Title
Ordinance to Amend and Reenact the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Hampton, Virginia by Amending Chapter 8, Article 7 Entitled, “Phoebus Districts” Pertaining to Requirements for Screening and Location of Accessory Structures and Equipment
Purpose
Background Statement:
In October of 2015, Council approved a Zoning Ordinance Amendment that created a special district for the Phoebus area of Hampton. Referred to as PH-1 in the Zoning Ordinance, this new district was applied to properties fronting Mellen St and Mallory St, in what is generally known as the historic Phoebus business district. The zoning district’s purpose is to ensure new/infill development along Phoebus’s historic main street is contextually sensitive, reinforces the district’s sense of place, and generally enhances the downtown area.
Sec. 8-62 (f) (i) of this Ordinance states that “Ground-level trash enclosures, storage areas, and utility, stormwater or mechanical equipment shall be screened from public view by use of walls or landscaping and is prohibited in the space between the building and any public right-of-way.” The intent of this section is to ensure that Phoebus’ main street remains free of clutter and any utility equipment that could be considered unsightly.
There are several streets in the Phoebus business district that, while public right of ways, function more like alleys; Lancer St is one example. It was recently brought to staff’s attention that this section, as currently written, must also be applied to these alley streets. This effectively prohibits businesses fronting on Mellen St from placing anything behind their buildings: dumpsters, equipment, storage buildings, etc.
The purpose of this Zoning Ordinance Amendment is to change Sec. 8-62(f)(i) to do away with this requirement. Trash enclosures, equipment, and accessory structures would still be prohibited in the front and side yards (on corner lots), but would now be permitted in the rear yard. Additionally, screening...
Click here for full text