Greening Chesapeake: August 2026

September Newsletter

In this edition ● Data Center Ordinance and Policy ● City Council Candidate Questionnaire ● Virginia Bottle Bill ● Bird Safe Hampton Roads ● 2026 Legislative Scorecard ● Chesapeake Sustainability Network ● Upcoming Events ● Planning Commission ● City Council ● Green Drinks ● Action Alerts ● Volunteer Opportunities ● In the News

City Council Candidate Questionnaire: Topics included data centers, trees, affordable housing, open space, flooding, alternative transportation, government transparency, and more.

Topics of Interest

Data Center Policy

Chesapeake Comp Plan

Greenbrier Area Plan

Streetscape rendering from Plan

General Assembly 2026

Urban Forestry

Bike & Ped Facilities

September Newsletter

Data Center Ordinance and Policy

As part of the coalition of organizations concerned about data centers, we successfully got the City Council to adopt a clean, interim Data Center Ordinance on August 18th. We filled the City Council chambers. 39 people spoke in opposition to the original draft Ordinance, and almost that many more were in the room in opposition who did not speak. The Council likely received dozens, if not hundreds, more e-mails and calls in opposition. The Council heard loud and clear the overwhelming concern and opposition to large-scale data center development in the City. We thank Amanda Newins for offering alternative ordinance wording that closed the By-Right Loophole, removed the Fentress Overlay from consideration for data centers by Conditional Use, and tabled the remaining criteria, such as noise limits and setbacks, for further public input. The Council also asked Staff to request an opinion from the State Attorney General on whether a locality can effectively ban data centers. The adopted August 18 version of the interim ordinance can be found at Data Center Ordinance and Policy | Chesapeake, VA

But our work is not done yet. The policy decisions for setbacks, noise, water consumption, landscaping, etc. still need to be finalized. Even the victory on the Fentress Overlay comes with the caveat that properties anywhere in the City could still apply to be rezoned as M-1 or M-2 industrial zones and concurrently apply for a Conditional Use Permit to build a data center. Similarly, the only barrier to building data centers By-Right in the Coastal Virginia Commerce Park PUD adjacent to the Great Dismal Swamp is the lack of power, water, sewer, and other infrastructure.

The final regulations on setbacks, noise, water and power usage, landscaping, lighting, and decommissioning will ultimately decide where and how data centers can be built in the City. We will be working on a detailed position paper on these issues and we encourage you to stay involved and look out for additional action alerts.

In the near-term, the Planning Department is holding three open houses in September to collect public input, each from 5 pm to 7 pm:

Tuesday, September 1, Great Bridge Primary School, 408 Cedar Road
Monday, September 14, Indian River Community Center, 2250 Old Greenbrier Road
Wednesday, September 30, Camelot Community Center, 948 King Arthur Drive

The moratorium implemented by the City Council expires in February, but we expect the Planning Department will probably work to bring a revised ordinance back to the City Council before then, likely after the November election.

Learn more about the City's proposed policy and the various concerns, including opening up the Fentress overlay to data center development, permitted noise levels, setback distances from residential properties, plans for decommissioning defunct data centers, and efficiency standards.

City Council Candidate Questionnaire

This November's election includes many crucial votes, including for the US House and Senate, and pivotal Virginia Constitutional Amendments. Locally, the Chesapeake City Council and School Board each have 5 seats up for election. Early, in-person voting starts on September 18th.

There are 15 candidates, including 3 incumbents, running for the 5 City Council seats. The Chesapeake Sustainability Network sent a survey to each of the candidates asking their positions on key environmental issues important to citizens of Chesapeake. Topics included data centers, trees, affordable housing, open space, flooding, alternative transportation, government transparency, and more. As of the writing of this newsletter, we thank the candidates who have responded (in the order received): Ozan Duran, Dr. George Yacus, Santiera Brown-Yearling, Jennifer Naperala, Dr. Janelle St Louis, Amanda Newins, and Daniel Rosinski.

You can see their responses to our questions at https://www.greeningchesapeake.com/2026/08/city-council-candidate-questionaire-2026.html

Virginia Bottle Bill

Jaimi McPeek, Legislative Director for the Virginia Bottle Bill Organization, spoke at our last Green Drinks meeting about their efforts to implement a deposit system for beverage bottles and cans in Virginia. In such a system, you pay a deposit on each bottle or can you buy. When you return your empty can/bottle to the store or special redemption center, you get the deposit back. Ten other states, covering about 1/3rd of the US population, now have such programs.

Having a bottle bill would significantly reduce litter; plastic and glass bottles, cans, and bottle tops make up 5 to the 10 most littered items - and probably the majority of items by volume. According to research by Clean Virginia Waterways, plastic bottles, glass bottles, and aluminum cans are approximately two and a half times more frequently littered in Virginia than in states with bottle bills. Reducing this pollution source will make our streets, parks, and waterways cleaner, reduce cleanup costs, and reduce the amount of microplastic entering the ecosystem as plastic bottles degrade.

A bottle bill also improves recycling efficiency because these containers are not contaminated or lost in single-stream waste collection systems. It would even save us money as taxpayers in reduced tipping fees for city trash sent to SPSA for processing and disposal.

Learn more at The Virginia Bottle Bill Organization

Bird Safe Hampton Roads

The fall "Lights Out" campaign is officially underway in Hampton Roads. As part of this voluntary program, the Cape Henry Audubon Society and its partners urge property managers, businesses, tenants, government agencies, and residents to help prevent nighttime bird collisions with buildings 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.

During migration, birds rest during the day and fly at night. During their long-distance flights, birds become disoriented by the bright, artificial lights of cities and are drawn into hazardous urban areas, where building collisions are a leading human cause of bird deaths, killing around 1 billion birds each year. Learn how you can help at Bird Safe Hampton Roads.

2026 Legislative Scorecard

The Virginia League of Conservation Voters has published its 2026 Legislative Scorecard. See how your senator or delegate voted on environmental issues in this year's General Assembly at VALCV

Chesapeake Sustainability Network

The next Chesapeake Sustainability Network planning call will be on Thursday, September 3, 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm, to discuss our local efforts. We'll use Google Meet - see the e-mailed newsletter for the link or reach out to us at greeningchesapeake@gmail.com

The agenda will include Data Center next steps, support for Virginia Bottle Bill legislation, partnering with Bird Safe Hampton Roads, EcoFest planning, and more.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, September 12, 10 am - 3 pm, EcoFest @ Russell Memorial Library.

Various organizations and vendors will be tabling, including the Chesapeake Sustainability Network. There will be educational workshops, hands-on activities, and a live band performing from noon to 3:00 p.m. There will also be a screening of the film "We're All Plastic People Now" at 1 pm.

