Hampton Planning Commission Meeting Summary - November 20, 2025

The City of Hampton Planning Commission convened on November 20, 2025, to review routine reports, conduct public hearings on rezoning and use permit requests, and address a critical proposal to revoke a use permit. The meeting featured updates from the Youth Planner, deliberations on commercial rezoning for single-family use, and extensive debate regarding security mandates for a restaurant seeking extended hours. A significant portion of the agenda was dedicated to a public hearing concerning the alleged safety violations at Karma Restaurant and Lounge, which resulted in a recommendation to revoke the permit after a motion carried with 5 votes in favor and 2 against.

Consent Calendar

• The Commission approved the minutes from the October 16, 2025 Planning Commission meeting. The motion carried with Commissioner Coleman abstaining.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Henry Godfrey (Youth Planner): Presented a report on the Hampton Youth Commission's activities, including grant administration, stakeholder engagement, and the "Compassion Night" event. He expressed a position of compassion and consistency in their youth outreach efforts.
• Francis Vorno (Owner of the Shopping Center where Karma is located): Expressed strong support for the applicant, Mr. Ray (Karma), stating he is a good man who employs homeless individuals. She provided a conflicting position regarding the violence statistics, arguing that many calls for service (e.g., 27 parking violations, robberies at adjacent businesses) are attributed to the general shopping center area and not solely to Karma.
• Commissioner Rogers: Expressed a position of skepticism regarding the applicant's claim of unawareness of incidents, stating that a business owner bears responsibility for the atmosphere they nurture. She argued that with 97 calls for service, the communication must be non-existent if the owner is unaware, and she could not find it believable that the establishment is calm given the violence outside.
• Commissioner Coleman: Expressed a position of sympathy for the applicant but a position of caution regarding the security issues, ultimately supporting a deferral to allow for resolution rather than immediate revocation, though she voted with the majority to proceed with the revocation recommendation.

Discussion Items

• Youth Planner Report: The Commission reviewed the Hampton Youth Commission's progress, including the transition of the Youth Voice chair to a Junior Youth Planner role, the expansion of the Youth Commission to 23 members (near capacity), and upcoming events like the Teen Town Hall on December 15th.
• Rezoning Application 25-0322 (Gloria Lopez): Staff recommended rezoning 0.15 acres at 1700 East Pembroke Avenue from C2 (Limited Commercial) to R9 (One-Family Residential) to allow for a single-family dwelling. Staff analysis indicated this aligns with the Buck Row Master Plan's encouragement of infill housing and the city's vision to revitalize the aging Pembroke Avenue corridor. The applicant's attorney, Alan Tanner, confirmed the dwelling will be occupied by the applicant's family. No public opposition was expressed.
• Use Permit Application 25-0285 (Southern Comfort Restaurant): Application for Restaurant 3 status at 2163/2165 Cunningham Drive to extend hours to 2:00 a.m. and allow indoor live entertainment. The proposed conditions included a requirement for up to nine security guards (one per 75 patrons) and two extra-duty HPD officers on peak nights. The applicant, Eddie Gomez, expressed concern regarding the financial burden of the mandated security levels, arguing his existing safety measures are sufficient. Commissioner DeProfio argued that staff must plan for the worst-case scenario (500+ patrons) to prevent violence. Commissioner Rogers and Vice Chair Rogers expressed concern about the financial hardship and suggested amending the security section. The Commission unanimously agreed to recommend approval with a directive to staff and the applicant to revise the security requirements (specifically Section 8B) to be based on maximum occupancy rather than a fixed number, to be reviewed before Council.
• Revocation of Use Permit 24-0489 (Karma Restaurant and Lounge): Staff and HPD presented evidence regarding consistent violations of conditions related to security, including failure to monitor the parking lot, lack of radio communication, manipulation of the capacity counter, and insufficient verification of DCS-certified security. Incident reports included a homicide on April 11, 2025, multiple assaults, and a specific incident on November 8, 2025, where a security guard allegedly initiated a physical assault on a patron. The applicant, Courtney Ray, defended his operations, stating he contracts security and was unaware of some internal security actions (e.g., the capacity counter manipulation on July 11). He expressed a position of remorse for the incidents but argued that he cannot control every patron's behavior and is committed to improvement. The Commission debated the severity of the safety issues versus the owner's willingness to improve. Commissioner Rogers and Vice Chair Rogers maintained a position that the owner is responsible for the environment and that the violence was unacceptable. Ultimately, the Commission moved to recommend revocation.

Key Outcomes

• Motion Carried (Rezoning): Approved rezoning application 25-0322 (Gloria Lopez) with seven proffered conditions. Vote: Aye (Griffith, Rogers, Brooks, Coleman*, Mugler, DeProfio, Harris). (Coleman Abstained)
• Motion Carried (Southern Comfort Use Permit): Recommended approval of use permit application 25-0285 subject to conditions, including a specific directive for staff and the applicant to revise the security staffing requirement (Section 8B) to be based on maximum occupancy rather than a fixed mandate. Vote: Aye (Griffith, Rogers, Brooks, Coleman, Muggler, DeProfio, Harris).
• Motion Carried (Karma Revocation): Recommended revocation of use permit 24-0489 (Karma Restaurant and Lounge) due to violations regarding security monitoring, radio communication, and patron safety. The motion to recommend revocation carried with the following vote: Aye (Griffith, Rogers, Brooks, Mugler, DeProfio), Nay (Coleman, Harris).
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at the conclusion of the public hearing. The City Council will make the final decision on the Use Permit and Revocation recommendations at a future date (expected December 10).