December Newsletter

Local Election Results

Congratulations to the winners of the City Council and School Board Elections:

  •     Mayor Rick W. West
  •     City Council Member S.Z. "Debbie" Ritter
  •     City Council Member-elect Les Smith, Jr.
  •     City Council Member-elect Patricia Y. "Pat" King
  •     School Board Member Angie B. Swygert
  •     School Board Member Norman G. Pool
  •     School Board Member-elect Malia L. Huddle
  •     School Board Member-elect Elijah Colon
2025 General Assembly

The League of Conservation Voters will be hosting a General Assembly Preview on Saturday, December 7 from 9 am to Noon. This is an opportunity to hear from statewide environmental experts about anticipated environmental legislation to be considered in Richmond next year.  You can tune in online or join a Regional Watch Party (breakfast included!) at LRNow in Virginia Beach. In-person attendees will be able to network with other local community members and advocacy leaders during breakout conversations on how state level policy impacts decisions at the local level and how to make an impact! Registration required; $20 suggested ticket price to support cover the event cost but LRNow is offering Free promo code - "VCNVB2024" - General Assembly Preview | Virginia Conservation Network

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation will be hosting its own General Assembly Preview Webinar on Wednesday, December 18 from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm.   Register at Virginia General Assembly Preview - Chesapeake Bay Foundation

And the Chesapeake Bay Foundation will be organizing a Clean Water Lobby Day on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.  This is an opportunity to join other advocates to go to Richmond and meet with your Delegate and/or Senator to speak up for environmental issues important to you.  CBF is providing a charter bus with pickup/drop-off locations in Norfolk and Newport News this year, so you don’t have to worry about driving and parking in Richmond.  They will hold a Zoom call the week before so you know the issues and what to expect. They will even make the appointment with your elected officials so that you will be grouped with others in your area. During the meetings, you can speak or support others. Fact sheets will be provided to leave with the legislator, so you don’t have to memorize all the details. Topics CBF is focusing on include microplastics, environmental justice, environmental education, wetlands, and oysters.  You can of course bring up your own priorities in the meeting.   Lunch will be provided. You just need to get up early and bring your passion for clean water!  Sign up at Virginia Clean Water Lobby Day - Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Trails and Connectivity Plan

The City Council approved the proposed Trails and Connectivity Plan at its meeting on November 19.  When asked, the Planning staff described the plan as "aspirational".  The Plan documents that the current active transportation network is disjointed and lacks accessibility, public transit options are often limited, and many open spaces, parks, recreational - and institutional - destinations can be difficult to reach on foot or by bicycle today.  Throughout the review process, the City's Bicycle and Trails Advisory Committee expressed concerns that the Plan does not define how projects will prioritized.  With the approved plan not providing a clear roadmap forward, continued advocacy on a project by project, street by street, basis will be needed.

Planning Commission Updates 

In November, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the following.  These should go before City Council in December:

  • Yadkin Road Battery Energy Storage Facility which will clear about 6 acres of forest
  • Steel Street Shipping Container Storage Conditional Use Permit - 11 acre site was being used as junk car storage, no significant tree impact.  Looks like site is already being used for shipping containers but needs to get Conditional Use Permit.  Note says this parcel is in CBPA.
  • An accelerated proffer modification request for The Commons site at northeast corner of Grassfield Parkway and Cahoon Parkway to change from Mixed Use Development to Apartments; site is already completely clear-cut for development.  

In December, the Planning Commission will consider the following projects of interest:
  • Homestead Pet Crematorium that would have a net loss of about 0.6 acres of tree canopy
  • Tow Yard in Camelot that should not impact existing tree canopy.

City Council Updates

In October, the City Council approved 

  • LS GreenLink USA, Inc. submarine power transmission cables manufacturing at the old Chesapeake Deep Water Terminal next to St. Juliens Annex.  

Green Drinks Chesapeake - Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Our next Green Drinks meeting will not be until Wednesday, January 29.  

What is Green Drinks?  Green Drinks is mostly for people working on environmental issues, but anyone can come -- people from environmental groups, businesses, government, academia, and as individuals. There is no 'us and them'. Green Drinks is a chance to mingle, share insights, inspire and delight each other. Come out and order some food or a drink (each participant pays for their own drinks and food; if drinking, please do so responsibly!) and join the conversation. Please do share the invite with others who may be interested. 

