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Record of Proceedings

Chesapeake Planning Commission Public Hearing – May 15, 2025

Planning Commission — Thursday, May 15, 2025
BodyChesapeake, Virginia
SessionPlanning Commission
DateThursday, May 15, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 5:42:50

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0:03

Everybody ready.

0:07

All right, good evening, everybody.

0:08

The Planning Commission pre-meeting for May 14th, 2025 is now in session.

0:13

Welcome to our pre-meeting tonight.

0:15

Thank you for taking part in the business of our city.

0:18

Before we get going, I would like to uh welcome a new uh commissioner this evening, Mr.

0:23

Clayton Sprule.

0:24

Thank you.

0:25

You're welcome.

0:25

Uh we're glad to have you on board.

0:28

All right.

0:29

The first order of business tonight is the agenda overview discussion.

0:32

We have a total of nine applications, of which one application is for continuance or withdrawal.

0:38

Mr.

0:39

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

0:45

Yes, good evening, Mr.

0:46

Chairman and Commissioners.

0:47

We have one request for a continuance and none for a withdrawal.

0:51

The applicant for item number three, PLN-USC-2024-040.

0:57

Take by Battlefield Bill Board has requested an indefinite continuance.

1:02

Thank you, Mr.

1:03

Boswick.

1:04

Commissioners, uh any comments or questions regarding uh this item.

1:08

All right, without any objection, this item will be placed on the continuance portion of our agenda.

1:13

All right, next to review the items, um remaining items and determined placement on either the consent or regular agenda.

1:20

First item is item number one, VNG compressor, uh compressor station, Ms.

1:25

Neal, updates.

1:30

Good evening, Commissioners.

1:32

I have no updates on this item.

1:33

We did receive one uh public comment and support for the application.

1:38

We also received four comments in opposition, but they only they cited this project number, but they all referenced things to do with the data center, the scale, the center bill turnpike itself.

1:50

So we believe the that those four were for the data center.

1:54

Great.

1:55

Thank you.

1:56

Uh Commissioners, anyone have conflicts with this application?

2:00

Any questions for staff?

2:02

Any discussion?

2:05

Any objection to placing this item on the consent agenda?

2:09

All right.

2:10

Item one will be placed on the consent agenda.

2:16

Next item.

2:17

Uh item number two, Etheridge Lakes Data Center.

2:20

Ms.

2:20

Neal, back to you.

2:23

So there are no updates to the information presented in the staff report.

2:27

Uh we have received three phone calls, one walk-in, and almost 700 email opposite uh comment forms in opposition.

2:36

All of those uh that were received by 4 p.m.

2:39

today have been emailed to you.

2:41

Uh we did receive letters of support for data center development from the South Side Network Authority and RBA 757.

2:49

Uh both letters state the um you know full respect for local land use policies and development decisions, but also support data centers.

2:58

Um we've received two petitions, one with 51 signatures and one with uh 400 signatures.

3:06

And some common themes of the comment forms that we received had to do with you know keeping agricultural areas, agriculture, uh, environmental concerns due to water and energy consumption, traffic, the amount of jobs that are created, the scale of the building, and noise.

3:26

Uh and that's everything.

3:29

I mean the applicant has proffered um things related to traffic and uh noise.

3:36

Uh noise standards that are more stringent than what our current zoning ordinance allows for residential use is so right, thank you very much.

3:48

Commissioners, conflicts with this application.

3:53

Anyone have any questions for staff?

3:57

Any discussion.

4:01

Any objection to play I mean, of course, this is going on the regular agenda.

4:05

So uh item two will be on the regular agenda, and our plan is we'll go through our whole list here.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Data Centers██████████████████████████████████████38%
Procedural██████████████████████22%
Environmental Protection███████████████15%
Land Use and Zoning█████████9%
Public Safety████4%
Planning And Development███3%
Community Engagement███3%
Energy Infrastructure██2%
Transportation Safety██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Chesapeake Planning Commission Public Hearing – May 15, 2025

The Chesapeake Planning Commission held a public hearing on May 15, 2025, to consider nine applications including rezonings, conditional use permits, and text amendments. The meeting featured extensive public comment, particularly on a proposed natural gas compressor station and a data center. Key decisions included approval of the VNG compressor station, approval of a text amendment for alcohol and substance abuse facilities, approval of the Greenbrier Area Plan, and denial of the Etheridge Lakes Data Center.

