Chesapeake Planning Commission Meeting - January 16, 2026

Note: The transcript from which this summary is derived indicates the meeting occurred on January 14, 2026, but the provided date for this summary is January 16, 2026. This discrepancy is noted as instructed.

The Chesapeake Planning Commission convened for a pre-meeting and public hearing. The pre-meeting included an agenda overview, placement of items on the consent agenda, a special presentation on the Deep Creek Area Plan, and administrative updates. The public hearing addressed a continuance request and unanimously approved the consent agenda. No items were on the regular public hearing agenda.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1: PLN-TXT-2025-007 – Ordinance amendment to align zoning with updated South Norfolk Historic Design Guidelines. Placed on consent without objection; approved unanimously.
• Item 2: PLN-USC-2025-043 – Bethany Baptist Readiness Academy: Conditional use permit for a child daycare and instructional services in an existing church. Placed on consent; approved unanimously.
• Item 3: PLN-USC-2025-044 – Blankenship home occupation: Conditional use permit for a physical therapy business as a level two home occupation. Staff noted 20 comment forms in support (17 from neighbors) and one call in opposition. Placed on consent; approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Continuance Item (Item 4: PLN-USC-2024-045) – Paradise Smith (applicant) spoke in support of continuance, stating the need for additional time to address law enforcement concerns and collaborate with parties. No other speakers. The continuance was granted unanimously.
• Consent Agenda Items – Multiple speakers supported Item 3 (Blankenship home occupation).
  • Peyton Blankenship (applicant) – Described her background as a doctor of physical therapy, her son’s leukemia diagnosis, and her need for a home-based business to be near her immunocompromised child. Promised one-on-one sessions, no overlap of patients, and no external changes to the home.
  • Linda Boyles (neighbor) – Supported the business, noting no adverse impact on traffic or noise.
  • Reed Durko (golf professional) – Vouched for Blankenship’s certifications and the need for her services.
  • Gus Guardino (neighbor) – Supported the business, emphasizing the driveway capacity and the applicant’s self-reliance.
  • Reverend Kevin Hemman (neighbor) – Shared personal history with the property and attested to the Blankenships’ character.
  • Carol Hemman (neighbor) – Expressed full support, citing the family’s property improvements and the lack of negative impact.
  • Barbara Newman (next-door neighbor) – Stated she would be most affected but is 100% supportive, noting minimal traffic and noise.
  • Neil Rice (friend) – Voiced support.
  • Thomas Bess (opponent, neighbor) – Requested a one-month delay for a traffic study, citing overloaded streets (24-ft curb-to-curb) and property value concerns. He noted this would be the first level two home occupation in the 240-lot subdivision. His time expired after five minutes.

Discussion Items

• Agenda Overview & Placement – Commission reviewed four applications. Item 4 (banquet hall) was continued indefinitely at the applicant’s request. Items 1, 2, and 3 were placed on the consent agenda.
• Special Presentation: Deep Creek Area Plan – Presented by Anna Gorniak. The plan covers 37 square miles (excluding Great Dismal Swamp) and includes extensive community engagement (10 outreach events, 2 surveys, 12 stakeholder meetings). Key themes: connectivity, preservation, growth, and design. Four opportunity areas identified: North George Washington Highway Corridor, South Military Highway Corridor, Deep Creek Village (with old school site reuse), and Culpepper Landing (with proposed pedestrian bridge). The plan includes ~50 policies and ~40 projects. Next steps: final revisions, presentation to Planning Commission in February, and City Council adoption in April.
• Chairman’s Comments – Committee assignments updated (removed completed plans, added Western Branch Area Plan committee). Reminder of November 12, 2026 meeting due to Veterans Day. Bylaws review discussed; a proposed amendment to allow tie votes on co-advertised items to proceed to City Council will be drafted.
• Director’s Items – None.
• Recognition – Chesapeake received the 2028 Commonwealth Connections Award from APA Virginia for expanding the connectivity plan.

Key Outcomes

• Continuance Granted – Item 4 (PLN-USC-2024-045) was continued indefinitely by a vote of 8-0.
• Consent Agenda Approved – Items 1, 2, and 3 were approved unanimously (8-0) with stipulations as read.
• January 28, 2026 Meeting Canceled – Unanimous consent due to no business.
• Next Steps – Deep Creek Area Plan to be presented to Planning Commission in February 2026 and to City Council in April 2026. Transfer development rights program presentation scheduled for March 11, 2026. Western Branch Area Plan consultant selection expected in the next month.