North Tidewater News

Hampton's Planning Commission is set to convene on Thursday to address two notable requests from a local cemetery and a downtown restaurant. The published agenda for the meeting suggests that other matters will be deferred to a future session.

The Karma Restaurant & Lounge, situated in the shopping center at Lincoln Street and Armistead Avenue, has petitioned the Planning Commission for permission to extend its operating hours and offer live entertainment until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Notably, the establishment intends to confine all live performances to its indoor space.

Meanwhile, an expansion proposal for the Hampton Memorial Garden cemetery will also be considered. The cemetery, located on a parcel of land adjoining the existing property at Coliseum Drive and Hampton Roads Center Parkway, seeks to expand its operations onto an adjacent plot of less than an acre.

The Planning Commission agenda also encompasses short-term rental requests, although these are being postponed to allow for additional input from various stakeholders regarding relevant policies. Additionally, a request from Hampton University is still pending completion and will be reviewed at a later date.

The meeting is scheduled to take place at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday in the City Council Chambers on the 8th floor of City Hall, situated at 22 Lincoln St. To ensure accessibility, the proceedings will be broadcasted live on Fios Channel 22 and Cox Channel 47, and a live stream will be available on the city's website at hampton.gov/livetv. Additional information, including the full agenda and specific details, can be found on the website as well.

As the Planning Commission convenes, the fate of these two crucial requests from the Karma Restaurant & Lounge and the Hampton Memorial Garden cemetery hangs in the balance. The decisions made will have a significant impact on the local community and the businesses involved.

To learn more, click on this link: https://hampton.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=5505