October 27, 2026 Norfolk City Council Work Session

The Norfolk City Council work session on October 27, 2026, included a Virginia Port Authority briefing and the monthly city planning update. The Port Authority reported that its board had approved procuring approximately 90 electric yard tractors using Clean Ports grant funding, supporting its goal of reaching carbon zero by 2040. It also described a major $650 million terminal project underway at Norfolk International Terminals, ongoing harbor and rail improvements, and workforce training with Tidewater Community College. No City Council procurement award was announced during the open-session presentations.

The planning update covered conditional-use-permit applications for restaurants and entertainment venues, plus proposed zoning text amendments concerning faith-based housing, data centers, cannabis, the Church Street area, and revisions to the Resilience Quotient. Staff said public outreach and further review of the resilience changes are planned. Council also moved to closed session to discuss publicly held property, possible litigation, and a potential contract award involving city-owned property on East Main Street; the transcript does not indicate an award decision. The meeting also approved remote participation by Vice Mayor Martin Thomas.