Planning Commission Meeting Summary - July 16, 2026

The Hampton Planning Commission convened on July 16, 2026, to consider several land use applications. The meeting included approval of previous minutes, a deferral of a rezoning application for a duplex development in the Buckrow community, approval of a rezoning and use permit for a multifamily development on West Queen Street, approval of a use permit for a large multifamily project on Von Schilling Drive in the Coliseum Central area, and approval of a use permit for a used car sales lot on Bell Street. The transcript also includes a full fitness workout recording, which is not part of the official meeting proceedings.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes from the June 18, 2026 Planning Commission work session and regular meeting were approved as amended. Commissioners Brooks and DeProfio abstained due to absence. The motion carried with four ayes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ryan Mueller (Owner of adjacent property at 1774 Buckrow): Expressed concerns about flooding, privacy, tree removal, and the addition of a public street and sidewalk directly adjacent to his property. He worried that stormwater runoff from new impervious surfaces would flood his property and that a public sidewalk would eliminate his privacy and allow easy access to his property by non-residents.
• Joy Borehill (Resident of Colonial Acres): Stated she learned of the meeting via the Nextdoor app and had not known about earlier community meetings. She expressed opposition to the density of the McDowell Point project (nine units on less than two acres), questioned where children would play, criticized the architectural design as "cookie cutter," and requested a vegetative berm and preservation of tree canopy. She also expressed skepticism about developer promises.

Discussion Items

• Item 26-0222 - Rezoning for McDowell Point Subdivision (1772 Old Buckrow Road): Senior City Planner Jay Randolph presented a proposal to rezone 1.94 acres from R-11 (one-family residential) to R-8 (two-family residential) to develop one single-family home and four duplexes (totaling 9 units). The proposal included new public street, sidewalk, and stormwater management. Commissioner questions focused on stormwater mitigation, tree canopy loss, traffic impact (estimated at 90 trips/day), and impact on adjacent neighborhoods. Commissioner Coleman asked about unit sale vs. rental (units are for sale), building setbacks, and the adequacy of the traffic analysis. Commissioner Griffith raised concerns about an HRT bus shelter on the property. Public testimony from adjacent property owner Mr. Mueller and resident Ms. Borehill raised significant concerns about privacy, flooding, and density. The applicant, Curtis Cole, and his engineer, Jack Claude, argued that the design was preliminary and that detailed engineering (landscaping, buffering, stormwater) would be finalized during the site plan process, which would require city approval. Commissioner DeProfio noted that a standard 10-foot buffer existed. The commission expressed a desire for more information on privacy buffers, tree preservation, stormwater mitigation specifics, and traffic studies before a final decision.
• Items 26-0218 & 26-0219 - Rezoning and Use Permit for West Queen Street Multifamily: Chief Planner Donald Whipple presented a combined proposal from Old Town Development LLC to rezone three parcels (1534, 1538, 1540 West Queen Street) totaling approximately 5.5 acres to MD-4 multifamily residential with conditions. The plan is for a 68-unit multifamily building with 36 one-bedroom units, enhanced landscaping, underground parking, EV charging stations, and a mulched walking path to New Market Creek. The property is across from Hampton High School. Staff confirmed the project does not include low-income housing. Commissioner Coleman asked about a traffic impact analysis, which was previously done and found satisfactory with an existing left-turn lane. Commissioner Griffith inquired about Chesapeake Bay Protection Area buffers and bicycle amenities. Staff noted that a kayak launch is proposed but is conditional on environmental approval. The public hearing had no speakers.
• Item 26-0221 - Use Permit for Von Schilling Drive Multifamily (255 units): Planner Quinn Heinrich presented a use permit application by Canopy Development to permit 255 multifamily dwellings on the former Cinema Cafe site at 1044 Von Schilling Drive. The project proposes three four-story buildings, a clubhouse, pool, fitness center, dog park, and 375 parking spaces. The site is in the C-2 district within the Coliseum Central Overlay. Staff noted the proposal aligns with the Coliseum Central Master Plan and will generate less traffic than the former cinema. Commissioner Brooks asked about a crosswalk to Riverdale Plaza; the applicant noted it would likely be used via existing crosswalks on Enfield Drive. Commissioner Coleman asked if any units would be short-term rentals; the applicant stated no. Commissioner Coleman also asked about the development's status as an opportunity zone (requiring 10-year ownership). The public hearing had no speakers.
• Item 26-0226 - Use Permit for Used Car Sales (690 Bell Street): City Planner Valerie Taylor presented a use permit application for used vehicle sales at an existing light vehicle repair business. The proposal would occupy 3,500 sq ft of a 5,500 sq ft building, with a display area for up to 15 vehicles. Hours are Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm. The applicant stated he currently lives in Chesapeake and wants to move the business closer to his home in Hampton. The public hearing had no speakers.
• Unrelated Content: Approximately 30 minutes of the transcript is a workout session (Fusion Fitness with Alexis Perkins) which is not a city meeting item.

Key Outcomes

• Item 26-0222 (McDowell Point Rezoning): Deferred. The motion to defer to a future meeting carried unanimously (7 ayes). Commission direction to staff included exploring fencing or vegetative buffers for adjacent properties, tree canopy preservation, addressing privacy concerns with new street, flood mitigation details, and further traffic study.
• Item 26-0218 (Rezoning) & 26-0219 (Use Permit) - West Queen Street: Approved. Motion to recommend approval of the rezoning (with 18 conditions) and the use permit (with 8 conditions) passed unanimously (6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent).
• Item 26-0221 (Use Permit) - Von Schilling Drive: Approved. Motion to recommend approval with 21 conditions passed unanimously (6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent).
• Item 26-0226 (Use Permit) - 690 Bell Street: Approved. Motion to recommend approval with 11 conditions passed unanimously (6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent).