Chesapeake Planning Commission Public Hearing, August 12, 2026
Chesapeake Planning Commission Public Hearing, August 12, 2026
The Chesapeake Planning Commission held a public hearing on August 12, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the City Council Chamber, adjourning at 8:07 PM. The meeting included a pre-meeting with presentations on Level of Service (LOS) standards and Comprehensive Plan implementation, followed by the public hearing. Five applications were considered: a consent agenda item (Townes at Rivercrest) and four regular agenda items (Dominion West Senior Housing, Dominion West Height Exception, King's Tobacco & Hookah Lounge special exception and conditional use permit). Staff recommended denial for four of the five applications. The commission voted to approve the consent agenda item, deny the Dominion West items, and deny the King's Tobacco items after denying a continuance request.
Consent Calendar
- PLN-REZ-2026-001 (Townes at Rivercrest): A conditional rezoning of 5.49 acres from R-TH-1, R-15s, and O&I to R-MF-1 for 26 single-family attached townhomes at 727 Wickford Dr., 853 & 845 Great Bridge Blvd. Staff recommended approval with proffers. The commission voted 6–2 to approve.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Townes at Rivercrest – Three speakers in support (Thomas Ty, Russell Ty, Melissa Venable) stood by for questions. Two speakers in opposition: Marquila Moore argued the Transportation Corridor Overlay District policy was not properly considered and that the staff report mischaracterized transitional uses. Jeff Wall opposed citing traffic, emergency access, and school capacity concerns. Two additional opposition speakers were available for questions only.
- Dominion West Senior Housing & Height Exception – One speaker in support: Grady Palmer (applicant representative) described the project as a for-sale active adult community with 144 multi-family units and 5 single-family detached units, with sales prices in the mid-$300,000s. No opposition speakers.
- King’s Tobacco & Hookah Lounge – One speaker in support: James Leftwich (agent) requested a 30-day continuance to discuss police concerns and neighborhood issues. Three opposition speakers: Dale Bennett (homeowner) described chronic parking, traffic, and safety problems including blocked emergency access. Desiree Chanel (homeowner) detailed noise, trash, gunshots, and inability to access her street. David Gulstani (business owner) cited gunshots through his sign, street racing, and negative impacts on nearby businesses. A police department representative testified that calls for service at the location rose from 10 (2023) to 19 (2024) to 255 (2025), and 258 through May 6, 2026, with incidents including fights, drunk driving, and shootings.
Pre-Meeting Presentations
- Level of Service (LOS) Standards Analysis: Staff presented the three “legs” of LOS: schools (120% program capacity threshold), roads (grades A–F; D is passing for residential, E for non-residential, F can pass with substantial economic benefit), and sewer (capacity within service district or proffered private disposal). Ghost units and projection methodology were discussed.
- Comprehensive Plan Implementation: Staff outlined four pathways: capital expenditures (CIP projects like Eden Way extension, land acquisition for OSAP), operating expenditures (staffing, trail maintenance, internship programs), development proposals (e.g., Great Hope Baptist Church requiring pedestrian connectivity per the Trails Plan), and nongovernmental partnerships.
Discussion Items
- Dominion West Senior Housing (PLN-REZ-2025-010) & Height Exception (PLN-USE-2025-036): Staff found the proposals inconsistent with the Dominion Boulevard Corridor study, Comprehensive Plan design principles, and buffering requirements; a viable economic use exists under current zoning. The applicant explained that denser buildings on the western edge helped keep condominium fees affordable for seniors. The commission voted 7–1 to deny both items.
- King’s Tobacco & Hookah Lounge – Special Exception (PLN-SPEX-2025-001) & Conditional Use Permit (PLN-USE-2024-001): The applicant requested a continuance for further outreach and discussion with police, which the commission denied after debate. Discussion focused on high call volumes, insufficient parking (14 spaces on site, 32 required), security measures (three private security guards reportedly in place for 4–5 months, though police observed only two), and lack of a lighting plan. The special exception (cooperative parking) was denied 6–2, and the conditional use permit (alcohol sales after midnight, alternative parking surface) was denied 5–3.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda (Townes at Rivercrest): Approved 6–2 with proffers as read.
- Dominion West Senior Housing (Rezoning): Denied 7–1.
- Dominion West Height Exception (CUP): Denied 7–1.
- King’s Tobacco & Hookah Lounge (Special Exception): Denied 6–2.
- King’s Tobacco & Hookah Lounge (Conditional Use Permit): Denied 5–3.
- The August 26, 2026 meeting was canceled by unanimous consent due to lack of business.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. The planning commission pre-mitting meeting for August twelfth, twenty twenty-six is now in session. Welcome to our pre-meeting, and thank you for taking part in the business of our city. The first order of business is the agenda overview discussion. We have a total of five applications, of which none are for continuance or withdrawal. Since there are no applications for continuance or withdrawal, we will move on to the next section of our pre-mitting agenda. Miss Peebles, do you have any updates regarding this application? We have received one planning commission comment card in support of the application. Sorry, every time. There have been seven uh public comment forms that y'all have received in opposition, and the general theme of those comments uh were regarding traffic schools and the compatibility with T COD. Um I would also like to clarify a few items for this application that has been circulating around to get a little bit better understanding about the proposal. So there were some comments that staff had regarding the public hearing signs that are missing from the property. Um staff has received confirmation that both of the required signs are currently posted. Uh the proposed use. So Plan Commission has received public comment forms that reference the proposed development as an office use. To clarify, office development is not proposed as part of this application. Also, uh the existing Wickford town homes. So staff is also aware of concerns from the residents within Wickford subdivision that the existing townhomes could be demolished as a result of this application. Those town homes are not part of the subject property or this rezoning request, and their demolition is not proposed as part of this application. And then lastly, the transportation corridor overlay district. There's also been some concerns regarding the property's location within TCOD. So TCOD is intended to guide orderly development along major transportation corridors while preserving economic development opportunities in ensuring compatibility with surrounding areas. Specifically allows a mixed use, a mix of uses, including residential and the TCO encourages transitional uses as development moves toward surrounding lower intensity areas. For this particular site, staff found that the proposed townhomes provide an appropriate transition between the higher density Great Bridge Boulevard Corridor and the established residential development surrounding property. So just a few things to clarify. But here for any questions. Thank you, Ms. Aud. Do any commissioners have any conflicts with this application? Do any commissioners have any questions for staff? Is there any discussion? Hearing none, is there any objection to placing this on the consent agenda? Okay. Item three. We'll go on consent. Thank you. Next items are four and five, King's Tobacco and Hookah Lounge. Ms. Peebles. Do you have any updates regarding this application? Good evening again, Commissioners. Yes, I do. We staff has received three planning commission comment cards and one email. Some of the concerns noted in those comment cards that are uh in opposition to the applications are concerns about late night traffic, lighting, um disturbances, um, and life safety concerns, crime, noise, um, and littering are some of the general concerns that um uh people with the um submitted comment cards expressed. Um we will have police staff representation here tonight. Um, so if you have any questions, you can feel free to direct them to them. And finally, staff would recommend reordering the agenda to have the special exception ahead of the use permit. As without the special exception, the use does not have sufficient parking. And I will stand by to answer any questions you may have. Thank you, Miss Peebles.
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