Saturday, September 26, 12 - 4 pm, Chesapeake Celebrates Trees @ Chesapeake Arboretum

Chesapeake celebrates 40 years as a Tree City USA. The event will include Arbor Day Ceremonies, tree climbing demonstrations, interactive butterfly exhibit, forest bathing, tree trail tours, a food truck, giveaways, and more.

Planning Commission

Some agenda items of interest for the Planning Commission on September 9 include:

PLN-USE-2025-009 in South Norfolk at 2651 S. Military Highway, along the waterfront. Requests a conditional use permit to utilize the site for concrete crushing and recycling and requests a height exception for 170-foot-tall silos and tanks. The parcel is 46 acres, including 20 acres of tree canopy; potential tree canopy loss of 8.0 acres. Note that this site is about 320' from Reunion townhouse community (on the other side of the railroad tracks). Continued from July meeting.
PLN-USE-2025-049 in Deep Creek at 1500 Steel Street, along waterfront. A conditional use permit to allow container stacking on a 54-acre parcel. Current tree canopy is about 7 acres; ~0 acres lost; site plan keeps existing buffers. Continued from June.
PLN-REZ-2025-013 in Southern Chesapeake at 2728 Battlefield Blvd. S. Rezone 13.6 acres to Light Industrial for a concrete company and associated equipment and storage. Currently about 8 acres of trees. No significant impact to tree canopy; add perimeter buffer.
PLN-REZ-2026-003 in South Norfolk at 1328 22nd St. & 906 B St. Rezone 0.3 acres to Urban Business District for outdoor storage for a contractor business. No significant tree canopy. Site plan adds shrubs around perimeter.
PLN-USE-2026-015 in Southern Chesapeake at 1004 W. Saint Brides Rd. A conditional use permit to operate a meeting and banquet hall and an alternative parking surface on an 88-acre property. Current tree canopy is 6.4 acres. 0 acres of tree canopy are disturbed in the site plan.
PLN-USE-2026-017 in Rivercrest at 1652 Debaun Ave. (at Battlefield/I-64 Interchange). Conditional Use for 4-story self-storage facility on 6.2-acre property. About 0.9 acres of tree canopy. ~0 acres of additional tree canopy loss; being built on already cleared land.
PLN-USE-CT-2026-003 in Southern Chesapeake in Heritage Park, at 244 Saint Brides Rd. W. A Conditional use permit to construct an approximately 199-foot-tall communications tower on a 140-acre property. Existing tree canopy is 68 acres. Loss of about 0.4 acres of tree canopy for an access road to an existing clearing in the woods.
PLN-TXT-2026-002 - Ordinance Change due to State Code Updates. Modify requirements for wireless facilities including temporary support structures, by-right locations for manufactured housing, off-street parking requirements and administrative reductions of parking spaces, development of residential uses on property owned by certain tax-exempt organizations, and small lot residential districts.
PLN-TXT-2026-003 - Ordinance Change due to State Code Updates. Modify local regulation of solar and battery energy storage facilities.
PLN-COMP-2026-003 - Comp Plan Change due to State Code Updates. Modify local regulation of solar and battery energy storage. facilities.

Find the full agenda at Planning Commission Agenda

To submit comments to the Planning Commission online, visit https://cityofchesapeake.jotform.com/210536857544057

City Council

Some agenda items of interest at the City Council in September:

PLN-REZ-2025-010 in Grassfield at 2113, 2117, & 2115 Grassfield Rd & a portion of 860 West Rd - Builds Senior Housing on a 9.6-acre lot. Currently about 6 acres of trees. Loss of about 4.5 acres in the plan. Planning Commission recommends Denial
PLN-REZ-2026-001 in Rivercrest at 727 Wickford Dr., 853 & 845 Great Bridge Blvd. - Build Multifamily Residential. Currently 2.2 acres of tree canopy. Loss of about 1 acre of tree canopy in the plan. Planning Commission recommends Approval.

At August City Council meetings

PLN-REZ-2025-015 in Great Bridge at 1401 Battlefield Blvd S, Great Hope Baptist Church. Requests rezoning but with no definitive site plan. Earlier site plan showed addition of 486 parking spaces, accessory buildings, and ball fields to existing church. Current tree canopy is approximately 0 acres; no new landscaping shown in initial site plan. Withdrawn by Applicant
PLN-REZ-2025-021 in Western Branch at the western terminus of Woodland Drive. Builds Low Density Residential - 22 lots, minimum 8000 sq. ft. Currently 10.5 acres of tree canopy. Loss of about 7 acres in the plan. Sets aside a riparian buffer in CBPA. Approved by City Council
Data Center Ordinance - see above for details.

City Council meeting details are posted to the City Council agenda page.

Green Drinks

Our next Green Drinks Meeting will be on Wednesday, September 30 at 6 pm. Location TBA.

Action Alerts

Federal Budget: Urge Congress to do the right thing and uphold environmental funding for the Chesapeake Bay restoration. The administration's proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget slashes critical funding to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and the National Park Service (NPS). Contact your congressional representatives now - https://cbf.quorum.us/campaign/trumpbudget/
Federal Budget: Oysters: Ask Congress to Keep the Chesapeake Bay’s Oyster Sanctuaries Protected. The U.S. House Appropriations Committee recently passed a Fiscal Year 2027 funding bill for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that includes two harmful provisions (Sec. 586 and 587). One would open up protected oyster sanctuaries to commercial fishing; the other would cut off restoration funds for oyster sanctuaries most in need of investment. Contact your congressional representatives now - https://cbf.quorum.us/campaign/noaafunding/
Healthy Landscapes: 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

Volunteer Opportunities

Would you like to learn more about the environmental issues impacting the Chesapeake Bay watershed and ongoing restoration efforts? The next Chesapeake Bay Foundation Chesapeake Stewards (VoiCeS) class, a highly recommended multi-week adult education course, will be held in Portsmouth (near Camelot) from September 15 to October 20. Learn more and Register
Friends of Indian River Volunteer Opportunities
Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council Volunteer Opportunities

In the News

Chesapeake moves to restrict data center development, Virginia Beach presses pause - WHRO
EPA plans to make it harder to provide public input on data centers- The Virginian-Pilot
The Mid-Atlantic's electric grid operator is taking steps to rein in data center demand - WHRO
$689M manufacturing complex planned near Dollar Tree HQ in Chesapeake - WAVY
Dominion-NextEra merger could mean higher rates in the long run, experts tell Virginia lawmakers - The Virginian-Pilot
Could a Dominion-NextEra marriage be bad news for rooftop solar? - WHRO
Virginia Beach City Council to oppose seabed mining off Eastern Shore- The Virginian-Pilot

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Candidate Survey Respones - Daniel Rosinski

1. Considering data center ordinance changes under consideration in Chesapeake, what policies would you support regarding the siting of data centers and the management of associated impacts, such as setbacks, noise, pollution, water use, energy demand, backup generators, environmental impacts, and infrastructure costs?

