Hampton Planning Commission Meeting - January 16, 2020

The Hampton Planning Commission met on Thursday, January 16, 2020, at 8:30 PM (UTC). Chairman Garrison presided with seven members present. Assistant City Manager Bond filled in for City Manager Mary Bunting. The commission addressed deferrals, a contested use permit for vehicle storage, and received a youth planner report.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously; Chairman Garrison abstained because he was out of town.
• The annual meeting calendar was adopted unanimously, allowing items to automatically move to the next meeting if a meeting is postponed due to weather.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public hearing opened for use permit application 19-00012. Three signed speakers and one unscheduled speaker addressed the commission.
• Billy Wood, owner of Woods Orchard (183 East Mercury Blvd), requested denial, describing the proposed vehicle storage as a "junkyard" and urging high-end development on Mercury Boulevard.
• Cliff Rowe (220 East Mercury Blvd), representing Countryside Gardens and Mercury Mulch, expressed concern that the auto storage would hurt property resale values.
• David Rosser, owner of adjacent Mercury Storage and 197 East Mercury Blvd, complained about flooding caused by the property's drainage, cars parking in front of the fence, and the overall poor condition of the lot.
• Bowie Mien, the applicant's father, spoke in support, explaining the storage was needed for vehicles awaiting repair or insurance approval and that access was separated from the daycare.

Discussion Items

• Deferrals: Rezoning application 19-00005 (STM Properties Inc., 2135 West Pembroke Ave) was deferred to February due to a defective public notice. Zoning ordinance amendments 19-00012 (definitions for Business Park Shopping Center 1 and 2) and 19-00013 (sign regulations for Coliseum Central Overlay District) were also deferred to the February meeting. The commission clarified that the deferral of 19-00012 applied only to the zoning ordinance amendment, not the use permit application with the same number.
• Use Permit 19-00012: VOI Nguyen requested a use permit to allow vehicle storage at 199 East Mercury Boulevard. Staff (Mike Hayes) recommended denial, citing the property's low-density residential future land use designation and its location along a residential corridor. The property had been cited for operating vehicle storage without a permit in 2019. Applicant Tri Nguyen stated the lot would hold 30–50 vehicles, primarily abandoned or awaiting repair, and that he would sublease to a nearby body shop. Commissioner concerns included safety for the adjacent daycare, flooding, enforcement of the 60-day storage limit, and consistency with the community plan.
• Youth Planner Report: William Klotz reported that the grants committee approved five applicants totaling $12,250 on December 16; the youth voice committee is planning a March candidates forum; and the youth master plan update committee is analyzing survey data. Grant recipients included a government workshop program ($1,600), Bethel High School Student Accounts Association (first responder breakfast and special needs Valentine's dance), Hampton High School Air Force JROTC (military ball and beautification project), Hampton High School junior class of 2021 (college prep and clothing closet), and a Hampton High School K-pop cultural fair.
• Announcements: Commissioner Southall extended condolences to Vice Chair Dr. Christopher Cotter for the loss of his nephew. Mention was made of the Buckroe Master Plan public meeting on January 28 and the Newmarket Creek resilience presentation to city council on January 22.

Key Outcomes

• All three deferral motions passed unanimously (7-0): rezoning 19-00005, zoning ordinance 19-00012, and zoning ordinance 19-00013.
• The motion to deny use permit 19-00012 passed unanimously (7-0). The commission forwarded a recommendation of denial to Hampton City Council.
• The youth planner report was received; no formal action was taken.