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Commission backs rezoning to convert Days Inn into workforce apartments despite neighbor pushback
Summary
The commission recommended rezoning and a conditional use permit to convert the Days Inn at 5701 Chamber Street into roughly 160 workforce apartments, after neighbors raised concerns about crime and property impacts and applicants said they will use tenant screening and on-site management.
The Norfolk City Planning Commission on March 12 recommended approval of a conditional rezoning and conditional use permit for Good Homes Communities to convert the Days Inn at 5701 Chamber Street into roughly 160 apartment units intended as market-rate, ‘‘naturally affordable’’ workforce housing.
Russell (staff) introduced the proposal and explained that the site is designated as "sustained suburban" in NFK 20 50 and that the project would be rezoned from CC (community commercial) to MFAC (multifamily apartment complex). Ben Goldman, speaking for the applicant, said the plan is a roughly 160-unit conversion with small studio units (about 300 square feet), on-site management, kitchens in units and proffers to clean up the site, repair fences, and improve landscaping.
A neighbor, Kevin Elliott, who lives directly across Chambers Street, urged commissioners to reject or condition the project, saying existing problems at the hotel include loud music, ongoing disturbances and homelessness that harm nearby property values. "They come outside, they turn the music all the way up, and to the point where your house is vibrating," Elliott said, calling the current operation a persistent nuisance.
Applicants responded that the conversion is designed to reduce those problems: Leila Rosenberg said the operator conducts criminal and credit background checks, requires documented income (typically three times the rent) and uses institutional property management and on-site staff to keep the property secure. "We have full time property management ... and an on-site maintenance person who lives on-site," Rosenberg said, adding the group has completed similar conversions elsewhere.
Commission discussion weighed neighborhood concentration of affordable housing against an opportunity to add workforce units. Several commissioners said they believed the planned management and screening would improve conditions compared with current hotel operations. The commission voted to recommend the rezoning and CUP to city council.
Next steps: The recommendation will be forwarded to Norfolk City Council for final consideration; neighbors and applicants may present again at council hearings.
