[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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",[32,76,88],{"_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",6499852,"mediaKeyId","5545723-f19d46846ebfa3c8c163234bdfcdae45","parentId",5545723,"title","Commission recommends clarifying zoning-administrator presumption and order of evidence in appeals","audioSeconds",307,"startMs",2009000,"endMs",2316000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5545723-f19d46846ebfa3c8c163234bdfcdae45&start=2009&end=2316","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5545723-f19d46846ebfa3c8c163234bdfcdae45/thumbnail_2009000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6499852/Virginia/Commission-recommends-clarifying-zoning-administrator-presumption-and-order-of-evidence-in-appeals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6499852-264f366d589af7367ad231f9c12369bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771023404&Signature=XXZKymsougRmNpJr4Eb9-4ii9l3-emWFQEglOy1O8CyGKL7YrBqMuheHEdTzdORiWOWFPpnB2~7QipprTkfKu6S3PMD6pKie~woFsjTqeWxnQQzdlovhcSDW4P7VNWAFLEIkz4logaG7NOJ1GTDmMIwJLdg6mhYw5liQHY~vhIzW2eMk3k8om4UNi2MFeeDG3JzFRxhdqQlqTR4phzAR~NbgVTzn6g1StxyzBNWFrxrn7nRYay0ewUR847mg6tuAiDSNv3fMcz7fDpzi~6WBuz43lfU55kkIOz02WlRr9STh~0IMxV1LwEW9xf21KLZXR7bcB4ITAKkku9r2Rns98g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Newport News","date","2025-08-06T00:00:00Z","article","The Newport News Planning Commission voted 8–0 to recommend City Council adopt zoning text amendment ZT2025-0003, which clarifies procedures for appeals from the Zoning Administrator to the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) and aligns the local ordinance with state law.

Planning staff (Ms. Hall) told the commission the amendment incorporates language enacted by the Virginia General Assembly that sets out the order of presentation of evidence in BZA hearings and recognizes the legal presumption that a zoning administrator’s decision is correct unless overcome by evidence at appeal. Staff said the change is intended to reduce ambiguity in local procedure and mirror the state code's framework for appellate hearings.

Ms. Hall explained that if a property owner contests a zoning administrator decision, the owner may appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals, which may uphold or overturn the staff ruling; if the board upholds the decision, the matter can be appealed to circuit court. The amendment formalizes that the zoning administrator’s decision is presumed correct but may be reversed based on evidence.

During public comment, David Smallridge asked whether the amendment would allow applicants to modify proffers negotiated as part of prior rezonings. Staff and the commission clarified proffers are specific to the rezoning and any changes to those commitments would require a separate legislative action before City Council.

The commission voted 8–0 to forward the amendment to City Council for a Sept. 9, 2025 hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Newport News - Planning Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The commission voted unanimously to forward zoning text amendment ZT2025-0003 to City Council; the amendment clarifies that the zoning administrator's decision is presumed correct on appeal and defines the order of presentation of evidence before the Board of Zoning Appeals, aligning local code with state statute.","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},6499854,"Planning commission backs higher civil penalties for repeat zoning violations, aligning city code with state law",177,1549000,1726000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5545723-f19d46846ebfa3c8c163234bdfcdae45&start=1549&end=1726","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5545723-f19d46846ebfa3c8c163234bdfcdae45/thumbnail_1549000.jpg","/articles/6499854/Virginia/Planning-commission-backs-higher-civil-penalties-for-repeat-zoning-violations-aligning-city-code-with-state-law","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6499854-a85189a9cf20893ca45a75f9f8bc0c62/orig.mp4?Expires=1771023404&Signature=aw3cWhqNtc72utXb8753fe5nNHYZn5M41s8WAyQYu6yZXb5XNLTH13TZOrlmzMvqPSWLPsUXdbAuWhdv5paItfBq5f3HnDaHMzpg0LzVW0eVNaGoIBjgBq0FzSc5DfytPIKRNy6AIsliqRjP9OmBBM1sCcnEm4rOB92Sq4yixYElr7QgQyoN8Wh0c5f8YIF2UjnYVYATjYd2d2bwD6IwtpZWfYL2zE9jh8HDmNNsoM3ufa8nl1A07M1Tky5T9ASRPLwUpYfhyhRMPkPNwnlje7ND3Qv6sNUD7JLynfTwppLvDY7Sue9zjWX1~LR6HdFm1LDfIG22xi8D4mwlW66sKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Newport News Planning Commission voted 8–0 to recommend that City Council adopt zoning text amendment ZT2025-0002, which raises potential civil penalties for specified zoning violations and brings the local code into alignment with recent changes enacted by the Virginia General Assembly.

Ms. Hall, planning staff, said the amendment revises Chapter 45 (zoning) to incorporate statutory changes under the Code of Virginia (as cited in staff materials). Under current local rules staff described in the meeting, civil penalties had been capped at $100 for a first offense and $150 for subsequent violations, with a $3,000 cap and citations limited to once every 10 days. The staff presentation said the proposed language would allow higher penalties starting at $200 and increasing to as much as $1,500 per violation depending on the violation type, with higher caps of roughly $4,200 to $6,000 over a 12-month period.

Commissioners questioned whether the city had seen many repeat violations that warranted the increases; Ms. Hall said she could not provide specific counts during the hearing but observed from experience that low penalties can encourage repeat noncompliance. Commissioners also asked whether the change altered the underlying enforcement procedure; staff said the enforcement process itself remains unchanged and that the existing code language that prevents citing the same offense more than once during any 10-day period was not removed by the amendment.

