[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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",[32,76],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6663180,"mediaKeyId","2391425-d2d78215f04d2874d58b715a36757a94","parentId",2391425,"title","Council approves handbook update, voting-site change, car-wash zoning and other measures in unanimous votes","audioSeconds",400,"startMs",2343000,"endMs",2743000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391425-d2d78215f04d2874d58b715a36757a94&start=2343&end=2743","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391425-d2d78215f04d2874d58b715a36757a94/thumbnail_2343000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6663180/Virginia/Council-approves-handbook-update-voting-site-change-car-wash-zoning-and-other-measures-in-unanimous-votes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663180-6271136c931d613a2ee9eeaf36c2320e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142152&Signature=NROcwzt3EMJs8UW5K9NjK8KT2287oEg1qeC3aKIPkO3F51uf5beWeuXTXl2o8AwocQKMtL4X9tcbZd2udqadTUXIoJHCYX561SB6PflkqTZbgQd9eY5E319b3lF5DGnZRGYb00KAGjIfn6G~VICpwGWbUokg0O8k6iNO2oP1MYHB3o65TpxDx0yZznptGKCxGoDxF1~2YtkYKIFGaJEZJDQhm~nIGHKij8EnrGQJf3u1fJSA3K7v9l64UTeJxyP16QEe~CuItomvMmNyDB1ruVW3LR98YhFVX8~O9gEDh6DSsG5F~W7J7lCLtHK2pMkOeNjr1Kyx9YdA28AKeZsXKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Newport News (Sugggested)","date","2025-02-26T03:10:39.127Z","article","Newport News City Council on Wednesday approved a slate of administrative and land-use items with unanimous votes, including an updated council handbook, an ordinance to establish a permanent satellite early-voting office at the Denbigh Community Center, zoning approval for a car-wash project, conveyance of a 4.45-acre parcel intended for a future fire station, and state funds allocated to street reconstruction and resurfacing contracts.

City staff described the revised council handbook as an updated reference drawn from the City Charter, the Code of Newport News, the Code of Virginia and other materials provided to elected officials. City Manager introduced the handbook update and recommended approval; council adopted the resolution by roll call (motion carried 7-0).

The General Registrar proposed an ordinance to establish a permanent satellite office for in-person absentee voting at the Denbigh Community Center to expand access beyond the existing two-week early voting window. Council voted 7-0 to adopt the ordinance.

A zoning application for a Green Clean car-wash facility was presented as compliant with the zoning ordinance and the comprehensive plan; staff said the site is on a busy commercial corridor and not proximate to residences. Council approved the zoning request by roll call, 7-0.

Council approved the consent agenda (minutes and a resolution in support of Dr. Priscilla Woodbury) and then approved two items requested by staff: conveyance of a 4.45-acre parcel at 680 Turnberry Boulevard from the Industrial Development Authority for a planned future fire station and acceptance of increased FY2025 VDOT funds to be used for residential street reconstruction and resurfacing contracts. Council also approved a small economic-mobility grant referenced during discussion.

Council accepted the city manager’s recommendation to move the March 11 regular council meeting to the Ferguson Center / Games Theater at Christopher Newport University; that change passed by voice/roll call as recorded in the transcript (7-0).

Where recorded in the transcript, each item listed above passed by unanimous roll call (7-0).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Newport News City Council Meeting 02-25-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Newport News City Council unanimously adopted a series of administrative and land-use measures Wednesday night, including a revised council handbook, a permanent satellite early-voting office at Denbigh Community Center, zoning approval for a car-wash site, conveyance of land for a future fire station, and VDOT street-repair funds.","taxTitle","Newport News (Independent City), Virginia","taxId",12491,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6663184,"Neighbors and developers clash over proposed 120-unit apartment rezoning in Woodcreek; public hearing closed 7-0",1471,517000,1988000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391425-d2d78215f04d2874d58b715a36757a94&start=517&end=1988","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391425-d2d78215f04d2874d58b715a36757a94/thumbnail_517000.jpg","/articles/6663184/Virginia/Neighbors-and-developers-clash-over-proposed-120-unit-apartment-rezoning-in-Woodcreek-public-hearing-closed-7-0","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663184-542351fea7ddaf0c8854a76bc357fccc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142152&Signature=h4euPJ82t6ZsXRe1VbAdXuCyGQPikHT8HJNL3CzRw115v1qFubqas0RQ4CEtIg9a1mqWPTRnZ9tScgdf5QyiWj2pxoZSflIXra5kDEPsD7~oYeGQjsrVS0kMUaYGM5xyZuQhUD3fCTwrdCcGfiXG559W7xuI7S3Q9h42OL2pJV5n6P~6kyzoNrMuzNdfp0Sah4lByPQfG0a627jqNkyrxAxKMy5AOTPfXQR3-Dkc-sXO-kbeAE63c5cwx7TOHeV8WR9d3Q7qdkXE1hijN14n5SZDHPzqR5qqXHmMVzN7yddKsyGDzqTDsghgUpUU0kSbV2P9k~8iaza9M0CwknN7-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Newport News City Council on Wednesday heard more than a dozen speakers about a developer's request to rezone roughly six acres near Fort Eustis Boulevard and Jefferson Avenue for a 120-unit apartment complex. Council members closed the public hearing by voice vote, 7-0, after roughly two hours of testimony and council discussion. A final recorded vote to adopt the ordinance is not shown in the portion of the transcript provided.

