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Newport News council approves zoning changes, permits and multiple appropriations in unanimous votes
Summary
At its Sept. 9 meeting, the Newport News City Council voted unanimously on a slate of ordinances, zoning text amendments, grant applications and appropriations, including a conditional use permit for a nightclub, updates to the city zoning code to reflect state law changes, and bond-funded building repairs.
Newport News City Council on Sept. 9 approved a series of ordinances, zoning changes, grant applications and appropriations in unanimous votes that city leaders said will implement state law changes and advance local capital projects.
The council voted 7-0 to grant conditional use permit CU-20255 to Volvo Center Associates LLC and Latasha Vinny of Taylor Smoke to operate a Type 2 nightclub and a 4,000-square-foot suite at 639 Pilot House Drive (C-1 Retail Commercial). Council members voiced brief support; Councilman Neal said he had visited the establishment and found it professional. The motion to close the public hearing, adopt the ordinance and carry the item passed 7-0.
Council also adopted two zoning text amendments implementing language enacted by the Virginia General Assembly: ZT2025-00003 (amending chapter 45, article 32, appeals procedure for alleged administrative errors) and ZT2025-00002 (amending chapter 45, article 35 to expand civil penalties for repeat or serious zoning violations). Both amendments passed on roll call, 7-0.
The council approved multiple consent-agenda items and resolutions, including: renewal and revisions to the Hampton–Newport News Community Services Board performance contract for state fiscal years 2026–2027; participation in a proposed settlement of opioid-related claims; appropriation of $106,586.57 in interest from the Herbert Nicer bequest to the Department of Libraries and Information Services for Main Street Library; and an ordinance authorizing a one-time 1.5% bonus for full-time local Department of Social Services employees. The consent agenda (items F1–F6) passed 7-0.
Council received an opened bid and referred follow-up on a deed-of-access/utility easement on city-owned property at 3629 George Washington Memorial Highway and 100 Darby Road (York County) that would allow Dominion Energy to install and maintain electric lines and equipment; the bidding envelope included a Dominion bid of $4,649. The matter was referred to the city manager’s office for follow-up.
Appropriations and capital funding measures approved included: a resolution appropriating $1,100,000 in FY2026 Federal Highway Federal Lands Access Program grant funds for the Trail 757 (Birthplace of America Trail) multi-use path project (passed 7-0); a resolution to appropriate $500,000 from the FY2026 bond allocation for streetlight upgrades; and a resolution to appropriate $6,000,000 from the FY2026 bond authorization for major renovations and repairs to public buildings (roofing, HVAC, structural and life-safety, ADA upgrades). All passed 7-0.
Council also authorized city staff to submit three grant applications for the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives set-aside program for pedestrian and trail projects (Trail 757, Warwick Boulevard pedestrian improvements, and Marshall Avenue pedestrian improvements) and voted to endorse the city’s applications for VDOT revenue-sharing grants seeking $10,000,000 in state funding with an equal $10,000,000 local match across 11 transportation projects; both measures passed 7-0.
Why it matters: the votes implement state-mandated zoning updates, clear a conditional use permit request, and move several transportation and capital improvement projects into funded or application stages. The Trail 757 approvals in particular establish federal and state funding steps and an administrative agreement enabling project delivery.
Votes at a glance (selected items): - Conditional use permit CU-20255 (Taylor Smoke, 639 Pilot House Drive): Adopt ordinance; Vote 7-0 (Vice Mayor Bethany — yes; Councilman Coleman — yes; Councilman Ealy — yes; Councilman Harris — yes; Mayor Philip Jones — yes; Councilman Long — yes; Councilwoman Vick — yes). - Zoning text amendment ZT2025-00003 (boards of zoning appeals, appeals procedure reflecting Virginia General Assembly language): Adopt ordinance; Vote 7-0. - Zoning text amendment ZT2025-00002 (expand civil penalties for repeat/serious zoning violations per state law): Adopt ordinance; Vote 7-0. - Trail 757 (Birthplace of America Trail) bundle: approved resolution to execute a project administration agreement (7-0); authorized submission of VDOT Transportation Alternatives grant applications (7-0); appropriated $1,100,000 in Federal Lands Access Program funds (7-0). - VDOT revenue-sharing program application endorsement (seeking $10,000,000 state / $10,000,000 local match for 11 projects): Approved 7-0. - Consent agenda highlights (F1–F6): Community Services Board performance contract renewal; opioid-settlement participation; appropriation of $106,586.57 to Main Street Library; one-time 1.5% bonus for local DSS employees — all approved 7-0. - Capital appropriations: $500,000 (streetlight upgrades) and $6,000,000 (public buildings repairs/renovations) — both approved 7-0.
What the council did not decide tonight: no items were tabled or failed; several items were referred to staff for follow-up (including the Dominion easement bid). Details of project schedules and contract awards were not specified during votes and will be determined in later staff reports or contract actions.
Ending: Council adjourned after community comments and council remarks; council members also used the meeting to recognize two proclamations (in memory of Gary Anderson and for National Hispanic Heritage Month) and to announce upcoming community events and meetings.
