Planning Commission Agendas & Minutes

AT THE WORK SESSION OF THE HAMPTON PLANNING COMMISSION HELD IN THE LAWSON CONFERENCE ROOM, 8TH FLOOR, CITY HALL, HAMPTON, VIRGINIA, ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013, AT 3:00 P.M. Chairman Gregory Williams, Vice Chairman Gaynette LaRue and Commissioners Carlton Campbell, James Young, Chris Snead and Mary Bunting were present. Absent was Commissioner Andre McCloud. Mr. Terry O’Neill, Secretary to the Commission, opened the floor for questions or comments regarding the agenda items. The Commissioners discussed Comprehensive Plan Amendment No. 019-2013: Phoebus Master Plan (2007) – Proposal by the City of Hampton to consider amendments to the adopted Phoebus Master Plan (2007) in light of the closure of Fort Monroe as a military base and the establishment of a National Monument on a portion of the Fort property. The plan encompasses the greater Phoebus area, stretching from I-64 to Shelton Road and Mill Creek to Pembroke Avenue. The amendments to the Plan to be considered include updated residential and commercial market analysis, a new focus on gateways to the Phoebus neighborhood and Fort Monroe, a more detailed description of appropriate development in the commercial core, and updated implementation strategies. Senior Planner Mike Hayes stated the only feedback from the community was two letters regarding the Phoebus Master Plan Update 2013; one from A Partnership For a New Phoebus and one from Ross Kearney. Terry O’Neill stated the process for the Phoebus Master Plan Update is 95% complete. Mr. Hayes stated the final copy of the update from the project consultant, Urban Design Associates, had two different concepts on page 34. This last copy shows only one image as one concept was left out (duplicate shown of first image). There was discussion regarding the redevelopment options for the Maida site; the “small box form” identified in the section on design principles for commercial properties and why there was opposition to rental properties. Staff noted that this document is a framework for looking forward by aligning development recommendations with future market expectations. In reply to questions regarding the Partnership comment number two on “small box form”, Mr. O’Neill stated he could not think of any commercial building that fits that term and as far as guidance on this there is probably room to clarify the current language in the draft plan. There are no specific design standards currently but there are zoning overlays and possibly historical district zoning. Senior Deputy Attorney Valldejuli reminded the Commissioners, in regard to comment number three of the Partnership letter, flag lots were taken out of the subdivision ordinance about two years ago. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:27 p.m. AT A PUBLIC HEARING AND REGULAR MEETING OF THE HAMPTON PLANNING COMMISSION HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 8TH FLOOR, CITY HALL, HAMPTON, VIRGINIA, ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013 AT 3:30 P.M. ITEM I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Gregory Williams called the Planning Commission meeting to order. ITEM II. ROLL CALL A call of the roll noted Chairman Williams, Vice-Chair Gaynette LaRue, and Commissioners Carlton Campbell, James Young, and Chris Snead as present. Commissioners Andre McCloud and Mary Bunting were noted as absent; Commissioner McCloud arrived at 3:35 PM and Commissioner Bunting arrived at 3:50 PM. ITEM III. MINUTES A motion was made by Vice Chairman LaRue, seconded by Commissioner Campbell, to approve the minutes of the January 3, 2013 work session and Planning Commission meeting. A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows: AYES: Campbell, Young, LaRue, Snead, Williams NAYS: None ABST: None ABSENT: McCloud, Bunting A motion was made by Vice Chairman LaRue, seconded by Commissioner Campbell, to approve the minutes of the January 17, 2013 work session and special Planning Commission meeting. A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows: AYES: Campbell, McCloud, LaRue, Snead, Williams NAYS: None ABST: Young ABSENT: Bunting IV. STAFF REPORTS A. Youth Planner Report Junior Youth Planner Chyna Matheny stated the Hampton Youth Commission Web page is up and running. The web page includes background information on the Hampton Youth Commission; Twitter and Facebook accounts; and the Interactive Youth Friendly Map Project. The most important feature is the survey. The web page can be accessed through www.Hampton.gov/planning. 1  There will be a checkpoint meeting on February 25, 2013 to ensure the information collected at focus group meetings from November to February on the Youth Component to Hampton’s Community Plan was accurate the edit stage of the process is from March to April. On April 15, 2013 there will be a reception promoting the Youth Friendly Guidebook. This guidebook captures what a Youth Friendly Event should look like and has guidelines on how to plan a Youth Friendly event for any occasion. In response to a question by Commissioner Campbell, Ms. Matheny stated some of the other members of the Youth Commission will be attending a Planning Commission meeting in the future. Mr. O’Neill stated a presentation would be made at the March meeting. Public Hearing Procedures Mr. Terry O’Neill, Secretary to the Commission, read key points of the Hampton Planning Commission Public Hearing/Comment Rules in order for the affairs of the Commission to be conducted in a courteous and orderly manner. V. