Title
Ordinance to Amend and Reenact the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Hampton, Virginia by Amending Chapter 14, Titled “Reviews by the Planning Commission and City Council", by Adding a New Article III, Titled “Community Meetings"
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
See Discussion.
Discussion:
The Hampton Zoning Ordinance does not currently require applicants to host a community meeting for rezoning and use permit applications. Current practice is to request and encourage applicants to conduct such meetings in most cases. Council members inquired whether and how the city can require applicants to conduct a community meeting, and by formal action on August 13, 2025, pursuant to Virginia Code Section 15.2-2286(A)(7), initiated this proposed amendment.
The purposes for this amendment are to:
• Give residents and neighborhood organizations an opportunity to engage with applicant regarding the details, potential impacts and benefits of a proposed development.
• Allow applicant and staff to hear community feedback and, potentially, to address concerns before formal public hearings.
• Provide an additional opportunity for Planning Commission and City Council to hear community support or concerns (i.e., through staff summary of community meeting discussion); and to evaluate permissible considerations, including, issues affecting public health, safety, and general welfare; other good zoning practices identified in state code; mitigation of impacts (e.g., to surrounding community, infrastructure, environment); and consistency with comprehensive plan and other adopted policies of the City.
Impact:
See purposes stated above.
Recommendation:
Rec
Recommend Approval of the Ordinance; Advancement to Council for Consideration.
Body
WHEREAS, the public necessity, convenience, general welfare and good zoning practice so require.
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia that Chapter 14 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Hampton, Virginia, be amended and re-enacted as follows:
...
ARTICLE III. COMMUNITY MEETINGS
14-31. Community Meeting Required.
In addition to the other applicable requirements prescribed in Chapter 14 of this ordinance, and except as otherwise provided in Section 14-34, every applicant for use permit, rezoning or conditional zoning is required to conduct a community meeting. During the community meeting, the applicant or its representative shall explain the details of the use or development proposed in the applications(s) and exhibit any plats, conceptual drawings and development plans associated with the application(s). Members of the public, including but not limited to representatives from property owners’ associations and neighborhood and community organizations, shall have an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback concerning the proposal. Unless otherwise approved by the director of the department of community development, the community meeting shall commence between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., on a weekday excluding Fridays and holidays. The community meeting must be conducted no less than twenty-eight (28) calendar days before the date of the Planning Commission public hearing concerning the application(s).
14-32. Required Notice.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in Section 14-34, the applicant shall mail notice of the community meeting to (i) all property owners within one-quarter mile of the boundary of the parcel or parcels that are the subject of the application(s) (“Notice Area”); and (ii) any property owners associations and neighborhood or community organizations within the Notice Area, which are identified in accordance with subsection (2). A copy of the notice shall also be sent by email to the city planner or project manager assigned to the application.
(2) Prior to mailing the required notices, the applicant shall meet with the city planner or project manager assigned to the application to identify any property owners’ associations and neighborhood or community organizations within the Notice Area to whom notice of the community meeting should be provided. In addition to mailed notice, the applicant shall provide notice by email to any such associations or organizations for whom the applicant or city staff are able to identify a valid email address.
(3) The notice required by this section shall include the following information: (i) date, time and location of the community meeting; (ii) the LRSN number, street address (if any) and acreage for each parcel included in the application; (iii) application numbers; (iv) current zoning district(s); (v) for rezoning and conditional zoning applications, the proposed zoning district(s); and (vi) description of the proposed use or development, with reference to the applicable sections of the zoning ordinance. The notice shall be sent by mail and email, as applicable, at least ten (10) days before the date of the community meeting.
14-33. Participation by City Staff and Officials.
At least one community development staff member shall attend the community meeting as an observer and notetaker. A summary of any questions or comments by attendees, any response by the applicant, and steps taken by the applicant to address community comments, if any, shall be included in the staff reports presented to the Planning Commission and City Council. Other city staff or officials may attend the community meeting as observers; however, the conduct of the meeting is the responsibility of the applicant or its representatives.
14-34. Exceptions.
(1) A community meeting is not required if the property owner or applicant is the City of Hampton, Hampton City Schools, Hampton Economic Development Authority, Hampton Housing and Redevelopment Authority or another governmental entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the property owner or applicant may elect to voluntarily conduct a community meeting.
(2) In appropriate cases, the director of the department of community development may decrease or otherwise adjust the Notice Area described in Section 14-32(1), if the director determines that such adjustment is warranted due to the geographic characteristics of the subject property or surrounding area.