Action Alerts
  • Chesapeake residents in the Elizabeth River watershed can receive a free native tree from the Elizabeth River Project.  Limit one tree per home; homeowners are responsible for planting and providing proof of planting within 30 days. Free Tree Program - Elizabeth River Project
  •  Due 12/6: The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is accepting public comments on the proposed regulatory framework to help solar developers avoid impacts to our state's prime agricultural and forest lands. This work come out of HB206 passed by the Virginia General Assembly during the 2022 session.  The Chesapeake Bay Foundation has an action alert to help you make comments at Support Responsible Solar Development in Virginia!  You can find the full text of the proposed regulations at the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall View Stage
  • Leave Your Leaves.  Decomposing leaves provide a natural mulch for your yard.  You can simply mulch mow them into small pieces on your lawn where they will act as a natural fertilizer.  Leaves also provides essential habitat for a variety of beneficial insects and other wildlife.


Volunteer Opportunities

In the News

Stay on top of the latest news and join the conversation in our Facebook group at Greening Chesapeake (link corrected).



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October Newsletter

Green Drinks Chesapeake - Wednesday, October 30

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, October 30 at YNot Italian in Greenbrier.  We'll be taking a look ahead to the General Assembly in January.  This will be our last meeting until the new year.  

What is Green Drinks?  Green Drinks is mostly for people working on environmental issues, but anyone can come -- people from environment groups, business, government, academia, and as individuals. There is no 'us and them'. Green Drinks is a chance to mingle, share insights, inspire and delight each other. Come out and order some food or a drink (each participant pays for their own drinks and food; if drinking, please do so responsibly!) and join the conversation. Please do share the invite with others who may be interested. 

Trails and Connectivity Plan

I'm disappointed and frustrated to report we've had little success in getting the Planning Department to revise the draft Trails and Connectivity Plan to put an emphasis on making our roads safer.  The Planning Commission again Continued (deferred) the Plan to let the Planning Department consider all the comments being submitted.   Specific edits to the Priority and Next Steps section of the document were provided and these were discussed with the Planning Department representative at the Bicycle and Trails Advisory Committee.  But when the revised draft came out this week, nearly all of the requested changes were rejected.  The Planning Department said they were outside the "scope of this planning effort, its goals and purpose, [and] industry best practices".  Apparently making our roads safer in the near term is not in scope.  

The document goes back to the Planning Commission next week on Wednesday, October 9.  Regardless of their vote, they are required to send document on to the City Council, which will likely vote on the document in November.  

The latest draft of the Trails and Connectivity Plan is now available at https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/3233/Chesapeake-Trails-and-Connectivity-Plan 

The latest draft does address some concerns raised earlier, although not necessarily in a clear and definitive manner, regarding 
  • building the already funded projects like the Western Branch Rail Trail and India River Road bike lanes 
  • creating connections along low stress corridors with bike boulevards at minimal cost
  • providing online maps of existing routes

But other key recommendations not included are steps 

  • creating a framework for how to prioritize projects
  • making safety a key consideration for prioritization
  • defining tools to use for prioritization such as the VDOT Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Action Plan (PBSAP)
  • making near term safety improvements such as crosswalks, sidewalk maintenance, wayfinding, etc.
  • adding an Action Step to Develop Short-Term Priorities - the current plan only says 114 miles of primary routes are priority, which at our current pace would take many decades to complete
  • adding an Action Step to develop a driver and bicycle safety education program (beyond just "establishing a page on the City website dedicated to bike/ ped education, driver/bike/ped safety, and project updates")
Please make your voice heard at the Planning Commission and City Council.  

More Comp Plan Open Houses

The next round of Comp Plan Open Houses has been scheduled: 

Western Branch Community Center
October 3, 2024 from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. 
4437 Portsmouth Boulevard

South Norfolk Community Center
October 7, 2024 from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. 
1217 Godwin Avenue

Great Bridge Primary School 
October 16, 2024 from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. 
408 Cedar Road

Fire Station #7                                  
October 24, 2024 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. 
3444 S Battleļ¬eld Boulevard


Vote!

