The Planning Commission pre-meeting for April 8th, 2026 is now in session.

Welcome to our pre-meeting.

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

First order of business is the agenda overview discussion.

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

Mr.

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

Good evening, Mr.

Chairman and Commissioners.

Yes, we have one application that's requesting a continuance, PLN-TXT-2026-001 regarding data centers.

And as I can just make a statement when we talk about this, this is the one that we're coming in with data centers, correct?

Um just so as we move forward with this, understand that there are districts now that currently data centers can go into.

Really, this text amendment is looking to take some control of where they can go and make sure that that it'll be a proper use within the city.

So as we move forward, just keep that in mind.

Correct?

Correct.

Correct.

All right.

Uh with that being said, do any commissioners have any comments or questions regarding this item?

And without any objection, the item will be placed on the continuance withdrawal portion of the agenda.

Next, we'll review the remaining items and determine placement on either the consent or regular agenda.

The first item is item number one, Bainbridge Boulevard Infill LOTS.

Ms.

Ott, do you have any updates regarding this application?

No updates.

However, we may get one phone call from an adjacent property owner.

Just uh having some questions regarding the application.

Uh do any commissioners have any conflicts with this application?

Do any commissioners have any questions for staff?

And I'll just have one question just uh as we go through this.

Um I know we're talking Bainbridge.

We talked about how far uh in some past applications the distance was from the right-of-way to the road, and um I do know that looking through it, there were share driveways, but there is one parcel that does not.

However, I am correct.

Uh the difference with this one versus the other uh the one we had a month or two ago was that this actually has turnaround space in the back.

Is that correct?

Yes, this application will allow the residents to turn around and go forward onto Bainbridge Boulevard instead of backing out onto it.

Yeah.

Okay.

All right.

Um is there any other questions or any discussion?

Here and none, is there any objection of placing this item on the consent agenda?

All right, then we will place item number one on consent.

The next item is item number two, beneath crawl space service.

Ms.

Ott, do you have any updates regarding this item?

Uh this one has no updates and no public comment.

Do any commissioners have any conflicts with this application?

Do any commissioners have any questions for staff?

Is there any discussion?

Here, none, is there any objection of placing this item on the consent agenda?

All right, then that will go on to consent.

So the consent agenda will consist of items one and two, and there will be no regular agenda uh items.

The next order of business is the planning commission committee reports, all business.

Is there anything to report from these committees?

All right, then we'll move on to what we have for upcoming uh items.

Summary of new public hearing applications received.

Uh Mr.

Boswick.

Yes, this month's summary of new applications in the pipeline includes three conditional use permits.

Thank you.

Um initiated text amendments.

Good evening, Commissioners.

We have no initiated text amendments to report this month.

Thank you.

All right.

Next we have a special presentation by Mr.

Lundy, who will uh provide uh presentation on the comprehensive plan updates as well as the 2232 review cycle and application.

Mr.

Lundy.

Good evening, Commissioners.

My name is Enzo Lundy.

I am planner two, um transportation planner.

Um I'll be giving the presentation for you tonight.

Um first with the Chesapeake 2045 companies.

Uh the staff are working on new web pages and revamped web pages, uh, additional website updates to come, and then we're continuing to brainstorm on a dashboard to track implementation of the comprehensive plan.

And then uh an update on the Deep Creek Area Plan we presented to City Council at a March 17th work session.

We'll be providing City Council with a traffic analysis for the proposed Deep Creek Village area, and then we are anticipating City Council consideration for adoption on May 19th.

And then we have an upcoming Western Branch Area Plan.

And this was funded as part of the fiscal year 2026-2030 capital improvement program.

We are in the final stages of procurement of a consultant, and then planning staff are revising and finishing up an existing conditions report.

And then the item for next month, but we wanted to give you a preview of what 2232 reviews are for anyone who is new to the planning commission.

Uh so 2232 reviews to Section 15.2-2232 of the Virginia State Code.

And these applications can be initiated by city departments or outside entities, um, usually another public agency.

And these applications are only heard by the planning commission unless the city council chooses to hear them otherwise.

And then the application type is PLN 2232.

So the state code says that the comprehensive plan that a municipality adopts governs the approximate location, character, and extent of features shown in the plan.

And these features are usually public features or public um services, buildings, streets, trails, and so specifically for streets, the 2050 master trans well, excuse me, master transportation plan dictates what features are on the map.

