Commission backs conditional use permit for tire sales and installation at vacant Jefferson Avenue building

The Newport News Planning Commission on July 16 recommended unanimous approval (8–0) of a conditional use permit (CU2025-0004) to allow a small motor vehicle repair and service facility (tire sales and installation) at 9955 Jefferson Avenue.

Staff reported the 0.47‑acre site is currently zoned C‑2 General Commercial and was last used as an alignment/service center until it closed in 2020. Because the prior use ceased for more than two years, the automotive repair use became a discontinued, nonconforming use and requires a conditional use permit to resume. The planner noted the proposed reuse aligns with several strategies in the city’s 1 City, 1 Future 2040 comprehensive plan and that several departments raised no objections.

Applicant agent Sam Baraki said the owner has operated multiple Tidewater locations since 1995 and proposes to adapt the existing 1980s building for tire sales, repair and installation. The plan submitted to staff calls for removal of the southern Jefferson Avenue entrance, construction of a 40‑foot commercial entrance at the north side to meet city and VDOT standards, a new required 10‑foot landscape strip along Jefferson Avenue, interior parking re‑striping, and no outdoor storage or display of tires. Hours of operation listed in the business plan are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with two full‑time employees on site.

“As Saul mentioned, the prior use requires a conditional use permit because the prior use has been over two years vacant,” Baraki said. He asked the commission to recommend approval subject to the 18 conditions in the staff report, which include submission and approval of a Class 2 site plan, a landscape plan approved by the director of planning, no freestanding signs on the property and standard conditions detailed in the staff report.

Commissioners asked about the landscaping and entrances; staff confirmed the site plan will show the required landscape quantities and the southern entrance will be removed as part of the redevelopment. Commissioners noted nearby properties and right‑of‑way conditions (a pump station and adjacent commercial uses) and clarified that the redevelopment plan for the broader Jefferson Avenue corridor would not automatically preclude this conditional use; the permit is for the existing zoning and building configuration subject to the stated conditions.

A motion to recommend approval was moved and seconded; the roll call showed unanimous support. The commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to City Council for final action at its Aug. 12, 2025 meeting.