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Record of Proceedings

Chesapeake Planning Commission Public Hearing - December 11, 2024

Planning Commission — Wednesday, December 11, 2024
BodyChesapeake, Virginia
SessionPlanning Commission
DateWednesday, December 11, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 8:00:02

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
6:18

Okay, you were not working before, right?

6:19

No, I was working.

9:45

I have not seen my face.

9:47

I've not seen it.

9:48

Mark has done me from working.

9:51

And so is that there too.

10:02

Carrie OK.

10:07

Okay, we're good.

10:09

Oh yeah.

10:10

Is your mic good?

10:11

No.

10:19

Not really.

10:23

I used to be a part of a group called Solstice at the tech.

10:26

And that was a uh it was a beatboxing like Acapella group.

10:32

Everybody had learned that.

10:34

Yeah.

10:35

Basically.

10:43

Oh, yeah.

10:44

So we're going to get it topic on this movie.

10:54

All right.

10:56

$16 for the same.

11:01

So where are we starting to do?

11:08

Just gonna pray.

11:09

We don't have any speakers today.

11:11

You're gonna have some.

11:13

Not if the weather matters.

11:14

Oh should be a really nice update.

11:21

I guess you're still gonna knock.

11:24

Is that happening?

11:40

Oh cry.

11:42

Miss my email.

11:50

There you go.

11:54

Good evening, everybody.

11:56

The planning commission pre-meeting for December 11th, 2024 is now in session.

12:00

Welcome to our pre-meeting.

12:01

Thank you for taking part in the business of our city as well as for your patience as we work through some technical difficulties.

12:08

I'd like to welcome everybody here tonight.

12:11

It's the grand finale for three of our commissioners, Commissioner Stickler, Commissioner Forbes, Commissioner Gilbert.

12:18

So we're certainly gonna miss them next year as they cycle off the commission.

12:23

And it's exciting that we have two of our new commissioners here with us this evening, Nat Williams and Michael Malone.

12:29

Glad to have you guys with us and look forward to you joining us next year.

12:34

All right, so the first order of business tonight is the agenda overview discussion.

12:38

We have a total of six applications, of which two applications are for continuance or withdrawal.

12:44

Mr.

12:45

Bostwick, would you please provide the commission with an overview of the continuance applications?

12:50

Yes, good evening, Mr.

12:51

Chairman and Commissioners.

12:53

We have PLN dash USC 2024 requesting a 30-day continuance.

13:01

And the street closure 2024 is requesting an indefinite continuance.

13:07

Thank you, sir.

13:10

All right.

13:10

Thank you.

13:11

Commissioners, any comments uh or questions regarding these items?

13:15

All right, with any objection, these items will be placed on the continuance portion of the agenda.

13:21

All right, so now we will review the remaining items and we'll determine placement on either the consent or the regular agenda.

13:29

So the first item is agenda item one public safety training academy public utilities franchise area expansion.

13:35

Mr.

13:36

Finn, any updates for us?

13:41

Good evening, Commissioners.

13:42

I have no updates on this application, and I will form you that staff has received seven comments in total, uh, four comments submitted online in opposition, and then three emails submitted to an opposition in the remaining uh just for questions.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Miscellaneous███████████████████████████████████████39%
Public Safety█████████9%
Procedural████████8%
Planning And Development████4%
Historic Preservation████4%
Environmental Protection████4%
Agricultural Conservation████4%
Arts And Culture████4%
Public Utility Franchise███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Chesapeake Planning Commission Public Hearing

The Chesapeake Planning Commission held a public hearing on December 11, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the City Council Chamber. The meeting addressed six applications, including continuances, a consent item, and regular agenda items involving a comprehensive plan amendment, a zoning text amendment, and design guidelines. The meeting also included the election of officers for 2025 and recognition of outgoing commissioners.

Consent Calendar

  • PLN-USE-2024-038 (Hickory Tow Yard): Approved unanimously (9-0) with four stipulations, including fluid drainage, opaque slat screening on fencing, installation of a Knox Box lock for emergency access, and maintenance of an existing landscape buffer.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • PLN-COMP-2024-002 (PSTA and Surrounding Parcels PUFA Expansion): Two residents spoke in opposition. Jennifer Knight (1232 Ballahack Road) requested a continuance to allow the community to have questions answered regarding costs, well/septic impacts, pipe routes, historical site preservation, and potential for further development. Vic Nicholls (1124 Mill Lake Quarter) echoed concerns about project costs and questioned the need for public utilities in the rural area.
  • PLN-TXT-2024-011 (Nonconforming Uses): Brian Plumley (4705 Columbus Street, attorney) spoke in opposition, arguing the proposed ordinance exceeds state authority by forfeiting vested rights after a 30-day cure period without proper due process, and that the public was not given adequate notice.
  • PLN-TXT-2024-012 (South Norfolk Historic District Design Guidelines): Katie Paulson (Commonwealth Preservation Group) spoke in support and was available for questions.

