Chesapeake City Council Meeting – December 17, 2024

The Chesapeake City Council met on December 17, 2024, at 6:30 PM in City Hall Council Chamber. The meeting included a moment of silence for two fallen officers, an announcement about a Gary Sinise Foundation home for a disabled veteran, public hearings on ten planning and non‑planning items, and a regular agenda item for a time extension. The council approved or denied multiple rezonings, conditional use permits, and ordinance amendments, with several items generating extensive public comment. Key decisions included the approval of the 172.5‑acre Springton at Grassfield PUD (6‑2) and the denial of the Empowerment Events Venue conditional use permit (9‑0) due to public safety concerns.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Springton at Grassfield (Item A): 14 speakers supported the project (including representatives from Dragas Associates, the Humane Society, YIMBY Hampton Roads, and local businesses) and 9 speakers opposed it (residents from adjacent rural areas, a Historic Preservation Commission representative, and others). Supporters cited the need for diverse housing, $25 M in private infrastructure investment, and the project’s alignment with the Dominion Boulevard Corridor study. Opponents raised concerns about school overcrowding (Grassfield Elementary at 180% capacity), loss of rural character, traffic, drainage impacts, and wildlife habitat.
• The Commons Accelerated Proffer Modification (Item B): 2 speakers supported (developer, architect) and 3 opposed (residents of Eagle Point and West Road). Opponents argued the reduction of commercial space from 233,000 to 20,000 square feet was a “bait‑and‑switch” and that the project would further overcrowd schools and roads.
• Steel Street Containers (Item F): 2 speakers supported (real estate agent and adjacent owner) and 1 opposed (resident citing environmental justice concerns).
• Indian River Veterinary Hospital Time Extension (Regular Agenda): The applicant, Teresa Bracy, was present for questions only; no other speakers.

Discussion Items

• Springton at Grassfield (Item A): Council Member Newins raised a concern about a multi‑use trail interfering with a driveway on Dressage Trail; the developer agreed to revisit the design. Planning Director McNamara explained that staff recommended denial due to a “accumulation of small design considerations,” including the placement of commercial uses and by‑right allowances for gas stations and mini‑storage. Council Member Newins voted no citing school overcrowding; Council Member Bunn also voted no. Council Member West spoke in favor of the project’s mix of housing. The motion to approve with the revised development criteria (November 18, 2024) passed 6‑2 (Ritter abstained).
• The Commons (Item B): Council Member Carey questioned the drop in guaranteed commercial square footage; the developer stated the previous amount would likely remain vacant. Council Member Ritter noted the project is infill multifamily with existing infrastructure, and the residents of Eagle Point had accepted the revised plans. Vice Mayor de Triquet expressed concern about future modifications but voted yes. The motion passed 7‑2 (Bunn and Carey opposed).
• Empowerment Events Venue (Item E): Council Member Carey moved to deny based on public safety concerns highlighted by Assistant Chief Landfair, who reported 99 calls for service at the shopping center in two years, including multiple shootings. The motion passed 9‑0.
• Steel Street Containers (Item F): Council Member Ritter opposed because the ordinance previously allowed stacking four high, not five; she stated she could not support the current stipulation. The motion passed 7‑1 (Carey out of chamber).
• Home Office Shed (Item C): The applicant argued that stipulation 3 (limiting use to applicants) contradicts the zoning ordinance. The council and attorney clarified that the ordinance allows such conditions; the motion to approve with all stipulations passed 9‑0.
• Yadkin BESS (Items H & I): Council Member Carey commended the developer’s community outreach; both motions passed 9‑0.
• Regular Agenda – Indian River Veterinary Hospital: The one‑year time extension to December 21, 2025, was approved 9‑0 without discussion.

Key Outcomes

• PLN‑PUDC‑2023‑001 Springton at Grassfield: Approved 6‑2 (Ritter abstained) with Development Criteria dated November 18, 2024, Master Development Plan dated May 1, 2024, and Public Utilities Franchise Area expansion. The developer committed to delaying the first building permit until the new Culpepper Landing Elementary School requests a building permit, and no residential occupancy before July 1, 2027.
• PLN‑PUDM‑2020‑007 The Commons Accelerated Proffer Modification: Approved 7‑2 with amended Development Criteria and Master Development Plan dated October 7, 2024. Commercial space reduced from ~233,000 to 20,000 square feet; five‑year trigger for commercial construction before phase two residential.
• PLN‑USE‑2024‑032 Home Office Shed: Approved 9‑0 with three stipulations (no customers, office use only, limited to applicants).
• PLN‑USE‑2024‑035 Tranquil Pooch: Approved 9‑0 with four stipulations (dog grooming only, one customer at a time, hours 8 AM–6 PM, limited to applicants).
• PLN‑USE‑2024‑036 Empowerment Events Venue: Denied 9‑0 on grounds of presumed incompatibility, public safety concerns, and incompatibility with the surrounding community.
• PLN‑USE‑2024‑041 Steel Street Containers: Approved 7‑1 (Carey absent) with stipulations including maximum stacking of five containers, Knox Box, and undisturbed landscape buffer.
• PLN‑TXT‑2024‑009 Minor Subdivisions Amendment: Approved 9‑0.
• PLN‑REZ‑2024‑011 Yadkin BESS Rezoning: Approved 9‑0 with proffer limiting development to battery storage system.
• PLN‑USE‑2024‑030 Yadkin BESS Conditional Use Permit: Approved 9‑0 with eight stipulations including setbacks, fencing, landscaping, and decommissioning.
• Resolution #24‑R‑073 (DEQ Easements): Approved 9‑0.
• Regular Agenda – PLN‑USE‑2021‑027 Indian River Veterinary Hospital Time Extension: Approved 9‑0 extending the permit to December 21, 2025.