Hampton Planning Commission and City Council Meeting - August 15, 2019

The meeting began with the Planning Commission, which approved three zoning ordinance amendments related to self-storage facilities and received the annual community development report. The City Council then convened, approving a consent agenda and a separate item for a violent crime review with Johns Hopkins University, conducting a public hearing to rezone property for a Dollar Tree store, and hearing public comments.

Consent Calendar (Planning Commission)

• Approval of minutes from July 18, 2019 meeting (vote: 6-0-1 abstention due to absence).
• Zoning Ordinance Amendment 19-5: Amended definitions to distinguish three types of self-storage facilities (Storage Facility 1, 2, 3) and warehouse distribution centers. Approved unanimously.
• Zoning Ordinance Amendment 19-6: Amended the use table to add Storage Facility 1 and 2 as permitted uses in certain districts, with additional standards. Approved unanimously.
• Zoning Ordinance Amendment 19-7: Excluded all three storage facility types from the Coliseum Central Overlay District. Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Planning Commission: No public speakers on the zoning amendments.
• City Council Public Hearing on Rezoning 19-02-44: Raymond Suttle, attorney for applicant DT Retail Properties LLC, spoke in support of the rezoning to allow a Dollar Tree store at 1602 Briarfield Road. He highlighted the reuse of a former gas station site and environmental cleanup.
• City Council Public Comments:
  • Rachelle Wallace requested status updates on community centers (Fox Hill, Old Hampton) and the Boys & Girls Club, and asked to be included in the Johns Hopkins violent crime review committee.
  • Chauncey Brown presented a historical narrative about the role of Queen Street in Hampton's rhythm and blues and rock and roll music scene from the 1950s-60s, criticizing city planners for neglecting this history.

Discussion Items

• Planning Commission Annual Report (presented by Mike Hayes):
  • Performance period April 2018 – March 2019: 8 rezonings, 12 use permits, 21 zoning ordinance amendments.
  • 100% concurrency rate (staff recommendations adopted by Planning Commission and City Council).
  • Development services: 1,700+ commercial plans reviews, 1,500+ residential plans reviews, nearly 3,000 zoning reviews.
  • Hampton Community Plan update delayed due to staff turnover; expected to resume fall 2019.
  • Resilient Hampton Phase 2 completed; implementation underway.
  • Hosted Virginia APA state conference with success.
  • Staffing: two vacancies, new hires (Antonette, Frank, Alison).
  • Future priorities: vehicle storage/related uses, legal nonconformities, parking credits, RV parking on residential lots.
• City Council – Item 16 (Johns Hopkins Violent Crime Review):
  • Vice Mayor Gray requested elaboration. City Manager explained the sole source contract with Johns Hopkins University to conduct a violent crime review, using a model applied in Milwaukee. The review will involve criminal justice, human services, and community stakeholders to analyze data and develop recommendations to reduce violence. Aimed at reducing violent crimes including homicides, armed robberies, and non-fatal shootings. Approved unanimously.
• City Council – Rezoning 19-02-44 (Dollar Tree):
  • Staff presentation by Antonette: Rezoning from R11 and C1 to C1 with 14 proffered conditions, including a 15-foot landscape buffer, 6-foot fence, sidewalks, dumpster screening, and prohibition of certain uses. Development meeting held June 26, 2019 with 7 attendees; concerns about traffic and crime addressed via police data. Planning Commission recommended approval.
  • Council discussion: Questions about environmental cleanup of former gas station; applicant confirmed Phase I done, cleanup planned.
  • Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Planning Commission:
  • Approved minutes of July 18, 2019.
  • Approved Zoning Ordinance Amendments 19-5, 19-6, 19-7 (all unanimous).
  • Received annual report; no formal action.
• City Council:
  • Approved consent agenda items 1-15, 17-18 (unanimous).
  • Approved item 16 (Johns Hopkins violent crime review sole source contract) (unanimous).
  • Approved rezoning 19-02-44 with 14 proffered conditions (unanimous).
  • Heard public comments; city manager responded to Rachelle Wallace's concerns about community center status.

Note: The meeting also included announcements about the upcoming Cramtown Seafood Festival, Cities United national convening, and the 400th anniversary commemoration of the arrival of the first Africans.