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Record of Proceedings

Chesapeake City Council Meeting – February 20, 2024: Ashburn Meadows Rezoning Approved 7-2

City Council — Tuesday, February 20, 2024
BodyChesapeake, Virginia
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, February 20, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:05

Mayor West.

0:06

Mayor West, we have a quorum.

0:08

Thank you, Mr.

0:08

Vice Mayor.

0:09

Council is now in session.

0:11

I would like to ask Councilmember Whitaker to lead us now on the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

0:21

Father God, Lord, we just thank you.

0:23

We thank you for your multitude of blessings, Lord.

0:26

Father God, we pray your grace and mercy over us each and every one, Lord.

0:30

Um Father God, as we deliberate this agenda item, I pray, Father God, that you protect our hearts, our minds.

0:38

Father God, give us wisdom and just continue to bless us each and every one and bless this great city in Christ Jesus' name.

0:45

I pray.

0:46

Amen.

0:47

Please join me for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:52

Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

1:09

Thank you, Mr.

1:10

Whitaker.

1:10

Appreciate that very much.

1:12

Madam Clerk, would you please call the role?

1:14

Councilmember Bunn.

1:16

Here.

1:16

Councilmember Carey.

1:17

Here.

1:17

Council Member Ike.

1:18

Present.

1:19

Councilmember Newens.

1:20

Here.

1:20

Councilmember Ritter.

1:21

Here.

1:22

Councilmember Ward.

1:23

President.

1:24

Councilmember Whitaker.

1:25

Present.

1:25

Vice Mayor D.K.

1:26

Here.

1:27

Mayor West.

1:28

Here.

1:29

Next is the proposed uh there's the proposed agenda.

1:32

Are there any changes that council members have for the proposed agenda?

1:36

Motion to approve the proposed agenda as presented.

1:38

Thank you, Mr.

1:39

Vice Mayor.

1:40

Thank you.

1:40

Dr.

1:41

Ward.

1:41

Please prepare to vote.

1:43

Please vote.

1:44

And Madam Clerk, please record.

1:47

Motion to approve the proposed agenda as presented is adopted by a 9-0 vote.

1:53

We have a special presentation.

1:54

We'll do in just a moment.

1:56

Before I do, I would like to uh recognize a special guest that we have here tonight.

2:01

Miss LaBarba Cuffey, former uh city manager's wife, Miss Cuffy.

2:06

Thank you for being here.

2:07

Would you please stand?

2:16

Mr.

2:16

Cuffy gave so much to this uh city, and I know as being his wife, it was quite a sacrifice to have to give up so much of his family time.

2:26

At this time, well, actually, before I introduce the uh 757 Colts, I want to also recognize Mr.

2:33

James uh Simons.

2:35

He is uh one of the founders of of this league, and so thank you for being here, sir.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Land Use and Zoning█████████████████████████25%
Procedural██████████████14%
Affordable Housing███████████11%
Community Engagement████████8%
Historic Preservation████████8%
Education██████6%
Traffic Management██████6%
Public Engagement█████5%
Transportation Safety███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Chesapeake City Council Meeting – February 20, 2024

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Rick West. After invocation and pledge, the council recognized the 757 Colts youth football team for consecutive national championships. The primary agenda item was a public hearing and council vote on Ashburn Meadows, a proposed 131.8-acre PUD rezoning. After hearing 37 speakers, council approved the rezoning 7-2. Unfinished and new business followed.

Special Recognition

  • Virginia United Youth Football League – 757 Colts: Head Coach Levon Jenkins, President Renee Spence, and team were honored for winning back-to-back national championships in 2022 and 2023. Councilmember Don Carey addressed the team.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • In opposition: Jennifer Knight (Historic Preservation Commission), Louis Carideo, Ashley King (Caroon Farms Civic League), James Meff, Jeff Staples, Mike Higgins, Christine Higgins, Shani Yourman, Jennifer Economy, David Kemether, Mark Williamson, Fred Garrett, Paul Von Mosch, Linda Tindell, Rhonda Lucas, Jean Strosahl, Vic Nicholls, and others. Concerns included: loss of historic farmhouse (c. 1870) and cemetery, school overcrowding (Southeastern Elementary at 135% capacity), traffic congestion, density incompatibility with surrounding low-density neighborhoods, impact on wetlands and wildlife, campaign finance questions, and adequacy of infrastructure.
  • In support: Grady Palmer (agent, Williams Mullen), Robert Prodan (Home Associates of VA), Paulette Amburn (co-owner), Thomas Retnauer (architect, questions only), Seth Quick (YIMBY Hampton Roads), David Ropp (Chesapeake Alliance), Gary Lundholm (The Real Estate Group), Hank Chitwood (Shoreside Electric), Laurie Ayers, Ryan Easterday, Tony Kantirakis (Stephens Contracting), Ian Hill (A&W Contractors, questions only), Diana Tharp, Mark Richardson (Timmons Group). Supporters emphasized: local economic benefits, Edinburgh Parkway extension and water line loop improving connectivity and utility resilience, housing price points ($424,000-$800,000+), quality construction, community support, and consistency with smart growth principles.

