Hampton Planning Commission Meeting - April 21, 2022

The Hampton Planning Commission met on April 21, 2022, to consider a use permit request from the Hampton Yacht Club for a marina expansion and a city-proposed zoning ordinance amendment to streamline regulations for restaurants, microbreweries, distilleries, and wineries. Both items were approved unanimously after deliberation and amendments.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes from the March 17, 2022 meeting were approved unanimously by roll call vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Use Permit (Hampton Yacht Club): Gaynette LaRue, a former commission member and neighborhood resident, spoke against requiring shrubs or fencing that would block the view of the water from Victoria Boulevard. She noted that the community enjoys seeing youth sailing activities and that hour restrictions (sun up to sundown) are impractical for sailing, which depends on wind conditions. She urged the commission to remove the shrub requirement and allow later hours.
• Zoning Ordinance Amendment: No public speakers.

Discussion Items

• Use Permit 22-00003 – Hampton Yacht Club: The applicant seeks to expand marina operations by using a residentially zoned lot at 4706 Victoria Boulevard for small boat storage (vessels under 20 feet). Staff recommended approval with 10 conditions, including a 30-foot setback, shrubs and fencing, limited hours (sun up to sundown), and a 500-square-foot building height limit of 16 feet. The applicant proposed modifications: making fencing optional (with a wrought-iron style if installed), removing shrub requirements in favor of a ground-level demarcation, extending operating hours to 10 p.m., and clarifying that failure to build a structure would not nullify the permit. The commission discussed concerns about visual access to the waterfront, consistency with zoning practices, and the enforceability of conditions tied to property ownership. The commission consensus followed the applicant's proposals for conditions 4, 6, and 10.
• Zoning Ordinance Amendment 22-00005: The city proposes to amend Chapter 3 of the zoning ordinance to create three categories for restaurants (by right, administrative permit, or use permit) based on ABC license, hours, live entertainment, and outdoor dining. Similar streamlining applies to microbreweries, distilleries, and wineries. The goal is to simplify regulations while respecting different district characteristics. Commissioners commended staff for the comprehensive revision. No changes were proposed, and the amendment was approved as presented.

Key Outcomes

• Use Permit 22-00003 (Hampton Yacht Club): Approved unanimously (7-0) with nine conditions as amended: condition 4 made fencing optional (if installed, must be wrought-iron or aluminum) and struck required shrubs, replacing them with a ground-level demarcation of the 30-foot setback; condition 6 extended hours from sun up to sundown to sun up to 10 p.m.; condition 10 clarified that non-construction of a building would not nullify the permit. The permit applies only to small boat storage, prohibits repair or larger trailers, and requires the use to operate in conjunction with the rest of the yacht club property.
• Zoning Ordinance Amendment 22-00005: Approved unanimously (7-0) to adopt the streamlined regulations for restaurants, microbreweries, distilleries, and wineries. The amendment will become effective upon City Council adoption.

Youth Planner Presentation

• Jericho Nisley and Kira Reed from the Youth Voice Committee reported on upcoming events: a safe space mental health forum (May 20, 5-7 p.m. at Sandy Bottom Nature Center), a human trafficking awareness forum (May 9), a poetry slam (April 28), and a mock job interview program for youth commissioners. They also summarized grant-funded activities, including financial literacy and career exploration events. Commissioners expressed support and volunteered to participate in mock interviews.