In a recent public hearing, the Hopewell City Council approved a conditional use permit for Ibrahim and Tanya Guiwa to construct a two-story single-family dwelling on a non-conforming lot located at the end of Suffolk Street. The property, designated as parcel 014-1585, is situated in Ward 5 and is zoned R-2, which requires a minimum lot width of 75 feet and a total area of 7,500 square feet. However, the lot in question measures approximately 70 feet wide and has a total area of 7,281 square feet, thus qualifying as non-conforming.

The proposed dwelling will feature three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, and a total area of 1,665 square feet, significantly larger than the neighborhood average of 1,187 square feet. The planning staff confirmed that the application meets all seven criteria for conditional use permit approval and aligns with the city’s comprehensive plan. The Planning Commission had previously recommended the addition of more windows to the design, which the applicants accepted, although this was not made a formal condition of approval.

The council unanimously voted 6-0 to approve the permit, with conditions including a minimum 12-inch eave along all roof edges, a 20% tree canopy coverage, and the installation of a brick or stone foundation. The applicants were present to address any questions from the council.

In a separate agenda item, the council discussed an amendment to the Hopewell City Charter concerning the oversight of city finances. The proposed ordinance would assign the finance director the responsibility of managing the city’s financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, and banking relationships. The council is expected to review this amendment further in upcoming sessions.

The meeting highlighted the council's commitment to maintaining community standards while also adapting to the needs of residents seeking to develop properties within the city.