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Residents press Hampton council on long-running parking, cemetery and development grievances
Summary
Four residents raised concerns during public comment about a decade-long driveway-blocking dispute, a 2005 desecration of Barnes Cemetery, a veterans induction event and neighborhood impacts from recent warehouse development; the city manager outlined prior actions and a plan for continued dialogue with the developer Northpointe.
Four residents used the public comment period at Tuesday’s Hampton City Council meeting to raise longstanding neighborhood complaints and event announcements.
Isaac Bond described a 10-year dispute with a neighbor who parks a vehicle partially in Bond’s driveway, saying he has repeatedly contacted police and public works without resolution. “I can't make that turn,” Bond said, describing difficulty making left turns when the vehicle is present. City Manager Mary Bunting offered to review photos after the meeting and said police can ticket vehicles that are actually blocking a driveway, while noting that parking on public streets is generally permitted unless the driveway is obstructed.
Theresa Roundy addressed a historical grievance regarding Barnes Cemetery, marking the 19th anniversary of what she described as graves disinterred without adequate notice or required procedures in 2005. She read from meeting minutes and alleged permits, notifications and undertaker presence were not properly executed. In response, Bunting said criminal charges had been filed against the property owner at the time but were dismissed by the court for lack of criminal intent; the city now flags known burial sites in its permit-review systems and follows the state code process for disinterment, she said.
Dennis Green, a volunteer with the U.S. Military Veterans Hall of Fame, announced the organization’s induction gala planned for Nov. 16, 2024 at the Hampton Convention Center and noted potential national media coverage; he invited community support.
Joan Weaver said residents near the Pembroke/Kecoughtan area feel marginalized and described two large warehouses at the Phoenix Commerce Center as having disproportionate negative impacts on nearby neighborhoods, alleging proffers were not adhered to and citing traffic and quality-of-life concerns. Bunting said city staff had met with Weaver, neighborhood representatives and Northpointe earlier in the week; Northpointe committed to measures such as pressure washing nearby houses after construction and to continued dialogue, and staff will share notes from that meeting with council.
Council and staff responses emphasized the limits of the city’s authority on some parking matters, records retention and review processes for known burial sites, and continued engagement with developers to address neighborhood complaints. Residents were encouraged to follow up with staff for additional assistance.
