[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6321960,"mediaKeyId","2348490-d6786f9bf7926b370327d5a7139244db","parentId",2348490,"title","Planning director briefs council on proposed zoning change, short‑term rental appeal and Spicer Building windows dispute","audioSeconds",541,"startMs",1296000,"endMs",1837000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2348490-d6786f9bf7926b370327d5a7139244db&start=1296&end=1837","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2348490-d6786f9bf7926b370327d5a7139244db/thumbnail_1296000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6321960/Norfolk/Norfolk-County/Virginia/Planning-director-briefs-council-on-proposed-zoning-change-shortterm-rental-appeal-and-Spicer-Building-windows-dispute","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6321960-de62d5b11e86180dbcadadbfdcfdfa95/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185329&Signature=FmmiBFbKjel71akoBPj32~X8DjeebvbCvKVoN4tf1W62nWpNYJKZ78Vdt6HF4leDp2m0iqrat-7Sfw0MrU6mS60rM5Tn6XJfuR4MCEW03jgHsSgPiPcdrRiR-70BHmuXAB5jif5bxMFepf2DifY-KpoWTzUu9Rs43Ex6ynh5SOtoZYKMWEjSkITQ3FjdBX9MI6WkGkFfDLKxw3l6qizJOCiJhT1ZxYE~tUWrgVP-x9tGh8Neay8qzKGFS~jTVm8Hc2pj-HkXvASSPWUU6oV0GpxLSVzMGU23K3uaX5kjSlKvBXALQdYRl93cnSR9QmoVhCWsfFIWQpKjrwAI0eAxcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Norfolk VA","date","2025-01-28T00:00:00Z","article","Bobby Tahan, director of city planning, briefed the council on three items scheduled for the city’s regular agenda: a zoning text amendment for large‑format commercial buildings, a conditional use permit request for a four‑bedroom short‑term rental at 2413 Massey Street, and an appeal of an after‑the‑fact amendment for window replacements at the Spicer Building (119 East Princess Anne Road).

On the zoning text amendment, Tahan said the Planning Commission recommended approval by a 6‑0 vote. The proposal would require a conditional use permit for the redevelopment, substantial improvement or establishment of principal uses in buildings larger than 30,000 square feet in the CC (community commercial) and CR (regional commercial) zoning districts. Tahan said the change targets a small number of vacant large buildings—“only a handful, probably not more than 5 or 6”—and would not affect occupied properties or routine tenant swaps.

Tahan said the Planning Commission recommended denial of a conditional use permit request for a short‑term rental at 2413 Massey Street by a 3‑3 vote. At the Planning Commission hearing, members expressed concerns about the operator’s business model and the proposed emergency contact; the transcript says the applicant had been subleasing and originally proposed an out‑of‑town management firm. Tahan told council the applicant subsequently secured a local management company to address those concerns; the council will hear the item on the regular agenda.

The third item involves the Spicer Building at Princess Anne and Monticello. The property received a development certificate in 2020 that included specific window materials and profiles. In October 2024 the applicant requested after‑the‑fact approval for “Chicago style” windows that the applicant said were installed to protect the building while it was open to the elements and due to supply‑chain issues. Tahan said the Architectural Review Board recommended approval 4‑3, but the Planning Commission later voted 4‑3 to deny the amendment. Tahan said the Planning Commission’s denial followed a public hearing in which the applicant did not present; he said staff will check whether the installation was first reported by a complaint or discovered proactively.

Councilmembers asked about timing and inspection: whether the incorrect windows could have been caught before full installation and whether enforcement options exist. Tahan said the permit process includes design review inspections intended to verify conformance with approved plans but acknowledged a mismatch can be missed and that civil enforcement would require a zoning violation process; he said the primary remedy would be removal and replacement rather than a fine.