Discussion Items

  • PLN-COMP-2024-002: Staff recommended approval to expand the Public Utility Franchise Area (PUFA) to include seven city-owned parcels southwest of Saint Brides Road and Battlefield Boulevard South, exempt from the coterminous policy, to support a Public Safety Training Academy, Heritage Park, and water treatment plant. Commissioner Hackworth questioned the impact on these projects if denied; Planning Director McNamara confirmed the projects are in design phase and dependent on public utilities. Commissioner Gerloff opposed citing concerns about precedent. Motion to approve carried 8–1 (Gerloff opposed).
  • PLN-TXT-2024-011: Staff recommended approval of an ordinance amending regulations for expansion of lawful nonconforming uses, creating a 30-day notice and forfeiture mechanism. Commissioner Steiner expressed concern about potential violation of property rights and moved to continue for 30 days for legal review. The motion carried 8–1 (Stichler opposed).
  • PLN-TXT-2024-012: Staff recommended approval of updated South Norfolk Historic District Design Guidelines. Commissioner Hackworth noted the 326-page document changes and moved to continue 30 days for further review and community comment. The motion carried 7–2 (Crews and Stichler opposed).

Key Outcomes

  • PLN-USE-2024-031 (Homestead Rd Pet Crematorium): Continued 30 days to January 8, 2025 (9–0).
  • PLN-STCL-2024-001 (Beech Street): Continued indefinitely (9–0).
  • PLN-USE-2024-038 (Hickory Tow Yard): Approved with stipulations (9–0).
  • PLN-COMP-2024-002 (PUFA Expansion): Approved (8–1; Gerloff opposed).
  • PLN-TXT-2024-011 (Nonconforming Uses): Continued 30 days (8–1; Stichler opposed).
  • PLN-TXT-2024-012 (South Norfolk Historic District Design Guidelines): Continued 30 days (7–2; Crews and Stichler opposed).

Business Items

  • Meeting Cancellation: The December 25, 2024 meeting was canceled by unanimous consent due to no business.
  • Election of Officers: Joshua Gerloff was re-elected Chair, Clinton Crews as Vice Chair, and David Hackworth as Secretary, all by 9–0 votes. Gilbert Bostwick was reappointed as Recording Secretary by acclamation.
  • Recognition: Outgoing Commissioners Eric Stichler, Kristina Forbes, and Harold Gilbert were recognized for their service.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, you were not working before, right? No, I was working. I have not seen my face. I've not seen it. Mark has done me from working. And so is that there too. Carrie OK. Okay, we're good. Oh yeah. Is your mic good? No. Not really. I used to be a part of a group called Solstice at the tech. And that was a uh it was a beatboxing like Acapella group. Everybody had learned that. Yeah. Basically. Oh, yeah. So we're going to get it topic on this movie. All right. $16 for the same. So where are we starting to do? Just gonna pray. We don't have any speakers today. You're gonna have some. Not if the weather matters. Oh should be a really nice update. I guess you're still gonna knock. Is that happening? Oh cry. Miss my email. There you go. Good evening, everybody. The planning commission pre-meeting for December 11th, 2024 is now in session. Welcome to our pre-meeting. Thank you for taking part in the business of our city as well as for your patience as we work through some technical difficulties. I'd like to welcome everybody here tonight. It's the grand finale for three of our commissioners, Commissioner Stickler, Commissioner Forbes, Commissioner Gilbert. So we're certainly gonna miss them next year as they cycle off the commission. And it's exciting that we have two of our new commissioners here with us this evening, Nat Williams and Michael Malone. Glad to have you guys with us and look forward to you joining us next year. All right, so the first order of business tonight is the agenda overview discussion. We have a total of six applications, of which two applications are for continuance or withdrawal. Mr. Bostwick, would you please provide the commission with an overview of the continuance applications? Yes, good evening, Mr. Chairman and Commissioners. We have PLN dash USC 2024 requesting a 30-day continuance. And the street closure 2024 is requesting an indefinite continuance. Thank you, sir.

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