Title
Ordinance To Amend And Re-Enact Article IV Of Chapter 8 Of The Zoning Ordinance Of The City Of Hampton, Virginia Entitled “Hampton Roads Center Districts” By Amending Section 8-32(6) Pertaining To Building Height In The HRC-1 District; Section 8-33(4)(c) Pertaining To Building Height In The HRC-2 District; And Section 8-34(5) Pertaining To Height In The HRC-3 District.
Purpose
Staff has been requested by the Economic Development Authority (EDA) to consider amending a portion of the ordinance that would amend the language pertaining to the height limit for buildings in the HRC-1, HRC-2, and HRC-3 Districts. These Districts impact properties located within Hampton Roads Center - South, Central and North Campuses, located off Magruder Boulevard; and West Park, located off Big Bethel Road. The request was made to better position the properties within these Districts to maintain their competitive advantage for prospective tenants with similar business parks throughout the Hampton Roads region and comparable metropolitan areas outside the region. Current trends in campus-like business parks are encouraging mixed-use and higher density developments which tend to have an effect on building heights.
Currently, the HRC-1 District limits the building height to 81.5 feet and HRC-2 and HRC-3 Districts limit the building height to 55 feet. Due to the intent and nature of Hampton Roads Center South, Central, and North Campuses, staff is recommending that the maximum building height be increased from 81.5 feet to 120 feet in HRC-1 (South and Central Campus); and from 55 feet to 120 feet in HRC-2 (North Campus). In the HRC-3 District (West Park), staff is recommending the maximum building height of 55 feet remain. In all three Districts, the maximum building height specified can be increased by obtaining a Use Permit. This is an antiquated provision as the potential for relief to most dimensional criteria within the Zoning Ordinance is achieved through a variance request to the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA). Use Permits typically address special permission regarding a land use and/or operational aspects of the use. In all three Districts, the amendment recommends deleting the reference to obtaining a Use Permit to achieve an increase in the allowable building height. This would be consistent with how building height is regulated in other Zoning Districts.
Recommendation:
Rec
Approve proposed amendments to Chapter 8, Sections 8-32(6); 8-33(4)(c); and 8-34(5).
Body
WHEREAS, the public necessity, convenience, general welfare, and good zoning practice so require;
BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia, that sections 8-32(6), 8-33(4)(c), and 8-34(5) of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Hampton, Virginia be amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 8 - SPECIAL DISTRICTS
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ARTICLE IV. - HAMPTON ROADS CENTER DISTRICTS
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Sec. 8-32. - HRC-1 District-Hampton Roads Center South.
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(6) Height. Buildings shall be a maximum of 120 feet in height.
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Sec. 8-33. - HRC-2 District-Hampton Roads Center North.
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(4) Lot size, building size, and height.
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(c) Buildings shall be a maximum of 120 feet in height.
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Sec. 8-34. - HRC-3 District-Hampton Roads Center West.
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(5) Height. Buildings shall be a maximum of fifty-five (55) feet in height.