Hampton Road rezoning returns to planning and zoning; council to consider commercial rezones Feb. 18

Matt Carlson (staff) briefed the board on the status of the Hampton Road form‑based code effort and upcoming rezoning hearings. Carlson said last year’s character‑based code adoption prompted strong public response about residential impacts; in response staff and council directed planning to withdraw most residential areas from the proposed rezoning and to focus the application on the commercial parcels that front Hampton Road.

Carlson said Planning and Zoning will hear the revised map for the first time the evening after the board meeting and will hold a second hearing two weeks later; City Council is tentatively scheduled to consider rezoning of the commercial corridor on Feb. 18. The intent is to reduce uncertainty for developers and encourage larger investments along the corridor: Carlson said developers won’t move forward on major projects without confidence in neighboring property outcomes and zoning. “When you have no confidence about what your neighbors are gonna do, you're not gonna build the Taj Mahal next to what's gonna end up being an auto parts junkyard,” Carlson said.

Staff described that dozens of developer meetings have already occurred and that the scaled‑back rezoning focuses on commercial frontage, with exceptions for existing commercial uses that occupy house‑like buildings. Carlson and other staff emphasized community outreach efforts (multiple public meetings) and said the revised map reflects changes requested by residents and property owners.

Staff recommended board members attend the Feb. 18 council meeting if they wish to voice support; no board action was required at this meeting.