Council approves Southern Comfort Restaurant & Lounge use permit with revised security and hours conditions

Hampton City Council approved Use Permit 25‑0285 for Southern Comfort Restaurant & Lounge (2163–2165 Cunningham Drive) with conditions balancing the applicant’s request for extended hours and city public‑safety requirements.

Staff presented recommended conditions: Sunday–Thursday operations limited to 11 a.m.–12 a.m., Friday/Saturday to 11 a.m.–2 a.m. (with holiday exceptions), security staffing tied to occupancy, two exterior cameras, an ID scanner and retention of scan logs, required Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)‑certified guards, and extra‑duty Hampton Police Department officers on nights the venue operates until 2 a.m. The applicant requested flexibility to schedule security as needed; council and staff negotiated a compromise reducing the guard ratio to 1 per 100 (interior) and preserving HPD coverage on the latest‑night shifts. Staff said HPD officers can count toward total security on nights they work extra duty.

Applicant Eddie Gomez said he has operated since 2021 and maintains coordination with HPD and security firms; he and staff worked through details in a recess and proposed compromise conditions. Council voted to approve the permit with the amended conditions and required monitoring provisions, including camera and ID‑scanner retention policies and revocation language in the event of violations.

Next steps: The applicant must comply with the conditions, secure any required ABC license changes, and coordinate additional safety monitoring; city staff will monitor compliance and enforce conditions in coordination with HPD.