Hampton Planning Commission and City Council Meeting - November 15, 2018
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Hampton Planning Commission and City Council Meeting - November 15, 2018
This combined meeting covers the Planning Commission's afternoon session and the City Council's evening session on November 15, 2018. The Planning Commission approved a use permit for a communications tower and a zoning ordinance amendment for signage in the Phoebus district. The City Council addressed recycling market challenges, appropriated $600,000 for recycling services, and heard public comments on transportation accessibility.
Consent Calendar
- City Council: Approved consent agenda items (except item 18-0344, which was deferred to November 14, 2018 – a date prior to the meeting, likely a typo). Items included a sole source contract for financial reporting software, creation of a regional industrial facility authority, and approval of minutes from three prior council meetings.
- Planning Commission: No consent calendar was used; both items were considered under public hearings.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Planning Commission – Use Permit 18-00006: One public speaker, property owner Joe Bruce, expressed support for the proposed communications tower. No opposing speakers.
- City Council – Public Comment: A resident (name not given) raised concerns about transportation services for individuals with disabilities, including high paratransit fees, lack of door-knocking, removal of bus shelters, and safety issues for elderly pedestrians and youth walking to bus stops in darkness. The resident urged improvements.
Discussion Items
- Planning Commission – Use Permit 18-00006 (Communications Tower): Staff presented a request by HS Development Group to construct a 163-foot galvanized steel monopole communications tower at 700 Green Lawn Avenue. The tower would serve T-Mobile and up to three other carriers. The applicant explained the need for capacity offloading in the area. The commission discussed co-location opportunities, structural integrity of alternative sites, and compatibility with a previously approved tower on Cemetery Lane. Staff recommended approval with 12 conditions.
- Planning Commission – Zoning Ordinance Amendment 18-00007: Staff proposed amending sign regulations in the Phoebus PH1 district to allow exceptions for drive-through signage, public art installations, and outdoor dining signage. The change was described as a housekeeping measure to align with pedestrian-oriented goals. No public speakers. The commission discussed the scope of the amendment.
- City Council – Recycling Market Crisis and Funding: Kent Thornton (Public Works) presented on the national and international recycling market downturn. Hampton recycles 6,000 tons annually, but Tidewater Fiber Corporation terminated its processing agreement, leading to an estimated annual cost of $600,000–$700,000. Council discussed contamination, education, and long-term options including reduced services. The council approved a $600,000 appropriation from Solid Waste Retained Earnings to cover FY2019 costs.
- City Council – Community Plan Kickoff Update: Staff reported on the October 30, 2018 kickoff event for the Hampton Community Plan update (Hampton 2040). Approximately 230 attendees participated in activities focused on community visioning. The process will continue with listening sessions, focus groups, and a draft strategic element by summer 2019.
- Planning Commission – Director’s Report: The same community plan update was presented to the Planning Commission, along with a Youth Planner report summarizing October activities of the Hampton Youth Commission (elections, listening process, attendance at the kickoff).
Key Outcomes
- Planning Commission – Use Permit 18-00006: Approved unanimously (6 ayes; Ms. Bunting and Ms. Garrison had abstained on earlier minutes but voted on this item) with 12 conditions: tower height, fencing, landscaping, co-location limits, and removal clause.
- Planning Commission – Zoning Ordinance Amendment 18-00007: Approved unanimously (7 ayes).
- City Council – Recycling Appropriation: Approved unanimously (7 ayes), appropriating $600,000 from the Solid Waste Unrestricted Net Position (retained earnings) for recycling processing services for the remainder of FY2019.
- City Council – Deferral of Appointments: Deferred action on HERS board appointments to January 9, 2019, approved unanimously.
- City Council – Consent Agenda: Approved all remaining consent items except the deferred item.
Meeting Transcript
Call in order on November fifteenth, two thousand eighteen planning commission at this time when we get a roll call. Dr. Coleman, Miss Callum here, Mr. South Hall. Here. Miss Garrison? Here. Mr. Brown. Present. Miss Buntsing? Here. Chairman Carter. Can we get a motion for the minutes? I move approval of a minute. Second. So we move in property second. Can we get a roll call? Miss Callum. Aye. Mr. South Hall. I. Miss Garrison. I abstained because I was not present. Mr. Brown. Aye. Miss Bunting. I abstain as I was not present. Chairman Carter. At this time we should hear rules and then we hear from the items on public hearing. If you are attending the hearings 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 call to order. The commission secretary will announce the item number and item title to be considered. The case before the commission shall be presented by a staff member of the community development department. After the case has been presented, the applicant or the applicant's representative will have up to 10 minutes to address the commission and present written and/or oral comments. The applicant may request up to three additional minutes for rebuttal of any comments from speakers in opposition to the application. Individuals other than the applicant or the applicant's representative who have signed up to comment on the case shall have three minutes to present written and/or oral comments. All comments shall be directed to the commission. Specified time limits may vary at the discretion of the chairman. Speaker shall remain at the podium or microphone while addressing the commission and shall first state their name, address, and in the case of an agent or representative speaking for more than one location, furnish a written list giving names of addresses. Speakers who have signed up may use their allotted time only for themselves and may not donate time to other speakers. Comments must be confined to matters germane to the business of the commission and shall not be cumulative or repetitive. Speakers shall not campaign for political office, either for themselves or others. The commission allows slide or computer generated projections previously submitted to the community development department no later than five business days before the scheduled meeting of the commission. Speakers should address the commission with decorum. Loud, boisterous, and disruptive behavior, obscenity, and vulgarity should be avoided, as well as other words or acts tending to evoke violence or deemed to be a breach of the peace. Speaker shall not be interrupted by the audience comments, calls, or other disruptions. Commissioners may question each speaker at any time during his or her presentation. After all persons who desire to address the commission have had the opportunity to do so, the chairman may grant rebuttal time to the applicant if previously requested by the applicant, and at his or her discretion may grant additional time to persons other than the applicant who have previously spoken.
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