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS A. Comprehensive Plan Amendment No. 019-2013: Phoebus Master Plan (2007) - Proposal by the City of Hampton to consider amendments to the adopted Phoebus Master Plan (2007) in light of the closure of Fort Monroe as a military base and the establishment of a National Monument on a portion of the Fort property. The plan encompasses the greater Phoebus area, stretching from I-64 to Shelton Road and Mill Creek to Pembroke Avenue. The amendments to the Plan to be considered include updated residential and commercial market analysis, a new focus on gateways to the Phoebus neighborhood and Fort Monroe, a more detailed description of appropriate development in the commercial core, and updated implementation strategies. Staff Contact: Keith Cannady, 728-5239 or kcannady@hampton.gov or Mike Hayes, 728-5244 or mdhayes@hampton.gov. Mr. O’Neill stated a Planning Commission worksession was held on January 17, 2013 and today’s presentation is essentially the same, but for the education and information of the public and those watching at home, the presentation will be made again and comments and questions will be entertained. Senior Planner Mike Hayes stated this is a presentation of Comprehensive Plan Amendment No. 019-2013: Phoebus Master Plan (2007). It is a comprehensive plan amendment because Master Plans are actually addendums to the larger comprehensive plan for the entire city. As mentioned by Mr. O’Neill, a worksession relating to this amendment was held on January 17, 2013; Planning Commissioners participated in this meeting along with a large number of community members. At today’s meeting the Planning Commission will be asked to recommend adoption of 2 Comprehensive Plan Amendment No. 019-2013: Phoebus Master Plan (2007) to City Council. The boundaries are unchanged from the 2007 Phoebus Master Plan. Phoebus has its own identity with a strong connection to Ft. Monroe as an employment center and as the National Park designation is implemented, a place for recreational activities. A good portion of Ft. Monroe has been named a National Monument. The City, the National Park Service, and the Fort Monroe Authority keep in touch with each other and work together so each feeds off the other. This process has been a three phase approach in working with the City’s consultants, Urban Design Associates. The three phases are: 1. Understanding – Figuring out what is going on. 2. Exploring – Trying out some ideas. 3. Deciding: choosing what to do – all with broad-based participation. Key Changes since 2007 are: • Ft. Monroe closed • National recession – slow recovery • Ft. Monroe named a National Monument • (Core of) Phoebus named to State and National Historic Registers Accomplishments since 2007: • Expansion of the New American Theatre • Farm Fresh commercial area expansion • Old Point Townhomes • Mercury Boulevard and Woodland Road investments (CVS Pharmacy and the rezoning of the Triangle property for a multi-complex senior project) With Understanding is: • Public and Stakeholder Input • Commercial Market Study Update • Housing Market Study Update There were several stakeholder/community meetings held; one of the meetings was with the Partnership for a New Phoebus, which is a merger of the Phoebus Improvement League and the Phoebus Civic Association, along with representation from the Neighborhood Watch. One of the key things heard was that the overall vision is still a good vision. The existing vision and framework remain valid; the strengths should be built on; and action should be taken. This is still the direction in which to head. Action should be taken to build on the strong Phoebus history, its great character and great bones; the existing block pattern; the existing homes, and the existing commercial structures. People want action to be taken toward cleaning up particular sites and infrastructure needs; they look forward to some of the bigger projects. 