Council Discussion

  • Councilmember Ike asked the applicant if any undisclosed person or entity was paid to lobby council or planning commission; Grady Palmer answered no.
  • Mayor West and Planning Director James McNamara discussed: the site’s split comprehensive plan designation (Office/Research and Low Density Residential); the land use plan is one of many policies; the storage unit would generate less traffic than a by-right office park.
  • Development and Permits Director Jay Tate addressed: Edinburgh Parkway extension through a small wetlands area is feasible; completing the road to Hanbury will improve north-south travel; traffic on Hanbury and Battlefield will be mitigated as trips shift to Edinburgh Parkway.
  • Public Utilities Director David Jurgens explained: the proposed water line loop would serve 1,500+ residents and 68 businesses in Edinburgh, providing redundancy currently lacking; a single 1979 water main on Battlefield currently serves the entire area.
  • Councilmember Ritter voiced opposition, citing incompatibility with the suburban overlay district’s lower-density character and school capacity concerns.
  • Councilmember Bunn asked about stormwater management; Jay Tate confirmed compliance with the master drainage plan.

Key Outcomes

  • Motion by Councilmember Ike, seconded by Councilmember Carey: To approve PLN-PUDC-2022-003 (Ashburn Meadows) with the Master Development Plan dated November 16, 2023, the revised Development Criteria dated January 17, 2024, and the Public Utilities Franchise Area expansion request.
  • Vote: 7 in favor (Bunn, Carey, Ike, Newins, Ward, West, Whitaker); 2 opposed (de Triquet, Ritter).
  • New Business:
    • Councilmember Whitaker requested an initiating resolution to amend the zoning ordinance to allow the R-6 district on additional property in the Urban Overlay District via rezoning. (To be placed on a future agenda.)
    • Councilmember Newins asked staff to bring options for expediting curbside recycling and expanding the current program; Mayor West requested improved public communication on recycling plans.
    • Councilmember Ritter requested work sessions to discuss the budget, including potential real estate tax reduction, personal property tax relief, and funding for capital needs (e.g., fire stations, police precincts).
    • Councilmember Ward raised concerns about Lumos contractor water line strikes in Oak Manor; City Manager Price said Deputy City Manager Fitzpatrick would follow up.
    • Councilmember Bunn asked for open space funding information in the upcoming budget.
  • No unfinished business or closed session.

Meeting Transcript

Mayor West. Mayor West, we have a quorum. Thank you, Mr. Vice Mayor. Council is now in session. I would like to ask Councilmember Whitaker to lead us now on the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Father God, Lord, we just thank you. We thank you for your multitude of blessings, Lord. Father God, we pray your grace and mercy over us each and every one, Lord. Um Father God, as we deliberate this agenda item, I pray, Father God, that you protect our hearts, our minds. Father God, give us wisdom and just continue to bless us each and every one and bless this great city in Christ Jesus' name. I pray. Amen. Please join me for the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. Thank you, Mr. Whitaker. Appreciate that very much. Madam Clerk, would you please call the role? Councilmember Bunn. Here. Councilmember Carey. Here. Council Member Ike. Present. Councilmember Newens. Here. Councilmember Ritter. Here. Councilmember Ward. President. Councilmember Whitaker. Present. Vice Mayor D.K. Here. Mayor West. Here. Next is the proposed uh there's the proposed agenda. Are there any changes that council members have for the proposed agenda? Motion to approve the proposed agenda as presented. Thank you, Mr. Vice Mayor. Thank you. Dr. Ward. Please prepare to vote. Please vote. And Madam Clerk, please record. Motion to approve the proposed agenda as presented is adopted by a 9-0 vote. We have a special presentation.

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