Introduction

Introduction

CITY OF CHESAPEAKE

Chesapeake strives every day to be an exceptional place to live, learn, work, farm, and play. Achieving that goal takes hard work, talented and dedicated people, and a commitment to plan not just for today and tomorrow, but for years and even decades into our future. The document you are reading, Chesapeake 2045, represents one of the foundations of our efforts, and yours. The Comprehensive Plan could not be effective without the myriad of inputs our professional staff has received from you, our citizen-customers.

Much more than a static foundation, however, Chesapeake 2045 serves as a roadmap for the next chapter in our city’s exceptional journey. As you dig into the Plan, you will find policies to guide new infrastructure, to help maintain our rural character and small town feel, to protect our open, green space, to make housing affordable, protect existing and creating new places to work and for commerce, and to connect people to each other and their communities. As you might notice, those elements perfectly align with our goals for living, learning, working, farming, and playing.

This Comprehensive Plan belongs to all of us. There is an ownership felt by the professional staff who have put so much time, diligence, talent, and effort into its development. Most importantly, this Plan belongs to each of our 250,000+ residents, many of whom have availed themselves of numerous opportunities to provide input and guidance throughout the process. On behalf of my Council colleagues, I want to thank you for your interest, your insights, and your desire to make tomorrow’s Chesapeake even better than today’s.

It is important to know, as you review this expansive document, that the work is not complete. The Comprehensive Plan is a “living document” in the truest sense of the word. A plan is only useful if we commit to taking the next steps to turn words and plans and goals into positive action. I am optimistic about the future of our city, and excited to see where these next years take us. Again, my thanks to the citizens and staff who played a part in the development of Chesapeake 2045. Our work has only just begun.

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Mayor Richard “Rick” West

Comprehensive Plan 2045 | 6

Introduction

Chesapeake is evolving. Some who moved to Chesapeake 30 or 50 years ago can easily see the change through population growth, roads, and new development. There have also been changes larger than Chesapeake itself: the rise of online shopping changing retail environments; smart technology giving us information about safe and efficient driving routes; an aging population living in a world not designed for senior needs; and communities connected via the internet, but experiencing decreased in-person connections. And though some would like to freeze Chesapeake in its current state, or even in its past, we cannot stop the continued maturation of the City.

What we can do is guide this evolution so that Chesapeake continues to be a place where many lifestyles thrive, schools help our children excel, green space is protected and accessible, and residents are housed and supported through all stages of life. If change is inevitable, then our response is too. The question is: what does that change look like? Enter the City’s comprehensive plan: Chesapeake 2045, our roadmap for “creating an exceptional future”.

What is a Comprehensive Plan?

A comprehensive plan is a document that lays out a road map for a city for the next twenty years. While much of the work of the City is day-to-day operations, this plan looks to the future and addresses those things that will impact residents not just tomorrow, but years from now. Where will we direct growth and new housing? What amenities will the City prioritize? How can Chesapeake best protect our green spaces and trees? These are some of the questions this plan will answer. Other elements of the plan, such as the Master Transportation Plan, look out even further than the twenty-year horizon.

Chesapeake 2045 allows us to envision the future we want as residents, business owners, employees, and stakeholders. What does an exceptional Chesapeake look like to those who live and work here? This plan is a reflection of the thousands of voices that contributed to it.

If this weren’t enough reason to adopt a comprehensive plan, in recognition of the importance of planning for the future, the Commonwealth of Virginia requires localities prepare and adopt a plan in State Code Section 15.2-2223. This plan satisfies the legal requirements described therein.

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Elements of the Plan

Users

A comprehensive plan is used actively; sometimes daily. However, it will be used differently by different people inside and outside of the City.

Residents

Learn more about what might be planned for areas of the City you are interested in, and the City’s goals. Use the plan to help speak on projects and programs you are concerned or care about.

City Staff

Consults the plan when writing recommendations on land use applications, creating Capital Improvement Plan funding requests, developing work plans, and revising the Zoning Ordinance and other City Codes.

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City Council

Uses the comprehensive plan to guide its decisions and make sure we are on track to reach our long-term goals and fulfill the vision for Chesapeake. If there are areas of Chesapeake 2045 that need to be addressed or revisited, City Council may direct staff to review.

