Hampton City Council Meeting - September 15, 2022
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Hampton City Council Meeting - September 15, 2022
This meeting of the Hampton City Council, held on September 15, 2022, included presentations on community programs, a consent agenda with multiple routine approvals, public hearings on a proposed multifamily development and federal housing reports, and public comment on youth programs and a land-use controversy. Key decisions included denial of a rezoning and use permit for Westview Landing LLC after concerns over compatibility with Langley Air Force Base and neighborhood impacts, and approval of housing fund reallocations.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda, approved unanimously (7-0), included:
- Amendments to FY2022 and FY2023 budgets to accept and appropriate grant funding for early intervention services (infants/toddlers with disabilities) and to facilitate construction of a public safety training facility at Fort Monroe, replacing two outdated outdoor facilities and addressing safety, noise, and security issues near residential neighborhoods.
- Transfer of $10,000 from wetlands encroachment fund for living shorelines program.
- Appropriation of approximately $60,000 from hazmat fund for fire and rescue hazmat response materials and equipment.
- Approval of FY2022 fourth quarter budget adjustment.
- Irrevocable election to provide enhanced hazardous duty retirement benefits for emergency medical technicians.
- Acceptance of a donation (~$17,000) of camera equipment from Canon Virginia Inc. for use by Hampton Fire Division.
- Ratification of the recognition of Marcellus Spencer “Boo” Williams by presentation of the Distinguished Citizen Medal on August 27, 2022, and renaming of Armistead Point Parkway to Boo Williams Way.
- Approval of minutes from four prior city council meetings.
- Mayor Tuck noted the significance of the public safety training facility move, which had been championed by former councilman Will Moffat to relocate an outdoor shooting range from the neighborhood near Y.H. Thomas Elementary School.
Presentations & Recognitions
- Project Discovery (HRCAP): Edith White, Executive Director of Hampton Roads Community Action Program (HRCAP), reported that the program has served almost 3,000 Hampton students since its inception, operating at Lindsay Middle School, Hampton High School, and Phoebus High School. HRCAP operates the largest Head Start program in Virginia (1,200 children) and leveraged more than $19 million in federal dollars. Since 1995, the Virginia Preschool Initiative (in partnership with Hampton) has served over 2,000 students. HRCAP disbursed over $800,000 in rent and mortgage assistance to Hampton residents. A new $3.99 million Department of Labor grant will enable work with ex-offenders.
- Minecraft Midsummer Madness: Dr. Kate Maxlow and Doris Arguin, along with student Ayman, presented a joint summer program between Hampton City Schools and the City of Hampton. The competition in July involved 49 students in a bracket-style tournament streamed on Twitch. Winners received prizes up to $1,200. Finalists included: 1st place – Jacob Carpenter and Nicholas Nettles Jr. (interior decorating build); 2nd – Josiah Campbell (monument to Technoblade); 3rd – Jeffrey Hickman Washington (maze); 4th – Dominic Barham (roller coaster); 5th–7th – Peyton Sampl, Jeremiah Pitts, and Charles Parker. Students demonstrated sportsmanship and creativity.
- Young Musicians: Mayor Tuck recognized Marcel (4th grade, Booker C. Washington Elementary) on drums and Sincere Grant (Captain John Smith Elementary) on harmonica, who performed with Bobby Black Hat at the Hampton History Museum’s Third Wednesday event in August. Bobby Black Hat encouraged supporting children’s musical interests.
Public Hearings
Items 11 & 12 – Westview Landing LLC Rezoning and Use Permit (22-0181 & 22-0183)
- Proposal: Rezone ~38 acres (10 Doris Carlson Drive, 51 Battle Road, 30 Singleton Drive, 60 Battle Road B) from R-11 (single-family) to MD-3 (multifamily) with proffered conditions, plus a use permit for 368 apartment units in eight buildings (up to four stories), with amenities including clubhouse, pool, pet park, and EV charging stations. Applicant reduced from original 12 buildings; two buildings adjacent to existing homes were lowered to two stories.
