Bayview Council approves short-term rental permits for Hillside Avenue and Virgilina Avenue

The Norfolk Planning Commission convened on April 24, 2025, to discuss several key agenda items, including conditional use permits for short-term rentals and operational details for a new coffee service.

The meeting began with a proposal for a new coffee service that will operate from 5:30 AM to 10 PM Sunday through Thursday, and until 11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. The service will take orders at the car and serve customers through a designated coffee window. To address concerns regarding noise due to its proximity to residential areas, the commission recommended the installation of new voice transmission warning boxes. The proposal received support from the Kotter Sparks Civic League, and staff recommended its approval.

Next, the commission reviewed a short-term rental renewal request for a property located at 941 Hillside Avenue. The existing conditional use permit (CUP) for this single-family home had expired in March 2025. The applicant, who will self-manage the property, faced a violation for exceeding the allowed number of guests and for not replacing a missing exterior contact sign. The applicant acknowledged the mistakes and stated that he wanted to remain competitive with neighboring rentals. The commission noted that if approved, this property would represent 4% of residential parcels and 2% of residential units within a 500-foot radius designated for short-term rentals. Due to the previous violation, staff recommended a two-year expiration on the renewal, which was supported by the local civic league.

The meeting also included a discussion on a new conditional use permit for a vacation rental in a four-bedroom duplex located on Virgilina Avenue. The property is designated as residential mixed and complies with the city’s 2030 plan. As with the previous item, the property is required to have a CUP to operate as a vacation rental.

The commission concluded the meeting with a review of the agenda items, emphasizing the importance of compliance with regulations and community support for proposed developments. Further discussions and decisions are expected in upcoming meetings as the commission continues to address the needs of the community and local businesses.