3  MARKET STUDIES Challenges identified in the Commercial Market Study Update include: • Vacant storefronts • Abandoned properties • Poor property/building maintenance Opportunities in the Commercial Market Study Update include: • Historic buildings – lending character to Phoebus • Proximity to Fort Monroe – a great opportunity for more people coming through to visit the Fort who will hopefully stop in Phoebus and re-engage Phoebus as a town and community • Redevelopment of key in-fill sites – there are buildings available to be refurbished and there are key locations available for new construction Key Findings in the Commercial Market Study Update include: • Support for additional restaurants • Support for arts district and related retail • Fort Monroe development could enhance retail opportunities – looking to reuse the available office and new residential opportunities • Limited office potential With the reuse of office space, people visiting, and new residential opportunities at Fort Monroe, more people will look toward Phoebus as a main shopping district. There is limited opportunity for new office space in Phoebus. Challenges identified in the Housing Market Study Update include: • Poor condition of some housing in the area • Limited amount of high-quality retail Assets in the Housing Market Study Update include: • Mill Creek waterfront • Adjacency to Fort Monroe • Proximity to Downtown • Historic/traditional character • I-64 Access Many places are trying to replicate the historical and traditional character that Phoebus already has. Phoebus also has waterfront property; access to fishing and boating; access to the recreational opportunities at Fort Monroe, and quick access to the interstate. 4  Key Findings in the Housing Market Study Update include: • Slight increase in housing market potential from 2006 (2,250 households) • Preference for rental housing has more than doubled from 2006 (16% to 33%) • Market concentration on higher density housing types • Potential for new detached housing on selected vacant single-family lots • Higher percentage of younger single and couples in the target market (59%) The market demand to build 2,250 homes is not here at this time but could be absorbed; the potential market is there. Rental housing has gone up in demand, not just in Phoebus but regionally and nationally. The market concentration is in higher density housing types with those attracted being empty nesters and young professionals who enjoy the more urban atmosphere. In response to a question from Commissioner Campbell, Mr. O’Neill stated Phoebus being named to the National Registry does not provide the City additional or direct funding, but can provide additional marketing for visitation, tourism, and branding purposes. There are also some income tax credits for certain types of building rehabilitation projects in the historic district. THE UPDATE There have been minor changes to the initiative areas. No. 5 - New Gateways changing to Enhanced Gateways and No. 6 - Housing Strategies replaced Neighborhood Strategies. INITIATIVE AREAS 1. Phoebus Waterfront - The same general principles are maintained as seen in the 2007 version of the plan with a change to include the connection to Fort Monroe, specifically with a bike and pedestrian connection. The future phases are for a potential park at the waterfront. This will not happen in one big step but the plan shows how it could be enhanced over time. This will include the grading, seeding, and cleaning up of the property and shoreline. Phase Two would add a dinghy dock. The third phase would add a 7-mile trail through the park to Fort Monroe. The final phase would potentially have more active uses such as kayak rental and playground space. 2. Mellen Street - In comparing the 2007 and 2013 images, some changes have occurred, such as the expansion of the American Theatre and its parking. Largely the Mellen Street recommendations have been unchanged as this is the backbone of the community’s character. A series of design principles for commercial properties addresses the commercial properties and businesses that would be appropriate along Mellen and Mallory Streets. 5  Shown were the small box form and residential form structures and how to create the “front door” active street front atmosphere. 3. Mallory Street - One of the key changes found is with the Maida and Slaughter properties located on Mallory Street. In 2007 the image showed structured parking wrapped by residential buildings. The reality is that structured parking is expensive to build and it is unlikely the market would support it. The current proposal shows a lower density development with surface parking and a combination of either multi- family residential with the potential of some commercial. Another potential option would be a smaller boutique style of hotel with some commercial and multi-family toward Libby Street. The Slaughter Lumber site in the 2007 plan called for mixed use along Mallory Street, blending back to lower density residential development. More realistically in 2013 a multi-family development is more likely but also with a potential for a mixed use along Mallory Street. 4. Railroad Right-of-Way - There are no proposed changes. 