Consent Calendar

  • PLN-USE-2025-006 – Triumph International Ministries: Approved with stipulations (7-0). A conditional use permit for a church and worship outreach center at 2711 Campostella Road.
  • PLN-USE-2025-007 – Great Bridge Pumpkin Patch: Approved with stipulations (7-0). A seasonal outdoor recreational facility from September 1 to November 7 at 1448 Battlefield Boulevard S.
  • PLN-USE-2025-008 – Euphoric Moments Event Venue: Approved with stipulations (7-0). An event space at 211 Providence Road, Suite 7, with a maximum occupancy of 120. The commission clarified that stipulation #4 limits occupancy per Fire Marshal requirements.
  • PLN-TXT-2025-002 – Fentress Airfield Overlay Signs: Approved (7-0). Amends sign regulations in the Fentress Overlay District.

Public Comments & Testimony

VNG Compressor Station (PLN-REZ-2024-019)

  • Supporters: Randy Royal (Kimley-Horn) and Morgan Whalen (Virginia Natural Gas) argued the station is necessary for reliability, will operate only ~20 days per year on the coldest days, uses electric motors to limit emissions, and no new pipelines are required. They emphasized that the existing site has operated safely since the 1950s and that the project will help retire an aging propane tank.
  • Opponents: Over a dozen residents, including Jeff Staples, Ethel Mitchell, Joseph Davis (Eve Garden Civic League), and Lynn Godfrey (Sierra Club), cited environmental justice concerns, health impacts from emissions (asthma, cancer), the proximity of existing 24-inch pipelines to Thurgood Marshall Elementary School (30–40 feet), noise, property values, and that the project primarily benefits one industrial customer (Smurfit WestRock). Several speakers disputed VNG’s claims about air permits and pipeline connections, arguing the Virginia Reliability Project constitutes a new pipeline.

Etheridge Lakes Data Center (PLN-REZ-2025-002)

  • Supporters: Doug Fuller (applicant), Brad Lowe, and John Barry described the data center as a small, clean, low-impact facility with closed-loop cooling, minimal traffic, and noise levels within city ordinance. They noted the site’s existing infrastructure (fiber, power, water) and that the facility would be powered by offshore wind.
  • Opponents: Nearly 60 residents spoke in opposition, citing concerns about noise (constant low-frequency hum), water consumption (300,000 gallons/day claimed by speakers), increased demand on the power grid, reduced property values, health effects (especially from generator emissions), light pollution, compatibility with the rural residential character, and lack of independent studies. Many noted that the developer’s Monday night community meeting left questions unanswered and that notification was insufficient. Speakers referenced the Virginia JLARC report on data center impacts and examples from Northern Virginia. Several residents from Laurel Ridge Lane and nearby neighborhoods said the 385,000 sq. ft. building (equivalent to two Walmart Supercenters) would be less than 600 feet from their homes.

Greenbrier Area Plan (PLN-COMP-2025-002)

  • Supporters: Susan Sherbo and Rogard Ross praised the plan but urged stronger tree preservation, lighting standards (dark sky, warmer colors), and bird-safe building measures.
  • Opponents: Others, including Rebecca Greenwald and Vic Nichols, stressed the need for more tree canopy, better traffic solutions (e.g., connecting Eden Way to Battlefield), and concerns about infrastructure capacity.

Alcohol and Substance Abuse Facilities (PLN-TXT-2025-001)

  • No public comment.

