Unpacking the Agenda: January 23rd City Council Meetings

Here’s what’s coming up in the City Council meetings today, Tuesday, January 22nd. It’s an extra small docket today. 

Full Agenda Link
Live Watch Link Here

3:30 pm City Council Work Session

II. Q4 2023 PUBLIC SAFETY UPDATE 

Presenter: Chief Mark Talbot, Norfolk Police Department

Background:
Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi recently said that crime across the City of Norfolk fell by 24% in 2023. 172 license plate readers installed last year have been credited with some decreases in automobile larceny. 

6:00 pm City Council Formal Session Meeting

Regular Agenda

R-1 

This ordinance would allow a building on 35th street to have doors that open into the public space (the sidewalk). The new doors are a part of a larger re-construction project and would allow the doors to be ADA compliant. 

Background:
A design charrette was held on the 35th street commercial corridor in 2015 with Better Block. 

R-2 

This ordinance approves an agreement between the City of Norfolk and Norfolk Southern Railway Company for engineering services at an amount of $156,003. Norfolk Southern’s engineering consultants will review a floodgate that cross Norfolk Southern railroad tracks near Harbor Park as part of the Coastal Storm Risk Management Project. 

Background: 
The City of Norfolk’s info site on the CSRM project. 
The Army Corp of Engineers site on the CSRM project.

R-3 

This ordinance is to approve Conditional Use Permits to operate Short Term Rental at 1511 Lea View Avenue. City Planning Commission recommended approval on a 4-2 vote. The Willoughby Civic League opposed the application. 

Background:

Councilmember Smigiel recently floated a moratorium on new STR applications. 

City Attorney Pishko stated at the November City Council Retreat that since Short Term Rentals were a land right, Council cannot have a moratorium on applications for CUPs for Short Term Rentals. (page 48)

A City of Norfolk dashboard showing all STR registrations. 

R-4 

This ordinance removes stipulations about the weight of commercial vehicles that are allowed in residential areas. Vehicles will no longer have to be under 7500 pounds to be parked in a residential driveway.  

Background:
Here’s the relevant section of City code.