And then trails are governed by the 2050 Trails Plan slash the Trails and Connectivity Plan.

So what the Planning Commission does is when a public improvement is not mapped in the comprehensive plan or one of these when required bullet points, usually when it's unmapped.

Um the planning commission determines whether the project is still in conformance with the comprehensive plan.

So let's say a new fire station is proposed in a area that is underserved by fire currently.

It's not mapped in the comprehensive plan, but since it conforms with other policies of the comprehensive plan like growth management or quality of life policies, then the planning commission could approve that project for construction.

And then also when 2232 reviews are not required is obviously when a feature is mapped, um the any sidewalk construction, and then any road or trail improvements that are mapped, of course.

And then engineering and other similar studies don't need a 2232 review.

So this is when we get to the capital improvement plan or capital improvement program.

So this is an annual review of the new CIP proposed every year, and the planning staff focus on reviewing new projects since in previous CIPs um the 2232 reviews have been done in those previous years by the planning commission.

So planning staff determines which projects um fall under you know a requirement for review, and then if the CIP cut sheets, um so kind of information description of each project.

Um if we need addition additional information, then we work with those departments to get that information.

So the like I said before, the planning commission reviews the 2232 applications to determine whether they conform with the comprehensive plan, including the policies of the plan, the character districts, and any small area or um specific topic plans incorporated as amendments into the comprehensive plan.

So that could be the Green Briar area plan, the industrial waterfront study, et cetera.

And uh reviews are not based on whether the project should happen, only on if the project conforms with the comprehensive plan.

And so with that, um I'll open it up for any questions you may have for me.

All right.

Any commissioner have uh any questions?

I will go back.

I know we talked a little bit, and I don't I don't know uh Mr.

Londy, if you'll be uh able to answer this.

Um I know we talked a little bit about uh when we went through the comprehensive plan updates, we talked about the Western branch uh area plan and and I know going through procurement and getting the consultants.

Do we have a time frame of when we think that will actually I didn't see it up there of when that's actually gonna kick off?

Do we know?

Yep.

Good evening.

Um so we're hoping to execute the contract in the next week.

So we should be having a kickoff meeting within a month.

Okay.

And then anticipate a time to get it completed.

What would we um 16 to 18 months?

Okay.

Thank you.

Sure.

All right.

Any other questions?

All right.

Thank you, Mr.

Lundy.

I appreciate it.

Thank you, Commissioners.

Very nice overview uh for the for the conference plan as well as the 2232s.

All right.

Um next week come up will be the bylaw discussion.

Um I know we've had bylaws.

There are two proposed changes uh that have been reviewed by City Council that are they're okay with.

One talks about the event of if we have a tie, um, then there will be a procedural um add-on where a commissioner actually has to make a motion of whether that goes goes on to City Council or whether we retain it here.

So that was there.

Um and then likewise, the other change with that was going to be rather than have these differences where it's five minutes for a speaker or three minutes, depending on we were going to three minutes.

It doesn't matter if it's about the continuance, consent agenda, uh regular agenda, opposed, not opposed, or in support, would be three minutes across.

So I know we've had some discussion.

Um anybody have anything else that we need to discuss?

And uh if not, it does take two-thirds of the actual commission uh to pass.

Um so um even with two being absent, we would still have to have at least six vote form.

So with that being, uh anybody would like to make a motion.

Mr.

Chair.

Ms.

Vice Chair.

Move to approve the previously circulated.

All right.

So on the bylaws, we have a motion by Vice Chair uh Squelia, seconded by Secretary Malone to approve the bylaw changes.

Um prepare to vote.

And please vote.

All right.

And so our uh I wanted to just make sure we were getting over that six.

Uh uh, so the bylaw changes are now in effect immediately with a 7-0 vote uh for those changes.

All right.

Um with that, is there it uh if there is no further business to discuss, then we will adjourn this meeting at 613 p.m.

May I have the attention of everyone in the council chambers and those outside in the lobby?

Tonight's planning commission meeting is scheduled to begin in fifteen minutes at seven PM.

If you wish to speak at tonight's meeting, we ask that you complete and submit a speaker card before the meeting begins.

May I have the attention of everyone in the council chambers and those outside in the lobby?

Tonight's planning commission meeting is scheduled to begin in five minutes at seven PM.

