Public Meetings - Chesapeake, Virginia

The City Council held a work session at 5:30 PM to receive an update on the Operation Bold Blue Line and Operation Ceasefire grant, followed by a regular meeting at 6:30 PM. The regular meeting included a public hearing on the Historical Village at the Dismal Swamp environmental review, approval of consent and regular agenda items, and appointments to boards and commissions. Consent Calendar - Accepted the resignations of Janelle Johnson from the Chesapeake Integrated Behavioral Healthcare Board and Robert Mohrhusen, Jr. from the Planning Commission. - Authorized the City Manager to apply for an Emerald Ash Borer Treatment Program Grant from the Virginia Department of Forestry (Parks, Recreation and Tourism). Public Comments & Testimony - Public Hearing Item (Non-Planning) – Historical Village at the Dismal Swamp Environmental Review: Dr. George Reed (Cornland School Foundation) spoke in support. Jeff Staples (Save the Dismal) spoke in support, requesting that the project not be overshadowed by surrounding development. No action was taken by Council. - Agenda Item Comments: Jeff Staples spoke in support of the Emerald Ash Borer grant application, emphasizing the importance of biodiversity in the Dismal Swamp. - Non-Agenda Speakers: None. Discussion Items - Work Session – Bold Blue Line/Operation Ceasefire Grant Update: Police Chief Mark Solesky presented details on the $692,476 grant awarded to Chesapeake. Funds were used to purchase Panasonic laptops for patrol and investigative units (including Internet Crimes Against Children and Special Victims), 110 level III ballistic shields, pole-mounted surveillance cameras, a mini-split climate control system for electronic evidence preservation, a forensic workstation, a forensic imaging system, forensic drying cabinets, and a ductless fume hood for fingerprint processing. Equipment status: laptops being outfitted; shields being deployed after qualification; cameras being upfitted; climate control, forensic station, imaging system, and drying cabinets operational; fume hood awaiting a fingerprint imaging component. Council Member Ward praised the rapid implementation. Council Member Ritter and City Manager Price discussed the impact of 2020 state legislation limiting proactive traffic stops on efforts to remove illegal guns and drugs, and noted continued advocacy for legislative changes. Council Member Whitaker asked about poll camera quantity and the function of air cards; Chief Solesky committed to providing the number and explained air cards enable wireless internet connectivity. - Regular Agenda Item (2) – Ordinance 23-O-080 (Public Art Committee): Ordinance amending City Code sections 2-576 through 2-585 regarding terms of members, meeting frequency, duties, and art selection criteria. Approved 8-0. - Regular Agenda Item (3) – Budget Transfer $650,000: Transfer from Part-Time Salaries to Contractual Services in the Housekeeping Budget (Parks, Recreation and Tourism). Approved 8-0. - Regular Agenda Item (4) – Ordinance 23-O-081 (Hazard Mitigation Grant): Appropriation of $318,246 from FEMA and VDEM for purchase and installation of natural gas generators at three sanitary sewer pump stations (Public Utilities). Approved 8-0. - New Business: Mayor West initiated a resolution to amend the zoning ordinance to consider maximum building heights in business districts and impacts of setbacks, including whether properties separated by a road should be considered adjacent. - Closed Meeting: Council voted 8-0 to hold a closed meeting on August 8, 2023 at 3:30 PM to discuss candidates for the City Auditor position. Key Outcomes - Board and Commission Appointments (with subsequent rescissions): - Chesapeake Historic Preservation Commission: Kimberly Putland (Parks, Recreation and Tourism recording secretary) appointed; one vacancy continued. - Local Emergency Planning Committee: Scott Parker (Emergency Management representative) appointed – later rescinded upon learning Mr. Parker was no longer a city employee. - Stormwater Committee: Harry Taylor III appointed as regular member; two alternate vacancies continued – later rescinded upon learning Mr. Taylor no longer resided in Chesapeake. - All consent and regular agenda items approved unanimously (8-0, with Council Member Carey excused). - The public hearing on the Historical Village at the Dismal Swamp concluded with no action; Council Member Ward thanked staff and supporters.