The proposal was presented by Michael Massey, who said he represents Alvin Keels, the managing partner of Fort Eustis Investment Properties, and that the proposal conforms with the city’s comprehensive plan. “He seeks the ordinance to build a hundred, and 20 apartments on that property,” Massey told council. Architect Chris Elam of RBA Architects said the parcel could support up to 150 units under the plan but that the development team is proposing 120 units and intends to provide “high quality” workforce housing. Engineer Jack Claude said the project team would capture and manage stormwater and that the drainage issues in the area are “normal” and manageable.

Opponents, many identified as Woodcreek neighborhood residents, said the site is too small for the project and that the proposal lacked prior community engagement. A representative of the Woodcreek Homeowners Association, speaking as the association treasurer, told council the complex would be “smack up against” nearby houses and said residents would lose the quiet they bought the neighborhood for. Resident Tatiana Raccoon said, “this protest has, lacked transparency,” and raised safety and traffic concerns at the intersection of Fort Eustis Boulevard and Jefferson Avenue. Several residents said the site would have only one entrance and estimated the development could add roughly 200 cars to the neighborhood.

Council members debated the project over an extended period. Councilman (name not specified in the transcript) said he could not support the item that night, citing a need for a broader citywide housing strategy. In contrast, other members commended the investment and the developer’s willingness to follow the comprehensive plan; one council member noted the developer paid $1 million for the land and urged the city to welcome investment. Mayor Jones acknowledged a lack of earlier outreach from the city and apologized that some residents had little notice about the proposal.

Discussion at the dais touched on housing needs, local rental rates, traffic and circulation, drainage and stormwater management, and the mix of renters vs. homeowners in Newport News. Architect Elam and engineer Claude said the development team plans design measures to mitigate drainage and site configuration concerns; residents repeatedly urged more outreach, a second entrance, and traffic studies for the nearby intersection.

The transcript shows a motion to close the public hearing (moved, seconded) and a roll-call result of 7-0 in favor. The record in the provided transcript includes a subsequent motion to adopt the ordinance, which was moved and seconded, followed by extended council discussion; the final adoption vote is not recorded in the supplied excerpt.

The proposal and the public reaction reflect competing priorities citywide: the project team and some council members framed the development as meeting workforce-housing demand and increasing revenue; neighborhood residents emphasized proximity to single-family homes, traffic and safety at a nearby intersection, limited access to the site, and what they said was insufficient earlier community engagement. Council members asked staff and the developer questions about drainage, parking, and the number of units; staff and the project team provided preliminary answers but several residents said the responses did not resolve their concerns.

The council’s formal close of the public hearing — which allows council to proceed to consideration of the ordinance — passed 7-0. Because a final recorded vote on adoption is not present in the transcript supplied for this task, this article does not state the ordinance’s final disposition.","Developers seeking to rezone about six acres in the Woodcreek neighborhood for a 120-unit multifamily project faced extended public comment and council debate Wednesday; the public hearing was closed 7-0, and a later vote to adopt the ordinance is not recorded in the provided transcript.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves handbook update, voting-site change, car-wash zoning and other measures in unanimous votes

Neighbors and developers clash over proposed 120-unit apartment rezoning in Woodcreek; public hearing closed 7-0