During public comment, David Smallridge asked whether the change would affect enforcement of short-term rental (Airbnb) rules; staff replied that the amendment does not change the enforcement process and that the city has begun stepped-up enforcement of short-term rental rules adopted in 2022 after an initial compliance period. Smallridge also asked how the amendment would interact with previously negotiated proffers for rezoned properties; staff clarified proffers are site-specific and would require separate legislative action to modify.

The commission voted to recommend adoption; the item will be forwarded to City Council for a hearing on Sept. 9, 2025. Staff noted the changes reflect new authority available under state law to apply enhanced civil penalties for ongoing or repeat noncompliance, particularly for unpermitted commercial activity or multifamily property violations.","The Planning Commission recommended that City Council adopt a zoning text amendment enabling higher civil penalties for certain repeated zoning violations, reflecting changes adopted by the Virginia General Assembly; commissioners voted 8-0 to forward the amendment.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6499859,"Planning commission recommends conditional-use permit for TaylorSmoke cigar lounge at Oyster Point",1264,198000,1462000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5545723-f19d46846ebfa3c8c163234bdfcdae45&start=198&end=1462","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5545723-f19d46846ebfa3c8c163234bdfcdae45/thumbnail_198000.jpg","/articles/6499859/Virginia/Planning-commission-recommends-conditional-use-permit-for-TaylorSmoke-cigar-lounge-at-Oyster-Point","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6499859-4c7404c3f09390df5005d97d487bc97f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771023404&Signature=Injb0frXQDNgyFTndrumJZH-shfRmA20wUto3XsrIgM9K-AROeWft--lQ4glzXdcvXtKPf3W10BR9mskW2lO6RRMQpIFWO3LpIvsEYi185WnEmT8TYQLGy~lZIioEG3W0j4rihwlqW~DYrQW0cqdRB64TQfnO43Q8H1NZZzn1ZH5W~X1AzyLmSMutVK2LvOF8aC9nu3J6OWvQGKkb~6ShQYrfH4G9ru4glsxA19utGfVpYZoMb4QfL5NboMLx-hf1tdqpqxJTTPwLuEmuxr-pIC95wNdZEFEiDlNW6V0ANh8~QxMXmio~87hibEIdWBo7D7NyAIixKBvWb9yzlfEbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Newport News Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council approve conditional-use permit CU20250005 to allow TaylorSmoke, a cigar lounge and restaurant, to operate a Type 2 nightclub at 639 Pilothouse Drive, Suite 605.

Planning staff identified the site as a 4,460-square-foot suite on a 2.666-acre parcel in the Oyster Point Shopping Center, zoned C-1 Retail Commercial and designated “neighborhood commercial” on the 1 City 1 Future 2040 comprehensive plan land-use map. Staff said the proposed operation fits general plan goals for neighborhood-scale retail and services and noted the suite previously housed a restaurant and sports bar. The staff presentation said departments including Engineering, Public Works, Water Works, Police, Parks and Recreation and Development raised no objections; the fire department noted that a sprinkler requirement will be determined during building-permit review under the Virginia State Fire Prevention Code and Virginia Building Code.

Latasha Beanie, the applicant and owner of TaylorSmoke, told the commission she is relocating the existing lounge to obtain more space for locker members and a larger dining area. \"TaylorSmoke is a cigar lounge, but it's a very upscale, unique location,\" Beanie said. \"It's a place for our older people to get together, relax, smoke their cigars, and just woosah.\" Terrence Jackson, the contractor on the project, described steps in the design to separate smoking and non-smoking areas, including full-height smoke partitions and negative air pressure systems.

Staff recommended approval with 12 conditions, which the commission adopted as part of its recommendation. The conditions described by staff require the suite to comply with all state and local codes—including the Virginia State Fire Prevention Code and the Virginia Building Code—prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy; restrict signage to a building sign; prohibit smoking outside designated smoke rooms; and set hours of operation. The conditions state the nightclub will operate from 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday; staff clarified that restaurant operations will align with lounge hours. Staff also stated 251 on-site parking spaces are provided for the shopping center (as reported in the staff presentation).

Commissioners asked about prior complaints at the applicant's current location (none reported in the staff presentation), the length of time the business had occupied its current site (Beanie said two years), and whether patrons could rent the banquet hall operated by the same owner at the same time as the lounge (Beanie said no). After public comment from the applicant and the contractor, Commissioner [not specified] moved approval; Commissioner Black seconded. The roll-call vote was 8–0 in favor.

The commission's recommendation forwards CU20250005 to the City Council; staff told the commission the item will be heard by City Council on Sept. 9, 2025. Any final approvals, building-permit determinations (including whether sprinklers are required), and operational licensing remain subject to staff review and applicable state and local codes.","The Newport News Planning Commission voted 8-0 to recommend approval of a conditional-use permit for a cigar lounge and restaurant, TaylorSmoke, to relocate to 639 Pilothouse Drive, Suite 605, with conditions including compliance with state fire and building codes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission recommends clarifying zoning-administrator presumption and order of evidence in appeals

Planning commission backs higher civil penalties for repeat zoning violations, aligning city code with state law

Planning commission recommends conditional-use permit for TaylorSmoke cigar lounge at Oyster Point