Hampton Planning Commission Meeting - March 21, 2024
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Hampton Planning Commission Meeting - March 21, 2024
The Hampton Planning Commission convened on March 21, 2024, at approximately 1:30 PM (call to order after a brief delay). The meeting included approval of minutes, deferral of three short-term rental applications, and two use permit hearings. All votes were unanimous among the six voting commissioners present.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the February 2024 Planning Commission meeting were approved. Commissioner Brooks abstained due to absence. All other commissioners voted in favor.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Use Permit 24-0049 (George Restaurant): Reverend Debbie Lee Bryant spoke in opposition to extending the hours of operation and expanding the indoor live entertainment area. She argued that the change would adversely affect property values, increase noise and crime, and disrupt the quietude of the nearby residential area. She noted that the restaurant is surrounded by houses, unlike other approved restaurants that are enclosed in malls.
Discussion Items
- Deferral of Three Short-Term Rental Applications: Staff recommended deferring three previously deferred short-term rental applications (23-0280, 23-0352, 23-0353) to the July 2024 Planning Commission meeting. The city is developing ordinance amendments related to short-term rentals and expects to brief the commission in April 2024 and complete the city council process by June 2024. No public speakers signed up. All three deferrals passed unanimously.
- Use Permit 24-0049 – George Restaurant: The applicant sought to extend the general hours of operation (Sunday–Thursday until 12 AM, Friday–Saturday until 2 AM) and expand the indoor live entertainment performance area (approximately 210 square feet) at 20 West Mercury Boulevard. Staff recommended approval with 12 conditions. Commissioner Harper noted that the tax situation had been resolved per the Commissioner of Revenue, and that past police reports indicated no crime issues specific to the business. A question from Commissioner Kellum clarified that the ABC license had been renewed separately. The commission approved the use permit unanimously with 12 conditions.
- Use Permit 24-0092 – TC Green Private School: The applicant proposed a private school (martial arts studio) at 3318 and 3320 West Mercury Boulevard, with approximately 6,000 square feet, 150 students enrolled at once, operating 3–8 PM Monday–Thursday and 8:30–11 AM Saturday, with three employees. Staff recommended approval with 8 conditions. The applicant stated the school has operated in Hampton since 1992 and that traffic and parking were evaluated. No public speakers signed up. The commission approved the use permit unanimously with 8 conditions.
- Youth Planner Report: Helena Folkerts reported on the Hampton Youth Commission’s recent activities, including attendance at the Unity Awards, recruitment for the 2024–2025 school year, grant updates, and an upcoming meeting with the police chief. Commissioners asked about the recruitment process and noted the commission has 25 members.
Key Outcomes
- Deferral of Use Permit 23-0280: Unanimous vote to defer to July 2024.
- Deferral of Use Permit 23-0352: Unanimous vote to defer to July 2024.
- Deferral of Use Permit 23-0353: Unanimous vote to defer to July 2024.
- Approval of Use Permit 24-0049 (George Restaurant): Unanimous vote with 12 conditions.
- Approval of Use Permit 24-0092 (TC Green Private School): Unanimous vote with 8 conditions.
- No other business or public comments – Meeting adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon. Like to call to order the meeting of the Planning Commission for Thursday, March twenty first, twenty twenty-four. And please, if you will call the role. Commissioner Rogers, present. Commissioner Brooks, present. Commissioner Coleman. Commissioner Harper. Present. Commissioner DeProfio. Chair Harris. Mr. Chair. Thank you, Vice Chair, and thank you, citizens. Sorry for the delay. Now we have the approval of minutes from the February Planning Commission meeting. Do I hear a motion? Second. Any modifications. Commissioner Rogers. Commissioner Brooks. Abstaining due to absence. Commissioner Coleman. Commissioner Harper. Aye. Commissioner DeProfio. Chair Harris. Bonnie, would you like to discuss the public hearing items and the protocol? I would be happy to do that. We have a number of public hearing items on the agenda, so I'll read our public hearing protocol. The planning commission of the city of Hampton takes pride in being fair and courteous to all parties in attendance. It is important that all involved understand how the commission conducts its hearings and how all persons before the commission should conduct themselves. To ensure the affairs of the commission may be conducted in an orderly manner and to permit persons in attendance to observe and hear the proceedings of the commission without distraction. The following rules for public hearings and comments are established as follows. Please turn off your cell phone while in the chamber. If you are attending the hearing and desire to speak on an item, please enter your name and item number at the desk in the back of the chambers prior to the call of the item. The commission secretary will announce the item number and item title being considered. Then the case before the commission shall be presented by a staff member of the Department of Community Development. After the case has been presented, the applicant or the applicant's representative will have up to 10 minutes to address the commission and present written and oral comments. The applicant may request up to three additional minutes for rebuttal of any comments from speakers in opposition to the application. Individuals other than the applicant or the applicant's representative who have signed up to speak on a case shall have three minutes to present written in or oral comments. All comments should be directed to the commission. And no person may address the commission until he or she has first been recognized by the chairman. Speakers who have signed up may use their allotted time only for themselves and cannot donate their time to other speakers. Please note that the actions taken by the commission today are in the form of a recommendation to the Hampton City Council. The final decision to approve or disapprove an application will be made by the city council at a future date. Okay, and the first three public hearing items, Mr. Chair, the staff is recommending deferral of to the July Planning Commission right uh meeting, their regular meeting. These are all short-term rental applications that were previously deferred by the commission. Um and as I think the commission knows the city staff is working on a set of ordinance amendments to bring forward soon. We expect to brief the planning commission on those ordinance amendments related to short-term rentals next month at their April at your April regular meeting.
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