Tahan identified the Planning Commission and Architectural Review Board votes and recommended docket items for tonight’s council action. The presentation closed with staff offering to provide further detail on inspection timing and complaint reporting when requested.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Norfolk City Council Work Session - January 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Bobby Tahan, director of city planning, briefed council on a zoning text amendment for large‑format commercial buildings, a short‑term rental appeal at 2413 Massey St., and a window‑replacement dispute at the Spicer Building.","taxTitle","Norfolk, Norfolk County, Virginia","taxId",4671,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6321964,"VDOT outlines express‑lanes construction, traffic shifts and HRBT tunneling schedule",1191,654000,1845000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2348490-d6786f9bf7926b370327d5a7139244db&start=654&end=1845","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2348490-d6786f9bf7926b370327d5a7139244db/thumbnail_654000.jpg","/articles/6321964/Norfolk/Norfolk-County/Virginia/VDOT-outlines-expresslanes-construction-traffic-shifts-and-HRBT-tunneling-schedule","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6321964-f809d2bdcddbcbe96c01e422641ae56d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185329&Signature=k9WQ2Qv1dJ2dVdfWALcBtIheYj3jWIf8b2K~ILp2uts7jfLo-y9i222BkfOhydmoi2AMY0MxHCX7Z38UmvG129kGLkKl8-gaiWSFr3rBOjXQPPXpuZ9iJKoC-8D4GNQPDK8F3h618KV9DYJjHthWD-SpQ-B3vj28PLenWrr2tnY4nYhBgJcOZIJFBaaEePrLo-04B2cth2LAxXPLn7RJ-6fWALwePF4asrzi-cx17p6--bIcmFeyE7Ys30-2jIwm4jA7Se8l8SFMqoYhtRkYdCiFoxvFc0z9Ln8YGk9bfs70Fe8zvmCGvBrlO2Tf3CCLtCwK~oZyZzemQBGR4Est4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chris Hall, district engineer for VDOT’s Hampton Roads District, gave the City Council a multi‑part briefing on construction and traffic changes tied to the Hampton Roads Express Lanes network and the Hampton Roads Bridge‑Tunnel expansion.

Hall said the long‑term plan is a 45‑mile continuous express‑lane network expected to be complete with the final 181b project “around the fall of 2029.” He described how the system will operate with high‑occupancy tolling and a free option for vehicles with an E‑ZPass Flex and two occupants: “If you got an E‑ZPass, E‑ZPass Flex, you got another person with you in that vehicle, you're riding for free,” Hall said.

Hall described an imminent traffic pattern change in the I‑64 westbound profile near the Little Creek/Granby Street/564 interchange that VDOT may start shifting as early as the second week of February. The change will close a general‑purpose lane in westbound I‑64 and open a separated left lane; drivers using the new left lane will not be able to access some local exits and will be directed by signage. Hall said access to the reversible express lanes and Exit 276B to 564 will remain available and that the schedule is weather‑ and contractor‑dependent.

He warned the council that the Tidewater Drive eastbound entrance ramp will likely be closed for the maintenance of traffic configuration “basically through late ’25,” and that a significant pattern in place after February is expected to remain until roughly October, schedule permitting.

Hall reviewed construction phases for the 564 interchange and a planned “part‑time shoulder lane” system that will operate bidirectionally to complement the existing reversible lanes; that project is under procurement with an anticipated contract award in October–November. He also updated council on the HRBT tunnel boring machine “Mary,” reporting the second tunnel is a little over 1,000 feet complete and that VDOT anticipates completion of the second tube around August 2025. Hall said eastbound traffic will be shifted onto the new South Trestle in late spring or early summer to allow widening and rehabilitation work on the existing profile.

Councilmembers raised commuter impacts, debris and trash in construction corridors, and requests for more frequent cleanups at specific ramps. Hall said VDOT coordinates periodic debris pickup and can target problematic areas in between scheduled cycles.

Hall also flagged another major project that will widen and reconstruct ramps feeding U.S. 264 to eliminate a weaving choke point on Northampton Boulevard; acquisition would start later in 2025 with construction beginning in 2026.

