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Norfolk planning staff seek zoning cleanups, affordable housing conversion and permits for new restaurants and entertainment venues
Summary
City planning staff presented a package of zoning text cleanups and recommended conditional-use permits, including a proposal to convert the Days Inn at 5701 Chamber Street into about 160 apartments and several restaurant/entertainment permits; the planning commission recommended approval on multiple items by 5-0 votes.
City planning staff on March 10 asked the joint meeting to consider a set of zoning text amendments and several conditional-use permit (CUP) requests, including a hotel-to-multifamily conversion that planners characterized as adding naturally occurring affordable housing.
Planning Director Tahan described 10 relatively minor changes to the zoning ordinance intended to clarify definitions and correct drafting oversights (for example, restoring "community recreation center" to the institutional district and clarifying footprint references used to require conditional-use review for large redevelopments).
On redevelopment, the planning commission recommended 5-0 approval of a request from Good Homes Communities to rezone and obtain a CUP for the adaptive reuse of the former Days Inn at 5701 Chamber Street into about 160 residential units. Planning staff said the reuse would add kitchens in each unit, a tenant laundry room, clubhouse space, removal of a rooftop sign and landscaping and fencing improvements. The application was presented as aligning with an affordable-housing objective in the city plan.
"They are requesting conditional use permit to convert the existing hotel units into 160 residential units," planning staff said, noting the planning commission's unanimous recommendation.
Council members asked whether nearby residents had been contacted; staff said one resident spoke at the planning commission and that the applicant would reach out to neighbors and maintain on-site management.
Other CUP requests on the docket included:
- Quads Mexican Restaurant, 8155 Shore Drive: proposed new construction restaurant with indoor live bands, on- and off-premise alcohol sales and extended hours; site plan review ongoing; proposed indoor seating and outdoor dining were described along with hours (10 a.m.-midnight most days, with extensions on special days). Planning staff said live entertainment would be limited to indoor bands and that an expiration condition on entertainment would be applied consistent with council practice.
- Waters Edge Winery & Bistro, 6464 Hampton Boulevard: existing business seeking to add a banquet facility, mixed beverage sales and additional entertainment options; planning commission recommended approval 5-0.
- Martin's Soul Food, 5700 East Virginia Beach Boulevard: permit to add live entertainment (bands, karaoke, comedians), on-premise alcohol sales and extended hours; staff said life-safety and security plans had been reviewed by the business action team (fire marshal and police) and that outdoor entertainment openings would be closed when bands operate, with hours capped at midnight on Friday and Saturday and 10 p.m. other nights for outdoor areas.
Council members raised design and compatibility concerns, particularly for the Shore Drive project, asking whether elevations were available and whether the project would be subject to coastal pattern guidelines; staff said elevations had not been submitted and that site-plan review would address design standards. Staff additionally said they would consult the project's attorney about whether to add an explicit design-review condition to the CUP.
What happens next: the items on the planning update were recommended by the planning commission and were presented to council for consideration; several items will return for formal council action, including public hearings where required.