Early Voting is underway.  Satellite voting sites start to open on October 7. See the full list of Chesapeake voting locations and sample ballots at https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=357
  • "Any registered voter can vote early in person without needing to apply to do so. If you decide to vote early, you can vote at any of the locations below (you don’t have to stay in your precinct).
  • Voter Registrar’s Office (411 Cedar Rd.)
    September 20 – November 2, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
    Saturday, October 26 and Saturday, November 2, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
    Sunday, October 6, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
  • Satellite Locations - Central Library, Indian River Library, Major Hillard Library, Cuffee Community Center
    October 7 - November 2,
    Monday – Thursday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
    Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
    Saturday, October 26 and Saturday, November 2, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • *All satellite locations will be closed on Monday, October 14.
  • Western Branch Community Center
    October 21 – November 2
    Monday – Thursday from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
    Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
    Saturday, October 26 and Saturday, November 2 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m."
The deadline to register to vote, or update an existing registration is October 15, 2024. (Voters may register after this date, through Election Day, and vote using a provisional ballot).  Election Day - the last day to vote - will be Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Need to register to vote, check your status, or update your voter registration?  Visit https://vote.virginia.gov/ today.

Planning Commission Updates 

One project of interest at Planning Commission in September were recommended for approval:

  • GreenLink power transmission cable manufacturing ("tallest building in Virginia") 
None of the zoning items on the October agenda appear to have significant environmental impact.

City Council Updates

In September, the City Council also approved a development project of interest:

  • Long Ridge Road Solar (5 MW) Farm
In October, a project of interest going before the City Council is:
  • GreenLink power transmission cable manufacturing ("tallest building in Virginia") 


Virginia Conservation Network - Common Agenda

The Virginia Conservation Network (VCN) has published the 2025 Common Agenda, a collection of papers written by, vetted through, and voted on by VCN’s 170+ Network Partners.  This briefing book explains the Commonwealth’s environmental policy background and potential opportunities for the 2025 Virginia General Assembly (GA) in Richmond.   Briefing papers cover a broad spectrum of topics including clean water & flood resilience, land & wildlife conservation, land use & transportation, climate & energy, and good governance, and provide the basis for proposed environmental legislation at the state level for GA session starting in January.  

Nearly every briefing in the agenda has relevance for Chesapeake, but some key ones near and dear to us include

  • Maximizing Tree Canopy
  • Preventing Polluted Stormwater Runoff
  • Ensuring Long-Term Flood Resilience
  • Walkable, Bikeable Communities
  • Building Coastal Resiliency
  • Sustainable Housing Growth
  • Implementing Environmental Justice
  • Preserving Working Farms & Forests

Find the full document at Our Common Agenda - Virginia Conservation Network (vcnva.org).  

VCN will be hosting a weekly webinar series over the next month featuring environmental experts from across the state to discuss the key and emerging issues included in the Common Agenda. The series kicks off next with Clean Water & Flood Resilience issues on Wednesday, October 9 from 12:00 - 1:30 pm. You can learn more and register here. 

Data Centers

The September meeting of the Chesapeake Economic Advisory Committee (EDAC) featured a panel discussion of leaders from 4 Hampton Roads regional organizations - the Planning District Commission (HRPDC), HR Transit, HR Chamber, and HR Alliance.  The HR Alliance, in particular, expressed enthusiasm for attracting Data Center development to the Hampton Roads region.  While Data Center provide some attractive economic opportunities and possibilities to build municipal tax base, they are also major consumers of power and water to cool the massive farms of computer servers, especially for those running AI systems.  The siting and infrastructure needs for such data centers are something to keep a close eye on.  An, hopefully extreme, example of poor planning was the opening of a data center by xAI in Memphis that seemingly skirted several permitting steps.   

Action Alerts
  • The Planning Department is starting work on the Deep Creek Area Plan. Take the first Community Survey at Deep Creek Area Plan | Chesapeake, VA (cityofchesapeake.net)
  • It's time to start following "Lights Out" for the fall migration in Hampton Roads. As part of this voluntary program, property managers, businesses, tenants, government agencies, and residents are urged to help to prevent night-time bird collisions with building by turning off and/or blocking as many external and internal building lights at workplaces as possible at night to help prevent injury and death of migrating birds, especially from 11 pm to sunrise. Learn more at https://www.birdsafehr.org/

Volunteer Opportunities

In the News

Stay on top of the latest news and join the conversation in our Facebook group at Greening Chesapeake (link corrected).



