Council approves car-wash permit, property acquisition for K-9 facility and several interagency agreements

On Jan. 14 the Newport News City Council approved a package of land-use and interagency items, voting to adopt a conditional-use permit for a car-wash, authorize property acquisition for a K-9 facility, and approve three interagency agreements. All measures passed with the stated result “motion carries 7 0.”

The most consequential items were:

A conditional-use permit (CU-2024-0010) for CAH Holdings LLC and Autobell Car Wash LLC to operate a car-wash on a 0.91-acre parcel at 13698 Warwick Boulevard (zoned C-1). The public hearing record lists one speaker, Tim Trent, who asked questions only. After closing the hearing, council adopted the ordinance; the clerk announced the motion carried, 7-0.

An ordinance authorizing the city manager to execute documents necessary to make offers to acquire, by voluntary sale or condemnation, portions of property for the 2401 G Avenue K-9 facility. The ordinance was presented by the city manager and carried on a 7-0 vote.

A memorandum of understanding with the city of Hampton to conduct a Central Newmarket flood mitigation study. The city manager said the study — funded in part by Hampton through FEMA’s Flood Mitigation Assistance grant program — will explore comprehensive solutions for flooding along Newmarket Creek, a waterway that affects both cities near their shared boundary; council approved the resolution 7-0.

A mutual-aid agreement between the Airbase Wing, Joint Base Langley‑Eustis, and the Newport News Fire Department to share fire and emergency-services resources during emergencies. The council approved the resolution 7-0.

An agreement granting the Newport News Green Foundation a temporary, nonexclusive license to install and maintain a sign at a designated location, contingent on compliance with applicable laws and careful installation. The foundation’s executive director appeared at the meeting to answer questions; council approved the resolution 7-0.

Consent items (minutes from Dec. 10 work session and regular meeting) were approved as part of the consent agenda, carried 7-0.

Votes at a glance

- CU-2024-0010 — Conditional-use permit for car-wash at 13698 Warwick Blvd (0.91 acre, C-1). Outcome: adopted; tally: 7 yes, 0 no. Public hearing: one speaker (questions only).

- Ordinance authorizing acquisition offers for 2401 G Avenue K-9 facility. Outcome: adopted; tally: 7 yes, 0 no. Motion language: authorize city manager to execute all documents necessary to make offers to acquire by voluntary sale or condemnation portions of property for the 2401 G Avenue K-9 facility.

- Resolution — MOU with City of Hampton for Central Newmarket flood mitigation study (partial FEMA FMA funding). Outcome: approved; tally: 7 yes, 0 no.

- Resolution — Mutual-aid agreement with Airbase Wing, Joint Base Langley‑Eustis, for fire and emergency services. Outcome: approved; tally: 7 yes, 0 no.

- Resolution — Temporary license to Newport News Green Foundation to install and maintain a sign. Outcome: approved; tally: 7 yes, 0 no.

- Consent agenda (minutes). Outcome: approved; tally: 7 yes, 0 no.

What the council said and what happens next

The city manager presented the items and recommended approval. Council conducted routine roll calls after motions; the meeting record shows each motion was moved and seconded and carried with the clerk’s recorded result “motion carries 7 0.” The ordinances and resolutions direct the city manager to execute required documents or implement the approved agreements. The ordinance authorizing offers for the 2401 G Avenue parcel explicitly allows voluntary purchase or condemnation, signaling the city may pursue eminent-domain procedures if necessary.

The flood-mitigation MOU ties Newport News to Hampton’s FEMA-funded study; the MOU requires intercity coordination and cost-sharing as described by the city manager. The mutual-aid agreement with Joint Base Langley‑Eustis updates legal protections and procedures for shared fire and emergency response. The Green Foundation license is temporary and contingent on compliance with law and proper installation.

Details not specified in the meeting record include precise mover/second attributions for each motion (motions were recorded as “so moved” and “second”), the exact effective dates for agreements, and any implementing schedules or budgets beyond the council approvals.