City of Hampton Planning Commission Meeting - October 16, 2025

This meeting of the City of Hampton Planning Commission convened on October 16, 2025, to review the September 2025 minutes, amend the agenda order, hear a youth planner report, and conduct public hearings on two use permit applications (a private museum and the revocation of a restaurant permit). The commission also voted on four ordinances regarding the creation of Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) regulations and the mandatory requirement of community meetings for land use applications. Following the formal proceedings, the commission adjourned and participated in a city broadcast segment regarding local puppets and fitness.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The commission unanimously adopted the minutes for the September 18, 2025 meeting.
• Approval of Special Meeting Minutes: The commission unanimously adopted the minutes for the September 24, 2025 special joint meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Youth Planner Report: Commissioner Griffith expressed support for the Hampton City Schools, Emergency Services, and Law Enforcement for their quick response to a recent school incident involving a firearm, stating they "did a great job" moving children quickly.
• Private Museum Hearing (Item 25-0266):
  • Jamie Joyner: Representing residents at 20 Edgewood Drive, Ms. Joyner expressed concern regarding traffic impact on their residential cul-de-sac and questioned the applicant's interest in the property adjacent to the site (State Farm). She requested a future meeting at a time more accessible to working families.
  • Sandra McKenzie: The applicant for the Margaret Lefranc Art Foundation expressed her position that the museum is essential for preserving art history and building legacies, emphasizing its educational value for students and the community.
  • Howard Smith: As the premises owner, Mr. Smith expressed that while he appreciated the applicant personally, the clientele became unruly late at night. He expressed a position of concern regarding the impact of the permit decision on prospective tenants for the property.
  • Unidentified Partner: A partner in a nearby building expressed support for the police response, noting they were a victim of property damage from a recent incident.
• Restaurant Revocation Hearing (Item 25-0305):
  • Howard Smith: Reappeared as the applicant (Lessee) for Chances Restaurant. He expressed regret regarding the unruly clientele and stated he was already in the process of terminating the lease. He expressed confidence in the planning commission's judgment to revoke the permit.
  • Unidentified Partner: Repeated a position of strong praise for the Hampton Police Department, stating they "acted so very responsibly."
• ADU Ordinances: No public comment was recorded during the public hearing portion of the ADU ordinance presentations.
• Community Meetings Ordinance:
  • Commissioner Coleman: Expressed concern that the new community meeting requirement might add an "unnecessary layer" of red tape and hinder business development, despite acknowledging the merit of community engagement.
  • Commissioner Griffith: Expressed support for the requirement to ensure all neighborhoods are notified, citing past gaps in community engagement where citizens were unaware of applications.

Discussion Items

• Youth Planner Report: Director of Planning reported on the progress of the Youth Commission, including the completion of the youth master plan, a teen town hall in response to a school firearms incident, and the appointment of a junior youth planner.
• Private Museum Application (25-0266):
  • Staff Position: City Planner Hanbu recommended approval of the use permit for a private museum at 1609/1611 Aberdeen Road with 15 conditions, noting the site is zoned C2 (limited commercial) and intended for mixed use.
  • Commissioner Coleman: Stated that while the initiative is fantastic, she was opposed to the location of the museum in a "random shopping space" rather than a planned district, expressing a position that the city needs to be more forward-looking in site selection.
• Revocation of Use Permit (25-0305):
  • Staff Position: Deputy Director Stephen Lynch and Officer Zminkowski presented evidence of a pattern of violence, including multiple firearms incidents, a homicide, and repeated security failures (including officers reporting that security blocked exits). They recommended revocation based on violations of security, ABC license compliance, and cooperation with police.
  • Commissioner Rogers: Posed procedural questions regarding the legal recourse for the business owner and the status of the business during the interim.
  • Commissioner Coleman: Expressed that while the decision is unfortunate, it is "necessary" to maintain public safety and the city's reputation, despite a goal of keeping businesses open.
• Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinances:
  • Staff Proposal: Staff (City Planner Quinn Heinrich and Chief Planner Donald Whipple) presented a phased approach to ADU ordinances, capping units at 800 sq ft, prohibiting short-term rentals, and waiving additional parking requirements. They emphasized multi-generational living and housing affordability as key goals.
  • Commissioner Mugler: Proposed an amendment to increase the minimum side setback for detached ADUs from 3 feet to 5 feet.
  • Commissioner Rogers: Expressed caution regarding the complexity of the process but acknowledged the value of the community engagement research. The commission accepted the staff's amendment regarding the Buckrow Bayfront district standards.
• Community Meeting Ordinance (25-0267):
  • Staff Position: Staff recommended the new ordinance to mandate community meetings for use permits and rezonings to ensure consistent neighborhood notification and to streamline future council deliberations by preventing deferrals.
  • Commissioner Mugler: Clarified that the intent of the meeting requirement is to act as a "guardrail" to prevent applications from reaching the council only to be deferred due to a lack of neighborhood notification, thereby expediting the process overall.

Key Outcomes

• Motion Carried: Approval of agenda amendment to move the Community Development Director's report to the front and place Public Hearing 25-0305 after 25-0266.
• Motion Carried: Recommendation to City Council for Approval of Use Permit 25-0266 (Margaret Lefranc Art Foundation) with 15 conditions. Vote tally: Ayes: 5 (Griffith, Rogers, Brooks, Mugler, DeProfio), Nays: 1 (Coleman).
• Motion Carried: Recommendation to City Council for Revocation of Use Permit 24-0028 (Chances Restaurant and Lounge). Vote tally: Ayes: 6 (Griffith, Rogers, Brooks, Mugler, DeProfio, Harris), Nays: 0.
• Motion Carried: Recommendation to City Council for Approval of all four zoning ordinance amendments regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (25-0018, 25-0019, 25-0268, 25-0269). The motion incorporated Commissioner Mugler's amendment to increase the side setback for detached ADUs to 5 feet. Vote tally: Ayes: 6 (Griffith, Rogers, Brooks, Mugler, DeProfio, Harris), Nays: 0.
• Motion Carried: Recommendation to City Council for Approval of Zoning Ordinance Amendment 25-0267, mandating community meetings for land use applications. Vote tally: Ayes: 6 (Griffith, Rogers, Brooks, Mugler, DeProfio, Harris), Nays: 0.