. Rezoning 25-0148 – Application by Orchard Oaks, LLC to rezone ±10.18 acres (four of the six parcels) from General Commercial (C-3) and One-Family Residential (R-11) to Multifamily Residential (MD-4) with conditions for a multifamily development. Use Permit 25-0149 – Application to permit multifamily dwellings on the same parcels.

Presentation: Chief Planner Donald Whipple presented the staff analysis. He noted 75 residents attended a January community meeting, and 148 surveys were completed: the majority opposed the change due to fit, traffic, and environmental impacts. Staff considered these concerns development-specific and recommended approval. Staff also noted the proposed 316-unit market-rate apartment community (monthly rents $1,600–$2,200) would include a clubhouse, pool, restored historic barn, EV charging stations, and modern farmhouse architecture.

Applicant Presentation: Daniel Whitmore Aston (Whitmore Companies) and Brennan Raab presented. Aston stated the development is named Orchard Oaks in honor of the orchard’s history. He emphasized the project’s quality, compatibility, and that the Wood family supported it. Raab detailed traffic improvements (two turn lanes on Mercury Boulevard), stormwater management, and an economic impact study estimating $875,000 in annual real estate taxes.

Public Testimony:

• Brenda Marks (opposed): Requested denial, calling the project an aesthetic affront; argued apartments do not promote stability like homeownership; questioned the economic impact study’s omission of additional public safety costs.
• Edward Carden (opposed): Noted that at the January city-hosted community meeting and the applicant’s March meeting, no one spoke in support; cited 130 opposed survey responses (121 strongly opposed). Suggested the city-owned HRA property nearby could be used instead.
• Donnie Tuck (supported): Former mayor; compared the project to the successful Monroe Gates development; noted 700 airmen families (2,500 people) coming to Langley AFB need housing; said the project is ideally situated and consistent with land use policy.
• Donald Heath (opposed): Resident for 37 years; argued three- and four-story buildings (45–50 ft) do not fit surrounding single-family homes; traffic on Mercury Boulevard is already a “monstrosity”; said the location lacks walkable amenities.
• Connie Heath (opposed): Questioned the traffic study’s scope; said her neighborhood’s only access is East Mercury Blvd., which is already congested; noted emergency vehicles and school traffic; asked about the discrepancy between “10 acres” and “16 acres” in prior maps.
• Benjamin Staton (opposed): Resident near the site; described horrendous afternoon traffic; estimated 600–700 cars per day from 316 units; said crossing Mercury Boulevard is impossible during peak hours.

Discussion Items

• Councilmember Carolyn Campbell (voting no): Acknowledged the quality of Whitmore projects but cited that the original Planning Commission map was low density; doubted traffic impact from 300 units; noted the location is next to two academies but the units (1- and 2-bedroom) target singles/seniors, not families; opposed all-rental; said the location lacks the “living experience” of downtown.
• Vice Mayor Steven L. Brown (voting yes): Asked about traffic study results; noted the study concluded a left-turn lane was required. Emphasized that renters contribute to the community; cited 95% occupancy at Monroe Gates; stressed housing need for 700 Air Force families; recognized the Wood family’s legacy.
• Councilwoman Martha M. Mugler (voting yes): Clarified existing zoning is half low-density and half commercial (C-3), which allows by-right uses like vape shops and car repairs. Said developer honored the land’s legacy. Acknowledged traffic but noted much is due to the HRBT expansion project (expected completion 2027). Asked about a potential traffic light; City Manager Bunting said engineers agree traffic will dissipate post-HRBT, but a traffic light could be considered if needed.
• Mayor Jimmy Gray (voting yes): Noted high demand for both rental and for-sale housing; cited Air Force families staying in hotels; said the project meets a market need; highlighted Whitmore’s quality track record.

Key Outcomes

• Community Plan Amendment 25-0102: Approved 5–1 (Councilmember Campbell nay). Vote: Aye – Bowman, Brown, Ferebee, Mugler, Gray; Nay – Campbell.
• Rezoning 25-0148 and Use Permit 25-0149: Approved 5–1 (Councilmember Campbell nay) subject to 10 proffer conditions (rezoning) and 8 conditions (use permit) as in the agenda package. Vote: Aye – Bowman, Brown, Ferebee, Mugler, Gray; Nay – Campbell.

Public Comment (Non-Hearing Items)

Speakers addressed various topics. City Manager Mary Bunting responded:

• Thomas Moran: Raised concerns about unauthorized campaign workers in the Langley Elementary polling area on Election Day. City Manager will discuss with the electoral board and registrar.
• Anderson Cuffee: Described threats and hacking; lives in Chesapeake. City Manager will share his letter with the Chesapeake City Manager.
• Chris Hobbs: Requested publication of the process for reviewing STR overlay limitations and an appeals process for density/separation denials. City Manager noted the two-year review period for STR rules; council may revisit earlier.
• Aaron Weaver: Urged formal requirement for community meetings before rezoning/use permits; cited inconsistent application of city plans. City Manager confirmed the initiative is moving forward through legal and planning commission review.
• Tabitha Atkins: Salon owner; complained about a vape shop next door causing smoke smell, safety issues, and lost clients. City Manager explained Virginia law limits the city’s ability to restrict vape shops; will follow up on illegal activity with police; suggested the owner talk to the shopping center landlord.
• Cheryl Ratulowski (Riverdale Regional Civic Association): Described speeding on Charlton Drive (25 mph limit); requested speed tables, stop signs, or roundabouts. City Manager said the city can work with the neighborhood; assistant city manager will meet with her; noted speed cameras are allowed only in school/work zones under state law.
• Brenda Marks: Complained about 311 call center wait times (35+ minutes), a pothole at Armistead and Victoria roundabout, aggressive trash truck drivers, and lack of financial statements from Aquaplex. City Manager will investigate 311, pothole, and truck drivers; finance statements expected next week.

Appointments

All appointments recommended by the clerk were approved unanimously (6–0) except two deferred to August 13, 2025 (Wetlands Board, Towing Advisory Board). The Grievance Board motion to defer was not voted on (failed). Key appointments included:

• HRHA: Caryl Johnson (term to 2029)
• Board of Zoning Appeals: Joy Kirch-Kelling (unexpired term), Joseph Zagari (alternate to 2030)
• Economic Development Authority: Dwayne Blake (unexpired to 2026)
• Planning Commission: Joe Griffith (first term to 2029)
• CEARC: Reappointments and new members
• War Memorial Stadium Advisory Board: Multiple appointments
• Community Services Board: Reappointments
• Citizens Unity Commission: Reappointments and appointments
• Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities: David Andrews, Desre Willingham, Jacqueline Keener, LaSaundra Kay; four vacancies remain
• Clean City Commission: Kimberly King (partial term)
• Commission on the Arts: Karen Ward (reappointment)