Hampton Planning Commission and City Council Meeting Summary - March 15, 2018
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Hampton Planning Commission and City Council Meeting Summary - March 15, 2018
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.
Consent Calendar
- The Planning Commission approved the minutes from the February 15, 2018, meeting.
- The City Council approved the consent agenda items 2-6, which included:
- Transferring VDOT funds from LaSalle Avenue at Kit Katan Intersection Improvement and local funds from North King Street Phase 3 to Mercury Boulevard Phase 2.
- Approving and appropriating grant funding for citizen corps programs.
- Amending and re-enacting Chapter 2 to incorporate state code provisions for construction procurement.
- Determining Accident Support Services International Inc. as the sole source for an accident reporting center.
- Approving minutes from two prior City Council meetings.
Public Comments & Testimony
During the public comment period, several residents addressed the council on animal control and quilting programs:
- Linda Seely expressed strong concerns about cat overpopulation, stating it was like 2002 and that animal control was inadequate. She called on the council to get involved and criticized the lack of information provided about animal pickups.
- Chris Reese (a Newport News resident who works in Hampton) recommended increasing the number of trappers for feral cats and suggested relocating them to farms. She highlighted the urgency as mating season approached.
- Misty Collins (identified as a former animal control officer) described instances where animal control was not on duty, leading her to respond to animal emergencies herself. She cited a case of a cat in distress and criticized the lack of 24/7 coverage. She also referenced an incident where police shot two pit bulls, which she attributed to animal control not being available.
- Regina Quinn (an approved 501 nonprofit founder) called for partnership between the city and animal advocates. She described her own efforts in rescuing animals and expressed concern about loose pit bulls, stating that an attack on a child was avoided but that the risk remains.
- Curtis Harris (Hampton resident, founder of a mentoring outreach program) offered his program's youth to help collect animals and also urged the council to support young people in the fight against gun violence. He stated that young people are "tired and afraid" and need support.
- Miss Garrison (quilter, later identified as a council member during public comment) requested the addition of computerization to the long-arm quilting machine in the budget. She noted the machine was unusable and that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board had not met due to lack of quorum.
- Kathy Clark (Hampton resident) supported the quilting request, noting the long-arm machine frequently breaks and that quilting classes are not advertised. She also mentioned the community garden at North Phoebus Center is not advertised and encouraged better marketing of city offerings.
Discussion Items
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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.
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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.
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City Council - Deferrals: Items 7 and 8 were deferred to the March 28, 2018, City Council meeting.
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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.
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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.
Key Outcomes
- Planning Commission: Unanimously recommended approval of Use Permit 17-00013 with 12 conditions.
- City Council: Unanimously approved the naming of the Mary Jackson Neighborhood Center, the three bed and breakfast zoning amendments, the amended SIVA use agreement, and the consent agenda. Deferred items 7 and 8 to March 28, 2018.
- Animal Control: City Manager Benton addressed public comments, stating that they have 4 fully trained officers, 2 in training, and 1 more slot being recruited for. She projected full staffing by May 2018, which would allow for more evening and weekend coverage. She clarified that animal control is not a 24/7 service and encouraged citizens to request call-backs when calling in.
- Quilting Machine: Councilman Gray sent a note to budget staff to inquire about the cost of a computerized long-arm machine. City Manager Benton committed to better marketing Parks and Recreation offerings and to reviewing the advisory board attendance issue.
Meeting Transcript
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.
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