If you wish to speak at tonight's meeting, we ask that you complete it and submit a speaker card before the meeting begins.

The Planning Commission public hearing for April 8th, 2026 is now in session.

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

For those who wish to participate, you're invited to remain standing for the invocation.

Tonight I will lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and the invocation will be offered by Commissioner Williams.

Let us pray.

Our most gracious Heavenly Father, allow us a moment to reflect on the responsibilities we share.

Grant us the clarity and the wisdom to consider the decisions which affects the lives of our neighbors.

May our deliberations be marked by patience, our ears open to voice, our hearts to be guided by a commitment to the common good.

Help us shape the city that is not just functional but vibrant, not just sustainable, but welcoming to all.

Amen.

Please be seated, and as a reminder, please silence your cell phones.

I'd like to welcome each of you to our meeting tonight.

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

Mr.

Boswick, please call the roll.

Commissioner Bearfield.

Present.

Commissioner Gilman.

Present.

Commissioner Halliard.

Present.

Commissioner Malone.

Here.

Commissioner Squelia.

Here.

Commissioner Sprule is excused.

Commissioner Taylor is excused.

Commissioner Williams.

Present.

Chairman Hackworth.

Present.

The minutes for the March 11, 2026 public hearing are being considered for approval.

Do the Commissioners have any corrections or revisions?

If there are no corrections, the minutes are approved by unanimous consent.

The Commission rules and procedures are available at the table in front of the chambers on the screen in the chambers, and they are also available on light on our website.

The Chair asks that each of you follow these guidelines.

Speakers who violate the rules of the public hearing will receive one verbal warning within the course of the evening.

Upon planning commission action of either approval or denial, the remainder of the items shall be heard by City Council next month on either the third or fourth Tuesday, beginning at 6 30 p.m.

in this chamber.

Unless otherwise denounced tonight, citizens may contact the city clerk's office or the planning department on the Friday after the planning commission meeting to find out which date the item will be heard by the City Council.

The first order of business is the consideration of request to withdraw or continue an item.

Normally an application is withdrawn without further discussion.

In the case of continuances, it's the planning commission's policy to continue an item as requested by the applicant or staff.

Mr.

Boswick, are there any requests for withdrawal or continuances?

Yes, we have one request for a continuance and no items being withdrawn.

Mr.

Boswick, please read the application into the record.

The application is PLN dash TXT-2026-001.

The project is data centers.

Applicant is City of Chesapeake.

Based upon staff's request, staff recommend that PLN-TXT 2026-001 be continued indefinitely.

Secretary Malone, are there any speakers on the item for continuance?

There are not.

Seconded.

We have a motion by Commissioner Malone and a second by Commissioner Williams.

Prepare to vote.

Please vote.

Mr.

Boswick, please record the vote.

By a vote of 7 to 0, the motion carries.

The consent agenda contains those items that the planning staff believes are unopposed and have a favorable staff recommendation.

Speakers on items placed on the consent agenda will be given a total of three minutes to address the commission.

If you have an objection to an item being placed on the consent agenda, please note your objection when you address the commission.

Secretary Malone, are there any items on the consent agenda in which there are three or more speakers in opposition?

There are not.

Yeah, go ahead.

If we have some, just read them into the record.

For agenda item number one, Mr.

John Harbin indicates he is available for questions only.

And for agenda item number two, Mr.

Mark Brown indicates that he is available for questions only.

Okay.

Thank you.

Is there any discussion for these items?

Hearing none, a motion is in order for the approval of the consent agenda with applicable stipulations or proffers as read into the record by Mr.

Boswick.

So moved.

We have a motion and second.

We have a motion by Vice Chair Squalia and a second by Commissioner Williams.

Please prepare to vote.

Please vote.

Mr.

Boswick, please record the vote.

All right.

With that, we have no regular agenda.

So at this time, uh Ms.

Benz, do you have any items to bring up at this time?

We do not.

All right.

The cancellation of the April 22nd, 2026 meeting is now being considered due to there being no business.

Do the commissioners have any objections to counseling the meeting?

Hearing no objections, the April 22nd, 2026 meeting is canceled by unanimous consent.

Is there any unfinished or new business to be brought up for the good of the Commission?

Hearing none, uh this meeting stands adjourned at 7.08 p.m.

Type the record.

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