Answer: Per my petition signature, on Council I will oppose data centers anywhere in Chesapeake. When I served at the Navy Yard, my wife and daughter and I lived in Prince William County which (with others in Northern Virginia) went “all in” on large-scale data centers, and now seriously regrets the noise pollution and resource draws on neighborhoods. As an attorney, I appreciate that Council appears to have abandoned one of the premises it used to justify the proposed “conditional use” ordinance for data centers, which would have allowed them in important parts of rural Chesapeake like Fentress. This was its claim that a complete ban would violate the “Dillon Rule” limits on local government powers in Virginia, notwithstanding prior bans by local governments on environmentally harmful practices like fracking. Particularly where Council was not prepared to accept the reduced maximum daytime and nighttime decibel levels and increased setback requirements proposed by the Planning Commission, I oppose the “conditional use” approach. Even if those issues were addressed, the uncertainty over fossil fuel backup generator testing and usage (from which we have seen massive disruptions to the electrical grid and pollution) and the potential excessive draws on public water systems while we deal with droughts, lead me to favor a ban/oppose any conditional use.

2. How would you promote making more clean energy available to residents, businesses, and institutions in Chesapeake? What is your position on siting of battery energy storage systems (BESS) and utility scale solar? What do you believe the City can do to promote rooftop, balcony, and parking lot solar?

Answer: Because Washington D.C. cancelled incentives which made renewable energy more accessible to residents, businesses, and institutions, and tried to stop renewable projects like the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, on Council I would use available powers to increase the percentage of on-the-grid renewables available to our residents. I spoke at Planning Commission on 6/10/2026 in support of the proposed BESS, because it would provide residents power generated from renewables in periods of high demand without use of polluting “peaker” plants. I heard the concerns of Hickory residents, and support citing the BESS elsewhere in Chesapeake. I believe we can follow our General Assembly authorizing rooftop/balcony solar, by encouraging parking lot solar in rezoning proffers, while maintaining tree canopy requirements.

3. Between 2014 and 2021, the City had a net loss of over 800 acres of trees, largely to development. What polices will you support to protect tree canopy during development? Would you support increasing the tree canopy requirement on site plans for low-density single-family home development?

Answer: Yes, I would support increasing the tree canopy requirement (as authorized by recent General Assembly legislation) because trees not only reduces apparent temperatures by up to 10 degrees with shade, but also provide flood control through water absorption. To improve tree canopy, I would also support requiring additional proffers in business rezoning applications to increase the tree canopy, so that we end up with more trees in new development projects (as we should see with the approved Costco development).

4. Our region faces a significant shortage of housing that is affordable to people earning the area median income or less. How would you promote building more housing in communities that maintains a high quality of life and a healthy and livable environment?

Answer: We need 15,000 new homes including affordable multifamily housing, and we are not on track. Though we must avoid overdevelopment and maintain agriculture in Chesapeake, I would use our rezoning authorities to ensure that such developments adopt features seen in the Knick’s Reserve and Stillwater communities, including sidewalks, gardens, and community events spaces, along with multifamily housing. This will ensure that we are adding complete neighborhoods which prioritize life and walkable design.

5. Chesapeake continues to experience flooding, sea level rise, and increasingly intense rainfall. What are your priorities for improving flood resilience to protect neighborhoods, businesses, and natural resources?

Answer: My priorities are to mitigate increased flooding risks by nurturing natural features and improving built ones. We should protect tree canopy and existing wetlands by requiring proffers to maintain or improve them in rezoning applications. rather than allowing the paving over or other destruction of wetlands, as the Viridian Reserve North development unfortunately allowed. We need to improve stormwater pipe capacity and replace slow-draining ditches to adapt to higher volume storms, and work to improve our community rating in federal assessments so we can obtain additional resources to buy out chronically flooded properties.

6. One of the top resident priorities is "Preservation of large areas of open space and forest.*" How should Chesapeake balance continued economic growth with the preservation of open space, forests, wetlands, farms and rural character? How would you expand the City's urban forestry and natural lands management, such planting and maintaining trees, managing invasive plants, maintaining natural trails, and training staff on best practices? * As reported in the Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Master Plan study.

Answer: We should reduce expanding built-up area and parkland in developments at the expense of natural forest, the opposite of the approach taken in Viridian Reserve North. Naturally forested areas can be a valuable buffer area to absorb stormwater, and though I support responsible development efforts for more housing, I also support using proffers to increase the portions of communities left in a more natural state.

7. Considering that many daily trips that people make are over short distances, often less than 1 or 2 miles, how would you work to make our streets safer and more connected for people walking, biking, and using mobility devices?

Answer: I would prioritize sidewalks, crosswalks, and measures like “HAWK signals” in areas like Military Highway, Portsmouth Boulevard and Campostella Road, where parents hesitate to even have their children walk to school. We need to review speed limits for pedestrian safety, improve bicycle safety in places like Indian River Road, put in wildlife crossing signs in areas like Greenbrier, and fix railroad crossings.

8. How would you improve access to public transportation in our City?

Answer: Many areas need better connectivity by sidewalks to closer bus stops. I support ensuring better bus access to locations like the Chesapeake CARES center off of Military Highway, so that there can be more effective usage of buses and HRT OnDemand services.

9. Considering the new 25-year contract the City signed with SPSA for combined single-bin trash and recycling collection, and considering the steadily increasing tipping fees (cost per ton collected) associated with the new contract, what steps should the City take to encourage residents, businesses, schools, and institutions to REDUCE the amount of solid waste put out for collection?

Answer: While it should increase recycling participation and diversion of otherwise unusable recyclables, single bin collection is not a complete solution. There are residents in housing not using City waste services, so the City needs to improve on recycling centers that have often been overloaded and unsightly in the past.

10. Would you support implementing a 5¢ fee on plastic bags to encourage the use of reusable shopping bags and to fund local environmental cleanup, litter and pollution mitigation, or environmental education efforts, and/or to provide reusable bags to recipients of SNAP or WIC benefits? Why or why not?

Answer: Because plastic bags themselves often seem to end up as pollution, I am supportive of pricing in the direct costs of cleaning them up into the product with a measure like this. Residents can avoid the costs entirely (unlike most of the dozen-odd taxes on property and services) by using reusable bags.

11. What steps would you take to improve transparency and public engagement in land use and development decisions?

Answer: Council needs to follow-through on Staff promises for more community meetings on topics like data center regulations. It also must stop arbitrarily reconsidering issues residents already took the time to speak against at Council, and manipulating speaker order to create the appearance of balance where there is none (as in the Virginia Natural Gas compressor station rezoning). Showing Council listens is key to encouraging citizens with an interest in their community to volunteer for those departments, boards, and commissions.