5. Enhanced Gateways - This is a new initiative which deals with enhancing the gateways and the impression one gets when entering Phoebus. The I-64 interstate entrances; the bridge on Mercury Boulevard and the Mugler Bridge from Phoebus leading to Fort Monroe; the intersections at County Street and Woodland Road and at Woodland Road and Mercury Boulevard are gateways leading to Phoebus and Fort Monroe. These approaches provide unique opportunities to create dramatic and memorable experiences which reinforce how special both Phoebus and Fort Monroe are. 6. Housing Strategies - In the 2012 update, an attempt has been made to further illustrate how a strategic, targeted approach might be implemented. There is potential for streetscape improvements along particular roads and an opportunity for other housing programs that have been applied in other sections of the city to be extended to locations such as this. As an illustrative example, due in part to an existing assemblage of City and HRHA property, Howard Street was selected as a target area. In the broader Phoebus area, South Phoebus and North Phoebus are two key areas identified and carried over from the 2007 plan. Staff recommends that the Commission recommend approval of the update of Community Plan Amendment No. 019-2013 with a correction on Page 34 of the plan to revert back to the former plan as shown in the worksession with the two images and not just the one as shown on this plan. Two letters have been received with recommendations of approval of the plan with comments and concerns from the Partnership for a New Phoebus and Ross Kearney. Ross Kearney, 10 Weber Lane, thanked Mr. O’Neill for the acknowledgment and distribution of his letter. He stated his letter was an observation as a resident of 6 the Phoebus community about the direction they are going. As noted in his letter, Mr. Kearney stated the City has done a great deal in the Phoebus community and often it has been a tendency to forget some of the things done such as the streetscaping and the purchase of the property by the Mugler Bridge. These were large investments done over time and are appreciated. There was a concern at a meeting at the Fire station in Phoebus about the building of a new fire station in Phoebus which is coming up in the CIP. Mr. Kearney read the short resolution passed by the Phoebus Volunteer Fire Company which stated the unanimous vote and decision made by the Fire Company: “any decision of replacement or design or relocation of the Phoebus Fire Station referred to in the city of Hampton as station No. 2 will include the participation and approval of the Phoebus Volunteer Fire Company before any action is taken.” They want to be included and have that stated for the record. In response to a question from Commissioner Campbell, Mr. Kearney stated the elements referred to are undesirable elements (derelicts) that take over the parks and make these parks undesirable and unsafe places and this could be in any of the city parks. He does not want to see that happen in the park being designed for the area by the Mugler Bridge which is a gateway to Fort Monroe and is located by St. Mary’s School and the Methodist Church of Phoebus. In response to a question from Commissioner Campbell, Mr. Kearney stated the land used as a ball park had been donated by the community and under direction of the Senior Woman’s Club, Junior Woman’s Club and the Phoebus Recreation Association. These organizations have disappeared. It was a place the children of Phoebus came to play. There is no place now. In looking to the future this is something that needs to be addressed If they are going to bring the young back into their community to live. They have a great community and those sitting at this meeting have chosen to live there even though they could live anywhere they wanted. Mr. O’Neill stated the discussion about the property referenced by Mr. Kearney is in the plan on pages 37 – 38. He thanked Mr. Kearney for his past work as mayor and being on city council and his interest now as a private citizen. Mr. Kearney has taken a leadership role and is trying to bring the various interested parties together on this project. In response to a question by Vice Chairman LaRue, Mr. O’Neill stated some urban parks across the county are underutilized, not just in Hampton. There are certain things that can be done from a physical point of view (design). It comes down to whether Hampton as a community cherishes and takes advantage of these areas. They have to be used or will be taken over by the undesirable aspect. It is a challenge, but all want good urban parks. Mr. O’Neill mentioned Project for Public Spaces, a non-profit group that goes around the country studying these areas and making suggestions. 7  In response to a question from Commission McCloud, Mr. Kearney stated in regard to item 7 of his letter he is referring to Jane H. Bryan School, which does not meet the standards of accreditation, that the City somehow needs to have funding for the entire community from schools to parks. Good schools are needed for people to move into an area. Mr. Kearney also mentioned the dinghy dock that had been previously approved and wondered when that would come to pass, as those who anchor off Phoebus would like to have someplace to dock and come into Phoebus to shop. Chairman Williams stated he has noticed there are fewer motorized boats and fewer sailboats, but there are more kayaks. The proposed dinghy dock might be very well used. Brian Epstein, 154 Semple Farm Road stated he owns a pawn shop at 25 S. Mallory Street and his concern is what assurance was there that he would still have a business at the end of this process