Developers

Create projects that will go through a public hearing process and consult the plan to guide their development so that it aligns with the goals of the City. The plan creates the opportunity for staff to work with developers.

Planning Commission

Hears land use applications and determines if they are consistent with the comprehensive plan. Makes a recommendation to City Council to approve or deny applications.

Vision

This plan is based on a fundamental vision for the City that has been affirmed by City Council:

“Chesapeake will be economically strong, culturally diverse, and environmentally responsible, with a quality of life that defines our city as an exceptional place to live, learn, work, farm, and play. As the City continues to grow, it will progress toward being a well-connected community of treasured rural areas, vibrant residential neighborhoods, and thriving commercial and industrial centers. Moving forward, we will build on our strengths to create an unparalleled city that meets our full potential.”

This vision represents our goal for the future of Chesapeake. If our actions are not leading us towards this future, then we need to change course.

An Exceptional Chesapeake

During the public engagement process, staff asked residents what an “exceptional Chesapeake” means to them. Being an exceptional Chesapeake is about being the very best we can be in the eyes of our residents, not by standards set by others. While answers varied, they formed the thread of many of the policies in this plan.

Community Engagement Board.

Creating An Exceptional Future

What does “Creating an Exceptional Future” mean to you? Post your thoughts here!

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Sticky notes read: “Preserve open space for future generations”, “preserving agricultural land”, “Environmentally friendly, solar wind power, more recycling options”, “Low taxes, Affordable living”, “Building small communities within the City”, and “Targeted growth rather than sprawl, multimodal opportunities”.

Guiding Principles

There are four guiding principles that came up repeatedly during community and stakeholder engagement for Chesapeake 2045. These principles set the tone for the focus of our efforts going forward. In the future, Chesapeake will be:

Proactive

• While growth in Chesapeake has slowed dramatically since the 1990s, many residents still feel the effects of past growth today. This is because infrastructure lagged behind growth at that time. While the City corrects these mistakes, it’s clear we can also learn from them by proactively providing the infrastructure needed to support growth.

Green

• Part of what appeals to so many about Chesapeake is its green landscape and openness. We must protect this green space, provide opportunities for residents to be outside and in nature, and ensure that those who prefer to live with ample space around them are able to do so.

Connected

• Residents often spoke about traffic, congestion, and the need to improve street network connectivity; however, they also spoke about the need for places to gather and socialize. City actions should seek to increase connections between people, as well as physical connectivity across Chesapeake.

Unique

• While Chesapeake is a united city, it is important to recognize that it is made up of many different people and neighborhoods, each with their own interests and identity. The City must treat these areas uniquely, and not expect that one solution will necessarily work across the City.

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Introduction

Smart Growth

The City of Chesapeake follows the principles of “smart growth”, an approach to creating neighborhoods that provide a variety of amenities, services, housing, and opportunities to use multiple modes of transportation in proximity to residents. Smart growth also highlights the value of giving residents a say in their communities and creating a strong sense of place. This approach is woven into the City’s guiding principles, policies, and plan for implementation. The list of principles for smart growth varies slightly by organization. Chesapeake’s version is below.

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1. Attractive, Amenitized Communities

Communities should be visually appealing and contain amenities that activate the community, creating opportunities for spontaneous interaction such as sidewalks, trails, clubhouses, and green space.

2. Mixed Land Uses

Mixing land uses creates dynamic communities that are active most of the day, are more easily navigated by walking and biking, and reduce the distance residents travel for various trips. A mixed-use community may not necessarily have multiple uses on one parcel, but a mix within the greater scope of the area.

3. Compact Conservation Design

Compact design is not necessarily appropriate everywhere in the City. However, this principle speaks to thoughtfully subdividing land so that sensitive environmental or special community features, such as shoreline, are preserved for the entire community and not privatized to individuals.

4. Robust Stakeholder Involvement

Stakeholders, whether nearby residents or businesses, will be affected by any change. They must be included in the development process so that projects fit in with the community and potential negative impacts are minimized.

5. Preservation of Farmland and Natural Resources

Protecting farmland and other special features is important to retaining Chesapeake’s unique character. These landscapes not only shape the City’s identity, but also support local food systems, safeguard natural ecosystems, and contribute to long-term environmental resilience.

