City of Norfolk

The council received updates regarding the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) tournament event planning and community engagement. A significant portion of the session was dedicated to a legislative activity update, covering the current status of the General Assembly session, including priorities for flood mitigation funding, state-owned bottomlands governance, and zoning amendments. The council discussed competing state budget frameworks, including potential impacts on public education, transit funding, and affordable housing. Additionally, the meeting addressed legislative matters regarding cannabis retail regulation, internet gaming revenue, a local option sales tax for school construction, and the potential preemption of local authority in housing legislation. Public hearings were held regarding property rezoning for a commercial recreation center and a historic building renovation, and consent agenda items included easement approvals and requests for the use of city resources for upcoming parades and festivals.

The meeting agenda included the approval of previous minutes from February 23, 2026, and several applications under the Consent Agenda, specifically a Design Review application (#26-00369) concerning upgrades to tennis courts at Larchmont Elementary School. The agenda also covered Certificate of Appropriateness applications for the Ghent Historic District, including landscaping in the verge at 812 Stockley Gardens. Staff recommendations were provided for both applications, advocating for approval for the tennis court upgrades and conditional approval for the landscaping change, with supporting details provided in accompanying reports.

The joint meeting agenda included discussions on Norfolk Public Schools (NPS) budget priorities and audit improvements, led by the Superintendent. The agenda also covered a financial analysis of the consolidation plan and scheduling future joint meetings. Following the joint session, the City Council work session was scheduled to include a City Planning update. The City Council closed session was designated for appointments. The docket for the subsequent City Council meeting included a public hearing on vacating a utility easement to Meadowbrook Center LLC, consideration of several Conditional Use Permits (CUPs) for establishments like 'Guads Mexican Restaurant,' 'Beignets and Brew,' and 'Waters Edge Winery & Bistro,' as well as a short-term rental unit. Regular agenda items included resolutions authorizing revenue bonds for the Broad Creek Revitalization project, ordinances to accept and appropriate various grant funds for salary increases, environmental assessments for the CSRM Floodwall Project, and funds for the demolition of the Smith-Rogers Hall Building. The regular agenda also included approving a Wastewater Service Agreement and a resolution appointing members to various boards and commissions.

This document outlines the City of Norfolk, Virginia's design principles for multifamily development, aiming to facilitate high-quality housing that offers a mix of type and cost. It seeks to re-establish diverse neighborhoods and a full range of housing opportunities by focusing on principles such as neighborhood context, efficient street networks, diverse building types, neighborhood-scale blocks, block perimeter and security, well-designed streetscapes and public open spaces, provision of amenities, appropriate building placement based on street type, and architectural design principles.

The public hearing agenda covered several items with recommendations for approval (5-0). Continued agenda items included requests for Conditional Use Permits for GUADS MEXICAN RESTAURANT, covering extended hours, and the sale of alcohol and live entertainment. The regular agenda featured a request for a zoning text amendment to correct clerical errors in the Norfolk Zoning Ordinance. Another item involved a conditional change of zoning request for a property on Druid Circle, which was continued to the next meeting. Additional approvals were recommended for applications by GOODHOMES COMMUNITIES regarding zoning changes and Conditional Use Permits related to developing multi-family units from an existing hotel, and several Conditional Use Permits for WATERS EDGE WINERY & BISTRO, MARTIN'S SOULFOOD, PLATE INCORPORATED, and BEIGNETS AND BREW, primarily concerning restaurant operations, extended hours, alcohol sales, and live entertainment. Short-Term Rental Unit permits were also considered for properties on W. Ocean View Avenue and Portview Avenue. New Business included the adoption of the 2025 City Planning Commission Annual Report and a resolution to recognize Adam Melita.