Discussion Items

  • VNG Compressor Station: Commissioners questioned the need for 20 days of operation, the relationship to other pipeline projects, safety comparisons to existing infrastructure, and the proximity of pipelines to schools. Staff and VNG representatives defended the project’s necessity for residential heating reliability and stated that the chosen electric technology minimizes emissions. The commission voted 4-3 to approve.
  • Alcohol/Substance Abuse Facilities Text Amendment: Commissioner Hackworth requested this item be heard separately. He proposed striking Section 13-3300 (which added specific distancing requirements) because those issues are better handled through the conditional use permit process. The commission approved the amendment as amended (7-0).
  • Greenbrier Area Plan: Commissioners commended staff for extensive community engagement. Commissioner Lynn asked about traffic solutions, and staff noted that the plan proposes east-west connectivity improvements (e.g., extending Eden Way) and intersection upgrades. The plan was approved (7-0).
  • Etheridge Lakes Data Center: The commission discussed compatibility, noise studies (especially low-frequency decibels), property values, and the need for independent research. Commissioner Squelia expressed concerns about the domino effect on surrounding farmland. Commissioner Bearfield cited the JLARC report and said more information was needed. After debate, a motion to continue for 120 days failed, and a motion to deny passed 6-1 on the grounds of incompatibility with surrounding residential uses and the existence of a reasonably viable economic use under current agricultural zoning.

Key Outcomes

  • Continuance: PLN-USE-2024-040 (Take 5 Battlefield Billboard) was continued indefinitely by applicant request (7-0).
  • Approved:
    • PLN-REZ-2024-019 (VNG Compressor Station) – 4-3 vote.
    • PLN-TXT-2025-001 (Alcohol/Substance Abuse Facilities) – 7-0, as amended (striking Section 13-3300).
    • PLN-COMP-2025-002 (Greenbrier Area Plan) – 7-0.
    • Consent Calendar items (4,5,6,8) – 7-0.
  • Denied: PLN-REZ-2025-002 (Etheridge Lakes Data Center) – 6-1 vote (Sgueglia/Hackworth motion, Malone opposed). Reason: incompatible with surrounding residential uses; viable economic use exists under current zoning.
  • Cancellation: The May 28, 2025 Public Hearing was cancelled by unanimous consent due to lack of business.

The meeting adjourned at 11:33 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Everybody ready. All right, good evening, everybody. The Planning Commission pre-meeting for May 14th, 2025 is now in session. Welcome to our pre-meeting tonight. Thank you for taking part in the business of our city. Before we get going, I would like to uh welcome a new uh commissioner this evening, Mr. Clayton Sprule. Thank you. You're welcome. Uh we're glad to have you on board. All right. The first order of business tonight is the agenda overview discussion. We have a total of nine applications, of which one application is for continuance or withdrawal. Mr. Bostwick, would you please provide the commission with an overview of the continuance application? Yes, good evening, Mr. Chairman and Commissioners. We have one request for a continuance and none for a withdrawal. The applicant for item number three, PLN-USC-2024-040. Take by Battlefield Bill Board has requested an indefinite continuance. Thank you, Mr. Boswick. Commissioners, uh any comments or questions regarding uh this item. All right, without any objection, this item will be placed on the continuance portion of our agenda. All right, next to review the items, um remaining items and determined placement on either the consent or regular agenda. First item is item number one, VNG compressor, uh compressor station, Ms. Neal, updates. Good evening, Commissioners. I have no updates on this item. We did receive one uh public comment and support for the application. We also received four comments in opposition, but they only they cited this project number, but they all referenced things to do with the data center, the scale, the center bill turnpike itself. So we believe the that those four were for the data center. Great. Thank you. Uh Commissioners, anyone have conflicts with this application? Any questions for staff? Any discussion? Any objection to placing this item on the consent agenda? All right. Item one will be placed on the consent agenda. Next item. Uh item number two, Etheridge Lakes Data Center. Ms. Neal, back to you. So there are no updates to the information presented in the staff report. Uh we have received three phone calls, one walk-in, and almost 700 email opposite uh comment forms in opposition. All of those uh that were received by 4 p.m. today have been emailed to you. Uh we did receive letters of support for data center development from the South Side Network Authority and RBA 757. Uh both letters state the um you know full respect for local land use policies and development decisions, but also support data centers.

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