Chesapeake City Council Meeting – January 20, 2026

The Chesapeake City Council met on January 20, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall Council Chamber, 306 Cedar Road. The meeting included a public hearing on nine planning items, a regular agenda item, and citizen comments. The council approved most items, denied a Royal Farms rezoning, and adopted the 2045 Chesapeake Comprehensive Plan. The meeting was recessed from 6:31 p.m. to 6:36 p.m. due to technical difficulties and adjourned at 8:23 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda: Unanimous (9–0).
• Approval of Minutes: No separate item; minutes were approved as part of the agenda.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item D – Royal Farms (PLN‑REZ‑2025‑014): The applicant requested a continuance to February 17, 2026, but no council member offered a motion. Thirteen citizens spoke in opposition, citing concerns about traffic, safety, noise, pollution, crime, devaluation of property, and proximity to an Amazon fulfillment center. Speakers included Bernadette Jackson‑Ford, Tyrone Ford, Corey Young, Stacey Sherry, Robin Hayes, Lavita McIntyre, Kristen Bowman (attorney for Jolliff Landing homeowners), Jeremy Bowman, Bryan Fagan, and Evgeniya Taylor. Three speakers (Tyler Rosa, Tom Ruszin, Greg Schmitt) spoke in support on behalf of Royal Farms.
• Item H – 2045 Comprehensive Plan: Six speakers addressed the plan. Rogard Ross (Chesapeake Sustainability Network) and Bill Young (Chesapeake Alliance) spoke in support, with reservations. Melany Ploof (Plantation Lakes), Laura Pohl, Vanessa Butler, and Elizabeth Ayers spoke in opposition, raising concerns about road widening (Volvo Parkway), water line connections (West Road), and congestion.
• Non‑Agenda Item: J.R. Ferguson spoke about an alleged elder abuse case involving a city employee.

Discussion Items

• Item A – Bainbridge Blvd SNBOD Residential (PLN‑USE‑2025‑014): Continued from December 16, 2025. The Planning Commission recommended denial; the applicant proposed revised stipulations (Nov. 19, 2025) including a 20‑foot setback from streets (instead of 14 ft) and removal of existing entrances. Planning staff recommended approval. Council approved 8–1 (Vice Mayor Ritter voted no).
• Item B – Patrick Street Rezoning (PLN‑REZ‑2024‑020): Reclassification of 0.27 acres from B‑1 to R‑8. Staff and Planning Commission recommended approval. Approved unanimously (9–0).
• Item C – Hanbury Manor Section 4 (PLN‑REZ‑2025‑008): Rezoning of 3 acres to R‑10s for up to 11 single‑family homes, with proffers including a $3,000 per‑unit cash contribution for schools, transport, and emergency services. Approved unanimously (9–0).
• Item D – Royal Farms Rezoning (PLN‑REZ‑2025‑014): Proposed rezoning of 4 acres to B‑2 for a gas station and convenience store. The applicant requested a continuance; no motion was made. Council heard public comments and then Vice Mayor Ritter moved to deny, citing viable use under current zoning and traffic concerns. Council members Jefferies, King, and Ward elaborated on tractor‑trailer traffic and negative community impacts. Motion denied unanimously (9–0).
• Item E – Royal Farms Use Permit (PLN‑USE‑2025‑033): Not considered due to denial of the rezoning (Item D).
• Item F – American Legion Grassfield (PLN‑USE‑2025‑042): Conditional use permit for a private membership club in a shopping center. Approved 8–0 (Council Member Whitaker absent).
• Item G – Involuntarily Removed Billboards (PLN‑TXT‑2025‑009): Text amendment to allow City Council to modify setback requirements for billboards removed involuntarily. Approved unanimously (9–0).
• Item H – 2045 Chesapeake Comprehensive Plan (PLN‑COMP‑2025‑003): Resolution to adopt the plan. After public comments, City Manager Price explained that the widening of Volvo Parkway is not an active project and that alternatives (east‑west connections) are being pursued. Council Member Newins proposed four additions: (1) conservation landscaping practices, (2) broader environmental education, (3) encouragement of public art amenities, and (4) promotion of agritourism/agribusiness. She also requested the late Vice Mayor Dr. John M. de Triquet be acknowledged. Vice Mayor Ritter noted the plan is aspirational and stressed the need for a list of rural area policies and a status update on West Road water connections. Approved unanimously (9–0). Note: The resolution (26‑R‑006) contained incorrect dates; a corrected version (26‑R‑008) was adopted on January 27, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Votes:
  • Item A: Approved 8–1 (Vice Mayor Ritter dissenting).
  • Item B: Approved 9–0.
  • Item C: Approved 9–0.
  • Item D: Denied 9–0.
  • Item F: Approved 8–0 (Whitaker absent).
  • Item G: Approved 9–0.
  • Item H: Approved 9–0.
  • Regular Agenda (Right‑of‑Way Agreement with Dominion Energy): Approved 9–0.
• Directives:
  • Staff to explore whether 15,000 square feet is necessary for a freestanding billboard (requested by Vice Mayor Ritter).
  • Staff to investigate synchronization of traffic lights on Battlefield Boulevard, Greenbrier Parkway, and Portsmouth Boulevard (requested by Council Member Ward).
  • Staff to explore allowing temporary outdoor storage of non‑inert materials (e.g., trees and debris) via a conditional use permit process (requested by Council Member Whitaker).
• Closed Meeting: Scheduled for January 27, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. to interview candidates for multiple boards and commissions. Motion approved 9–0. If the city is closed due to weather, the meeting automatically moves to the next business day.