In this edition ● Chesapeake Sustainability Network ● Data Center Policy ● Comp Plan ● Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Ordinance ● Planning Commission ● City Council ● Green Drinks ● Action Alerts ● Upcoming Events ● Volunteer Opportunities ● In the News
Chesapeake Sustainability Network
Join the Chesapeake Sustainability Network on Thursday, September 4, 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm, for a virtual meeting to discuss our local efforts. We'll use Google Meet with this link https://meet.google.com/izm-fjyg-tgs
Our agenda for Thursday will include:
- Introductions
- Data Center Policy - update on meetings with City Council Members
- Comp Plan Comments and Sign-on Letter
- Revised Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Ordinance
- Legislative Agenda Input
Data Center Policy
We've met with several City Council members to discuss changing City ordinances to make data centers a Conditional Use that would require a Permit from City Council and shared our Data Center Fact Sheet and Analysis Paper with them. We need the City to develop a Data Center Policy similar to the Solar Energy Policy the City developed for solar farms. Join us at our virtual meeting on Thursday, September 4 to discuss details and next steps.
Comp Plan
The DRAFT Chesapeake Comprehensive Plan is now published and in a 60-day public comment period thru September 26. You can find the draft document and learn more at https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/3275/Comprehensive-Plan-Update
We will have a sign-on letter with comments available later this week. The Comprehensive Plan lays out a roadmap for the City for the next twenty years. We applaud the draft for providing a strong vision for creating a high-quality future for the City that is proactive about developing necessary infrastructure, protects green and open space, works to connect people, and respects the unique character of different parts of the City. The policies presented adopt the principles of Smart Growth, focus on moving people on Complete Streets that provide safe access to all, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit users. The document includes good policies related to the environment, resilience, and supporting rural areas. There are several key areas in which we would like to see improvements, including promoting healthy landscapes, planning for energy infrastructure and green infrastructure, dealing with sea level rise, particularly at the Northwest River Water Treatment Plant, and supporting energy efficiency and solar. You can find a draft of the comments we collected at Chesapeake Comp Plan - Working Copy of Comments
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Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Ordinance
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission in September has an application of interest:
- PLN-REZ-2024-014 - rezoning 18.8 acres from A-1 to R-10 for low-density residential along Elbow Road in Greenbrier.
Find the full agenda at. Planning Commission Agenda
City Council
- PLN-COMP-2025-002 - Greenbrier Area Plan
- PLN-TXT-2025-005 - changing the Zoning Ordinance to increase the permitted density of single-family homes in the urban overlay district (generally Indian River, South Norfolk, Greenbrier, Riverwalk, Deep Creek north of I-64) from 7 homes per acre to 9 homes per acre.
In August, Vice Mayor John de Triquet passed away following a very brief illness. Dr. de Triquet was a long serving council member, first elected in 1994. Outside the Council, he is remembered as a dedicated doctor and for nearly 40 years as a pediatrician at The Children’s Hospital of The Kings Daughters where he treated thousands of children over the years and solidified a legacy of compassion.
In September, as per the City Charter, the Council will appoint someone to fill the vacancy due to Dr. de Triquet's death. The appointed council member must be a qualified voter of the city and will serve on the Council until a successor is elected in November 2026. The City Council will also select one of its members to serve in the role of Vice Mayor.
Green Drinks Chesapeake - Wednesday, September 24, 2025
The next Green Drinks meeting will be on Wednesday, September 24. We're trying a new venue, Taqueria La Patrona - Grassfield, at 648 Grassfield Pkwy #9, Chesapeake, VA 23323 (next to the Grassfield Walmart). Our guest speaker will Liz Williams who will will talk to our group about water and soil pollution from the PFAS and PFOA "Forever Chemicals," how the City of Chesapeake may be affected by them, and what can be done about it. She is a technical consultant and environmental health advocate for military affiliated communities. She has served as a former state regulator in California and Virginia, specializing in water compliance issues. She has also served as a consultant to the USEPA Office of Water.
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
- Sign a petition to let your elected officials know that you support a Bottle Bill for Virginia. Sign the Petition - The Bottle Bill Virginia
- Are you taking steps to help improve the Chesapeake environment with the landscaping in your yard? If you are, we would love to recognize your efforts and share tips on what more you can do. Sign up for our new Chesapeake Healthy Landscape program at https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/1254/Chesapeake-Healthy-Landscape-Program
- 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
Upcoming Events
- The fall "Bird Safe/Lights Out" campaign runs through November 15. As part of this voluntary program, the Cape Henry Audubon Society and its partners urge property managers, businesses, tenants, government agencies, and residents to join us in helping 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. Visit https://www.birdsafehr.org/ to learn how you can get involved.
- Chesapeake Celebrates Trees will be on September 27, 2025, noon to 4 pm at Judge Eileen Olds Courtyard Park at the municipal center. Activities will include tree climbing demonstrations, interactive butterfly exhibit, portable sawmill demonstrations, forest bathing, tree trail tours, information tables, food truck, giveaways and more. Chesapeake Celebrates Trees | Chesapeake, VA
Volunteer Opportunities
- Help the Elizabeth River Project build a new wetland in the Western Branch. Volunteer dates through September 23. Help Build a New Wetland - Western Branch
- International Coastal Cleanup/Clean Virginia Waterways will be on Saturday, September 20. There will be many cleanups around the region including ones hosted by Friends of Indian River Volunteer Opportunities and Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism/CEIC
- Catch the King is an annual tide mapping event that recruits volunteers to collect flooding data during the Perigean king tides—the highest tides of the year. Learn more at Catch the King — Wetlands Watch
- Chesapeake Parks, Recreation, and Tourism has on-going efforst for invasive species management and tree plants on mulitple dates into 2026. Sign up at Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism: Volunteering Opportunities
In the News
- Chesapeake adopts future growth plan for Greenbrier hub - Virginian Pilot
- Study finds coastal wetlands generate $90 million annually for Virginia communities | Virginia Institute of Marine Science
- Virginia regulators hit pause on gas compressor plan near Chesapeake neighborhood • Virginia Mercury
- Virginia loses $156 million for expanding solar power after EPA grant cut - WHRO
- Solar companies in Hampton Roads are racing to install rooftop solar before federal tax credits expire - WHRO
- Louder streets, higher health risks: study highlights noise disparity in Hampton Roads - WHRO
- Trump administration takes aim at satellite that measures carbon dioxide and crops : NPR