[{"_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",6496783,"mediaKeyId","5567091-dfa163bdead423978ff9caae8410c8d5","parentId",5567091,"title","Newport News council rezones former Regal Cinemas site for high‑density apartments after contested public hearing","audioSeconds",2697,"startMs",315000,"endMs",3012000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5567091-dfa163bdead423978ff9caae8410c8d5&start=315&end=3012","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5567091-dfa163bdead423978ff9caae8410c8d5/thumbnail_315000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6496783/Virginia/Newport-News-council-rezones-former-Regal-Cinemas-site-for-highdensity-apartments-after-contested-public-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496783-9b12d2fb938c2607165b7241a0130d33/orig.mp4?Expires=1770434872&Signature=P4fOMBNZG~JAFbj2E2Jiu0blA9wFJiYLUVcq0dvffxHHY2YhqSrDks~t6dAAujm2mX4QAr-e2l1-kRXZcjJl4xbayoTDyIFosR1HzZu1r1zzoe7KtCiPUvd-kWrVXEIaiJn9gfymryYwtM~BsZluFrkcMcTV9nHaTfU1gKbVI9b4zu2a-tCk52YPdmHOyP~ybSHfZO9zRF-pyYAKNdflpKSchdBHWsfkPSRkUZEY4mEzJCne~c8-FXZFQcNT-XyXJ2opIsGtvlHJpllG4BbW0eejIWUb077PATsXKZ-RzTPOK~MBdJbWSQO5THeewsWLL~LpK6~-fxXUrhu4a~oaPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Newport News","date","2025-08-12T00:00:00Z","article","NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The Newport News City Council voted unanimously Aug. 12 to rezone the former Regal Cinemas property at 115 Bridal Way from C‑1 retail commercial to R‑8 high‑density multiple‑family residential, approving case CHARLIEZULU‑2025‑0003 and clearing a major regulatory hurdle for a proposed luxury apartment development.

The proposal drew roughly 20 speakers during a public hearing that ran more than an hour. Supporters including the applicant’s representatives and current residents of nearby Signature Management properties said the redevelopment would replace a deteriorating commercial site and add housing choice. Opponents from adjacent neighborhoods raised concerns about traffic, noise, trash and the impact on neighborhood character.

Attorney Tim Trant, representing the applicant, told council that the theater had been on the market for some time and that developer Brad Weitzer of Platinum Management planned a project intended to “revitalize the existing commercial area” and “create a more functional and practical mixed‑use area.” Trant said the developer strengthened the landscape buffer around the site after community feedback and described the existing buffer as including roughly 315 trees, with a supplemental planting of about 100 evergreen trees to increase screening.

Kathy Scott, president of Signature Management, which would manage the proposed apartments, said the company uses a strict tenant screening process and promotes social programs to foster stable communities. “Our resident screening process is the most rigorous in the industry,” Scott said, adding that the company verifies income and landlord references, performs background checks and conducts other screening steps.

Nearby homeowners expressed opposing views. Mary Clark, who identified herself as an Ivy Stoneway resident, said the area already suffers from congestion and noise and argued the city should consider lower‑intensity housing such as senior housing. “The speeding on Commonwealth is atrocious,” Clark said, adding that she worried another large complex would “saturate the usage of utility sewer, water, noise pollution, schools, and especially traffic congestion.”

Other neighbors described real and perceived problems they attribute to existing nearby apartments — from additional sewer bills to increased emergency calls — and urged council to limit scale or consider alternative housing types. Robert Rakauskas, a resident of the Commonwealth at York and a representative of a local church that meets at the Regal site, urged approval, saying the vacant theater was already an “eyesore” that attracted crime and that a managed residential community would raise property values. “Leaving it as is will only drag values down,” Rakauskas said.

Council members discussed competing priorities: several cited the city’s recent housing study and a low apartment vacancy rate while acknowledging neighbors’ traffic and quality‑of‑life concerns. Councilman Long noted the city’s current apartment vacancy of “about 2 and a half percent” and said the city needs more supply. Councilman Neely referenced regional workforce growth and local employers’ need for more housing, saying the project could help meet demand for employees. Councilman Coleman said the site’s commercial zoning left the city vulnerable to other, potentially less desirable uses and supported the housing conversion.

Council voted first to close the public hearing and then to adopt the rezoning ordinance. Both votes were recorded 7‑0. The transcript does not specify a timetable for subsequent site plan submissions or construction approvals.

The rezoning authorizes the change in zoning classification; any required permits, site plan approvals and construction timelines will be subject to subsequent administrative review and approvals not detailed in the public hearing record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Newport News - Regular City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Newport News City Council voted unanimously Aug. 12 to rezone the former Regal Cinemas property at 115 Bridal Way from C‑1 retail commercial to R‑8 high‑density multifamily, approving case CHARLIEZULU‑2025‑0003.","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},6496778,"Newport News council passes ordinances, resolutions and $17.75M water bond appropriation in unanimous vote",821,3099000,3920000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5567091-dfa163bdead423978ff9caae8410c8d5&start=3099&end=3920","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5567091-dfa163bdead423978ff9caae8410c8d5/thumbnail_3099000.jpg","/articles/6496778/Virginia/Newport-News-council-passes-ordinances-resolutions-and-1775M-water-bond-appropriation-in-unanimous-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496778-f2681ea7f53f8654486739ebbe823496/orig.mp4?Expires=1770434872&Signature=FNNV9t6C8c0C3mFghv-tJZIXg5zE5bZQb5-hnsqTfXTvDLXUJD-VC1OujvZnOTXdo8RGSKSPzAWM93OveG~fcsxpY1u1997eOPWU8e1Wz4bGT2~VaMfCqr7~oPPuFtlCugsZ4eUbprJ0dMgkeQZ5g8mg78sxZ0p9P8SPJA9j5UoWGZtetxtK-CUJZEt61RzxgekDrSPudYoQyuud7xG-Kme0fetzBlTOuS2hzpg9xK7MD8S1LTBHAnM9kC-tJLOOWJFcj6ETVzy-tH7ejMfXcMVwetGM6dquglcsXnSbZPP7Oq8geth6xYzmKUtm613GcDdKZW~4MZjpvzr3UpUhVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The Newport News City Council on Aug. 12 approved a package of ordinances, resolutions and appropriations covering planning, code enforcement, housing and water‑system projects, with all recorded motions carrying 7‑0.

