North Tidewater News

June 10, 2024 — The City Council will convene on Wednesday for its monthly work and legislative sessions, addressing the regulation of short-term rentals in the city among other topics.

During the legislative meeting, the council is set to vote on a plan endorsed last month by the Planning Commission concerning short-term rentals such as Airbnb and Vrbo. The proposal includes:

- The creation of zoned districts where 1% of residences in each zone could be used as short-term rentals.

- Rentals must be spaced 500 feet apart.

- Existing businesses can continue operating even if their zone exceeds the cap. Owners must submit a new application and receive approval by year-end.

- A more streamlined and cost-effective permitting process. Applications meeting requirements will be approved administratively until caps are reached in each zone.

Some requirements include sufficient off-street parking, fire safety controls, limits on renters based on size, restrictions on events, obtaining a business license, paying applicable taxes, and listing a responsible person with contact information for issues.

The Planning Commission passed this measure with one dissenting vote. Some commissioners suggested that the council could consider relaxing some rules.

The council will also discuss other matters such as acquiring additional fire trucks and safety equipment and making appointments to certain boards and positions.

At the 1 p.m. work session, the council will hear a presentation from members of the Elizabeth Lake Estates Civic Association regarding a proposal to raise property taxes in that district from 6 cents per $100 of assessed value to 10 cents for Fiscal Year 2025, beginning July 1. The proposal was deferred last month so that the civic association could formally gain support from at least 65 percent of property owners. During the work session, they will present information on their efforts to achieve this level of neighborhood support.

Both meetings will take place in chambers on the eighth floor of City Hall at 22 Lincoln St. Sign-ins for the legislative session will begin at 6 p.m. Meetings will be broadcast live on Cox channel 47 and Verizon channel 22 and streamed live at hampton.gov/live tv.

This month marks the start of the City Council’s summer schedule with one meeting held each month on the second Wednesday. The regular schedule resumes in September with meetings on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month.