as some think he does not have the best kind of business. In reply to Mr. Epstein, Mr. O’Neill stated this plan states the part of the core business district in Phoebus should be a business location and does not get into details of operation. A document of this kind is a long range vision and framework document that does not get into detailed regulatory, permitting and licensing issues. The City has the right to respond to issues in its community brought up by any citizen or business to review regulations that affect those businesses and landowners. Mr. O’Neill stated he cannot say there will be no change that would affect Mr. Epstein’s business as that is not his authority. That is something City Council would consider. There is nothing in the document the Planning Commission is dealing with today that would lead one to believe there is anything in the arena Mr. Epstein talked about and should be concerned about. Senior Deputy City Attorney Vanessa Valldejuli stated Mr. Epstein’s concern has nothing to do with land use issues and might be about a different code. The Planning Commission does not regulate business licenses, but Use Permits are a different issue. Alison Schmidt, 211 E. Taylor Avenue, stated she has been a resident of Phoebus for 27 years. Phoebus is a unique area with its own character and history. There are problems but it has good bones. . Phoebus is not just one or two main streets; it is an area that incorporates more. Some things need repairing. Roads need repair; grass is growing in the streets; and people need to take pride in their property. Residents of Phoebus are faced with the same problems as are people throughout the country. Money is tight. Part of the problem in Phoebus is that Hampton owns a lot of property including part of Old Buckroe Road. This summer a lot of it was overgrown. There were overgrown ditches; a tree limb hung down over the sidewalk on a piece of property close to a school where children walk; and there is no continuous sidewalk. 8 There are drainage ditches on both sides; 35 mile an hour speed limits; two elementary schools on that street; and a high school with new drivers. The community and people need to be taken care of. The plan talks about targeting an area on Howard Street with streetscapes and hardscapes. These should not be made where they are hard to keep up. Mellen Street looks beautiful but there are huge planters the city does not have manpower to take care of so the community has to take care of them. What is done will still need to be cut, weeded and planted and if not taken care of the problem is still there. Ms. Schmidt stated the money may not be there now to make a beautiful entryway to Fort Monroe but the grass should still be cut, the weeds kept down, the trees trimmed, and maybe a guardrail painted to keep it up. Street signs also need to be kept up. Ms. Schmidt stated Phoebus needs to be looked at as a whole and not as just a few streets. In response to a question from Commissioner Campbell, Ms. Schmidt stated she belongs to many Phoebus organizations: some are Partnership for a New Phoebus; the American Legion and the United Methodist Church. Chairman Williams stated that Phoebus is more than a gateway to Fort Monroe and so much time and concentration are spent on Mellen and Mallory that sometimes it is forgotten there is a community there and he is glad that was mentioned. Lilly Mae Jones, 21 E. Virginia Avenue, stated Phoebus is the greatest place to be although she often feels Phoebus is a stepchild of Hampton. She stated she is here today primarily because there is nothing indicated as to what is to be done at the north area of Phoebus that was shown. There are horrible ditches and no sidewalks on Old Buckroe Road, Douglas Street, or Chamberlin Avenue. There are $300,000 homes which have been built there and people are still stepping in ditches. School board property is overgrown. It is time to make changes. In response to a question from Commissioner Campbell, Ms, Jones stated she is part of the Neighborhood Watch; a member Queens Street Baptist Church; and an advocate for getting playground equipment for the Davis playground. Mr. O’Neill stated the reason the neighborhoods like North and South Phoebus have been identified in the plan is because that is one way to indicate it is recognized that the city staff and resource partners need to engage those communities and develop a reinvestment or revitalization plan tailored toward each particular neighborhood, as one size plan does not fit all. This is contingent on neighborhood support and the resources to do so. When the plan was adopted in 2007 the City budget was in a different place and the CIP had about $800T to $1M allocated over a two or three year period for which a couple of these neighborhoods on the various master plans were identified 9 and targeted for neighborhood revitalization plans. A couple of them, Pasture Point and Sussex, were started. Modifications were done so some programs could be done in part of Buckroe. But, the program ran out of money. As soon as the program is back up and running the