The council approved numerous land‑use and code items on first reading or by ordinance, adopted policy changes, and authorized a series of appropriations and conveyances. City staff and council described several items as routine or administratively required while highlighting some policy changes that aim to strengthen neighborhood protections and streamline enforcement.

Key actions taken (all votes recorded 7‑0):
- Conditional use permit (case CHARLIEUNIFORM‑2025‑0004) allowing a small motor vehicle repair and service facility at 9955 Jefferson Ave (Zone C‑2).
- An ordinance amending City Code Chapter 13 (building regulations), Article 12, to address identification and inspection of rental dwelling units (section 13‑193).
- An ordinance authorizing the execution of a deed of easement between the city and Trustwood Properties LLC for an access easement across city property at 13141 Jefferson Ave.
- An ordinance authorizing the city manager to make offers to acquire property by voluntary sale or condemnation for the James River Drive forest main project.
- A resolution renaming a portion of Orchid Avenue as Dr. McKinley L. Price Way to honor the former mayor’s public service.
- Adoption of a new derelict buildings and spotlight abatement ordinance (Chapter 13, new Article 13) establishing procedures to address properties that endanger public health, safety and neighborhood stability.
- An amendment aligning unsafe‑structure notice requirements with Virginia Code §15.2‑906 (certified‑mail and newspaper publication procedures).
- An ordinance authorizing city removal of debris and collection of unpaid charges as a lien on property tax bills.
- Approval of the consolidated plan for housing and community development (FY2025–2029) and the FY2026 annual action plan, plus updates to citizen participation and neighborhood revitalization strategy documents.
- Conveyance of the Julius Khan gymnasium property (328 30th Street) to the Economic Development Authority to support downtown redevelopment and Huntington Hall efforts.
- Acceptance of five underdeveloped parcels from Livingstone Monastery to aid wetlands preservation and stormwater management.
- Authorization for the city manager to execute the fourth amendment to the tower attachment lease with the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 100 Tower Lane, Yorktown.
- An ordinance to add military family businesses as a protected group in contract awards and to clarify that U.S.‑manufactured solar photovoltaic equipment not be excluded in procurement rules.
- A resolution authorizing the city’s participation in the proposed settlement of opioid‑related claims involving the Sackler family and directing the city attorney to complete participation documents.

The council also approved a set of 10 appropriations totaling multiple millions for arts grants, waterworks planning and infrastructure projects, downtown initiatives, PFAS compliance and design work. Notable appropriations include:
- $1,000,000 for preliminary engineering of Copeland Park pump station improvements (construction anticipated FY2027–28).
- $2,000,000 for design, permitting and mitigation of the Diascund Creek Dam remediation project.
- $3,000,000 for preconstruction support for PFAS compliance projects (design and construction targeted for completion by 2028).
- $4,000,000 for Westhampton neighborhood distribution improvements from the Waterworks FY2026 revenue bond authorization.
- $4,937,874 from FY2026 Waterworks revenue bonds to purchase property and continue Lee Hall Complex master plan development.
- A package of downtown funding appropriations ($5,500,000 across multiple bond years: $1,000,000 FY2023; $1,000,000 FY2024; $3,500,000 FY2025) to support downtown initiatives.
- $17,750,000 from the Waterworks FY2026 water revenue bond authorization for construction to address seepage and erosion at Little Creek Dam, including filter berms, riser upgrades and monitoring improvements.

Citizen speaker Chris Bridal raised PFAS funding and statewide legislative context during the appropriations discussion, noting recent General Assembly bills and vetoes and asking council to be aware of potential cost impacts.

Several council members briefly commented on items. One councilmember asked that the city incorporate findings from a current homeless study into future consolidated‑plan allocations for permanent supportive housing. Council members also praised partnerships for workforce and downtown redevelopment projects described elsewhere on the agenda.

All listed ordinances and resolutions were approved by recorded votes of 7‑0; the meeting record provides motion carries 7‑0 for each acted item. Where the record did not include ordinance numbers or detailed implementation schedules, the transcript identifies the agenda item and the descriptive text read into the record by staff.","At its Aug. 12 regular session, the Newport News City Council approved a slate of ordinances, resolutions and 10 appropriations — including a $17.75 million water revenue bond appropriation for the Little Creek Dam improvements — and adopted new derelict‑building and debris removal rules. All items recorded carried 7‑0.","actionData","errors"]

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Newport News council rezones former Regal Cinemas site for high‑density apartments after contested public hearing

Newport News council passes ordinances, resolutions and $17.75M water bond appropriation in unanimous vote