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September Newsletter

Green Drinks Chesapeake - Wednesday, September 25

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, September 25 at YNot Italian in Greenbrier.

What is Green Drinks?  Green Drinks is mostly for people working on environmental issues, but anyone can come -- people from environment groups, business, government, academia, and as individuals. There is no 'us and them'. Green Drinks is a chance to mingle, share insights, inspire and delight each other. Come out and order some food or a drink (each participant pays for their own drinks and food; if drinking, please do so responsibly!) and join the conversation. Please do share the invite with others who may be interested. 

Trails and Connectivity Plan

The latest draft of the Trails and Connectivity Plan is now available at https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/3233/Chesapeake-Trails-and-Connectivity-Plan 

Unfortunately, this draft, going to the Planning Commission on Wednesday, September 11th, still does not set clear priorities and does not define steps to make our Chesapeake's streets safer for bikers and walkers today.   

The day after the August Planning Commission meeting, Steve Shil was tragically involved in a severe crash with a vehicle while riding his bicycle at the intersection of Mt. Pleasant Road and Hilwell.  Mr. Shil died of his injuries a week later.   Apparently, he was an avid biker and in decades past an activist for improving bicycle safety.   Despite decades of talking about the need to make our roads safer, people are dying at an alarming rate.  Considering the percentage of crashes, pedestrians and bicyclists are at greatest risk of death and injury.

After spending a year asking the citizens of Chesapeake what is most important to them, the draft Plan makes no serious attempt to define priorities for bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements or which routes should be upgraded first. The best the document does is say that all 112 miles of the proposed "core network" are a priority, even though these routes are along our major arterial roadways, crossing highway interchanges and waterways, and therefore the most costly and difficult to construct.  The document suggests the actual work of recommending near-term priorities can be done in the Bicycle and Trails Advisory Committee (BTAC) even though the City staff did not use the prioritization provided by BTAC to prepare this document or select the so-called "sample projects" for this document.  

If you look at the public comments listed in the document and the comments from BTAC, what people are asking for is for the City to:

  • actually build the already funded projects like the Western Branch Rail Trail and India River Road bike lanes
  • improve and build out crosswalks across the city to provide safe passage, especially near parks, schools, libraries, business areas, and bus stops
  • identify the "low-hanging fruit", routes where we can create connections along low stress corridors with bike boulevards at minimal cost
  • lower speed limits and implement traffic calming practices
  • provide both online maps of existing routes and real-world wayfinding signage
  • fix existing sidewalks and curb ramps
  • make sure all new developments have sidewalks and as appropriate bikeways.
  • build new wider sidewalks to close gaps
  • and yes, ultimately, build out the complete network of 400 miles of trails across the city, prioritized based on principles of equity and most benefit.

The current draft simply is not good enough. The Plan needs to set priorities - which can start with the items above - and set timelines.  Let's ask for a further continuance at the Planning Commission to require the Planning Department to do better.  

Those wishing to speak at the Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday, 9/11, must sign up with the clerk before 7 PM.  Meeting Agendas & Videos | Chesapeake, VA (cityofchesapeake.net)

Also, a memorial ride for Mr. Shil is planned for Saturday, 9/14, 9 am starting from the Riverwalk Clubhouse - Shils & Thrills Memorial Bike Ride | Facebook

Greenbrier Area Plan

At the August Green Drinks meeting we discussed possible improvements and comments we should make for the Greenbrier Area Plan.  These comments may be considered for a sign-on letter from Green Drinks attendees to the City and/or shared with other groups such as the CEIC for possible inclusion in their comments on the Plan.  Areas we talked about include Pedestrian, Bicycle and Active Connectivity and Safety (overlapping on issues in the Trails and Connectivity Plan), Transit, Tree Preservation and Planting,  Building Energy Efficiency, Lighting, and Dark Skies, and Parking.    Read more at Greenbrier Area Plan (greeningchesapeake.com).   

Reply back to this e-mail to let us know your thoughts - what would you do related to the Greenbrier area if you were "chief city planner for a day"? 

