Hampton Planning Commission Meeting – August 20, 2020
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Hampton Planning Commission Meeting – August 20, 2020
The Hampton Planning Commission met on August 20, 2020, to consider four zoning ordinance amendments related to residential green area, parking on lawns, enforcement procedures, and infill housing, as well as two amendments governing motor homes and recreational vehicle storage. After extensive discussion and public testimony, the commission recommended approval of most measures, though the key green area regulation (20-14) failed on a tie vote, and the enforcement measure (20-17) was approved. The RV measures also received favorable recommendations. The meeting included roll call, approval of prior minutes, a public hearing, and a community development report.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of July 2020 Minutes: Motion to accept without corrections; passed unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Virginia Lyet (126 Wilderness Road): Opposed the proposed changes, specifically criticizing the reduction of the appeal period for parking violations from 30 to 10 days, the cost burden on homeowners to install improved driveways, and the requirement for gravel driveways to have borders (which she noted could be a trip hazard). Urged the commission to revisit the entire proposal.
Discussion Items
- Zoning Ordinance Amendment 20-13 (Definitions): Presented by Zoning Administrator Hannah Sabo. Established new definitions for terms used in the green area and parking regulations. Approved unanimously.
- Zoning Ordinance Amendment 20-14 (Green Area Regulations): Proposed requiring 50–75% green area in front street‑frontage yards on residential lots, with parking allowed only on improved surfaces. Effective July 1, 2021 for parking; green area rules effective immediately upon council adoption. Commissioners debated cost impacts on long‑term residents, exceptions for streets with no street parking, and the 10‑day appeal period vs. 30 days. The motion to approve failed on a tie vote (3‑3? vote recorded as tied; motion failed).
- Zoning Ordinance Amendment 20-17 (Enforcement / Notice of Violation): Reduced the appeal period from 30 to 10 days for short‑term, recurring vehicle violations (parking on lawns, motor home/commercial truck parking). Passed 4‑2 with debate over fairness for citizens who are out of town or hospitalized.
- Zoning Ordinance Amendment 20-19 (Infill Housing Overlay – Green Area): Removed the existing 50% green area requirement for infill housing districts, as it became duplicative under 20-14. Passed 5‑1 (one commissioner voted no on the overall green area package but approved this technical amendment).
- Zoning Ordinance Amendments 20-15 and 20-16 (Motor Homes and Towed Recreational Equipment): Presented by Community Development staff member Mike Hayes (filling in for Terry O’Neill). 20-15 redefined terms (motor home, towed recreational equipment, transient); 20-16 limited the number and location of such vehicles on residential lots (max 2 on lots <5 acres, up to 4 on larger lots; parking allowed on driveways and in street frontage yards under certain conditions). Commissioners raised concerns about allowing large vehicles in front yard setbacks and potential impacts on neighborhood appearance and property values. No public speakers. Both amendments passed (20-15: 5‑1; 20-16: voice vote with majority in favor).
Key Outcomes
- Zoning Ordinance Amendment 20-13 (Definitions): Approved unanimously. Recommended to City Council.
- Zoning Ordinance Amendment 20-14 (Green Area Regulations): Motion to approve failed on a tie vote (recorded as 3‑3?); no recommendation forwarded to City Council. The commission noted the tie vote in the record.
- Zoning Ordinance Amendment 20-17 (Enforcement): Passed 4‑2. Recommended to City Council.
- Zoning Ordinance Amendment 20-19 (Infill Housing Overlay): Passed 5‑1. Recommended to City Council.
- Zoning Ordinance Amendment 20-15 (Definitions for Motor Homes/RVs): Passed 5‑1. Recommended to City Council.
- Zoning Ordinance Amendment 20-16 (Motor Home and RV Storage/Parking): Passed by majority (voice vote, no formal tally). Recommended to City Council.
- Community Development Report: Staff reminded residents to complete the 2020 Census; Terry O’Neill was absent due to illness. The meeting adjourned after commissioner remarks.
Meeting Transcript
I call the August meeting in the Planning Commission to work. All overall, please. Dr. Coleman. Ms. Callum? Here. Mr. Southall. Here. Dr. Carter? Here. Mr. Brown. Present. Mr. Bond. Here. Chairman Garrison. Here. Do we have any corrections to the July minutes that are in the package? Hearing no corrections, can I get a motion? I assume that we accept the due lab meeting. So I can do no corrections. Call for the vote, please. Dr. Coleman. Ms. Callum. Aye. Mr. Southall. Aye. Dr. Carter? Aye. Mr. Brown. Aye. Mr. Bond. Aye. Chairman Garrison. Aye. Mr. Hayes, would you like to read the public comment rules? Yes. To ensure that the affairs of the Commission may be conducted in an orderly manner to ensure that all persons desiring to address the commission on matters pertinent to it are afforded an opportunity to do so to permit persons in attendance to observe and hear proceedings of the commission without distraction and to permit the commission to conduct city business with minimal disruption. The following are the rules for this meeting.
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