6. Walkable Neighborhoods

Giving residents the ability to walk, either recreationally or to businesses, improves health and wellness, reduces vehicle traffic, and creates connections between people.

7. Directing Development to Target Areas

By encouraging development in certain areas, the City promotes the level of density needed to make walkable, mixed-use communities successful, and it also protects other areas, such as rural Chesapeake, from undesirable development.

8. Various Housing Options

Having options allows all residents access to their preferred housing type and makes it easier for residents to upsize, downsize, or age in place as their circumstances require.

Introduction

9. Transportation Choices Transportation choices make it safe, convenient, and affordable for all residents to travel where they need to using their preferred mode of transportation. A variety of modes helps ensure residents and visitors can move easily between neighborhoods, access jobs and services, and stay connected to the broader community.

10. Cost Effective and Predictable Growth should not place an undue burden on taxpayers, such as with City-funded infrastructure. The process for new development and redevelopment should be clear for both developers and the public to provide input on projects.

Smart Growth

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1. Attractive Amenitized Communities
2. Mixed Land Uses
3. Compact Conservation Design
4. Robust Stakeholder Involvement
5. Preservation of Farmland and Natural Resources
6. Walkable Neighborhoods
7. Directing Development to Target Areas
8. Various Housing Options
9. Transportation Choices
10. Cost Effective and Predictable

Comprehensive Plan 2045 | 13

Introduction

Policies

With a vision and guiding principles in place, policies provide specific actions and guidance for the City to take that moves us towards the future. Some of these policies are reactive, meaning they are used to analyze a project or development proposal. Other policies are active, meaning the City must choose to undertake the action when it is appropriate in the work plan or budget.

Seven key focus areas represent the main topics of interest for the City:

• Connectivity and Infrastructure
• Economic Prosperity
• Environment and Resilience
• Growth Management and Rural Areas
• Housing
• Placemaking and Design
• Quality of Life

Each focus area has its own chapter, where the reader will find relevant data, stakeholder and resident feedback, definitions, best practices, and specific policies for that topic.

Finally, the plan concludes with an implementation chapter that describes a framework for deciding who is responsible for each action, and how we will remain accountable to residents for our progress.

With these elements, this plan will take us from where we are to where we want to be and tell us how we will get there.

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Community Engagement

This document does not belong to one department, or even to City Council. It belongs to everyone who lives, learns, works, farms, and plays in Chesapeake. Thank you to everyone who made their voices heard during this process. Through open houses, surveys, emails, stakeholder meetings, public presentations, and more, you shared your desires, concerns, and hopes for the future of Chesapeake, providing input that formed the foundation of this plan.

More information about the engagement process can be found in the Appendix.

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Community Engagement Timeline

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Connecting the Docs

The comprehensive plan is not the only planning or strategic document that guides the City's future. While this plan covers the entire City at a high level, other documents, such as small area plans, cover specific topics and specific geographies in more detail. They are considered legally adopted components of Chesapeake 2045.

— WHAT IS “GEN 1”? —

Most major sections in this document have accompanying policies highlighted in a green box, named and numbered to fit the chapter.

Most of the policies in this plan are found in the focus area chapters. However, some policies are “General Plan” policies (shortened to “GEN”), meaning they apply to planning and work broadly in the City – these are dispersed throughout the plan. See Appendix to find all policies grouped together.

GEN 1: Plan for the unique considerations and needs of each planning area through small area plans and targeted design guidelines.

In addition to the small area plans, there are other adopted policies that have been developed in conjunction with City partners, as well as state and regional plans. Some of these plans have authority over the City, while others reflect Chesapeake’s role as a contributing partner. These important plans are summarized in the Appendix; however, for the full set of policies and information contained within, refer to the document directly. The map on the following page highlights many of the City’s special policy areas and the parts of Chesapeake they cover.

Note that all City departments have additional guiding documents that they rely on to guide their strategic and daily work. These are not contained within the comprehensive plan.

Special Policy Areas Map

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Special Policy Areas

While the Comprehensive Plan covers the entire City of Chesapeake, additional planning efforts provide more details and specific recommendations in certain areas.

Revised 5/19/2026