12. What other sustainability, environmental, or quality-of-life issue do you believe deserves greater attention? Please elaborate.

Answer: Council needs to look at overexpansion of hunting areas and unsafe target shooting in Southern Chesapeake. DWR supporting conversion of some former farms near homes into hunting areas raises safety and quality of life concerns. We should push back on these proposals and increase safety requirements.

Candidate Survey Responses - Amanda Newins

Answer: Chesapeake should not sacrifice our neighborhoods, rural communities, natural resources, water supply, or quality of life for unchecked industrial growth. I have been one of the strongest voices on Council pushing back against inappropriate data center development. Last year, I led the charge against a proposed data center on Centerville Turnpike that was positioned immediately adjacent to a residential neighborhood. I have also led the charge to prevent the expansion of data centers into rural Chesapeake, where these massive industrial facilities are fundamentally incompatible with our agricultural land, rural character, and surrounding communities.
More recently, I moved to eliminate data centers as a by-right use and establishing a moratorium while the City develops stronger standards. I have also asked for an opinion from the Virginia Attorney General to determine whether Chesapeake has the legal authority to ban data centers altogether, because our legal staff has advised Council that the City currently cannot do so. I believe we have an obligation to fully explore every legal option available to protect our residents.
Going forward, if we cannot ban data centers, they should be located only where they are compatible with surrounding land uses and where the developer, not existing residents, is responsible for the infrastructure costs created by the project. I support meaningful setbacks from homes, stronger noise and lighting standards, careful review of water consumption and groundwater impacts, requirements addressing air pollution and backup generators, and consideration of the demands placed on our electric grid and infrastructure. We need to take a comprehensive approach without sacrificing the quality of life, natural resources, and character that make our city special.

Answer: I support expanding access to reliable, affordable clean energy in ways that make sense for Chesapeake. We should encourage rooftop solar on homes and businesses, solar on appropriate parking facilities, and other projects that use already-developed land rather than unnecessarily converting productive farmland, forests, or open space.
I believe battery energy storage systems and utility-scale solar should be carefully and appropriately sited. I have opposed industrial uses such as large battery storage facilities when they are proposed too close to homes, schools, and established communities. Clean energy should not come at the expense of residents’ safety or quality of life.
For rooftop and parking-lot solar, Chesapeake can lead by making permitting straightforward, identifying appropriate public facilities and parking areas, and considering solar opportunities when constructing or renovating City facilities if cost efficient.

Answer: Chesapeake’s trees are an important part of our quality of life, helping manage stormwater, reduce heat, protect air and water quality, and preserve the character of our communities. Protecting tree canopy should be part of responsible development rather than something considered after the fact.
I would support stronger tree-preservation and replanting requirements where appropriate, particularly on large development projects, while recognizing that requirements need to be practical for individual homeowners as well. We should prioritize preserving mature trees and meaningful natural areas rather than simply replacing trees one-for-one after they are removed.

Answer: We can expand housing opportunities without abandoning the character that makes Chesapeake a desirable place to live. I support responsible growth that puts housing where existing roads, schools, utilities, public safety services, and other infrastructure can support it.
We should encourage appropriate infill and redevelopment and development that is close to existing services and employment centers when appropriate. At the same time, we should not solve a housing shortage by simply pushing development farther into rural areas, forests, wetlands, and agricultural land. Good planning means creating housing opportunities while protecting the infrastructure, open space, and quality of life residents depend on.

Answer: Flood resilience should be treated as both an infrastructure priority and an environmental priority. We need to continue investing in stormwater infrastructure, drainage improvements, culvert capacity, pump systems, and maintenance while making sure new development does not worsen flooding for existing neighborhoods. I also support protecting wetlands, forests, open space, and other natural areas that help absorb and manage stormwater.

Answer: Economic growth and environmental stewardship do not have to be competing goals. My approach is to make sure growth occurs in the right places and does not undermine the qualities that make Chesapeake special. Protecting our farms, forests, wetlands, waterways, and rural communities is protecting our quality of life.
Chesapeake should continue to use thoughtful land-use planning, open-space preservation, conservation tools, and infrastructure planning to direct development toward appropriate areas. We should also look for opportunities to expand tree planting, maintain existing City trees, control invasive species, preserve and improve natural trails, and train City staff in modern urban forestry and natural-land management practices. Our character is one of Chesapeake’s greatest assets.

Answer: I support a Chesapeake where residents can safely walk, bike, or use mobility devices when they choose to do so. That means continuing to invest in sidewalks, trails, crosswalks, lighting, safe crossings, and connections between neighborhoods, schools, parks, businesses, and other destinations.
Our Comprehensive Plan already recognizes the importance of sidewalks, infrastructure improvements, and connected communities. We should prioritize projects that close gaps in our existing network and make routes safer rather than simply building disconnected segments. Safety must remain the first consideration, particularly around schools and high-traffic roadways.

8. How would you improve access to public transportation in our City?

Answer: Public transportation should be convenient, reliable, safe, and connected to where people live and work. I would support continued coordination with regional transportation partners to identify opportunities to improve routes, frequency, and connections.

Answer: The best way to control long-term waste costs is to reduce the amount of waste we generate in the first place. The City should expand education about recycling and waste reduction and work with schools, businesses, and community organizations on practical programs that encourage reuse, composting where appropriate, and responsible disposal.
The City should measure the effectiveness of its waste-reduction efforts and look for opportunities to reduce costs while improving environmental outcomes.

Answer: No, I would not support a 5¢ tax or fee on plastic bags. I support the goal of reducing plastic waste, litter, and pollution, but I do not believe adding another cost to citizens, particularly families already struggling with the rising cost of living, is the best way to accomplish it.
Instead, I would support pursuing voluntary and incentive-based approaches that encourage reusable bags without placing an additional burden on residents. The City could partner with local businesses and community organizations to provide reusable bags, expand environmental education and litter-prevention programs, and encourage retailers to offer incentives or discounts for customers who bring reusable bags.
Protecting our environment is important, but we should find smarter solutions that change behavior and reduce waste without reaching further into the pockets of Chesapeake families.

11. What steps would you take to improve transparency and public engagement in land use and development decisions?

Answer: Residents deserve to understand what is being proposed in their neighborhoods, what the potential impacts are, and when they have an opportunity to be heard. I support earlier and more meaningful public engagement rather than waiting until a project reaches the final stages of the approval process.
The City should make development information easier to find and understand, provide clear explanations of proposed changes, and give residents adequate notice and meaningful opportunities to participate. Staff reports should clearly identify potential impacts on traffic, schools, utilities, public safety, water, stormwater, environmental resources, and surrounding neighborhoods.