- Staff Analysis: Chief Planner Donald Whipple noted the site lies within the Langley Air Force Base Accident Potential Zone (LFA-5) and within 65 and 70 decibel noise contours. Langley AFB opposed the development, stating it could preclude future runway relocation and was incompatible with surrounding land uses and the Airport Installation Compatible Use Zone. The development is adjacent to environmentally sensitive wetlands. Staff and Planning Commission recommended denial, citing conflicts with the Hampton Community Plan, the Joint Base Langley North Flight Plan, and incompatibility with existing land use patterns (higher density placed behind lower density neighborhoods).
- Public Comment: Henry Golden (Nelson Farms resident) opposed, citing insufficient parking (600 spaces for 368 units), traffic concerns (traffic study done during COVID), inadequate 20-foot buffer, and potential school impacts. Andrew Sullivan (Sarah Bonwell Hudgens Foundation VP) supported the project, explaining that sale of the property would enable the foundation to continue serving individuals with disabilities. Amy Barnes (Thomas Nelson Drive resident) opposed due to existing traffic and potential crime.
- Council Debate: Councilman Brown stated he had researched the project, noted resident opposition, Langley’s position, and planning commission denial, and expressed being “chastised” by the applicant’s characterization. Mayor Tuck opposed, explaining his role with the Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance, his work to secure Langley from encroachment, and his belief in the base commander’s integrity.
- Vote on Item 11 (Rezoning – 22-0181): Motion to deny passed 6-1 (Councilman Hobbes dissenting).
- Vote on Item 12 (Use Permit – 22-0183): Motion to deny passed 6-1 (Councilman Hobbes dissenting).
Item 13 – Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) – 22-0244
- Jonathan McBride presented the report for FY2021-2022 (federal fiscal year July 2021 – June 2022). Hampton is a HUD entitlement community receiving CDBG (~$1 million allocation, declining/ flat) and HOME ($500–600K) funds. Accomplishments: 7 weatherization/accessibility projects completed via CDBG; code enforcement activity; homeowner rehabilitation and homebuyer assistance via HOME; Housing Authority counseling served 107 clients, with 15 achieving homeownership. Public comment period ended August 28; no comments received. Report submitted to HUD by end of September.
- Approved unanimously (7-0).
Item 14 – CDBG Annual Action Plan Amendment – 22-0245
- McBride proposed reallocating $1.1 million from old (2014–2020) CDBG funds into current fiscal year housing programs (weatherization, accessibility, home rehab) to reduce a waitlist of about 200 homeowners. $2 million in ARPA funds was previously set aside by Council for the waitlist; 50 homeowners had been processed, with 30 completing paperwork. Funds will be used in addition to ARPA to accelerate projects.
- Approved unanimously (7-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Gail Roberts House (Faithwalk Hampton): Described a summer youth garden program that faced bureaucratic hurdles in Hampton. Faithwalk partnered with Hope for Suffolk, which hired three students and provided transportation. The program expanded to include work in Hampton and Suffolk through October. An international foundation will visit in October. Speaker urged collaboration: “We are better together in Hampton.”
- Ursula Parker: Discussed the first Enslavement African Landing Ceremony (August 27 at Fort Monroe) and bell-ringing for reconciliation. Urged council to oppose the rezoning of the 750 Shell Road property (Deaf and Blind School site) for industrial use, advocating instead for affordable family homes and improved infrastructure (sidewalks, code enforcement on West Bend Avenue).
- Darlene Walker (National Black Child Development Institute): Announced their affiliate is “Affiliate of the Year” for 2022. Distributed over 10,000 books across Hampton Roads. Partnerships include Head Start, Project Discovery, and local schools.
- Chris Matthews: Introduced a pilot tutoring/mentorship program pairing veterans with Hampton youth through Virginia Peninsula Community College and Hampton City Schools. Asked council for guidance on successful programs.
- Delegate A.C. Cordoza: Gave a legislative update on the 2022 special session, including capital funding for Fort Monroe preservation and judicial appointments. Invited council to a student summit with the Lieutenant Governor on September 16.
Key Outcomes
- Westview Landing Rezoning and Use Permit (Items 11 & 12): Both denied (6-1). The site remains zoned R-11 for single-family use.
