The March 15, 2018, meeting of the Hampton Planning Commission and City Council covered a range of topics, including a use permit for a telecommunications tower, zoning amendments for bed and breakfasts, and public comments on animal control and quilting facilities. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the tower use permit, and the City Council approved several zoning items and a use agreement, while also addressing staffing and equipment concerns raised by residents.
During the public comment period, several residents addressed the council on animal control and quilting programs:
Planning Commission - Use Permit UP 17-00013: The Planning Commission heard a request from PI Tower Development LLC for a 155-foot commercial communication tower at 1821 Cemetery Lane (zoned R11 residential). Staff (Lucy Stoll) presented details on the need, site selection, and coverage maps. The applicant's attorney (Nessa Murphy) and RF engineer (Eric) explained that the Virginia Department of Historic Resources limited the height to 155 feet to avoid adverse impacts on historic properties. They noted that the tower would accommodate at least three users and be designed with camouflage features. The public hearing had no speakers other than the applicant. The commission voted unanimously (7-0) to recommend approval with 12 conditions.
City Council - Naming of Mary Jackson Neighborhood Center: Councilman Hobbes moved to name the new neighborhood center in Old Hampton in honor of Mary Jackson, citing support from the steel workers' union and other groups. The motion passed unanimously.
City Council - Deferrals: Items 7 and 8 were deferred to the March 28, 2018, City Council meeting.
City Council - Zoning Amendments for Bed and Breakfasts: Items 9-11 (18-81, 18-83, 18-85) were presented by Lucy Stoll. The amendments would create two categories of bed and breakfasts (B&B1 and B&B2, with B&B2 allowing events), and impose new signage restrictions in residential districts (max height 6 feet, max area 28 square feet, one wall sign max 5 square feet, and no internal illumination). Planning Commission and staff recommended approval. Council approved each item unanimously.
City Council - Use Agreement with Southeastern Virginia Aquatics (SIVA): The City Council considered a resolution authorizing a use agreement for SIVA to use the Hampton Aquatics Center pool. Councilwoman Schmidt caught an error in the rate ($13 per lane) and successfully moved to amend it to $13 per lane per hour per day. The amended resolution passed unanimously.
March fifteenth, two thousand eighteen, Planet Commissioners call to order. Roll, please. Dr. Coleman. Present. Miss Garrison. Present. Ms. Cowell? Here. Mrs. South Hall. Here. Mr. Gray. Present. Mr. Peterson? Here. Chairman Carter. Present. At this time we should hear the minutes from our last February fifteenth planning commission meeting. I second it. Roll call, please. Dr. Coleman. Aye. Miss Garrison. Aye. Miss Callum. I Mr. South Hall. Aye. Mr. Gray. Aye. Mr. Peterson. Hi. Chairman Carter. Um items for our public hearing. Oh, we should hear what it is. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To ensure that the affairs of the Commission may be conducted in an orderly manner and to ensure that all persons desiring to address the commission on matters pertinent to it are afforded an opportunity to do so and to permit persons in attendance to observe and hear the proceedings of the commission without distraction and to merit to permit the commission to conduct city business with minimal disruption. The following rules for public hearings and comments are established as follows. Please turn off your cell phone while in the chamber. If you are attending the hearing and desire to speak on an item, please enter your name, address, and item number at the desk in the back of the chambers prior to the item. The commission secretary will announce the item number and item title being considered. The case before the commission shall be presented by a staff member of the community development department.