Comp Plan Update

Also at the August Planning Commission meeting, Planning Director McNamara gave an update on the Comp Plan work. From an environmental perspective, some positive points listed on his charts included

- Moving People, Not Cars - Complete Streets
- Proactively monitor pollutants in water supply
- Expand use of "green infrastructure"
- Economic Development - emphasize conversion of abandoned and obsolete sites
- Help community adapt to flooding and sea level rise
- Resilient Development - address development process
- Renewable Energy - adopt standardized practices; lead way in City spaces
- Urban Forest - mature tree protection policy; reforestation efforts; tree inventory
- Grow Housing Opportunities - "Missing Middle"
- Design Streets for Pedestrians - safety and beauty; wayfinding, signage, and landscaping

See some screen shots from the presentation at Comp Plan Update (greeningchesapeake.com)

Planning Commission Updates 

Two projects of interest at Planning Commission in August were recommended for approval.

  • Church on Battlefield across from Water Treatment Plant.  22 of 25 acres are wooded, but plan does not impact those woods.  Should add some landscaped buffer around new structures. (Concurrently advertised and also approved by City Council in August
  • 5 MW Solar Farm on Long Ridge Road.  

The GreenLink power transmission cable manufacturing ("tallest building in Virginia") was Continued to the September 11th Planning Commission meeting.  Apparently, the Navy has security concerns that need to be addressed.   This is the only development project on the September agenda.  Meeting Agendas & Videos | Chesapeake, VA (cityofchesapeake.net)

City Council Updates

At the City Council's 8/20 meeting, they approved a Request to let the City apply for a $1.465 Million grant from the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation.  Local match if the grant is awarded would be $1.474 Million.  OSAP funding is the identified source for the match funding.  If awarded, this grant would be used to preserve 96 acres of forest and wetlands on the west bank of the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth between the High Rise Bridge and Veterans Bridge. The land is about 68% wetlands. 

In August, the City Council also approved two development projects of interest:

  • Medium Density Residential project on Joliff Road putting 146 single family and town homes on 30.8 acres.  It does preserve area in CBPA minimizing net tree loss.
  • Church on Battlefield across from Water Treatment Plant.  
In September, a project of interest going before the City Council is:
  • 5 MW Solar Farm on Long Ridge Road. 
Solar Farms and Pollinators

When the Long Ridge Road Solar Farm project went before the Planning Commission in August, one of the speakers in opposition complained that one of the problems with one of the existing solar farms in the city was that they were letting the grass grow up to the bottom of the solar panels.  My response is that that is the way it is supposed to be!

The City of Chesapeake Government has a fairly well written Solar Energy Policy governing the development of solar farms in Chesapeake.  One of the requirements is that the site groundcover shall consist of native species of grasses and pollinator plants to benefit birds, bees, and other insects and support pollinators vital to local crop production.  

Letting the vegetation grow is essential to providing the pollinator habitat and building deep roots that enable deep stormwater infiltration and minimize runoff.   The Solar Energy Policy requires that projects get certified as VA Pollinator-Smart as per the Virginia DCR Pollinator Smart Comprehensive Manual.  The manual emphasizes plant selection to minimize mowing and mowing to no less than 10 inches to prevent "scalping of native species".    

CBF VoiCeS Class

The next CBF VoiCeS class is coming to Virginia Beach, September 24- October 29.  This is a highly recommend class providing a holistic appreciation about the environmental health of region.  The class connects you with a strong cross section of people working to make things better.   Become a Chesapeake Steward - Chesapeake Bay Foundation (cbf.org)

Get Ready to Vote!

It's another big election year.   On the ballot will be

  • President and Vice President of the United States
  • U.S. Senator
  • U.S. Representative
  • Mayor of Chesapeake
  • Chesapeake City Council (3 members at large)
  • Chesapeake School Board (4 members at large)
  • Referendum on Curbside Recycling in Chesapeake

The first day of in-person early voting will be Friday, September 20, 2024.  The deadline to register to vote, or update an existing registration is October 15, 2024. (Voters may register after this date, through Election Day, and vote using a provisional ballot).  Election Day - the last day to vote - will be Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

Make your plan on how you will vote now.  Need to register to vote, check your status, or update your voter registration?  Visit https://vote.virginia.gov/ today.