idea would be to go into those neighborhoods and devise something with members of the communities for something specifically targeted to their priorities and needs. Joseph Skelly, 15 Cantamar Court, Hampton stated little things will make the big difference. It would make a huge difference if a lot of houses in these neighborhoods had a $5000 grant where they could put on a front porch or do landscaping, Kiosks and food have a tendency to make it so undesirables do not stay in an area. It was found in studies in New York City that undesirables are kept away if there are kiosks and portable food trucks to attract people to an area. Eyes need to be on the park in waterfront areas. Mr. Skelly stated he does not think St. Mary’s is set up to be the custodian for the park area in Phoebus. People need to be in the park on a regular basis. His suggestions for consideration were to have: • A Historic Tour of Hampton - Have an historic tour of Hampton that focuses on 20 separate buildings, including three or four in Phoebus that have interesting reputations. Include things from the Prohibition era. Historic tours, trails and paths will bring in scouting groups of different kinds. This could be tied in with Fort Monroe and could go from Fort Monroe, through Phoebus, and on through downtown. This will bring in people and tourism. • A craft shelter – A craft shelter with room for storage on the site so scouting groups and youth groups have someplace to do their crafts. • A fire pit - Have an equivalent of group campfires. • A water feature – Have a fountain when children run across it the feature is activated. This is an opportunity to create something completely unique. Mr. Skelly stated he loves the idea of projects for public spaces. Some places allow pizza ovens and bread making ovens run by local groups in the community in public parks. Create four or five flower or gardening associations. Mr. Skelly asked if there is any space in any of the parks for community gardens. He stated he thinks some of this may be in the CIP process but that it is not too early to bring this up as things that are possible. When asked by Commissioner Campbell to elaborate on the kiosks and food vendors Mr. Skelly stated a study was done in New York City on 64 pocket parks. It was found that the last thing criminals and those doing drugs wanted were to have regular people at the site so they could not do their transactions. A 24-hour camera 10 surveillance done within these parks showed that it scattered these people who were not upstanding citizens. When food carts and kiosks are allowed something is being created from these spaces. Chairman Williams thanked Mr. Skelly for sharing all his possibilities. Mildred Stewart, 30 West Virginia Avenue, asked the Commission to consider including the leadership of Zion Baptist Church, located at the intersection of Woodland Road and County Street, in the planning process. In response to a question from Commissioner McCloud, Mr. Hayes stated the intersection of Woodland Road and County Street has been identified as a place to have an enhanced gateway but there is no specific design at this point. There is still plenty of opportunity to still engage the community and church leadership for their input. Mr. O’Neill stated the City loves to have community partners involved in these types of projects. At this particular gateway the City currently owns some residual right-of- way where County Street comes into Woodland Road. It is even better if the City can work with the church in some kind of partnership that can enhance the gateway welcome to Phoebus. He stated the church would not only be asked but would be welcomed as a partner. In response to a question by Commissioner Young, Mr. Hayes stated the Planning Division is just one division of the Community Development Department. There is also the Housing and Neighborhood Services Division which has a lot of contacts within the community and is great to help with outreach. The leadership of the church will be directly contacted on the project. Mr. O’Neill reminded the Commission the motion on this amendment is for the Planning Commission to adopt the Phoebus Master Plan 2013 version to replace the 2007 version in its entirety. The basic idea is to replace or substitute the older 2007 version with a new version. Commissioner LaRue stated there was discussion during the worksession about design issues in the historic area along Mellen and Mallory streets. She pointed out that the plan document under the section on design principles for commercial properties addresses preserving the historic character of that area of Phoebus. She stated her hope is as it goes forward implementation of the plan for new construction and rehabilitation continues to respect and honor the historic characterization of that area. Mr. O’Neill stated the commission knows some of the issues discussed in the worksession and that the staff has every intention to get back together with the Phoebus Partnership and have further detailed discussions concerning those plans. Assuming the Commission is comfortable with