The Chesapeake Planning Commission met on July 12, 2023, at 7:00 PM in the City Council Chamber to consider seven agenda items, including one continuance, two consent items, and four regular public hearing items. The meeting was adjourned at 8:43 PM. Commissioners Clinton Crews and Robert Mohrhusen were excused. Consent Calendar - PLN-REZ-2022-021 (1337 Commerce Avenue): Approved unanimously (7-0) for a conditional zoning reclassification of 0.2 acres from B-2 to R-8 for a single-family dwelling, with proffers including sidewalk construction and historical paint colors. - PLN-TXT-2023-007 (Public Hearing Notice Requirements): Approved unanimously (7-0) to conform zoning ordinance notice requirements to state statutory changes enacted by the 2023 General Assembly. Public Comments & Testimony - Springton at Grassfield (Continuance): Three residents (Linda Tindell, Vic Nicholls, Jeff Staples) opposed the indefinite continuance, questioning how many times an application can be continued. They expressed frustration over delays and requested a limit. - Lake Shore Terrace: - Proponent: Sam Baraki (agent) explained the design changes (30-foot buffer, reduced to 26 lots, conservation easement) to address neighbor concerns. Kenneth Jenkins (subcontractor) spoke in support, citing job creation. - Opponent: Michael Huber (neighbor) opposed due to school capacity (predicting 1,539 new students from 328 approved units) and road safety concerns (narrow, uncurbed roads lacking analysis for Charlton Drive, Askew Road, Ellen Lane). He cited a survey of 400 respondents opposing the development. - Shipyard Road: - Proponents: Christine Early (Exeter Development) argued the PUD's commercial boat storage is incompatible and that four affordable single-family homes better fit the neighborhood. Grady Palmer supported deviation from the land use plan. - Opponent: Vic Nicholls supported staff's denial recommendation, urging preservation of green space. - The Wishing Well Childcare: Thara Jefferson (applicant) stated she operates a home daycare with 32 years of experience, has neighbor support, and plans to serve 12 children with adequate parking and staggered drop-off. - Tobacco, Smoke, and Vape Shops Text Amendment: No public speakers; commissioners questioned staff about the 1,000-foot buffer rationale, definitions, and impacts on existing businesses. Discussion Items - PLN-PUDC-2023-001 (Springton at Grassfield): Staff recommended indefinite continuance per applicant request. Commissioner Gerloff moved to continue; motion carried 7-0. - PLN-REZ-2022-023 (Lake Shore Terrace): Staff presented findings of compatibility with surrounding residential uses. Commissioner Gerloff moved approval with proffers; motion carried 7-0. Discussion included traffic improvements (intersection reconstruction, David's Mill connection) and school capacity calculations. - PLN-REZ-2023-002 (Shipyard Road): Staff recommended denial due to inconsistency with Suburban Mixed Use land use designation and lack of design quality. Commissioner Gerloff moved denial; motion carried 6-1 (Commissioner Gilbert opposed). Discussion centered on viability of commercial use and market studies for marina. - PLN-USE-2023-015 (The Wishing Well Childcare): Staff recommended approval with stipulations. Commissioner Gerloff moved approval with an added stipulation for a code-compliant pool alarm system; motion carried 7-0. Questions addressed pool safety and parking. - PLN-TXT-2023-006 (Tobacco, Smoke, and Vape Shops): Staff presented a text amendment to reclassify vape shops as conditional uses, require a 1,000-foot buffer from schools, parks, daycare centers, and other vape shops, and mandate transparent doors. Commissioner Turner moved approval; motion carried 4-3 (Commissioners Gerloff, Sgueglia, Steiner opposed). Debate involved the 1,000-foot benchmark (taken from drug-free zone laws), enforcement challenges, and consistency with regulations for alcohol/tobacco sales. Key Outcomes - Continued Indefinitely: PLN-PUDC-2023-001 (Springton at Grassfield) – 7-0 vote. - Approved: PLN-REZ-2022-021 (1337 Commerce Avenue) – 7-0 with proffers; PLN-TXT-2023-007 (Notice Requirements) – 7-0. - Approved with Proffers: PLN-REZ-2022-023 (Lake Shore Terrace) – 7-0, limiting development to 26 single-family detached units with design standards, a dog park, trails, and conservation easements. - Denied: PLN-REZ-2023-002 (Shipyard Road) – 6-1, as inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan. - Approved with Stipulations: PLN-USE-2023-015 (The Wishing Well Childcare) – 7-0, including a pool alarm requirement. - Approved (Text Amendment): PLN-TXT-2023-006 (Tobacco, Smoke, and Vape Shops) – 4-3, with new definitions, conditional use requirement, and 1,000-foot buffers. - Meeting Cancellation: The July 26, 2023, Public Hearing meeting was cancelled by unanimous consent.

