Chesapeake Planning Commission Public Hearing – September 13, 2023\n\nThe Chesapeake Planning Commission held a public hearing on September 13, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers. Commissioners Crews and Turner were excused. The meeting covered five agenda items: three consent items and two regular agenda items. All items were approved, with two amendments made to the regular agenda items. The meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m.\n\n### Consent Calendar\n- PLN-USE-2023-025 (Get Loose Golf): Approved (6–0; Forbes/Sgueglia) with stipulations including a 6-foot opaque privacy fence, enhanced buffer with 3-foot berm and 30% more plant material, new 30-foot commercial entrance on Hawthorne, and a 10-foot right-of-way reservation.\n- PLN-USE-2023-008 (Like Home Coffee and Treats Church): Approved (6–0; Forbes/Sgueglia) with stipulations requiring a backflow preventer and a hydro-mechanical grease interceptor.\n- PLN-TXT-2023-008 (Animal Cremation Services): Approved (6–0; Forbes/Sgueglia) to permit animal cremation as a conditional use in business and industrial districts.\n\n### Public Comments & Testimony\n- On Get Loose Golf: John Morgan spoke in support and was available for questions. No opposition was voiced.\n- On Battery Energy Storage (PLN-TXT-2023-005): Bill Mapps (1816 Cedar Road, Chesapeake) spoke in opposition, citing environmental concerns from battery production, disposal, and potential toxic gases. He expressed worry about a facility near his home.\n- On Currie Ave. Tow Yard (PLN-USE-2022-049): Applicant Paul Ezieme spoke in support and requested modification of stipulation #8 to allow a chain link fence instead of wooden opaque fencing, citing durability and neighborhood compatibility.\n\n### Discussion Items\n- Battery Energy Storage Text Amendment (PLN-TXT-2023-005): Senior Planner Alyssa Neil presented staff findings recommending approval. Commissioner Gerloff proposed two amendments: (1) remove battery storage as a conditional use in conservation districts, and (2) instead of listing battery storage as not permitted in residential and business districts, amend the existing line for SIC 491 Electric Services to read "Electric Services, except for battery energy storage system" to maintain consistency with zoning ordinance format. The Planning Director clarified that the amendment aims to regulate battery storage separately from general electric services and would require a conditional use permit only in designated districts. The commission approved the text amendment as amended (6–0; Gerloff/Gilbert).\n- Currie Ave. Tow Yard (PLN-USE-2022-049): Planner Summer Peebles presented staff findings. After the applicant's request, the commission discussed the fencing stipulation. Staff recommended chain link with slats if amended. Commissioner Sgueglia supported the change, noting wood deterioration. Assistant City Attorney Titter advised that the stipulation could be amended on the floor. The commission approved the application with amended stipulation #8 requiring a chain link fence with sufficient opaque netting or lattice to screen the use (6–0; Sgueglia/Gerloff).\n\n### Key Outcomes\n- PLN-TXT-2023-005 (Battery Energy Storage): APPROVED as amended (6–0; Gerloff/Gilbert). Amendments: removed conservation districts as a conditional use; altered residential/business district treatment by amending the Electric Services line rather than adding a "not permitted" entry.\n- PLN-USE-2022-049 (Currie Ave. Tow Yard): APPROVED with amended stipulation #8 (6–0; Sgueglia/Gerloff). Amended stipulation requires chain link fence with opaque netting or lattice instead of wooden fencing.\n- All consent items were APPROVED (6–0; Forbes/Sgueglia).\n- The September 27, 2023, Planning Commission Public Hearing was CANCELLED by unanimous consent due to no business.