More Upcoming Dates

Action Alerts
  • It's time to start following "Lights Out" for the fall migration in Hampton Roads. As part of this voluntary program, property managers, businesses, tenants, government agencies, and residents are urged to help to prevent night-time bird collisions with building by turning off and/or blocking as many external and internal building lights at workplaces as possible at night to help prevent injury and death of migrating birds, especially from 11 pm to sunrise. Learn more at https://www.birdsafehr.org/
  • Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism (PRT) is conducting a community-wide survey as part of development a new PRT Master Plan.  Take the survey at https://chesapeakeparksurvey.org/ 
  • Hampton Roads Transit has put out a survey about these final four options for Connecting Chesapeake which mode most appeals: express bus, bus rapid transit, or light rail at https://www.connectingchesapeake.com/
  • Share you "Flood Story" with Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation to help support flood resilience planning in Virginia. Tell them where it flooded and how that flooding impacted you.  You can also share details like photos, dates, and frequency of flooding.  Share your experiences at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/9622222664b94ae6a4efef69184c43b2
Volunteer Opportunities

In the News

Stay on top of the latest news and join the conversation in our Facebook group at Greening Chesapeake (link corrected).



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Greenbrier Area Plan

Updated September 2, 2024

The stated purpose of the Greenbrier Area Plan is to "develop strategies to guide future development, maintain Greenbrier’s economic advantage in the marketplace and attract new businesses and residents by improving the qualities that make Greenbrier a unique place in the city." The plan envisions significantly increasing the density of the area with considerable new urban mixed-use development, new neighbor scale and age-targeted housing, adding a large capacity regional multi-purpose athletic/entertainment facility, all while enhancing the commercial retail environment and serving a major urban employment center.   

One stated goal is to improve the Quality of Life for residents and workers in the Greenbrier area "by strengthening the appeal and livability of the built environment and the availability and quality of services provided."  Some of the specific components to be studied include steps to

  • improve existing open spaces, create new open spaces, integrate existing water features and other natural resources, and expand the tree canopy
  • improve congestion and connectivity. Private vehicles, public transportation, parking, bike trails, and roadway beautification will all be considered.
  • high-level infrastructure improvements needed to support future development within the study area, including water, sewer, stormwater, and communications.
  • address resiliency in regard to the overall environmental and economic health of the study area.
  • development of design guidelines to include components such as site design, building design, place-making, branding, wayfinding, and other design components 
  • a deliberate approach to streetscapes, landscaping, lighting, and sidewalks will help promote a more pedestrian-friendly environment.
On May 22, the City held an Open House to share some of the plans so far, but the information presented very high level, essentially consisting of 7 charts that can be seen at Greenbrier Area Plan | Greenbrier Area Plan | Chesapeake, VA (cityofchesapeake.net). Many of the components listed above were only touched upon lightly, providing limited information on which to comment.  Another Open House is expected in the fall.

The environmental benefit of targeting development to such an urban core is that it helps divert development from open space and agricultural areas on the fringe of the region.  The City's population, currently at 255,000, is projected to grow to just shy of 300,000 by 2045. The number of households will grow from about 95,000 to over 113,000.  That is 18,000 new households.  Focusing a greater portion of this growth in existing parts of the city rather than low-density "suburban sprawl" can result in preservation of open space and agricultural lands on the outskirts of the City. 

But in order for increased density to have provide a real benefit of bringing people and business together, the area needs to have strongly enhanced pedestrian, bicycle, and transit infrastructure to encourage people to get out of their cars.  Otherwise, if all the extra people living and working in the area are forced to rely on automobiles, the plan will result in severe traffic congestion.   We also need to figure out how to grow our urban forest while building more housing, including more affordable housing.   And all this new development needs to factor in a 21st century building standards, high quality of life, and climate resilience.  

