Title
Resolution of Hampton City Council Initiating Amendments to the Hampton City Zoning Ordinance Concerning Infill Housing Design Standards and Plan Book
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
The overall purpose and intent is to develop an Infill Housing Design Standards and Plan Book ("Plan Book") for residential development of substandard infill lots. The Plan Book would provide house plans designed specifically to ensure the quality of construction, character, sustainability, and resilience of homes built on existing lots not meeting the standard dimensional requirements (i.e. substandard lots) in the City of Hampton. In addition, the Plan Book would provide options for exterior designs as well as floor plans and finishes. Designs would focus on character areas or neighborhoods with quality design in keeping with the historic architectural traditions within some of the City’s older neighborhoods, such as Downtown, Phoebus, and the Greater Wythe area. Traditional beach and coastal house designs would be considered for the Buckroe area. Another objective would be to simplify the process for builders to construct high quality homes on substandard lots that meet modern needs and market pricing.
Discussion:
See Purpose/Background above.
Impact:
See Purpose/Background above.
Recommendation:
Rec
Pass the Resolution.
Body
WHEREAS, the Hampton City Council seeks to initiate a project to amend the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Hampton (the “Ordinance”) to adopt design standards and building plans (an “Infill Housing Design Standards and Plan Book”) to facilitate administrative review of housing development on substandard lots (as such term is defined in the Ordinance) in certain residential districts, and to establish design standards with the intent of elevating the quality of design and building materials for such development; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that adoption of an Infill Housing Design Standards and Plan Book is necessary to promote the development of housing on substandard lots and to ensure the quality of construction, character, sustainability, and resilience of such housing; and
WHEREAS, City Council was briefed by staff on this project at its work session held October 8, 2025; and
WHEREAS, City Council has determined that initiation and consideration of an amendment to the Ordinance adopting an Infill Housing Design Standards and Plan Book is required by the public necessity, convenience, general welfare, and good zoning practice, as more particularly described above.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY HAMPTON CITY COUNCIL AS FOLLOWS:
1. The foregoing recitals are incorporated by reference herein;
2. Pursuant to Virginia Code 15.2-2286(A)(7), Hampton City Council formally initiates proposed amendments to the Hampton Zoning Ordinance, specifically an amendment adopting an Infill Housing Design Standards and Plan Book, as described above;
3. Community Development Department and other appropriate staff are directed to prepare draft text for the proposed amendment and to take all steps necessary and proper to present the amendment for public hearing before the Planning Commission and City Council, in accordance with applicable law.