Hampton Planning Commission Meeting Summary - April 19, 2018

The Hampton Planning Commission met on April 19, 2018, to consider several agenda items including a zoning ordinance amendment, two use permit applications, and the five-year Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) for fiscal years 2019-2023. All items were recommended for approval to City Council.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously by roll call vote (9-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public signed up to speak on any of the agenda items.

Discussion Items

Zoning Ordinance Amendment 18-00001

• Proposed amendment to Chapter 1 of the zoning ordinance to allow increased fence height up to six feet in front yards of RMD and RT districts for specific uses: commercial communication towers, utility infrastructure, structures to house government functions, and utility buildings/substations. Currently, front yard fences are limited to four feet; rear and side yards allow six feet. The amendment aims to improve safety and security for these sensitive uses. Staff recommended approval. The motion to approve without conditions passed unanimously (9-0).

Use Permit 18-00002 – Private Driving School

• Applicant Alicia Thomas seeks a use permit to operate a private driving school for up to 20 students at 66 West Mercury Boulevard (C1 zone). The school will offer classroom and on-road instruction for teens and adults. Staff recommended seven conditions, including limiting vehicles used for education to five, and a community meeting scheduled for April 24 at 5 p.m. Commissioners asked about parking and class size. The motion to approve with seven conditions passed unanimously (9-0).

Use Permit 18-00004 – Commercial Daycare

• Applicant Sandra Mitchum proposes a commercial daycare for up to 35 children (37 occupants per staff) in the Hampton Woods Plaza Shopping Center at 1184-1186 Big Bethel Road. The facility will have three classrooms, 535 sq ft of outdoor play area enclosed by a six-foot fence, and hours of operation from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. (staff clarified a discrepancy in documents, confirming 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. as the standard condition). The property lies within the 65 dB noise contour of Langley Air Force Base, which raised no concerns. Staff recommended 10 conditions. The motion to approve with 10 conditions passed unanimously (9-0).

Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) FY 2019-2023

• The proposed five-year CIP totals $288,706,286, funding projects in seven council priority categories: educated and engaged citizenry ($33.3M, 11.55%), economic growth ($61.4M, 21%), good government ($107M, 37%), living with water ($26M, 9.03%), placemaking ($26.7M, 9.25%), safe and clean communities ($34M, 11.77%), and family resilience and economic empowerment. Notable projects include Coliseum Drive extension ($1.8M), Coliseum Drive redevelopment ($12M), Crossroads parking expansion ($2.4M), downtown investments ($12M), salt pond dredging and inlet improvements ($2.7M, which will replace the south jetty and extend dredging frequency from 2 to 5 years), Freeman Drive realignment ($660K), and the sports tourism aquatic center ($22M). Staff presented an analysis of how the CIP aligns with the community plan, showing $77M allocated to master plan areas. Commissioners discussed project details, including the distinction between Coliseum Drive extension and redevelopment, the Crossroads parking project to replace surface parking near the interstate, and the need for equitable attention to all master plan areas such as Kecoughtan. Commissioner Gray noted his vote as a planning commission member may differ from his future City Council vote. The motion to recommend the CIP to City Council was approved unanimously (9-0).

Key Outcomes

• Zoning Ordinance Amendment 18-00001: Approved without conditions (9-0).
• Use Permit 18-00002 (Driving School): Approved with 7 conditions (9-0).
• Use Permit 18-00004 (Daycare): Approved with 10 conditions (9-0).
• Capital Improvements Plan FY 2019-2023: Recommended to City Council (9-0).

Director's Reports

• Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) Resiliency Update: Staff provided an update on the addendum to the 2010 JLUS, focusing on resilience to recurrent flooding and sea level rise in partnership with Langley Air Force Base. The study identifies critical infrastructure and natural environment conflicts, such as bird-air strike hazards. Meetings with utilities and stakeholders are complete; a draft is expected end of April, with a goal of presenting to the Planning Commission in June and City Council in July.
• Youth Planner Report: The Youth Planner presented the March activities of the Hampton Youth Commission, including work on the Adventure Hampton app, marketing for the Hampton Candidates Forum, and a financial literacy program survey. The Youth Commission also attended the Urgency of Now Resource Expo to recruit for the 2018-2019 year.

Note: The transcript also included unrelated promotional segments (e.g., "Round Robin" interviews, fitness videos) that were not part of the meeting proceedings.