Chesapeake City Council Meeting – October 20, 2026

The Chesapeake City Council met on October 20, 2026, at 6:30 PM in City Hall Council Chamber to conduct a public hearing on 13 planning items, including rezoning requests, conditional use permits, and text amendments to the zoning ordinance. The meeting also included a closed session authorization and new business items. All votes were recorded, with several items passing by divided margins.

Discussion Items

• Item A (PLN‑REZ‑2025‑013): Reclassification of 13.6 acres from A‑1 to M‑1 (Light Industrial) for a contractor/concrete use at 2728 Battlefield Blvd. S. Councilmember Newins abstained; the item passed 8‑0.
• Item B (PLN‑REZ‑2025‑023) & Item C (PLN‑USE‑2025‑050): Tidewater Express Inc. – 42 acres reclassified to M‑2 (20 ac) and C‑1 (22 ac) with a conditional use permit for a towing storage yard at 4168 S. Military Hwy. Both passed 9‑0.
• Item D (PLN‑REZ‑2026‑003) & Item E (PLN‑USE‑2026‑010): Jerry Harris Remodeling – rezoning 0.29 acres to B‑5 and conditional use permit for outdoor storage at 1328 22nd St. & 906 B St. Passed 9‑0.
• Item F (PLN‑REZ‑2026‑005) & Item G (PLN‑USE‑2026‑009): Battlefield Blvd Tattoo Parlor – rezoning 0.44 acres from B‑1 to B‑2 and conditional use permit for a tattoo parlor at 202 Battlefield Blvd. Passed 5‑4 (Bunn, Ritter, West, Newins voted no).
• Item H (PLN‑USE‑2025‑049): 1500 Steel Street Container Stacking – conditional use permit for container stacking. The agenda listed a revised stipulation limiting stacks to four (4) high, but the minutes state “four (4) high five (5) high,” which appears to be a transcription error. The final approved stipulation limited containers to four (4) high. Passed 9‑0.
• Item I (PLN‑USE‑2026‑017): Debaun Self Storage – conditional use permit for a self‑storage facility at 1652 Debaun Ave. Passed 9‑0.
• Item J (PLN‑USE‑CT‑2026‑003): St. Brides Rd Communication Tower – conditional use permit for a 199‑foot tower at 244 Saint Brides Rd. W. Passed 9‑0.
• Item K (PLN‑TXT‑2026‑002): State Code Updates – ordinance amending zoning sections for wireless facilities, manufactured housing, parking, and small lot districts. Passed 8‑1 (Ritter voted no).
• Item L (PLN‑TXT‑2026‑003): Solar and Battery Energy Storage System State Code Updates – ordinance to align local regulations with recent changes to the Code of Virginia. Vice Mayor Ritter spoke passionately against the state mandate, stating it silenced local government and citizens. Councilwoman Newins and Councilman Jefferies expressed similar concerns but felt obligated to follow state law. Councilman Ward noted his disappointment that the state did not tighten regulations as he had hoped. Passed 6‑3 (Bunn, Ritter, Whitaker voted no).
• Item M (PLN‑COMP‑2026‑003): Comprehensive Plan Amendment for Battery Energy Storage Systems – policy update to be consistent with the Code of Virginia. Discussion echoed Item L, with Vice Mayor Ritter restating his objection to the loss of local control. Councilwoman Newins clarified that a yes vote does not imply support for the state action. Passed 6‑3 (Bunn, Ritter, Whitaker voted no).
• New Business: Councilwoman Newins requested staff to propose a memorial for police, fire, and sheriff canines who die in the line of duty, referencing canine Cinco killed in a line‑of‑duty incident. Vice Mayor Ritter requested staff review problematic Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes and examine industrial‑scale uses in the Fentress Overlay District, citing safety concerns on narrow roads (e.g., Mount Pleasant and Bedford roads). Mayor West announced the successful “World of Works” program for middle school students.

Key Outcomes

• All public hearing items were approved with the following votes:
  • Items A, B, C, D, E, H, I, J: Unanimous or near‑unanimous approval (8‑0 or 9‑0).
  • Items F & G (Tattoo Parlor): Approved 5‑4.
  • Item K (State Code Updates): Approved 8‑1 (Ritter opposed).
  • Items L & M (Solar/Battery Energy Storage State Code Updates): Approved 6‑3 (Bunn, Ritter, Whitaker opposed).
• Closed Meeting Authorization: A motion to conduct a closed meeting on October 27, 2026 at 5:15 PM was approved 9‑0.
• New Business Requests: Staff directed to report on canine memorial, SIC code difficulties, and Fentress Overlay District issues.