Chesapeake Planning Commission Public Hearing – August 13, 2025
Chesapeake Planning Commission Public Hearing – August 13, 2025
The Chesapeake Planning Commission held a public hearing on August 13, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the City Council Chamber. The meeting covered a continuance request, three consent agenda items (all approved unanimously), updates on planning initiatives, and a motion to cancel the August 27, 2025 meeting. The pre-meeting began at 6:10 PM (approx.) and the public hearing adjourned at 7:10 PM.
Continuance Item
- PLN-TXT-2025-004: A text amendment to Article 14 of the Chesapeake Zoning Ordinance to modify requirements for external lighting on structures. Staff requested an indefinite continuance. The motion carried 8–0 (Commissioner Spruill excused). One public speaker, Ms. Nichols (1124 Mill Quarter), expressed concerns about indefinite continuances, stating they "really need to stop." The Planning Director clarified that the continuance was due to staff still working on nuances and that City Council was aware.
Consent Calendar
- PLN-USE-2025-015 (Dandy Bros Tattoo): A conditional use permit for a tattoo shop at 910 Great Bridge Blvd., Unit 108. Staff received one initial public comment in opposition, but after clarification the citizen withdrew opposition. Approved 8–0 with stipulations (signage limits, permit limited to applicant).
- PLN-USE-2025-026 (Hutter Day Care): A conditional use permit for a Level II Home Occupation day care at 1082 Washington Dr. Approved 8–0 with stipulations (hours 7am–6pm M-F, max 12 children, licensure required, one external employee, only one Level II occupation).
- PLN-USE-2025-027 (Hickory Towing Yard Storage Building): A conditional use permit for a 70’x40’ storage building for towing trucks at 3511 Business Center Drive. Approved 8–0 with stipulations (development per conceptual plan, fluid drainage, screening, Knox Box lock, landscape buffer maintenance).
Public Comments & Testimony
- On the continuance item, Ms. Nichols spoke against indefinite continuances.
- On consent agenda, several speakers noted they were available for questions: David Julien (applicant for Dandy Bros, support), Sarah Miller (support for Dandy Bros), Sam Baraki (support for Hutter Day Care and Hickory Towing), and Vic Nichols (support for Hickory Towing, asked about off-time for stipulation). No speakers in opposition.
Discussion Items
- Pre-meeting discussion: All items placed on consent agenda. No conflicts or objections from commissioners.
- Planning updates: Director Jimmy McNamara announced that the Chesapeake Trails and Connectivity Plan received the Commonwealth Connectors Award (state-level recognition); the Holzheimer Award was won the previous year. Upcoming community meeting for Deep Creek Area Plan on September 17, 2025, 6–7:30 PM at Deep Creek Community Center. Greenbrier Area Plan continued to next City Council meeting. Western Branch Area Plan RFP in progress. Comprehensive Plan discussions ongoing.
- Committee reports: None.
- New applications summary: Four conditional use permits and one rezoning in pipeline. Two new initiated text amendments: aligning zoning with South Norfolk design guidelines, and updating subdivision plate medium/size requirements.
Key Outcomes
- PLN-TXT-2025-004 continued indefinitely (8–0).
- Consent agenda (Items 1–3) approved with stipulations (8–0).
- August 27, 2025 meeting canceled by unanimous consent.
- Public hearing adjourned at 7:10 PM.
Meeting Transcript
All right, good evening again, everyone. Planning commission pre-meeting for August 13th, 2025 is now in session. Welcome to our pre-meeting tonight. Thank you for taking part in the business of our city. First order of business tonight is the agenda overview discussion. We have a total of four applications, of which one application is for continuance or withdrawal. Mr. Hannigan, will you please provide the commission with an overview of the application for continuance? Good evening, Commissioners. Uh staff is requesting an indefinite continuance of PLN TXT twenty twenty five zero zero four, which is a uh text amendment to Article 14 of the Chesapeake zoning ordinance to modify external lightings on structures. Thank you, Mr. Hannigan. Commissioners, uh anyone have any comments or questions regarding this item? All right, with that objection, this item will be placed on the continuance portion of our agenda this evening. All right, so next we we will review the items, uh remaining items and determine placement on either our consent or regular agenda. So the first item is item number one, Dandy Bros tattoo. Miss Neal. Any updates. Good evening, Commissioners. I have no updates on this application. Uh we did receive one public comment. Um in opposition, but after speaking with the citizen um and clarifying the location, they were no longer in opposition. All right, good to hear. Uh Commissioners anyone have any conflicts with this application. Any questions for staff? Just real quick. Is that yes, I mean it was the one on the vacant lot. She was concerned that it was on the vacant lot. Any other questions for Ms. Neal? Any discussion? All right, hearing none, any objection to placing the item on the consent agenda. All right, item one will be placed on the consent agenda. Next item item two, HUD or daycare. Miss Neal. Updates. And one petition with four signatures. Very good. Thank you. Uh Commissioners, any conflicts with the application? Any questions for staff? Any discussion? All right, hearing none. Any objection to placing this item on the consent agenda? Seeing none, item two will be placed on the consent agenda. All right, next item. Item three Hickory towing yard storage building. Mr. Hannigan. Any updates?
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