View this newsletter online at Greening Chesapeake
Happy New Year! Coming up in January
Join the Chesapeake Sustainability Network for a call to plan next steps on improving sustainability in Chesapeake on Thursday, January 8, 12:30 pm. Next Green Drinks will be on January 28, 6 pm at the Cutlass Grille, 725 Eden Way N #700 in Greenbrier. Read more about all these topics, as well as upcoming Planning Commission and City Council agendas, Election Results, Action Alerts, Upcoming Events, Volunteer Opportunities, and what's In the News in our full newsletter below. |
January Newsletter
In this edition ● Chesapeake Sustainability Network ● Deep Creek Area Plan ● Comp Plan - Next Steps ● Planning Commission ● City Council ● Election Results ● Green Drinks ● Action Alerts ● Volunteer Opportunities ● In the News
Chesapeake Sustainability Network
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The draft Chesapeake Comprehensive Plan will be presented to the City Council for approval on January 20.
Several of the issues we raised in our comments letter were addressed in the current draft reviewed by the Planning Commission. However, several important recommendations were not addressed. A key area is educating and connecting residents, businesses, and institutions with conservation landscaping practices such as the use of native plants, creating pollinator gardens, rain gardens, and reducing erosion.
Planning Commission
Going to Planning Commission on January 14 is an amendment to bring the Zoning Ordinance into alignment with the recently updated “South Norfolk Historic Design Guidelines” and three Conditional Use Permit applications.
There are three applications for Conditional Use Permits.
Find the full agenda at Planning Commission Agenda
City Council
In December, the City Council approved
- PLN-USE-CT-2025-005 in Western Branch to build 199’ tall Communication Tower on City Property. Potential canopy loss of about 0.2 acres
The schedule for the City Council in January includes zoning applications for
- PLN-SUBV-2025-003 in Deep Creek to subdivide a 3.2 acre lot into 2 lots for single family homes. Potential canopy loss of about 1.5 acres when homes are built.
- PLN-REZ-2025-008 in Great Bridge at southern side of Hanbury Road West between Kingsbury Drive and Madison Lynn Way to rezone 3 acres to build Low Density Residential. Potential canopy loss of about 1.2 acres
- PLN-REZ-2025-014 in Western Branch at 5028 Portsmouth Blvd. to build a Gas Station. Includes landscaping. Potential canopy loss of about 0.2 acres.
- 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
Volunteer Opportunities
- Friends of Indian River Volunteer Opportunities
- Chesapeake Parks, Recreation, and Tourism has ongoing efforts for invasive species management and tree planting on multiple dates through 2026. Sign up at Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism: Volunteering Opportunities
In the News
- Dominion’s offshore wind project is one of 5 suspended by the Trump administration - WHRO
- Clean energy is surging despite political attacks. But a slowdown may be looming - WHRO
- SCC Ruling on Dominion Rate Case - Loudon Now - One of the better articles on the SCC setting a new rate class for data centers power costs.
- Federal cuts are taking a toll on the Great Dismal Swamp, local officials say - WHRO
- Chesapeake Bay region leaders approve revised agreement committing to cleanup through 2040 - WHRO
- Large natural gas pipeline expansion through Hampton Roads now in use - Virginian-Pilot