The Hampton City Council approved first readings of two zoning-related ordinances at its February 14 regular meeting. One was a request for a conditional use permit at 10 North Avenue to allow for a stand-alone garage being converted into an accessory apartment. The other was a conditional use request for 32 Barnett Street to allow for a television, radio and film production facility.
A separate request for another piece of property did not pass. True Gospel Christian Church requested a reduction from the minimum 5,000-square-foot heated floor area requirement for a place of worship located outside a residential or office institutional zoning district. The first reading of that ordinance passed in January but the second reading failed at this meeting.
In other business, a professional service contract between the city and MUSCO Lighting to provide lighting for fields at Coley Park was approved after being tabled in January.
The council approved a contract for city printer services and official acceptance of ownership of an electric vehicle purchased by the Downtown Development Authority.
During the regular staff reports at the council meeting, it was noted that police citations are up compared to this time last year with more miles being patrolled and overall quicker response times.
Work is expected to begin soon, weather permitting, on McDonough Street for its realignment with Derrick Avenue to change the intersection to a three-way stop before continuing work on Georgia Avenue and Central Avenue.
Officials reported that the roundabout at Floyd Road and West King has been delayed in part because it was to be financed by a public-private partnership but one partner sold their interest in the project. A new developer has assumed the requirements of the original contract and work should begin soon on completion of the roundabout and Floyd Road improvements.
A number of Hampton public safety and public works employees went down to Griffin to help with the response to the January tornadoes, according to officials. The cost for 57 hours of public works service was determined to be $1,208.70 and the cost for six hours of police service is $189.63. Hampton officials expect to be reimbursed when Griffin receives disaster funds.