Hall closed by thanking city staff for close coordination on lane closures and traffic control as the multi‑year projects continue to move through construction and procurement.","VDOT provided a regional update on the Hampton Roads Express Lanes network and Hampton Roads Bridge‑Tunnel (HRBT) expansion, describing near‑term lane shifts, closure of a Tidewater Drive ramp, a procurement schedule for remaining segments and progress on the HRBT tunnel boring machine.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6321970,"Norfolk readies downtown for year‑round cruise service beginning Feb. 11",75,580000,655000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2348490-d6786f9bf7926b370327d5a7139244db&start=580&end=655","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2348490-d6786f9bf7926b370327d5a7139244db/thumbnail_580000.jpg","/articles/6321970/Norfolk/Norfolk-County/Virginia/Norfolk-readies-downtown-for-yearround-cruise-service-beginning-Feb-11","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6321970-89915352d116f5dcc959edce9dba4451/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185329&Signature=OHrSnZPhsA0ytHDI095ZkNjioqCDrsZPGVI-qxaSas5RM4TJ-AmJ2f--LJqsBOuXIcovRXcHgJc-h21WYqCWPfZBzaEWRyHvLTDLyWxj8iOvHZBYm5PigUQMkLk9erOHQY9pfHNNasjL1Vns7Bv1tjUA3aHsB3MbJ-258xpfqdpz8DszWXg7fvktTHVBnf3G8hi2lSJ2otDFJASArCRgdsNtX~g4668zat8kt-uqLQp44vw1hYu4JewqBvCjmnTPucVb-BjqsAssJwrU1L5h7Eaq8hvY~u2dkERCmBLfV2AtzgUWxSNviD3~qBlWNHmbiifU39w8OTsYtBHvwH~79g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nauticus and city tourism partners outlined steps to prepare downtown Norfolk for the start of year‑round cruise operations beginning Feb. 11, stressing marketing, hotel packages and hospitality training to capture pre‑ and post‑cruise visitors.

Steven Kirkland, executive director of Nauticus, told the City Council the first 2025 sailing will board on the Carnival Sunshine and “that sets off year round cruising for the very first time in our history out of Norfolk.” He described the daily passenger flow the city will face: “in the mornings we will be disembarking about 3,300 guests … and then … around 10:30, 11 we will begin embarkation on the next cruise. So 3,300 getting on,” creating “a 6,000 plus impact to our downtown.”

Kirkland said Nauticus and Visit Norfolk have pushed a central Cruise Norfolk information hub and run virtual familiarization sessions for travel advisors. “This year in 2025, 19 million people will take a cruise,” he said, noting the industry’s reliance on travel advisors and a planned large adviser ship tour in February intended to show hotels, parking and pedestrian flows. Kirkland also said 12 Norfolk hotels had agreed to participate in “park and cruise” packages to simplify arrival logistics for passengers who stay the night before sailing.

The presentation listed promotions and local discounts (merchant “show your boarding pass” offers at restaurants and cultural institutions), ambassador training, and a public hospitality briefing scheduled the day before the first embarkation to answer business questions. Kirkland said the city is monitoring social media queries — for example, passengers seeking hotels with park‑and‑ride service — and that discount programs are designed both to attract visitors and to help track whether cruise passengers patronize downtown businesses.

Councilmembers asked whether Visit Norfolk is actively responding to social media messages; Kirkland confirmed they are. Councilmember Thomas also asked whether discounts are given before or after disembarking; Kirkland said passengers may show boarding passes or other documentation after arriving to receive advertised discounts and emphasized that tracking remains imperfect.

City officials said the cruise effort is intended to increase overnight stays and downtown spending by passengers who arrive the day before or depart the day after a cruise.

Kirkland and city partners will provide public briefings and hospitality‑industry sessions in the weeks surrounding the first sailings to answer operational questions and refine the city’s response as volume grows.","Nauticus and Visit Norfolk outlined marketing, hotel partnerships and passenger‑service preparations ahead of year‑round Carnival sailings that will bring roughly 3,300 passengers on and off the pier each turn and create a weekly downtown impact of more than 6,000 people.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning director briefs council on proposed zoning change, short‑term rental appeal and Spicer Building windows dispute

VDOT outlines express‑lanes construction, traffic shifts and HRBT tunneling schedule

Norfolk readies downtown for year‑round cruise service beginning Feb. 11