The Chesapeake Planning Commission held its public hearing on June 14, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. Chairman Steiner presided. Commissioners Sgueglia and Forbes were excused. The meeting approved the previous month's minutes, granted continuances for three items, and unanimously approved all items on the consent agenda. Consent Calendar - Minutes of May 10, 2023: Approved by unanimous consent. - PLN-USE-2023-009 (SplasH20 Car Wash): Approved with stipulations (7–0; Gilbert/Mohrhusen). The conditional use permit modifies the site plan to allow self-serve vacuums, with prohibitions on self-serve wash bays and outdoor sound systems, and requires a landscape plan for a Buffer Yard F along Centerville Turnpike. - PLN-TXT-2022-014 (South Norfolk Business Overlay District): Approved version dated May 15, 2023 (7–0; Gilbert/Mohrhusen). The text amendment modifies regulations regarding residential density, vertical mixed-use development, and other provisions to support commercial revitalization in the South Norfolk Business Overlay District. - PLN-TXT-2023-004 (Caleb Williamson House – Arboretum Historic District): Approved version dated May 17, 2023 (7–0; Gilbert/Mohrhusen). The amendment updates architectural guidelines for the Caleb Williamson House in the Chesapeake Arboretum Historic and Cultural Preservation Overlay District. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public spoke in opposition to any item. Chris Aebel (Timmons Group, applicant for the car wash) was available for questions but did not object to the consent agenda placement. - Sam Baraki (Civil Engineering and Construction Services, agent for Lake Shore Terrace) requested an indefinite continuance for item PLN-REZ-2022-023, stating that changes were needed after meeting with adjacent property owners. Discussion Items - Pre‑meeting Parking Study (South Norfolk): Staff presented a parking study conducted in March 2023 over three weeks. The study found overall average occupancy of 34% across the study area, with the highest average at the noon hour (48%). Additional parking (a 300‑space garage, a 31‑space lot, and a 30‑space surface lot) is planned. Staff concluded that sufficient parking exists and that reducing off‑street parking requirements (to 1 space per studio/1‑bedroom unit and 1.5 spaces for 2+ bedrooms) will promote vertical mixed‑use development. - Farewell to Staff: Planning Director James McNamara announced that Administrative Coordinator Jennifer Joseph is leaving the department. Commissioners thanked her for her service, noting she has been essential to the commission's operations. - Planning Director's Items: No formal items; a reminder was given about the Greenbrier Small Area Plan community meeting on June 21, 2023 at Greenbrier Middle School. Key Outcomes - Continuances: - PLN-PUDC-2023-001 (Springton at Grassfield): Continued to July 12, 2023 (7–0; Gerloff/Turner). - PLN-TXT-2023-002 (Billboard text amendment): Continued indefinitely (7–0; Gerloff/Turner). - PLN-REZ-2022-023 (Lake Shore Terrace): Continued indefinitely at applicant's request (7–0; Gerloff/Turner). - Consent Agenda Votes: All three items (PLN-USE-2023-009, PLN-TXT-2022-014, PLN-TXT-2023-004) were approved unanimously (7–0). - Meeting Cancellation: The June 28, 2023 public hearing was canceled by unanimous consent due to lack of business. - Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:16 p.m.