Chesapeake Planning Commission Public Hearing, June 10, 2026

The Chesapeake Planning Commission held a pre-meeting and public hearing on June 10, 2026, beginning at approximately 11:00 AM (pre-meeting) and resuming at 6:26 PM for the public hearing. The meeting addressed eight applications, including continuances, a consent agenda, and one contested regular agenda item. A special presentation on smart growth was also delivered. The commission voted to deny the Millstone Energy Center battery storage facility after extensive public comment and deliberation.

Consent Calendar

• PLN-REZ-2025-019 (Charlton Woods): Approved unanimously. Conditional zoning reclassification of 1.1 acres from R15S to R10 residential district, with proffers.
• PLN-USC-2025-045 (Empowerment Inc 757): Approved unanimously. Conditional use permit to operate a banquet hall in a shopping center, with stipulations. One speaker expressed support but raised concerns about occupancy limits requiring a new CUP for future changes.
• PLN-USC-2026-007 (1715 Park Avenue Storage Yard): Approved unanimously. Conditional use permit for outdoor storage for a general contractor, with fencing and landscaping screening.
• PLN-USC-CT-2025-002 (Cornland Park City Communication Tower): Approved unanimously. Conditional use permit for a 199-foot communications tower, with stipulations including FAA compliance. Adjacent property owners expressed support contingent on preserving vegetation buffer and mitigating noise, lighting, and future carrier equipment.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Continuance Requests: Multiple speakers addressed continuance items. For agenda item #1 (Mirrors Creek), a speaker was available for questions. For agenda item #3 (Chesapeake Waterfront Concrete), six letters of opposition were received from residents of Reunion at South Norfolk; several speakers spoke in opposition, and the applicant requested and was granted a continuance to July 8, 2026. Speakers on continuances were limited to the continuance request only.
• Regular Agenda – Millstone Energy Center:
  • Supporters (18 speakers): Included residents, trade association representatives, union business manager, fire safety engineer (Brian Fink, from New York), East Point Energy staff, and project consultants. Key arguments: project enhances grid reliability, supports clean energy (offshore wind, solar), provides tax revenue (60-fold increase on the site), preserves 75% of tree canopy, uses safer LFP batteries, includes robust safety measures (NFPA 855 compliance, fire department training), and is not a data center. Several supporters noted the applicant agreed to restrict the site from ever becoming a data center and offered a conservation easement for the remaining 80 acres.
  • Opponents (20+ speakers): Residents of Woodards Mill and Hickory areas (e.g., Thomas Moore, Brian Baker, Tina Rodrigue, Justin Smith, Eileen Horowitz, Eric Minden, John Boyd, Jonathan Boring, Nathan Diaz, Cecil Bomber, Dr. Stephen Restino). Key concerns: industrial use incompatible with rural/agricultural zoning and character of Hickory; proximity to three schools (Southeastern Elementary, Hickory Middle, Hickory High); risk of thermal runaway, toxic gas release (hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen cyanide), and groundwater/well contamination; inadequate firefighting resources (no hydrants, narrow roads, reliance on tanker shuttles); lack of on-site personnel; emergency response time of four hours; potential property value decline; security vulnerabilities (cyber and physical); and that the project benefits outside investors, not local residents. Several opponents cited the January 2025 Moss Landing facility fire and its aftermath.

Discussion Items

• Pre-Meeting – Smart Growth Presentation: Mr. McNamara presented on smart growth principles adopted in Chesapeake 2045, covering 10 elements: attractive communities, mixing land uses, compact conservation design, stakeholder collaboration, preservation of rural/wetland areas, redevelopment, walkability, diverse housing options, transportation choices, and predictable/fair decisions. He discussed the transfer of development rights (TDR) program, Greenbrier and Deep Creek area plans, and upcoming Western Branch plan. Commissioners asked about restrictive ordinances and the need for code changes and development agreements. A new state law (effective July 1, 2026) will allow such agreements.
• Millstone Energy Center Deliberation: Commissioners questioned the applicant extensively about remote monitoring, battery safety, fire response protocols, emergency plans, and site selection. Fire Marshal Chris Brown confirmed the proposal meets or exceeds NFPA 855 standards and that risks are lower than indoor facilities. Commissioner Fink (fire safety expert) noted fire incidents have dropped 90% since 2018 and that LFP batteries rarely spread beyond one module outdoors. Commissioner Howard expressed concerns about lack of plume modeling, conservation easement not initially included, and response times. Commissioner Williams questioned the statistical probability of thermal runaway. Vice Chair Squelia stated the applicant did not demonstrate why this industrial use belongs in a rural residential area near schools. Commissioner Gilman cited well water contamination, lack of fire suppression, distance to hydrants (2.5 miles), and four-hour SLA as reasons for denial.

Key Outcomes

• Continuances Granted:
  • PLN-REZ-2025-021 (Mirrors Creek) – continued to July 8, 2026, by unanimous vote (8-0).
  • PLN-USC-2025-049 (1500 Steel Street container stacking) – continued indefinitely by unanimous vote (8-0).
  • PLN-USC-2025-009 (Chesapeake Waterfront Concrete) – continued to July 8, 2026, by vote of 8-0.
• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (8-0) as listed.
• Regular Agenda – Millstone Energy Center (PLN-USC-2026-002): Motion to deny by Commissioner Gilman, seconded by Vice Chair Squelia. Denied by vote of 7-1. Reasons cited: incompatible with surrounding agricultural uses and rural character; inadequate safety measures for nearby schools and residents; adverse impacts on wells and environment; and lack of demonstrated compatibility with the comprehensive plan's resilience policies.
• Meeting Cancellation: The June 24, 2026 regular meeting was canceled by unanimous consent due to lack of business.
• Adjournment: The public hearing was adjourned at 10:02 PM.