Portsmouth City Council Meeting – August 26, 2025

The Portsmouth City Council held a combined work session and regular meeting on August 26, 2025, at 9:45 AM. The work session featured presentations on a mobile pay parking solution and illegal dumping/bulk refuse challenges. The regular meeting included public hearings, approval of use permits, adoption of a zoning ordinance amendment for entertainment establishments, and numerous grant appropriations. Key discussions revolved around parking enforcement, high street challenges, and the need for consistent enforcement of city codes.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the July 22, 2025, call meeting and regular meeting (7-0).
• Approved multiple grant and fund appropriations (all 7-0), including:
  • $42,660 for HOME Investment Partnership Program income.
  • $150,000 from the Virginia 911 Services Board for 911 equipment upgrades.
  • $2,932,000 from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for the Safer Communities Program.
  • $1,200,000 from the general fund for Lexington Senior Apartments.
  • $30,281.47 from opioid settlement funds for behavioral health services.
  • $600,000 for Market Alert System implementation.
  • Various donations and state funds for social services, foster care, and kinship support.
• Approved a one-year extension of use permit UP 2305 for a townhouse development at 1107 and 1021 High Street (7-0).
• Approved a one-year extension of use permit UP 2103 for a multifamily development at 4358 Greenwood Drive (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Leah Drake Stith (president, IC Norcom Alumni Association) requested an honorary street sign for Horace Savage Jr. along Portsmouth Boulevard, highlighting his contributions to the Truxton community and the Portsmouth Public School System. The public hearing was closed with no opposition; the resolution was adopted 7-0.
• Grady Palmer (applicant, Coastal Virginia Developers) presented a use permit for 17 townhouse units at 1200 Hodges Ferry Road. He noted the units would sell for $290,000–$325,000 and generate only 7–9 additional morning/evening rush-hour vehicles. The developer offered to install speed tables on Leonard Road at his own cost. The public hearing included supportive comments from Pastor Steve Greenby (Central Baptist Church) and resident Benjamin Keeling, who praised the developer’s responsiveness. The use permit was approved 7-0.
• David House (Simonsdale resident) spoke on the proposed zoning ordinance amendments for event spaces, raising concerns about off-street parking agreements, fee-based parking by adjacent businesses, and parking standard changes for private clubs. City staff clarified that the amendments aim to regulate such practices.
• Steve Carroll (Portsmouth resident) urged the council to include strong enforcement “teeth” in the ordinance, emphasizing that without enforcement, the new rules would be ineffective. He later spoke on non-agenda items about cannabis use in public spaces.
• Daniel House (Portsmouth resident) questioned the legality of charging for parking on properties not subject to the new ordinance and highlighted a property at 120 Chowan Drive where paid parking was occurring. He also raised concerns about a fence at 2 Rogers Place that violated site triangle requirements.
• Coleman Young (603 Dinwiddie Street) opposed the prohibition on outside promoters in the entertainment ordinance, arguing it would limit business opportunities. He also expressed concern about the authority given to the zoning administrator to shut down businesses without a hearing.
• Vincent Majors and Gregory McCoy (Afton Greens residents) testified about gun violence and noise from a nearby club, stating that on August 21, 2025, 20 shots were fired, hitting six homes. They demanded immediate action, not future planning. The city attorney noted that existing codes allow for immediate enforcement against safety threats.
• Nicole Adams (35 Fraley Place) opposed the ban on outside promoters, calling it discriminatory to freelancers, and noted that the casino is exempt from the rules, which she felt drives business away from small businesses.
• Vilma Brown (5142 Calso Way) defended the Bobnet Barnai establishment, stating it is family-oriented and that violence is a gang issue, not specific to the venue. She urged the council to support entertainment venues in Portsmouth.

Discussion Items

• Mobile Pay Parking Solution (Work Session): City engineer James Wright presented a T2 mobile pay parking system to replace obsolete meters. The system will allow payment via phone, provide receipts, and enable time extensions. The initial cost is $8,000–$10,000. The rollout will cover downtown garages in groups over 30–45 days. Council members discussed enforcement challenges, delinquent tickets (bag of tickets from business owners), the need for a dedicated group for High Street parking, and the potential to convert the Parking Authority Board back into a full authority. The city manager noted that enforcement of tickets has been lacking and that the city needs to decide whether to prosecute. Council consensus was to forgive outstanding tickets and to begin enforcing new tickets after a public information campaign.
• Illegal Dumping and Bulk Refuse (Work Session): City manager Stephen Carter presented the challenges of uncontrolled bulk refuse setouts, which cost the city significantly and create inefficiencies. He proposed: (1) scheduling all bulk pickups in advance, (2) charging a fee for unscheduled or oversized pickups, (3) increasing fines for contractors who dump illegally, (4) making community service mandatory for violators, (5) enabling code enforcement officers to issue civil citations, and (6) clarifying the maximum size limit (8’x10’x8’). Councilman Tillett opposed the scheduling requirement, citing past public backlash, but supported stronger enforcement. The council agreed to move forward with public education and to bring back a formal proposal.

Key Outcomes

• Honorary Street Sign: Adopted 7-0 to designate a portion of Portsmouth Boulevard as “Horace Savage Jr. Way.”
• Use Permit for 1200 Hodges Ferry Road: Approved 7-0 for 17 townhouse units, with developer commitment to install speed tables on Leonard Road.
• Zoning Ordinance Amendment for Event Spaces/Entertainment Establishments: Adopted 5-2 (with Councilwoman Thomas and another dissenting). The amendment updates parking standards, enforcement authority, and adds a new “private club” category. It also prohibits outside promoters and third-party events at entertainment establishments.
• Use Permit for 2012 Victory Boulevard (UP 2503): Approved 6-1 as an entertainment establishment.
• Use Permit for 6031 High Street West (UP 2504): Approved 5-2 for an event space/banquet hall, with closing hours of 2 a.m. (Councilman Hugo’s motion to reduce to midnight on weekdays failed; the original 2 a.m. was kept).
• Use Permit for 1805 Hodges Ferry Road (UP 2505): Denied 6-1 after a motion to deny was seconded and passed. The council noted the location’s proximity to residential neighborhoods.
• Parking Enforcement: The city manager will develop a plan to enforce parking tickets going forward, including a public awareness campaign, and will recommend forgiving outstanding tickets.
• Illegal Dumping Enforcement: The city manager will prepare a formal proposal for scheduled bulk pickup, fees for unscheduled pickup, stronger penalties, and expanded code enforcement citation authority, with a focus on public education.
• Non-Agenda Items: Councilman Dodson requested a future presentation from Dr. Pettis Patton (school board) on resource management. Councilwoman Thomas asked for a pilot program in a high-crime neighborhood identified by the police chief. The city attorney noted that a work group is already exploring the use of blight taxes for nuisance properties. The city manager highlighted that the Police Department achieved national CALEA accreditation. The fall Citizens’ Government 101 program will begin September 15, with registration opening September 2 at 12 PM.