12. What other sustainability, environmental, or quality-of-life issue do you believe deserves greater attention? Please elaborate.

Answer: I believe we need to place greater emphasis on the connection between quality of life, responsible development, and infrastructure capacity. Environmental protection is not separate from quality of life, it is a fundamental part of it.
That would mean protecting our waterways and drinking water, preserving forests and open space, reducing flooding, maintaining our rural character, and making sure development does not overwhelm roads, utilities, schools, or public safety services. It also means recognizing that once we lose a farm, mature forest, wetland, or natural area to
As a Council Member, I have focused on putting Chesapeake first and my most recent actions regarding data centers and industrial uses near residential communities reflect that approach. We can welcome investment and economic development while still insisting that growth be responsible, appropriately located, and compatible with the community.

Candidate Survey Responses - Dr. Janelle St Louis

Answer: I believe Chesapeake must approach data center development with extreme caution. My position begins with a simple principle: economic development should improve the quality of life of Chesapeake residents, not compromise their health, environment, infrastructure, or neighborhoods. I have listened to residents across Chesapeake, and the message I continue to hear is clear: they do not want our city transformed into another major data center corridor. As a candidate for City Council, I believe it is my responsibility to listen to those concerns and act accordingly.
I support the decision to eliminate the by right allowance for data centers under the city’s existing zoning framework. Facilities of this size, intensity, and potential environmental impact should never be permitted without public review and direct accountability from City Council. I also support the decision to defer opening additional areas of Chesapeake to data center development while the city develops a comprehensive policy.
The Planning Commission’s proposed amendments represented important additional protections. The Commission recommended increasing the proposed setbacks from 100 feet from a property line and 500 feet from an existing residence to 1,320 feet, or one-quarter mile, from the property line and 2,640 feet, or one half mile, from existing residences. The Commission also recommended lowering allowable low-frequency noise levels to 55 dBC at night and 60 dBC during the day and applying those protections to all neighboring property types, rather than limiting them only to residential properties. Additional language emphasized protecting existing communities and minimizing infrastructure impacts.
Although City Council did not adopt the Planning Commission amendments and instead placed a temporary eight-month moratorium on data centers while work continues on a final policy, I believe this period should be used to strengthen Chesapeake’s protections, not weaken them. If elected, the policies I would advocate for include:
1. Strong siting restrictions and meaningful setbacks. I support, at minimum, the Planning Commission’s recommended one-quarter-mile setback from property lines and one-half-mile setback from existing residences. I would also support additional protections for schools, childcare facilities, healthcare facilities, parks, environmentally sensitive areas, wetlands, conservation areas, and other locations where industrial development could negatively affect residents or natural resources. Setbacks should be viewed as minimum protections, not an automatic entitlement to build. Meaning a setback requirement should not, by itself, mean that a proposed data center is appropriate for a particular location.
2. No by-right data centers. Every proposed data center should require a conditional use permit and a public hearing before City Council. Residents deserve to know what is being proposed in their communities and to have a meaningful opportunity to influence the decision before a project is approved. I would support robust community engagement requirements before an application reaches City Council, including neighborhood meetings, accessible project information, disclosure of anticipated environmental and infrastructure impacts, and restrictions on nondisclosure agreements that prevent the public from understanding projects being considered in their community.
3. Strict and enforceable noise protections. Noise is not simply a nuisance issue; chronic noise can become a quality-of-life and public health concern. Data centers operate continuously, and cooling equipment, mechanical systems, electrical infrastructure, and backup generators can produce persistent sound, including low frequency noise. I support the Planning Commission’s recommendation of maximum low-frequency noise levels of 55 dBC at night and 60 dBC during the day, applicable to all neighboring properties. I would also require independent pre-construction sound modeling, post-construction testing, continuous monitoring where appropriate, publicly accessible compliance information, and meaningful enforcement when facilities exceed allowable limits. Noise-generating equipment should also be located and oriented away from homes, schools, parks, and other sensitive uses whenever possible.
4. Protection of Chesapeake’s water resources. Data centers can require significant amounts of water depending upon the cooling technology used. Chesapeake should not approve projects without knowing exactly how much potable water they will require and how that demand could affect residents, businesses, agriculture, emergency capacity, and future growth. I would require applicants to disclose projected annual and peak water consumption and identify their cooling technology before approval. Chesapeake should prioritize technologies that minimize potable water consumption, encourage closed loop or other water efficient cooling systems, and require water conservation and reuse wherever feasible. Our residents should never be asked to conserve water while extraordinarily water-intensive industrial facilities receive preferential access to our resources.
5. Energy demand and grid impacts. The extraordinary electricity demands associated with large data centers deserve serious scrutiny. Before approving a project, Chesapeake should understand its projected energy consumption, necessary transmission infrastructure, effects on grid reliability, and potential long term costs to residents. I support requiring comprehensive energy impact assessments and coordination with utilities before approval. I would also encourage renewable and clean energy procurement, energy efficiency standards, and technologies that reduce peak demand. Most importantly, residential customers and small businesses should not be forced to subsidize infrastructure upgrades necessitated primarily by large data center developments.
6. Backup generators, air pollution, and public health. Large data center campuses may require numerous diesel powered backup generators. While those generators may operate primarily during emergencies and testing, their cumulative emissions and noise must be considered. As a healthcare professional, I view environmental policy through a public health lens. Air quality matters, particularly for children, older adults, and people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. I would require applicants to disclose the number, type, capacity, emissions profile, testing schedule, and anticipated operation of backup generators. Chesapeake should establish limits on testing hours, require best available emissions control technology, encourage cleaner backup technologies as they become feasible, and evaluate cumulative emissions rather than treating each generator independently.
7. Developers must pay the infrastructure costs they create. This is one of my strongest positions. Chesapeake taxpayers should not subsidize private data center development. If a data center requires road improvements, electrical infrastructure, utility expansion, water or sewer improvements, stormwater facilities, emergency service capacity, or other public infrastructure, the developer should bear the costs attributable to that project. Before approving any data center, City Council should receive a transparent fiscal impact analysis comparing projected tax revenue with the full short and long term public costs associated with the development. Promises of increased tax revenue are not enough. We need to know the net benefit to Chesapeake after infrastructure, environmental, public safety, utility, and other costs are considered.
8. Protect existing communities first. My position ultimately comes down to whom local government is supposed to serve. Chesapeake’s residents have already invested in their homes, neighborhoods, farms, businesses, and communities. We should not force existing residents to absorb industrial noise, additional pollution, environmental risks, infrastructure costs, or dramatic changes to their quality of life simply to accommodate a new industry. I support the eight month moratorium because Chesapeake needs me to get this policy right. However, the moratorium should result in stronger protections and greater transparency, not simply a roadmap for where the industry can expand next. I am not convinced that large scale data center development is the right economic development strategy for Chesapeake. The burden should therefore be on the applicant to demonstrate that a project provides a genuine, measurable, long term benefit to our city without shifting environmental, health, infrastructure, or financial costs onto our residents. I have listened. Chesapeake residents are telling us they want their neighborhoods, environment, infrastructure, and quality of life protected. I intend to be their voice on City Council.

