Planning commission recommends changes on vacation rentals, rezoning and theater restoration; council to consider several items

Bobby Tahan, director of city planning, briefed the City Council on Feb. 11 on five planning items the Planning Commission reviewed and recommended for council consideration.

Zoning text amendment — West Freemason vacation rentals: Tahan said the Freemason Street Area Association asked that vacation rentals be removed as a conditional use from the historic West Freemason zoning districts (HCWF‑1 and HCWF‑2). Vacation rental was added to the districts by conditional use permit in 2020; Planning Commission recommended removal by a 4–1 vote. Tahan said if the council approves the amendment, the existing conditional use permits for the property in question would expire in 2028 and could not be renewed. Residents had raised concerns about impacts from vacation rentals during prior applications.

Conditional rezoning — 1421 Kimsville Road: The site is a former child daycare now vacant and adjacent to institutional zoning for Lake Taylor Rehab. The applicant seeks conditional commercial zoning to allow a contractor’s office with no outdoor storage; they proffered limits on uses and hours (6 a.m.–9 p.m., seven days). The Planning Commission recommended approval 5–0; the downtown Lake Taylor Civic League sent a letter of support.

Renewal — 400 Granby Street: A renewable conditional use permit to continue assembly operations at 400 Granby Street was recommended by the Planning Commission 5–0; no operational changes were proposed other than manager changes.

Conditional use — 255 Granby Street (Creatives LLC): Tahan said the applicant proposes converting an existing restaurant into a banquet hall with on‑premises alcohol consumption but “no entertainment,” reducing capacity to 74 (54 seats). Planning Commission recommended approval 5–0. Tahan clarified the applicant is not applying for a permanent ABC license; individuals renting the space would need to obtain their own permits for alcohol service, and staff said the conditional use would prohibit DJs, dance floors and other entertainment at the site. The downtown Norfolk Civic League provided a letter of support.

Grama Theatre redevelopment and waivers: Tahan said the vacant Grama (Rosa) Theatre property — now city‑owned — will be converted to a city boxing facility; the proposal restores the historic facade and marquee (with changeable letters, not digital), and adds an elevator tower for mezzanine accessibility. The Planning Commission recommended approval 5–0; waivers for signage, transparency and landscaping were required to restore the historic character.

Tahan said three of the items are on the council docket for the meeting that evening and two items (the zoning text amendment and the Kimsville rezoning) are scheduled for future council consideration.