this plan and sends it forward to council we will work with them to try and see if there is anything – adjustments or small changes that gets at some of those points and issues perhaps in a better clearer more effective way. You have our promise that we will have ongoing 11 conversations with them as we move forward. If you do move this forward, council will see this at their March meeting. There is about a month to continue to work on it and make better adjustments on some things. Senior Deputy City Attorney Vanessa Valldejuli stated there are some creative tools that can be used through the Zoning Ordinance design overlays/historic overlays which can be discussed in the future with the Planning and Zoning staff. There is only so much that can be done while protecting someone’s ability for building by right. With the ordinance and the overlays a lot of what has been discussed can be implemented. In response to a question from Commissioner Young, it was stated the motion made regarding adoption of the proposed amendment should include the revision correction of the diagrams on page 34. After presentation the Commission approved the following: WHEREAS: the Hampton Planning Commission has before it this day Community Plan Amendment No. 019-2013 by the City of Hampton to amend the Phoebus Master Plan (2007); WHEREAS: the proposed amendments are based upon a regular review of the City’s plans and further spurred on by the closure of Fort Monroe as a military base, the designation of large sections of the Fort as a National Monument, and the future of the Fort as a civilian neighborhood and tourist destination; WHEREAS: community input was gathered and new residential and commercial market studies for Phoebus were commissioned; WHEREAS: the community continues to support the overall vision contained in the 2007 version of the Phoebus Master Plan but is eager to see further steps taken in the implementation of the plan; WHEREAS: the residential market study generally states that there is now a greater market for housing for younger singles and couples; WHEREAS: the commercial market study shows a market for additional restaurants and specialty retail, a limited market for general retail, and little market potential for additional office space in Phoebus; WHEREAS: amendments to the Master Plan recognize implementation projects which have occurred since adoption in 2007, opportunities to reconnect Phoebus with Fort Monroe, emphasis on gateways, new phased strategies, design principles for commercial properties, and updated housing strategies; and 12  WHEREAS: five members of the public spoke in support of the Plan’s vision and the importance of reinvesting in Phoebus. NOW, THEREFORE, on a motion by Commissioner Carlton Campbell and seconded by Commissioner James Young, BE IT RESOLVED that the Hampton Planning Commission does recommend to City Council approval of Community Plan Amendment No. 019-2013 with a correction to page 34 to reflect a change to the two possible concepts for the Maida site as shown in the staff presentation. A roll call vote on the motion resulted as follows: AYES: Young, Campbell, McCloud, LaRue, Bunting, Snead, Williams NAYS: None ABST: None ABSENT: None Mr. O’Neill publically thanked Mike Hayes, lead person on this effort, and Planning Division Manager Keith Cannady, overseer of the process, on the wonderful job done putting this amendment together. Thanked also for their contributions were other staff members involved in this project, which are behind the scenes and not in front at the podium. VI. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR’S REPORT A. CIP Update Terry O’Neill stated there are a couple of general information items. A flyer was handed out at the work session. For the public’s information there are two public forums coming up for the Capital Improvement Plan. These forums are being held to receive community input on this important document. The first forum will be held Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Kecoughtan High School. The second briefing will be hosted by the Neighborhood Commission on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. the West Hampton Community Center. Anyone wanting to offer their opinions for funding on major projects is invited to one or both of the sessions. As a follow up to the Phoebus Master Plan Update, Council will receive a briefing on this document which is a no action opportunity for them to get versed on the new recommended plan at the February Council meeting. If all goes well action on this update will be taken on March 13, 2013. 13 VII. ITEMS BY THE PUBLIC There were no items by the public. VIII. MATTERS BY THE COMMISSION At this time, Senior Deputy Attorney Vanessa Valldejuli introduced the newest member of the City Attorney’s Office who comes to the city from the Marshall School of Law at the College of Williams and Mary. IX. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ___________________________________ Terry O’Neill Secretary to the Commission APPROVED BY: ________________________________________ Gregory Williams Chairman 14