Answer: I support expanding clean and renewable energy in Chesapeake because reducing our carbon footprint is an investment in our environment, our public health, and the long-term resilience of our city. I believe solar energy should be a significant part of that strategy. The City can encourage greater access to rooftop, balcony, and parking lot solar by reviewing unnecessary permitting barriers, streamlining approval processes, educating residents and businesses about available incentives, and exploring solar installations on appropriate City owned buildings and parking facilities. We should also encourage partnerships that make solar more accessible to residents who may not be able to afford the upfront costs.
I support responsibly sited utility scale solar, but location matters. Projects should protect environmentally sensitive areas, agricultural land, neighborhoods, and Chesapeake’s character while providing meaningful benefits to our community.
I am more cautious about Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Battery storage can help make renewable energy more reliable, but large scale systems also present legitimate public safety concerns, including thermal runaway events that can be extremely difficult to extinguish and may require firefighters to focus on containment while the affected batteries burn. Before approving BESS facilities, I would want rigorous fire safety standards, appropriate setbacks, emergency response plans, environmental protections, and meaningful consultation with our Fire Department and surrounding communities.
Most importantly, I believe residents deserve a real voice in decisions that affect their neighborhoods. I am running to represent the people of Chesapeake, not to predetermine every land use decision before hearing from them. I support clean energy and reducing our carbon footprint, but our transition must also be safe, responsible, transparent, and responsive to the citizens we serve.

Answer: As Chesapeake continues to grow, we have to be intentional about protecting the natural resources that make our city a great place to live. Losing more than 800 acres of trees in just seven years is concerning, particularly as we face increased development, flooding, extreme heat, and stormwater challenges.
I support stronger policies that prioritize preserving mature trees during development, require thoughtful replacement when removal is unavoidable, and encourage developers to incorporate existing tree canopy and green space into site design rather than clearing first and replacing later.
I would also support increasing tree canopy requirements for low density single family developments, provided the requirements are practical, environmentally sound, and do not unnecessarily increase the cost of housing. Smart growth means finding that balance.
Trees are not simply an aesthetic amenity. They help manage stormwater, reduce flooding and heat, improve air quality, and protect the character of our neighborhoods. As a Councilwoman, I will support responsible development that allows Chesapeake to grow without sacrificing the environment and quality of life we are responsible for protecting for future generations.

Answer: Housing affordability is one of the most pressing challenges facing Chesapeake and Hampton Roads. I believe people who work in our city should have a realistic opportunity to live here, including our teachers, first responders, healthcare workers, young families, seniors, and other working residents.
I support increasing our housing supply through responsible, smart growth. That includes exploring the redevelopment of underutilized commercial properties, encouraging a variety of housing options at different price points, and reviewing zoning and development policies that unnecessarily drive up the cost of housing.
However, affordability cannot come at the expense of quality of life. New development must be supported by adequate roads, schools, drainage, utilities, green space, and public safety resources. We should also protect tree canopy, environmentally sensitive areas, and established neighborhoods.
I want Chesapeake to grow thoughtfully, not simply grow for the sake of growth. My goal is balanced development that creates attainable housing while protecting the healthy, safe, and livable communities that make people want to call Chesapeake home in the first place.

Answer: Flooding is not just an infrastructure issue. It is a public safety, economic, environmental, and quality of life issue. As a healthcare professional, I also recognize the public health consequences when families repeatedly experience flooding, property damage, mold, displacement, and financial hardship.
My priority is to make Chesapeake more proactive rather than simply responding after neighborhoods flood. I support investing in modern stormwater and drainage infrastructure, addressing chronic flooding areas, maintaining ditches and drainage systems, and incorporating updated rainfall and sea level rise projections into our long term planning and development decisions.
We also need to recognize that some of our best flood protection already exists in nature. Trees absorb rainfall and their root systems help water soak into the ground instead of immediately becoming stormwater runoff. Preserving tree canopy and reducing unnecessary clearing can decrease the amount and speed of water entering our drainage systems during heavy rainfall. Wetlands and other natural areas can also capture and temporarily store stormwater, helping reduce pressure on neighborhoods and infrastructure.
That is why I support protecting wetlands, preserving mature trees and tree canopy, expanding green infrastructure, and carefully considering development in environmentally sensitive areas and areas prone to flooding. We cannot continue removing natural protections, replacing them with impervious surfaces such as concrete and pavement, and then wonder why our drainage systems are overwhelmed. New development should be designed so that it does not worsen flooding for existing neighborhoods.
I will also advocate for Chesapeake to aggressively pursue state and federal resilience funding so the entire burden does not fall on local taxpayers. Protecting our homes, businesses, natural resources, and infrastructure requires us to plan today for the Chesapeake we will face tomorrow.

Answer: Chesapeake does not have to choose between economic growth and protecting the natural resources that make our city special. We need responsible growth that recognizes our forests, wetlands, farms, waterways, and rural communities as assets worth protecting.
I support directing growth toward areas where infrastructure can appropriately support it while being more intentional about preserving large areas of open space, environmentally sensitive land, wetlands, and Chesapeake’s rural character. Development decisions should consider the cumulative impact of removing forests and replacing natural land with impervious surfaces. Once mature forests, wetlands, and farmland are lost, they can be extremely difficult to restore.
I also support strengthening Chesapeake’s urban forestry and natural lands management. That means planting more trees on public property and in areas with limited tree canopy, but it also means maintaining the trees we already have. We should develop strong maintenance plans, manage invasive plants that threaten native vegetation, preserve and maintain natural trails, and ensure City staff receive training in current forestry, conservation, and land management practices. I would also support partnerships with community organizations, schools, environmental groups, and volunteers to help expand these efforts.
Preserving our natural environment is also part of our infrastructure strategy. Trees help absorb rainfall and reduce stormwater runoff. Wetlands naturally store water and provide protection during heavy rain and flooding. Forests improve air and water quality while providing wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities.
Economic development should improve our quality of life, not require us to sacrifice it. As Chesapeake grows, I want us to measure success not simply by how much we build, but by how responsibly we grow and how much of Chesapeake’s natural character we preserve for the generations that come after us.

