Hopewell, Virginia
Recent meetings
Planning Commission/Wetlands Board
The Planning Commission will hold two public hearings: a rezoning request for Union Baptist Church and a conditional use permit for a bed-and-breakfast. The agenda also includes approval of the June 4 meeting minutes and citizen comments. No new business or wetlands board items are scheduled.
- Rezoning case #2026-0413 for 212 Rev. C.W. Harris St. from R-4/M-1 to R-4 with Individually Protected Landmark overlay
- Conditional use permit case #2026-0496 for 212 Cedar Ln. to operate a bed & breakfast in TH-1 Tourist/Historic District
- Approval of June 4, 2026 meeting minutes
City Council
The City Council will hold public hearings on amendments to the Hopewell Public Schools operating budget, increasing it by $18.63 million to a total of $100.89 million, and on a real estate lease amendment for the Ice House at the city marina. Other regular business includes a conditional use permit for a used car dealership at 3805 Oaklawn Blvd. and an update on Virginia American Water Company's rate increase case. The meeting also includes a consent agenda covering a CDBG action plan, traffic calming device ordinance, and council rules updates.
- Public hearing on $18,590,000 increase (Fund 063) to school budget, raising total to $100,887,456
- Public hearing on real estate lease amendment for Ice House at Hopewell City Marina (1051 Riverside Ave.)
- Conditional use permit request for used auto dealership at 3805 Oaklawn Blvd. in B-4 Corridor District
- Update on Virginia American Water Company rate increase case
- Consent agenda includes CDBG 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan, traffic calming ordinance, and council rules updates
City Council
The City Council will vote on the FY2026-2027 budget and hold public hearings on a conditional use permit for a used auto dealership at 3805 Oaklawn Blvd., the CDBG 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan, and an ordinance amending traffic calming regulations. Other items include school board appointments, budget amendments, and a SAFER grant application for fire and emergency response staffing. The meeting begins with a closed session to discuss real property, contracts, and legal matters.
- Adoption of the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget
- Public hearing for a conditional use permit to operate a used automobile dealership at 3805 Oaklawn Blvd.
- Public hearing on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Proposed 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan
- Public hearing on an ordinance amending Hopewell City Code Chapter 33 (Traffic Calming Devices)
- Resolution authorizing application for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant
Planning Commission/Wetlands Board
The Hopewell Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on a request by Well of Hope Church of the Nazarene to install a second freestanding sign on property at 3302 Oaklawn Blvd. The commission will also consider approving the May 7, 2026 meeting minutes. No other business is scheduled.
- Public hearing – Modification to Development Standards Case #2026-0255 for a second freestanding sign at 3302 Oaklawn Blvd, parcel 0 89-1462, zoned B-4 Corridor Development District
- Approval of previous meeting minutes from May 7, 2026
Architectural Review Board
The Architectural Review Board approved four Certificates of Appropriateness: a roof replacement at 1010 Pecan (5-0, one abstention), an ADA ramp at 611 Brown (6-0), signage for Creative Works Studio at 201 E. Randolph (6-0), and a conditional roof replacement at 1016 Maplewood (5-1). The most consequential decision was the 1016 Maplewood approval, which permits architectural shingles instead of metal roofing despite guideline inconsistency, subject to four conditions including documentation of roof pitch and retention of built-in gutters. One member voted in opposition due to concerns about precedent.
- Approved roof replacement, siding, gutters, and painting at 1010 Pecan (5-0, Bailey abstained)
- Approved ADA ramp and deck at 611 Brown (6-0)
- Approved door-mounted business signage for Creative Works Studio at 201 E. Randolph (6-0)
- Approved roof replacement at 1016 Maplewood with four conditions, allowing architectural shingles (5-1, Eliades opposed)
City Council
The City Council will consider adopting the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget, hear the City of Hopewell Schools budget, and vote on a resolution regarding AdvanSix's draft DEQ permit. Other business includes a public hearing on a right-of-way vacation request from PMT Investors LLC and a resolution to fund an operational audit for the Hopewell Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
- Adoption of the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget
- Public hearing on right-of-way vacation request from PMT Investors LLC for portion of unimproved right-of-way adjacent to Parcels 067-0015 and 073-0515
- City of Hopewell Schools Budget presentation
- Resolution in Support of Southern Environmental Law Center’s public regarding AdvanSix’s draft DEQ permit
- Resolution Amending the FY 2026 Budget to fund an operational audit for the Hopewell Redevelopment and Housing Authority
City Council
The Hopewell City Council and School Board are meeting jointly to discuss the FY26-27 budget. The primary agenda item is a work session on the Hopewell City Public Schools budget.
- Joint budget work session on HCPS FY26-27 budget
City Council
The Hopewell City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget, along with hearings on a conditional use permit for a duplex on Dublin St. and Community Development Block Grant funding priorities. A resolution to unrestrict Economic Development Authority funds is also on the agenda.
