News Flash

Nov. 6, 2023 - The City Council meets on Wednesday for a 1 p.m. work session and a 6:30 p.m. business meeting. There are several use permits for short-term rentals listed on the agenda, but they are all expected to be delayed while City Council seeks additional input on potentially regulating the density and locations of airbnb-type rentals in residential areas.

The key item in the evening meeting is the adoption of the city’s request to the General Assembly for this year’s General Assembly session. Some of the items in the city’s draft request are:

• Registration of abandoned buildings, so police can identify illegal occupants
• An increase in rent for both the Hampton Health District and the Hampton Human Services Department, both of which are moving out of aging buildings
• Allow police to impound ATVs and dirt bikes being driven dangerously on city streets 
• Refrain from passing unfunded mandates; honor previous commitments to help fund local police departments; and expand the communications tax to include types of communication services developed since the law was originally passed
• Continued or increased funding for removal of sunken boats; education initiatives; and preservation of historic African-American cemeteries
• Resiliency requests to continue to provide dedicated funding for the Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund, Stormwater Local Assistance Fund, and Virginia Conservation Assistance Program; support efforts to increase the tree canopy; and continue state-level coordination of coastal adaptation efforts.

Also at the evening meeting, a request to convert additional first-floor former storefronts into apartments at Peninsula Town Center will return for more discussion. 

Both City Council meetings are open to the public and held in Council Chambers on the eighth floor of City Hall, 22 Lincoln St. The meetings will be broadcast on the city's channel at Cox 47 and Verizon 22. They will also be streamed at hampton.gov/tv