Answer: Transportation infrastructure is about more than moving cars. It is about moving people safely. In a city as geographically large and diverse as Chesapeake, we will always need our road network, but residents should not have to get into a car simply to travel a mile to a park, school, neighborhood business, or community facility.
Chesapeake already has a framework to move us in the right direction. The City’s Trails and Connectivity Plan, adopted in 2024, calls for an integrated network of sidewalks, shared use paths, bikeways, trails, and other connections that are accessible to residents of all ages and abilities. Chesapeake 2045 goes even further by calling for a safe and equitable active transportation network, closing sidewalk gaps, installing crosswalks, and incorporating walking and biking infrastructure into new development and future roadway projects.
As a Councilwoman, I would focus on turning those plans into visible improvements in our neighborhoods. I support prioritizing sidewalk gaps, particularly around schools, parks, senior communities, commercial areas, and neighborhoods where residents currently have few safe alternatives to driving. I also support safer and more visible crosswalks, accessible curb ramps, appropriate lighting, protected bicycle infrastructure where feasible, and shared use paths that connect neighborhoods rather than ending abruptly.
Accessibility must be central to these decisions. A sidewalk that ends unexpectedly or lacks an accessible curb ramp is an inconvenience for some residents, but it can become a significant barrier for someone using a wheelchair, walker, or other mobility device. Chesapeake’s own planning for an aging population recognizes the importance of sidewalks, curb cuts, crosswalks, and accessible infrastructure connecting residents to medical, recreational, employment, and other community destinations.
I would also expect new development to contribute to connectivity. When we approve new neighborhoods and commercial developments, we should be thinking beyond the boundaries of an individual project and asking how people will safely walk or bike from that development to the surrounding community. Chesapeake 2045 specifically recommends incorporating active transportation facilities into new developments and City projects when they can connect neighborhoods with schools, libraries, commercial areas, parks, transit routes, and other destinations.
Finally, we need to prioritize investments based on safety, connectivity, and demonstrated community need while aggressively pursuing state and federal transportation grants to leverage local dollars. Chesapeake already has a Citywide Sidewalk Installation project intended to improve safety and connectivity between neighborhoods. I want to build upon that work and ensure our investments close meaningful gaps rather than creating isolated pieces of infrastructure.
For me, this is about giving people choices. A child should be able to walk or bike safely to a nearby park. A senior should be able to walk through their community without encountering an inaccessible intersection. A person using a wheelchair should be able to travel a continuous accessible route. Creating safer, more connected streets makes Chesapeake healthier, more accessible, and more livable for everyone.

8. How would you improve access to public transportation in our City?

Answer: Improving public transportation in Chesapeake requires us to acknowledge a basic reality. A transportation system is only useful if people can actually get where they need to go, when they need to get there.
Chesapeake currently has 12 HRT routes, including two express routes, but our own Chesapeake 2045 Comprehensive Plan identifies significant challenges. Many routes operate only once an hour, some stop service around 7:00 or 7:30 in the evening, and four routes do not operate on Sundays. That does not adequately serve someone working an evening shift, a weekend job, or a resident who depends on public transportation to reach healthcare, education, or essential services.
As a Councilwoman, I would focus on solutions in four areas: frequency, accessibility, connectivity, and innovation.
First, I would work with Hampton Roads Transit to evaluate our existing routes using ridership data and community input and identify where increased frequency and expanded evening and weekend service would have the greatest impact. Chesapeake helps fund HRT and provides guidance on preferred routes, so City Council has a responsibility to advocate for a system that better reflects the needs of our residents.
Second, we have to solve the first and last mile problem. A bus route may technically serve an area, but that means very li le if a resident lives too far from the stop or cannot safely reach it. Chesapeake’s OnDemand Ride sharing program is an opportunity to address that challenge. HRT expanded this micro-transit service into Chesapeake in January 2026 specifically to serve areas with limited fixed route service and connect residents to the larger transit network. I would closely evaluate the results of this program and, if the data demonstrate that it is working, advocate for its continuation and strategic expansion.
Third, transit planning and land use planning need to work together. I want better connections between residential communities and major employment centers, healthcare facilities, schools, shopping areas, and regional transportation hubs. We also need sidewalks, accessible curb ramps, safe crossings, lighting, and appropriate bus shelters so that seniors, people with disabilities, and residents without vehicles can safely reach transit. Public transportation cannot be planned in isolation from the infrastructure surrounding it.
Finally, I believe Chesapeake should continue evaluating higher capacity transit for our future. HRT and Chesapeake have already been studying options including express bus service, bus rapid transit, and light rail, and in 2026 HRT moved forward with additional feasibility analysis for bus rapid transit connecting Chesapeake with Downtown Norfolk. I am not interested in selecting a transportation mode simply because it sounds impressive. I want to understand the cost, projected ridership, economic development potential, regional connectivity, and long term benefit to Chesapeake taxpayers before making that investment.
My approach is practical. Improve the service we have, fill the gaps where traditional bus routes do not work, connect transportation investments to where people actually live and work, and pursue state and federal transportation dollars so Chesapeake taxpayers are not carrying the entire burden.
For residents who cannot drive because of age, disability, income, or circumstance, transportation can determine whether they can get to work, see a doctor, buy groceries, or participate in their community. I want Chesapeake to build a transportation system that provides people with greater access to opportunity, not one that assumes everyone has access to a car.

Answer: With Chesapeake entering a long term waste management agreement and facing increasing tipping fees, reducing the amount of waste we generate is no longer simply an environmental objective. It is also a fiscal responsibility. Every ton of unnecessary material we keep out of the waste stream represents an opportunity to control future costs for our residents.
My approach would begin with a simple principle: the least expensive ton of waste to manage is the ton we never generate. That is also consistent with the EPA’s waste management hierarchy, which prioritizes source reduction and reuse before recycling, energy recovery, and disposal.
First, Chesapeake should establish measurable waste reduction goals and begin routinely evaluating what is actually entering our waste stream. We cannot effectively manage what we do not measure. I would support periodic waste audits and publicly reporting our progress so Council and residents can see whether our strategies are actually reducing the number of tons for which the City is paying.
Second, we should launch a strong public education campaign focused on reducing waste before it reaches the bin. That means helping households understand how to reduce unnecessary packaging, reuse materials, donate usable household goods, and purchase more intentionally. Our schools can play an important role by teaching waste reduction and environmental stewardship early, while the City can provide businesses and institutions with practical guidance for reducing their waste.
Food waste deserves par cular a en on. EPA research identifies wasted food as the single most common material sent to landfills and incinerators nationally. Chesapeake should explore expanded opportunities for backyard and community composting, food donation partnerships, and eventually larger scale organics diversion where it is economically feasible. Restaurants, grocery stores, schools, hospitals, and other large institutions should be encouraged to conduct food waste audits, improve purchasing practices, and donate safe surplus food rather than disposing of it. EPA identifies preventing wasted food, donation, and up cycling among the most environmentally preferable approaches.
Third, the City should lead by example. I would support waste reduction standards within City government, including reducing unnecessary single use products, expanding electronic processes, purchasing durable and reusable products when practical, and incorporating recycled content and reduced packaging into procurement decisions. We should also work with Chesapeake Public Schools and other public institutions to identify opportunities to reduce waste across their operations.
I would also like Chesapeake to strengthen its culture of reuse. Community repair events, donation programs, textile collection, and convenient opportunities to reuse furniture, electronics, building materials, and other household goods can extend the useful life of products while keeping them out of our waste stream.
Finally, I believe incentives are generally more effective than simply telling people to produce less trash. I would explore recognition programs and other practical incentives for businesses, schools, neighborhoods, and institutions that demonstrate meaningful waste reduction. Before implementing any program that creates additional costs for residents or businesses, I would want clear data demonstrating that the program would reduce our overall waste disposal costs.
A 25 year agreement requires 25 year thinking. We should not spend the next quarter century simply figuring out how to dispose of an ever increasing amount of waste. We should be working upstream to reduce how much waste Chesapeake produces in the first place.
That is the approach I would bring to City Council: measure the problem, reduce waste at its source, expand reuse and organics diversion, educate and incentivize our community, and hold ourselves accountable for results. That protects our environment, extends the life of our regional waste infrastructure, and most importantly, helps protect Chesapeake taxpayers from unnecessary costs.

