Chesapeake City Council Meeting – October 24, 2026

The Chesapeake City Council convened on October 24, 2026 (note: the official agenda and minutes are dated October 20, 2026) at 6:30 PM in City Hall Council Chamber. The council considered 13 public hearing items including rezonings, conditional use permits, text amendments, and a comprehensive plan amendment, all recommended by the Planning Commission. Votes ranged from unanimous to closely divided. The meeting also included new business discussions and a motion for a closed meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item A (2728 Battlefield LLC Rezoning): Mike Sweeney, representing the applicant, spoke in favor. He introduced the Sharp family as local business owners, highlighted support from Hickory United Methodist Church and neighbor Kay Bailey, and emphasized the low-impact nature of their concrete finishing business. No opposing speakers.
• Item B (Tidewater Express Rezoning): Brandon Currence, architect, spoke in support, detailing the site plan, traffic improvements, enhanced buffers, and building design. Additional speakers (Michael Pelfrey, John Pelfrey, Brian Madden, Jay Hobbs, Jason Cs, David Locke) were available for questions only.
• Items F & G (Battlefield Blvd Tattoo Parlor): Vic Nichols (self) commented generally about business locations. Spencer Cacuzo, an employee and Chesapeake resident, spoke passionately in favor, citing support for the arts, local economic growth, and the personal connections fostered by tattoo studios.
• Item H (1500 Steel Street Container Stacking): Rob Beaman, attorney for the applicant, and Brandon Musick were available for questions only.
• Item I (Debaun Self Storage): Jason Cs available for questions only.
• Item J (St. Brides Rd Communication Tower): Woody Gibson available for questions only.

Discussion Items

• Item A: Council members discussed the appropriate SIC code for the applicant’s concrete finishing business. Councilman Whitaker asked why a conditional use permit was not pursued instead of a rezoning; staff explained that proffers strictly limit uses to two SIC codes. Councilman King questioned the use of “concrete work” versus “concrete finishing.” Vice Mayor Ritter raised a broader concern about the clarity of SIC codes and suggested a future review.
• Items F & G: Vice Mayor Ritter expressed strong opposition, arguing the tattoo parlor was incompatible with the Great Bridge Historic Gateway Overlay District and that the current B-1 zoning already permits many commercial uses. He stated the applicant had not overcome the presumption against conditional uses. The items passed by a narrow 5-4 vote.
• Items L & M (Solar/Battery Storage State Code Updates): These items generated the most extensive deliberation. Vice Mayor Ritter explained he would vote against because the state mandates remove local control over siting of battery energy storage facilities (BESS). He noted that the General Assembly, after a previous local controversy, had made BESS conditional in all zones, but the new state law reversed that, returning them to by-right status. Councilman Whitaker asked the city attorney about the legal consequences of a no vote; she replied that a no would violate state law and likely fail in court. Councilwoman Newins said she felt an ethical obligation to vote yes to follow the law, even though she agrees with the Vice Mayor’s sentiments. Councilman Ward expressed disappointment that state regulations did not become more stringent, referencing a prior council decision to place a BESS facility on Trade Street, which he found unsafe due to limited egress. Councilman Jeffries echoed support for the Vice Mayor’s points but felt bound by the law. Both items passed 6-3, with Bunn, Ritter, and Whitaker voting no.
• Item H (Container Stacking): Councilman Smith inquired about truck traffic routes and the reduction of maximum stacking height from five to four. Staff confirmed the revision and stated any future change would require council approval. Councilman Ward emphasized the importance of enforcing the four-container limit.
• Item I (Debaun Self Storage): Councilman Smith asked about the number of floors (four). No further debate.

New Business

• Councilman Newins requested that city staff prepare a proposal to honor police, fire, and sheriff K9s that die in the line of duty, following the recent death of K9 Cinco.
• Vice Mayor Ritter requested staff review SIC codes that are frequently difficult to apply. She also raised concerns about the cumulative impact of industrial-scale development in the Fentress Overlay District, noting heavy truck traffic on narrow roads, and the safety of Mount Pleasant Road, which has seen several fatal accidents. She asked staff to examine these issues.
• Councilman Bunn announced the “World of Works” program held at the Chesapeake Conference Center, which gave middle school students exposure to various city departments.

Key Outcomes

| Agenda Item | Description | Vote | Notes | |---|---|---|---| | A (PLN-REZ-2025-013) | Rezoning of 13.6 acres to M-1, Light Industrial, with proffers | 8-0 (Newins abstained) | Approved | | B (PLN-REZ-2025-023) | Rezoning of 42 acres to M-2 and C-1, with proffers | 9-0 | Approved | | C (PLN-USE-2025-050) | Conditional use permit for towing service with outside storage | 9-0 | Approved with stipulation (no stacking vehicles) | | D (PLN-REZ-2026-003) | Rezoning of 0.29 acres to B-5, Urban Business | 9-0 | Approved with proffer | | E (PLN-USE-2026-010) | Conditional use permit for contractor outdoor storage | 9-0 | Approved with stipulations | | F (PLN-REZ-2026-005) | Rezoning of 0.44 acres to B-2, General Business (tattoo parlor) | 5-4 (Bunn, Ritter, West, Newins opposed) | Approved with proffers | | G (PLN-USE-2026-009) | Conditional use permit for tattoo parlor | 5-4 (same dissenters) | Approved with stipulation | | H (PLN-USE-2025-049) | Container stacking conditional use permit | 9-0 | Approved with revised stipulation (max 4 containers high) | | I (PLN-USE-2026-017) | Self-storage facility conditional use permit | 9-0 | Approved with stipulations | | J (PLN-USE-CT-2026-003) | Communications tower conditional use permit (199 ft) | 9-0 | Approved with stipulations | | K (PLN-TXT-2026-002) | Zoning text amendments for state code updates (various) | 8-1 (Ritter opposed) | Approved, retroactive to July 1, 2026 | | L (PLN-TXT-2026-003) | Zoning text amendments for solar/battery storage state code updates | 6-3 (Bunn, Ritter, Whitaker opposed) | Approved, retroactive to July 1, 2026 | | M (PLN-COMP-2026-003) | Comprehensive Plan amendment for battery energy storage system policy | 6-3 (same dissenters) | Approved, retroactive to July 1, 2026 | | Closed Meeting | Motion to hold a closed meeting on October 27, 2026 at 5:15 PM | 9-0 | Approved |

The meeting adjourned at 7:42 PM.