Newport News council approves childcare permit, communications lease amendment, code changes and three appropriations

The Newport News City Council on a unanimous vote approved a conditional-use permit for a childcare center, authorized a lease amendment for a communications facility on the City Farm Tower, adopted changes to city code covering local reservoirs and waterfront facilities, and approved three funding appropriations for parks, marina dredging and multimodal projects.

The conditional use permit, CU20250001, allows Groom for Greatness Learning Center to operate a childcare facility on a 0.91-acre parcel at 617 Randolph Road in an R-4 single-family zone. Ernicia House, the applicant and owner of Groom for Greatness Learning Center, told council, "My name is Ernicia House, and I am the owner of Groom for Greatness Learning Center."

The council also authorized the city manager to sign a first amendment to a lease with STC 2 LLC (formerly Sprintcom Inc.) to continue maintenance and operation of communications equipment at the City Farm Tower, 100 City Farm Road. The city manager recommended approval of both items and council adopted the ordinances by roll call.

Council members adopted two separate code updates. One ordinance amends city code chapter 42 (Water Supply) to add a new article addressing Diascon Creek, Little Creek and Skiffs Creek reservoirs and repeals a Parks code article on those reservoirs. The council separately approved amendments to chapter 11 (Watercraft, docks,…