- CAPER Report (Item 13): Approved (7-0).
- CDBG Amendment (Item 14): Approved (7-0).
- Appointments: Vice Mayor Gray appointed as delegate, Mayor Tuck as alternate for Virginia Municipal League Business Meeting (October 3, 2022). T. Sean Ophelia reappointed to Grievance Board until June 30, 2025; Zena McGee appointed to first full term until September 30, 2025. (Approved 7-0.)
- Announcements: Upcoming events: Aberdeen documentary screening (Sept. 16), Mary W. Jackson Neighborhood Center ribbon cutting (Sept. 17), Hampton Cup Regatta (Sept. 17–18). City won national “Best Dressed” award in City Hall Selfie Day.
- The city manager clarified that the youth garden program was not delayed by bureaucratic infighting but by federal requirements for identity documentation; city remains committed to expanding the program.
Meeting Transcript
At VAFB.com. Hello everyone and welcome to Real Virginia, a show about Virginia agriculture and the people who produce the wonderful local products we enjoy. Brought to you by the Virginia Farm Bureau. They're the unsung heroes of the harvest season. The farm equipment mechanic. Tomato jam. It's delicious. And it's that time of year to be extra watchful for farm equipment on the road. Virginia. Between the blue beach. It's just a peak. Atlantic. Oh. Welcome back to Real Virginia, everyone. We're coming to you this week from Eastview Farm in Hanover County. It's harvest season, and that means every day is crucial for crop production. Burke Muller reports: a good mechanic is an essential partner for farmers. Many of us have changed a flat tire at some point or another, but when the tire weighs over 400 pounds, it's time to call in the professionals, like Freddie Cox. This tractor suffered a tire puncture in a cornfield. We are like a road service for the farmer. We go, we go wherever they have trouble on their tractor and bring them new tires or repair their tires. And um we do combines and we also do a lot of forestry tires, a lot of uh skidders that drag logs out in the um field. Cox's company is a farm bureau service agent and a Firestone Associate Dealer in Southwest Virginia. He says he first became interested in working on farm equipment at an early age through his local FFA instructor. I was um 16 years old. He said, How would you like to be a tire man? And I said, Well, I don't know. Come home and talk to my dad, and been doing it ever since, since about 95, 6, something like that, and um went to college, and I guess that was my calling to be a tire guy. Summer is his busiest time of the year when farmers are working on their fields hard in anticipation of the coming harvest. From Memorial Day to the middle of July, um, we're we're very, very busy at the peak, and then it picks up again really in the middle of August and through about October. Cox says December is a busy time too for tax purposes as farmers try to get repairs scheduled before the end of the calendar year. Mechanics like Cox are also in high demand just before and during harvest season, when a flat tire can lead to a devastating delay for crop farmers. Sometime a farmer during harvest season is so busy with other work, they'll hire a mechanic to do the work even though they could do it themselves. The way I normally charge folks is kind of I try to make a route. And and if and if you're lucky enough and I'm in area, it's way cheaper rate. And I have a I have an emergency rate that then you know if you need me real quick, it's more expensive and I come. But we we try not to work on Sundays, but if your harvest has been wet, you're down. We try to come out and get you going when you need it. Tires are not the only thing that can go wrong on farm equipment. Ronnie Sharp is working on the air conditioning for the cab in this tractor for Mariah Farm in Fawkier County. He starts by checking the monitor inside the cab for air pressure readings. We're getting up about 150 now. I'd like to see you run about 200. Sharp grew up on a farm in Louisa County and caught the mechanical bug at an early age. I wanted to be able to bring something back to the farm myself, and so I went to work for the dealership. They sent me to a two-year John Deere Ag Tech program in North Carolina, and I worked for the dealership for 15 years. Took a break and decided to start my own business because I was doing a little side work on the side and it grew and got to where I had to make a decision whether I was going to keep regular employment or start to do something on my own. Sharp has been working on farm equipment for over 20 years, and he says he'll help out with anything from a lawnmower to a combine. Not all jobs require working with power tools and large mechanical equipment. In fact, some jobs are closer to what a computer technician would do.
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