Hampton City Meetings: Planning Commission, MLK Ceremony, and COVID-19 Update - January 21, 2021

This transcript covers three separate segments held on January 21, 2021: the Hampton Planning Commission meeting, a Martin Luther King Jr. ceremony honoring Hampton Heroes, and a COVID-19 update led by Mayor Donnie Tuck. The Planning Commission approved three zoning amendments unanimously. The ceremony recognized community leaders, trailblazers, and public servants. The COVID-19 update provided current case statistics, vaccine rollout plans, and hospital capacity information.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the minutes from the November 19, 2020 Planning Commission meeting – unanimous.

Public Comments & Testimony

• One public speaker, Peggy Todd, signed up for zoning ordinance amendment item 20-00021 but stated she was present only to listen and had no questions.

Discussion Items

Planning Commission: Zoning Ordinance Amendments

• Zoning Amendments 20-00020 and 20-00021 (Multifamily Land Use Regulations): Staff presented a joint proposal to amend definitions and permitted uses for multifamily dwellings and upper-floor dwelling units. The amendments would add definitions for upper-floor dwelling units, open space amenity, and story; remove the definition of live-work units; and modify where multifamily dwellings are permitted by right or by use permit. Key changes: multifamily would require a use permit in limited commercial (C2) and residential transition (RT1) districts; downtown districts (DT1-3) would allow by-right development if additional development standards are met (minimum density, open space amenities, active recreation for 50+ units, front facade zone requirements, fenestration, and minimum height); Phoebus and Buckroe remain by-right with existing standards. Existing multifamily units are grandfathered. The Coliseum Central Business Improvement District expressed concerns about the use permit requirement but agreed to collaborate on developing enhanced standards. Staff recommended approval.
• Zoning Amendment 20-00027 (Interstate Signs): Proposed to increase the maximum size of interstate arterial signs to 672 square feet (industry standard) with a height of 45 feet, but only for educational or medical campuses of 50 acres or more. Eligible locations include Hampton University, the VA Medical Center, Thomas Nelson Community College, and potentially the hospital. The amendment is intended to improve visibility for large campuses that draw visitors from outside the region. Staff noted that the current sign sizes (48-90 sq ft) are ineffective for interstate drivers. The amendment would not affect residential properties. Staff recommended approval.

Martin Luther King Jr. Ceremony and Hampton Heroes

• A virtual ceremony celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and honoring Hampton Heroes. Honorees included community leaders (e.g., Phoebe Jones, William Alfred Smith, Lillian F. Johnson, Jacob Huffelfinger, Chester Lee Brown, Rev. Anderson W. Clary Jr.), trailblazers (e.g., 1st Lt. Rupert Leon Sargent, George Wythe, William H. Trustee, William Tucker, Andrew W.E. Bassett), and modern-era trailblazers in public service (e.g., Linda D. Curtis, Sheriff B.J. Roberts). The ceremony included the Pledge of Allegiance, invocation, and remarks from Mayor Tuck and council members.

COVID-19 Update

• Mayor Tuck reported that as of January 21, 2021, Hampton had 6,368 cases, 216 cumulative hospitalizations, and 57 deaths. The 7-day average of new cases was 140 per day, a significant increase. Kapua Conley (President of Sentara CarePlex) and Dr. Tony Fisher (Vice President of Medical Affairs) discussed hospital strain, improved treatment protocols, and the importance of not delaying care. Mary Moran (Vice President of Clinical Effectiveness) provided vaccine update: Sentara is moving into Phase 1B, starting with patients 75+ and health care workers. City Manager Mary Bunting noted that the Peninsula Health District receives only about 1,000 vaccine doses per week for six localities, delaying Phase 1B rollout. The city is partnering with health systems to increase vaccination capacity, aiming to vaccinate 400-500 per day initially, with potential for over 1,000 per day as supply increases. A letter from the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission to Governor Northam raised concerns about equity in vaccine allocation. Sentara redistributed 20,000 doses across regions to address health disparities. Officials emphasized that the vaccine is safe and effective, and urged continued masking and social distancing.

Key Outcomes

• Planning Commission votes:
  • Zoning Ordinance Amendment 20-00020: Approved unanimously (7-0).
  • Zoning Ordinance Amendment 20-00021: Approved unanimously (7-0).
  • Zoning Ordinance Amendment 20-00027: Approved unanimously (7-0).
• No votes were taken during the MLK ceremony or COVID-19 update; these were informational.
• The city and health partners are transitioning to Phase 1B vaccination, prioritizing frontline workers, individuals 75+, and teachers. A registration system will be announced.
• The Hampton Roads Planning District Commission sent a letter to Governor Northam advocating for more equitable vaccine distribution across health districts.