At our August Green Drinks meeting we discussed improvements and comments on the plan that the group would like to see including:

Pedestrian, Bicycle and Active Connectivity and Safety
- Adopt Complete Streets approach including sidewalks, more and better crosswalks, bike paths, etc.
- Complete Volvo Parkway Multi-Use Path to Oak Grove Park and then on to Chesapeake Hospital
- Prioritize trail connections between Summit Point, Oak Grove Park, Chesapeake Hospitial, Arboretum, and City Park.
- Be consistent with Trails and Connectivity Plan
- Address walkability (similar to Virgnia Commerce Park - FT Williams site) Design Guidelines
- Bicycle Pedestrian Connectivity to Indian River and Great Bridge (across highways)
- Trees along trails
- Add pocket parks

Transit
- Incorporate HRT Connecting Chesapeake recommendations
- Increase bus frequency
- Shuttle service between Conference Center, Summit Point, City Hall

Trees
- 30% Tree Canopy Goal
- Incentives for tree preservation rather than lawns and parking
- Street tree planting
- Preservation of City owned forest land adjacent to Oak Grove Park

Building Energy Efficiency, Lighting, and Dark Skies

- New construction and major renovation of buildings should take advantage of best available building design and operation practices.  The Virginia Commerce Park Design Guidelines 
- LED lighting at 3000K or below
- Bird Safe Glass for new construction
- Lights Out/Dark Sky protocols to minimize night time illumination other than for access and safety.  

Parking
- Eliminate Parking Minimums
- Improve Parking Lot Stormwater Management with biorention basins and pervious surface materials where feasible.

Overview charts from City website (click on image to magnify):


Charts from May Open House (click on image to magnify):



















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Comp Plan Update

At the Planning Commission last Wednesday Planning Director McNamara gave an update on the Comp Plan work. He'll probably give the same or similar briefing the City Council work session on Tuesday. From an environmental perspective, some positive points listed on his charts included

- Moving People, Not Cars - Complete Streets
- Proactively monitor pollutants in water supply
- Expand use of "green infrastructure"
- Economic Development - emphasize conversion of abandoned and obsolete sites
- Help community adapt to flooding and sea level rise
- Resilient Development - address development process
- Renewable Energy - adopt standardized practices; lead way in City spaces
- Urban Forest - mature tree protection policy; reforestation efforts; tree inventory
- Grow Housing Opportunities - "Missing Middle"
- Design Streets for Pedestrians - safety and beauty; wayfinding, signage, and landscaping
But presentation didn't go into details on any of these. More community meeting will happen in the fall, so more opportunity to keep pushing for good.










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August Newsletter

 View this newsletter online at http://www.greeningchesapeake.com/

Green Drinks Chesapeake - Wednesday, August 28

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, August 28, 6 pm to 8 pm at YNot Italian in Greenbrier.  A topic of conversation will be the Greenbrier Area Plan.

What is Green Drinks?  Green Drinks is mostly for people working on environmental issues, but anyone can come -- people from environment groups, business, government, academia, and as individuals. There is no 'us and them'. Green Drinks is a chance to mingle, share insights, inspire and delight each other. Come out and order some food or a drink (each participant pays for their own drinks and food; if drinking, please do so responsibly!) and join the conversation. Please do share the invite with others who may be interested. 

August Planning Commission Meeting 

There are three projects of interest going to Planning Commision on August 14: 

  • LS GreenLink USA, Inc. submarine power transmission cables manufacturing at the Chesapeake Deep Water Terminal next to St. Juliens Annex.  This includes a 600' tall structure related to the manufacture of these cables. 
  • The draft Chesapeake Trails and Connectivity Plan (see below for more details)
  • 5 MW Solar Farm on Long Ridge Road.  Site is farm field;  project would add about 2.5 acres of landscaped buffer.
  • Church on Battlefield across from Water Treatment Plant.  22 of 25 acres is wooded, but plan does not impact those woods.  Should add some landscaped buffer around new structures

Trails and Connectivity Plan

The draft Chesapeake Trails and Connectivity Plan is going to the Planning Commission for review on Wed, Aug 14.  The Plan offers a great opportunity to layout a figurative and literal roadmap on improving walkability and connectivity in the City of Chesapeake, but this draft needs to go into more detail on how to realistically implement the proposed trail network and provide residents and visitors with tangible improvements in the near term, i.e. in the next 1 to 3 years, not just a vision for an undefined future date.  Learn more at Thoughts on Draft Chesapeake Trails and Connectivity Plan (greeningchesapeake.com).

