Norfolk planning commission defers decision on Soulful Vegan Events after neighbors raise parking, noise concerns

The City of Norfolk Planning Commission on June 23 deferred a vote on a conditional-use permit for Soulful Vegan Events, a proposed indoor/outdoor flea market and banquet hall at 1200 East Little Creek Road, after residents and the applicant described persistent parking and noise problems tied to weekend outdoor markets.

The delay came after nearly an hour of public comment in which supporters described the project as a community incubator for Black-owned businesses and opponents said outdoor vendors and a June 7 gathering created traffic, blocked driveways and late-night disturbance. Planning staff told the commission the temporary outdoor-use approval can be extended while staff and the applicant supply additional information.

The applicant, Trianna Kelty, said the “Black on Black Market” pop-up offers space for small Black-owned businesses that otherwise cannot afford leases. Kelty told the commission she and volunteers have placed cones to discourage street parking on Pythian Street and have staff who direct cars on busy Saturdays. “When you're turning into Pythian, if someone parks right there, it's very dangerous,” she said, and described on-site measures to keep music levels low and to move cars into adjacent lots made available by neighboring businesses.

Landlord Michael Payan and business owners who use the market supported Kelty, saying the events produce foot traffic and revenue. “The noise that coming from the radio is not even compared to what used to be,” Payan said, arguing complaints over music were overstated compared with prior uses at the site.

Opponents focused on parking and public-safety concerns. Resident Anthony DeBarge said the outdoor setup had blocked “the whole front” of the site and that cars lined Pythian Street, at times blocking driveways. He cited a June 7 incident that he described as resembling a “nightclub” where police were present and said neighbors felt the street had been “taken over.”

Planning staff told commissioners the site provides 31 on‑site spaces and the applicant has a written agreement with the adjacent Manhattan Beauty Supply to use an additional 20 spaces; staff said they will verify that arrangement and review missing signage reports. Commissioners asked staff to clarify which parking stalls are being used for vendors versus customer parking and to confirm whether the building owner (separate from the neighboring business operator) has granted permission for use of adjacent spaces.

The commission agreed to continue the item to its July 24 public hearing to allow staff to gather documentation about the neighbor parking agreement, clarify where vendors will set up, and confirm the scope and expiration of the applicant’s temporary-use authorization. In the meantime staff told the applicant the city can extend the existing temporary permit for outdoor market activity but not authorize banquet events without a formal permit. The commission voted to continue the item to July 24; the roll-call vote was unanimous.

The deferral leaves the applicant able to operate under an extended temporary authorization while the city verifies parking agreements and the commission considers conditions or limits (for example, restricting outdoor vendor locations or hours) when it returns to the item.