Hampton Planning Commission Meeting – September 18, 2025

The Hampton Planning Commission met on September 18, 2025, at 8:30 PM. The meeting included the election of officers, approval of previous minutes, a detailed presentation on proposed zoning amendments for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and a report from the Hampton Youth Commission. No public comments were received.

Consent Calendar

• Election of Officers: Commissioner Michael Harris was unanimously elected as Chair and Commissioner Kathy Rogers as Vice Chair.
• Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the July 17, 2025, meeting were approved as amended, with all commissioners voting in favor.

Discussion Items

• Proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendments for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): Community Engagement Manager Monica Mahar and City Planner Quinn Heinrich presented the proposed ordinance. Key points included:
  • Definition of ADUs (attached and detached secondary units on single-family lots).
  • Research from surrounding localities and a community survey of 363 respondents (48% considering adding an ADU, 43% envisioning family use).
  • Proposed standards: one ADU per lot, no minimum lot size, setbacks matching primary dwelling or accessory structures, maximum height of 16 feet (or 1.5 stories, with flood zone exceptions), prohibition of short-term rentals, owner occupancy requirement, and parking only required if no on-street parking is available.
  • Administrative permit process (building permit and zoning administrator permit).
  • Next steps: finalize ordinance, commission vote next month, City Council consideration on November 12, adoption target of December 31, 2025.
• Commissioner Questions:
  • Commissioner Rogers asked about a special use permit pathway for exceeding standards (e.g., larger size). Staff replied that a variance could be sought for hardship, but the proposed ordinance does not include a use permit option.
  • Commissioner Rogers also inquired about ADUs on non-conforming lots in R8 (duplex/multifamily) zones. Staff clarified that ADUs are only permitted on single-family lots; a single-family home in R8 would qualify, but a two-family dwelling would not.
  • A commissioner asked about the impact on city resiliency. Staff explained that lot coverage limits (20%) were not changed, so the proposal does not increase impervious surface beyond what is already allowed.
• Youth Planner Report: Henry Godfrey, representing the Hampton Youth Commission (HYC), reported on recent activities: National Night Out (20 applications received), Student Passpalooza (promoting public transit), annual retreat (civics training, community cleanup at Plaza Estucker, stakeholder jamboree). He asked commissioners to recruit high school students and promote the youth master plan.

Key Outcomes

• Elected Michael Harris as Chair and Kathy Rogers as Vice Chair (unanimous).
• Approved July 17, 2025, minutes as amended (unanimous).
• The commission will vote on the ADU zoning ordinance at its next meeting.
• The commission expressed appreciation for outgoing commission attorney and welcomed incoming attorney Corey Wolf.
• The meeting was adjourned.

Note: The transcript includes unrelated content after the adjournment; only the meeting portion is summarized.