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Residents urge split-rate tax, preservation funding and accessibility fixes in public comment
Summary
Public commenters pressed the council to consider a split-rate property tax to encourage redevelopment, to move faster on funding and recognition for the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind/Hampton History Museum, and to address accessibility and housing rehabilitation concerns.
Four residents addressed the council during public comment with recommendations ranging from tax reform to historic-preservation funding and accessibility improvements.
Travis Adams advocated for property tax reform, specifically a split-rate tax that taxes land at a higher rate than buildings to incentivize redevelopment and reduce underused parcels. He cited a local case (Willow Oak Shopping Center) and numbers from a regional report to argue rising housing costs and underused retail properties are harming local housing supply.
Aaron Weaver and Joan Weaver offered congratulations to the newly sworn council and urged the city to act on historic-preservation work related to the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind and the Hampton History Museum. Joan Weaver asked about a previously-discussed $1.5 million commitment; Deputy City Manager Brian DiProfio responded that the $1.5 million has been set aside and is awaiting the conclusion of a community planning process to determine project priorities.
Andrew Stith, who identified himself as a Hampton resident and veteran, raised concerns about accessibility (crosswalks, signals and sidewalk conditions) and about approvals and enforcement for housing rehabilitation work done under VA loans. He asked the council to consider stronger local ordinances or enforcement to protect homeowners.
Council did not take immediate action on these public comments at the meeting; staff provided the funding-status clarification regarding the $1.5 million.
