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Norfolk Planning Commission backs rezoning, multiple restaurant permits and signage change; grants flexibility to Burger King construction timeline
Summary
The Planning Commission recommended approval of a Stanley Homes rezoning and conditional use permit for 68 townhomes, multiple restaurant conditional use permits (including Kogan’s Pizza, Nellie’s and Sanctuary), a billboard conversion and a Water Street right-of-way vacation to support a flood-resilience project. Commissioners also approved modified timing conditions for a Burger King renovation.
The Norfolk Planning Commission on Tuesday recommended approval to City Council of a slate of land-use actions, including a rezoning and conditional use permit for a 68-unit Stanley Homes townhome project, several restaurant conditional use permits, a billboard conversion to a single LED face and a request by the city to vacate a portion of Water Street for a flood-resilience project.
Staff presented each item and recommended approval subject to the conditions listed in staff reports. For the Stanley Homes proposal at 6303 Granby Street, staff said the project—68 townhome-style condominium units—conforms with Plan Norfolk 2050 place-type guidance and design guidelines; applicant representatives highlighted neighborhood-oriented amenities including a community garden and play area. Vince Mistraco of Kaufman and Canoles called the development “really good for the city of Norfolk in creating a neighborhood,” and Stanley Martin representative Steve Miller described design adjustments to fit surrounding architecture.
The commission approved a package of restaurant permits. For Kogan’s Pizza at 4311 Cauley Avenue staff recommended approval for extended hours, live entertainment and alcohol sales as well as a commercial recreation center; owner Richard Katz told the commission he has operated in Norfolk for more than a decade. The commission also recommended approval for Nellie’s (2330 Bowdens Ferry Road) and Sanctuary (218–220 West 25th Street), with conditions limiting outdoor entertainment hours and requiring the garage door to be closed when indoor entertainment is provided.
At 1000 Tidewater Drive, Burger King sought permission for extended hours and a second drive-through lane and requested flexibility on timing for off-site right-of-way improvements. The applicant proposed tying the 24-month window for off-site work to commencement of on-site construction and sought up to three years to commence construction; commissioners agreed to a modified condition that ties activation/completion to a three-year timeline from ordinance adoption so that on-site and off-site work could be coordinated.
The commission also recommended approval for a conversion of an existing billboard at 5609 East Princess Anne Road to a digital display on the side facing traffic, with the face toward residences remaining static. The applicant, Adams, said digital faces can carry Amber Alerts and public service announcements and that only the side away from homes would be LED.
Finally, staff presented the city-initiated request to vacate 4,490 square feet of unimproved Water Street right-of-way near 1235 Water Street to make way for a coastal storm-risk management (flood wall) project; because the surrounding parcels are city-owned, staff said the vacation would not affect private property owners. Commissioners voted to recommend approval subject to any necessary easements. All approvals were recommendations to City Council, except where staff noted final decisions are administrative under the zoning code.
The commission adjourned after the items were completed and will forward recommended actions to City Council for final consideration.