Answer: I would not support implementing a 5¢ plastic bag fee at this time. While I strongly believe we have a responsibility to protect Chesapeake’s environment and preserve it for future generations, I do not believe the answer should be another cost passed on to our residents. Families are already stretched financially. The cost of housing, groceries, transportation, utilities, healthcare, and other necessities continues to put pressure on household budgets. I see firsthand in healthcare that some people are making difficult decisions about how to pay for food, household expenses, and their prescriptions. Even a seemingly small additional fee can matter when families are counting every dollar.
Environmental stewardship and affordability should not have to compete with one another. Rather than beginning with a fee, I would support stronger environmental education, voluntary reusable-bag initiatives, partnerships with businesses to reduce single-use plastics, expanded litter and pollution prevention efforts, and programs that make reusable bags readily available—particularly to residents receiving SNAP or WIC benefits.
We also need to do a better job of helping residents understand how litter, plastic waste, flooding, water quality, loss of tree canopy, and other environmental challenges affect Chesapeake’s quality of life. When people understand what is at stake and are given practical and affordable ways to participate, we can build a culture of environmental responsibility without making everyday necessities more expensive.
My goal would be to protect both our environment and our residents’ pocketbooks. We can encourage responsible choices, reduce waste, and preserve Chesapeake for the next generation without automatically placing another financial burden on families who are already stretched thin.

11. What steps would you take to improve transparency and public engagement in land use and development decisions?

Answer: Land use decisions are some of the most consequential decisions City Council makes because they can permanently change the character of a neighborhood, affect traffic and flooding, place additional demands on schools and infrastructure, and impact property owners for generations. Residents should never feel as though they learned about a major development after the important decisions had already been made.
Chesapeake currently requires public notice for many land use applications through signs posted on the property, notification letters to adjacent property owners, newspaper advertisements, and public hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council. The City also provides an online development map and allows residents to submit electronic comments to the Planning Commission. Those are important tools, but I believe we can do more.
As a Councilwoman, I would advocate for earlier public engagement. The first meaningful conversation with residents should not occur at the final public hearing. For major developments or projects with substantial impacts on surrounding communities, I would encourage community mee ngs earlier in the process so residents can ask questions, identify concerns, and potentially influence a proposal before it reaches the point of an up or down vote.
I would also support making development information easier for the average resident to understand. Chesapeake’s development mapping system allows residents to locate proposed developments and track applications, but accessing the underlying application documents requires residents to register for an eBUILD account. I would like us to move toward a more user friendly system where residents can easily see what is proposed, the location, number and type of housing units or commercial uses, traffic implications, environmental considerations, infrastructure impacts, upcoming meeting dates, and the current status of an application in one place.
Notification should also reflect how people communicate today. In addition to legally required notices, I would support exploring voluntary email or text alerts that residents could subscribe to based on their neighborhood, ZIP code, or geographic area. If a significant rezoning or development proposal is moving forward near someone’s home, they should have a reasonable opportunity to know about it and participate.
Transparency also means explaining decisions. Chesapeake 2045 makes clear that City Council considers the application, staff recommendation, Planning Commission recommendation, public comments, and the Comprehensive Plan before approving or denying a land use application. When Council makes a major land use decision, particularly when that decision differs from significant community input, residents deserve to understand the reasoning behind the vote.
Finally, public engagement must be meaningful, not performative. Listening to residents does not mean that every person will agree with every decision, but it does mean their concerns should be heard, considered, and addressed with facts. I want developers, residents, Planning Commission, City staff, and Council communicating earlier and more openly.
Growth will continue to come to Chesapeake. My responsibility on City Council would be to make sure it happens transparently, thoughtfully, and with residents at the table. People should not have to fight City Hall simply to understand what is being proposed in their own community.

12. What other sustainability, environmental, or quality-of-life issue do you believe deserves greater attention? Please elaborate.

Answer: One issue that deserves greater attention is the connection between our environment, our built infrastructure, and public health. As a clinical pharmacist and healthcare advocate, I view sustainability through a public health lens. Where we live, the air we breathe, our exposure to extreme heat, whether our neighborhoods flood, and whether residents can safely walk and be physically active all have consequences for health.
I believe Chesapeake should place greater emphasis on creating healthy neighborhoods, particularly as our city continues to grow. That means preserving tree canopy and expanding trees in areas where shade is limited. Trees do more than beautify a community. They provide shade, reduce surrounding temperatures, absorb stormwater, improve air quality, and make walking and outdoor activity more comfortable.
I also believe we need to consider environmental impacts when making land use decisions. Communities should not disproportionately experience increased truck traffic, noise, air pollution, flooding, or other environmental burdens because of where development is located. When considering major projects, I would ask not only what they contribute economically, but also what they mean for the health and quality of life of the people who already live nearby.
Another important component is designing communities that encourage healthy living. Sidewalks, connected trails, parks, safe crossings, green space, and access to recreation are not simply amenities. They give residents opportunities to walk, exercise, interact with their neighbors, and remain active as they age.
For me, sustainability is ultimately about stewardship. Economic development, environmental protection, infrastructure, and public health should not exist in separate conversations. The decisions we make about development today will determine what Chesapeake looks and feels like decades from now. I want us to build a city where economic progress and quality of life reinforce one another, while ensuring that the Chesapeake we leave to the next generation is healthier, more resilient, and just as beautiful as the one we inherited.