If you wish to comment to the Planning Commission directly either by comment before the meeting, or in person at the meeting, please see Planning Commission | Chesapeake, VA (cityofchesapeake.net).   The full Draft of the Trails and Connectivity Plan can be found at Chesapeake Trails and Connectivity Plan | Chesapeake, VA (cityofchesapeake.net)

Connecting Chesapeake Study

Hampton Roads Transit has narrowed it study of options for high-capacity transit in Chesapeake to four routes, i.e. Tier 2 Alternatives.  These routes run from Summit Pointe or the Chesapeake Regional Medical Center to downtown Norfolk, two generally along Battlefield Blvd. and two going more to the east before eventually going across Indian River Road.  It briefed the City Council on these options at a Council Work Session on July 23.  The next step is to complete a next level technical feasibility analysis on these routes to present to the City Council.  Ultimately the City Council would need to agree to fund creation of these routes.  Interestingly, all these routes also follow routes identified as part of future Core Network of bicycle routes in the Trails and Connectivity Plan.  Co-existence of transit and bicycle paths will be an important factor to consider.  Learn more about the study a survey about these final four options plus which mode most appeals: express bus, bus rapid transit, or light rail at https://www.connectingchesapeake.com/


LS GreenLink USA, Inc. 

The Eizabeth River Project Technical Committee hosted a meeting at Paradise Creek with the developers of the proposed LS GreenLink facility in Chesapeake.  This project builds a $681 million facility along the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth to manufacture submarine power transmission cables for offshore wind projects.  The facility includes at 660' tall tower to manufacture the cables, which ultimately are many miles long. Customers would include projects up and down the east coast and in Europe.  The target is to be operational by 2027.  This is an industry to support green infrastructure and the company's representatives at the meeting seemed to genuinely be interested in making this facility a green facility.  It's obtaining tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act's green subsidies and plans to include 3 MW of rooftop and perhaps parking lot top solar.  Other asks from attendees at the meeting included minimizing loss of existing trees along the shoreline, planting pollinator/wildlife habitat the portion of the property reserved for future expansion, and following dark skies/bird safe lights out protocols, all of which they seemed amenable with.    The project application for a Conditional Use Permit to build the 660' tower will be at the Planning Commission on Wednesday, August 14.

70-story, $681M submarine cable plant planned for Chesapeake would be Virginia’s tallest building | WAVY.com

    Oak Grove Lake Park 

    At our last Green Drinks, Don B. told us how during PRT's Paddle Your Way | Chesapeake, VA (cityofchesapeake.net) events, he has been building a map of the depth of the lake - and telling us about some of the items and debris that are on the lake bottom.  Those who are curious can find his data on the social mapping tool C-MAP Genesis - Social Map (genesismaps.com); zoom to Oak Grove Lake Park. 

    City Council Updates

    In July, the City Council approved a resolution to authorize and direct the city attorney to petition the Circuit Court to call advisory referendums on "a proposed ordinance imposing a fee to establish a curbside recycling program." They also approved three development projects of note:  

    • McGhee’s Concrete on Bainbridge Blvd.
    • An apartment/condo complex at the south terminus of Kingsborough Square, i.e. behind the Food Lion off Battlefield where there was a plant rescue event a few months ago.  This would clear about 6 acres of woods, with only about 1.5 acres of trees replanted.
    • A YMCA Athletic Field in Great Bridge just off the end of Etheridge Manor Blvd on a wooded lot with about 9.3 acres of trees; we'd lose at least 8 acres of trees.  

    The biggest development project, Springton at Grassfield,  a 172.5 acre Planned Unit Development along Dominion Blvd, was Continued Indefinitely at the request of the applicant.  Future date at council is TBD. 

    Coming up in August, among the development projects to be considered will be a Medium Density Residential project on Joliff Road putting 146 single family and town homes on 30.8 acres.  

    More Upcoming Dates

    • August 24 - The Chesapeake Bay Foundation will hold a self-paced Green Infrastructure Tour.  They invite you to explore at your leisure 10 beautiful examples of Green Infrastructure from 9 a.m. to Noon on Saturday, August 24. The tour is free, but you must register to receive a map of the locations.  Register at https://events.cbf.org/calendar/event/653
    Action Alerts

    In the News

    Stay on top of the latest news and join the conversation in our Facebook group at Greening Chesapeake (link corrected).


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