Council approves commissary kitchen permit with 5 a.m.–10 p.m. hours after neighbor objections

The Newport News City Council on June 23 approved a conditional use permit for Worldclass Solutions, Inc. to operate a commissary (ghost) kitchen at 615 34th Street, but only after amending the recommended operating window to 5:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.

The decision came after two residents addressed the council during the public hearing. The adjacent homeowner, identifying herself as "Carl Mintosh Todd" of 619 34th Street, urged council to reject round-the-clock operations, saying a prep kitchen open late would bring trucks, noise, rodents and other disturbances next door: "I just can't see anyone making that. It's a nice quiet neighborhood." The applicant, Sharon Owens Clark, defended the proposal as a community resource — "Commissary kitchen is for the city. It's for the community" — and said it would serve food trucks, caterers and shipyard workers; she said she had invested more than $100,000 toward the project and that 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. would be too limiting for potential users.

Planning staff told council that the planning commission had forwarded the request with a recommendation that the use be approved for 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. (a compromise after earlier consideration of 5:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.). Council members debated whether the planning commission hours would unduly constrain food-preparation and catering businesses. Council members who spoke in favor of expanding the hours noted morning catering and shipyard schedules that often require cooks and food trucks to be on-site before 7:00 a.m. Councilmember Elie said restaurateurs commonly begin prep as early as 3:00–4:00 a.m., and Councilwoman Vic and others said the narrow 7 a.m. start would prevent many legitimate uses.

Vice Mayor [title in record] moved to amend the prevailing motion to set hours at 5:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.; that amendment was seconded and the amended motion passed (recorded as "Motion carry 5-2"). The council president and the city attorney confirmed that a yes vote on the amended motion meant approval for the conditional use permit with the amended hours; a no vote would have signaled rejection of those parameters.

Council members and staff emphasized conditions and enforcement: the applicant said there would be a reservation/registration system to prevent walk-in use, interior and exterior cameras, and periodic checks by management; staff noted landscaping and fencing conditions tied to the permit. The city attorney explained that violation of a condition of the conditional use permit could lead to revocation.

The council’s action amended the planning commission recommendation and approved the ordinance granting the conditional use permit for TAC 2026 TAC 00001 with operating hours of 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The council directed that neighbors and the applicant maintain communication and that staff enforce permit conditions; if conditions are violated, revocation procedures may apply.