- Public hearing on proposed FY2025-2026 City Budget (R-1)
- Conditional use permit request for a residential duplex on nonconforming Parcel #073-0835 on Dublin St. (R-2)
- Public hearing to solicit comments on CDBG program and funding priorities (R-3)
- Resolution to unrestrict EDA funds (R-4)
- Consent agenda includes personnel change report for April 2026
City Council
The Hopewell City Council and School Board will hold a joint work session to discuss the FY26-27 budget, focusing on the Hopewell City Public Schools budget. No specific proposals or votes are listed; the meeting is a discussion session.
- Joint Budget Work Session with School Board to discuss HCPS FY26-27 Budget
Planning Commission/Wetlands Board
The Planning Commission and Wetlands Board will hold a public hearing on Conditional Use Permit 2026-0255. The application, submitted by Yousef Abualia, seeks permission to operate a used automobile dealership on Parcel #025-0225 (3805 Oaklawn Blvd.) within the B-4 Corridor Development District. No other new business or wetlands matters are scheduled.
- Approval of April 2, 2026 meeting minutes.
- Public hearing on Conditional Use Permit 2026-0255 for a used automobile dealership at 3805 Oaklawn Blvd. (Parcel #025-0225) in the B-4 Corridor Development District.
Architectural Review Board
The Architectural Review Board approved six certificates of appropriateness (COAs) for signage, fencing, paint, and roof/door changes, all by 5-0 votes. One application for a roof replacement at 1016 Maplewood was deferred to the next meeting due to inconsistencies with design guidelines. The board also amended the agenda to add a late item and approved previous meeting minutes.
- Approved sign for Tifly Treasures at 333 E. Poythress (5-0)
- Approved sign for City Point Dental at 100 N. Main (5-0)
- Approved replacement fence at 101 S. Main (5-0); noted dumpster enclosure relief is not ARB jurisdiction
- Approved partial improvements at 300 Appomattox: mini-split HVAC, conduit and brackets to match brick, and painting metal trim/railings Tricorn Black; deferred window and door/shutter paint selection (5-0)
- Approved both paint options for 201 E. Broadway (5-0)
- Approved roof replacement and door color change at 1013 Maplewood (5-0)
- Deferred roof replacement at 1016 Maplewood to next meeting pending additional applicant information (5-0)
- Approved minutes of April 1, 2026 meeting (5-0)
City Council
The Hopewell City Council will hold public hearings on proposed tax rates for 2027, a non-exclusive cable franchise for Verizon of Virginia, and a public-private educational facilities ordinance. The council will also consider budget amendments for water renewal pump station and plant repairs. A closed session is scheduled to discuss real property, contracts, and personnel matters.
- Public hearing on proposed tax rates for 2027 (R-3)
- Public hearing on non-exclusive cable franchise for Verizon of Virginia, LLC (R-1)
- Public hearing on ordinance implementing the Public-Private Educational Facilities and Infrastructure Act (PPEA) (R-2)
- Budget amendment for Hopewell Water Renewal pump station repairs (Fund 41, R-4)
- Budget amendment for critical repairs to Hopewell Water Renewal plant (Fund 32, R-5)
The council approved remote participation for Councilor Harris (5-0), amended the agenda to add a recognition item (6-0), then entered a closed meeting to discuss real estate, contracts, and personnel (5-0). After reconvening, the council heard a presentation from the Fire Chief on an employee survey action plan addressing pay, workplace environment, and communication, and a presentation from the City Attorney on the rationale for bond financing. No substantive votes were taken on ordinances, contracts, or other policy items.
- Approved remote participation for Councilor Harris (5-0)
- Approved agenda amendment to add recognition item (6-0)
- Approved motion to enter closed meeting (5-0)
- Approved motion to reconvene open meeting (5-0)
City Council
The Hopewell City Council will hold a closed session to discuss real‑estate contracts, personnel matters, and a health‑insurance renewal. In the open session the council will adopt a consent agenda, hear public comments, and hold public hearings on two conditional use permits, a development‑standard modification, an ordinance to issue general obligation bonds, and a supplemental appropriation for the school board.
- Conditional Use Permit for 1001 Perrymont Road and 225 South 15th Avenue (public hearing)
- Modification to development standards for 915 Riverside Avenue (public hearing)
- Ordinance authorizing the issuance of General Obligation Bonds (public hearing)
- Supplemental Appropriation for the School Board (public hearing)
- Closed‑session discussion of real‑estate acquisition, contract award, personnel matters, and One Digital health‑insurance renewal
The City Council held a regular meeting on April 14, 2026. The only votes taken were to go into closed session and to reconvene, both passing 6-0. Council heard presentations on a proposed summer history celebration, a crime summary report showing reduced crime rates, and an opioid overdose prevention initiative, but took no formal action on any of them.
- Approved motion to enter closed session (6-0)
- Approved motion to reconvene open meeting (6-0)