Questions (click on question to jump to responses)
8. How would you improve access to public transportation in our City?
Candidate Responses - in the order received
Ozan Duran - Dr. George Yacus - Santiera Brown-Yearling - Jennifer Naperala - Dr. Janelle St Louis - Amanda Newins - Daniel Rosinski
(per question)
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?
Ozan Duran: I have talked quite extensively on this issue at City Council meetings. Data centers(Or what the words currently represent to the layman) need to be restricted until they no longer pose a societal harm. There are many concerns regarding these. I don’t want to order the issues to mean that one is more important than another, but to start with: wastewater, stormwater, noise, rezoning(these are industrial facilities, we shouldn’t be rezoning residential or agricultural land for this type of project), energy use(under our first to exploit system), heat islanding, pollution(1. in the form of discharge(in the case there is closed loop[which is preferred], these systems need to be purged, the heat exchangers need to be washed down, they are breeding grounds for microorganisms(Legionella in particular) due to the temperatures that they operate at. The washdown and purge water needs to be retained on site in hazmat containers, evaporated off, then disposed of appropriately. 2. In the form of air pollution, the generators must be specified to be efficient, there should be limitations on what constitutes an emergency(they can operate for 2-3 hours in order for the servers to safely shutdown in the case of a power outage, .. Read More
Dr. George Yacus: Since our governing state statutes do not allow us to ban certain types of businesses and industry, the best we can do in our governance is to regulate limitations for the community’s best interest. I would try to ensure that the data center was located in a non-residential area, had appropriate setbacks , set a specific measurable noise level limit in decibels, ensure that the proposal included expected environmental pollution impacts to the community, would ensure that the site plan had adequate drainage and parking in accordance with city codes, and ensure that an engineering study would indicate that water and electrical usage would not adversely affect our community customers and result in an additional negative burden, either service-wise or economically. We can only develop as far as our infrastructure will support the development. I would also stress that the data center be CEEDA certified and have ISO 30134 certification.
Santiera Brown-Yearling: I support economic development, but I do not believe every development is right for every location. When we are talking about data centers, we have to look beyond the revenue and ask what the project will mean for the people who already live in that area. I support requiring data centers to go through a conditional use process so that each project can be reviewed on its own merits. I want us to look closely at setbacks, noise, water use, power demand, backup generators, emissions, traffic, wetlands, wildlife, and the infrastructure needed to support the facility. I also believe the developer should pay its fair share of the infrastructure costs the project creates. Existing residents should not be left paying for road, drainage, utility, or public safety improvements made necessary by a private development. I would be very cautious about placing large data centers near established neighborhoods, schools, senior communities, farmland, wetlands, or other environmentally sensitive areas. Most importantly, residents need to be involved early. I have said before that you cannot make a plan for the people without the people. Public engagement should happen before residents feel like a decision has already been made.
Jennifer Naperala: I am entirely opposed to allowing the establishment of large-scale data centers in Chesapeake.
Evidence proves that data centers don’t offer anything valuable to residents: they will only provide short-term gig employment throughout the construction process. Once they are built, the need for employees drastically decreases, while the harm to residents and eco-systems is immeasurable.
Technology is constantly changing.
Why on earth would any city council entertain damaging quality of life on such a massive scale to appease any desire to profit from an evolving “resource” that draws closer to obsolescence every day?
Dr. Janelle St Louis: 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 ....Read More
Amanda Newins: 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, .... Read More
Daniel Rosinski: 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?
Ozan Duran: One of my proposals which is in line with the Dillon rule is to sever the requirement of habitability from being connected to the Grid. Right now if you disconnected power service from Dominion, your house would be deemed uninhabitable.
Why do we do this? If you have enough solar or wind power on your property to meet your needs, you still need to be connected to the grid, and pay grid fees. Unless you have a grandfathered contract, you earn pennies on the dollar to support the profit of Dominion Energy. With this one change, if you have batteries or enough power generation capacity, you don’t need to be connected to the grid and would allow for homeowners and businesses to have greater freedom in their property rights. The installation of the systems must still be in compliance with the NEC and local, state, and federal regulations.
Regarding BESS, it is being sold as an “improving reliance and allowing storage of unreliable energy sources”. The reality of the situation is that it will ensure that Dominion will be able to always have “peak demand”. I don’t agree with BESS systems being prioritized over additional power generating systems. ... Read More
Dr. George Yacus: As a former government federal employee from the office of Fossil Energy in the U.S. Department of Energy, I have a good knowledge of the energy sector and I am a firm supporter of multiple energy sources, including clean coal, natural gas, oil, hydroelectric, nuclear, wind, and solar. We are technologically finding new solutions to meet electric demand, so innovation is leading the way and I don’t know what new systems it will bring to the market. From a personal point of view demonstrating support for clean energy, I have solar hot water and solar PEV panels in my home, as well as a large battery bank, so I’m a believer. I don’t foresee any special subsidies from the city to fund personal clean energy in private homes, but I do endorse building codes and planning that supports these initiatives. Our codes have to be balanced to support new materials, better HVAC and lighting, and other initiatives while not burdening builders and buyers into only being allowed to build unaffordable homes. Federal programs like Grid-interactive Efficient Buildings (GEB), state initiatives, and industry initiatives are plentiful and supporting clean energy.
Santiera Brown-Yearling: I believe Chesapeake can expand access to clean energy while protecting our neighborhoods, preserving our land, and keeping energy affordable for residents and businesses. The city can work with utilities, state agencies, developers, and community partners to identify incentives, streamline appropriate permitting, and connect residents with available federal, state, and utility programs that can reduce the upfront cost of energy improvements. When it comes to battery energy storage systems, or BESS, and utility-scale solar, I believe in responsible development not a blanket yes or no. These projects can provide important benefits, including greater energy resilience and diversification of our energy supply, but they must be properly sited. The City should carefully consider proximity to homes, schools, environmentally sensitive areas, emergency access, fire safety, noise, stormwater, visual impacts, and the long-term use of the land. Residents should have meaningful opportunities to understand and participate in decisions before projects are approved. I also believe Chesapeake should make better use of spaces we already have before .... Read More
Jennifer Naperala: To promote clean energy buy-in among our residents, businesses, and institutions, we should first look to Fairfax, Prince William, and Loudon Counties in order to inform ourselves about incentives that did and did not work for them. An informative public advertising campaign encouraging residents to explore clean solar energy would likely reap benefits.
I recognize the need for BESS as we move away from fossil fuels and don’t see a reason to be particularly concerned about the sites. HOWEVER, our public has almost no faith in city council’s motives, so we must tread lightly through this process. Citizens watched city council ignore all citizen input to force a VNG compressor station into a magically re-zoned residential area. The residents in the area the city was looking at for the BESS site are still stung by a fly-ash debacle. Those two instances alone are more than enough to tell residents they have no reason to trust the council has their best interest in mind.
While BESS sites are necessary, our city council has misrepresented their motives and project outcomes for years, justifiably losing the trust of their constituents.
With regard to utility scale solar, I think constituents will surprise us and be tolerant of a resource that will reduce our cost of living.
Dr. Janelle St Louis: 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.
Amanda Newins: 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.
Daniel Rosinski: 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?
Ozan Duran: I love trees, I think it is a shame that developers do not care for them, nor do insurance companies, or hedge funds. I will begin with saying I would like to mandate that any tree over the age of 80 must be preserved, especially if there was already another home on the property. We also need to make sure that during development of these properties, developers aren’t damaging their root systems, they can use pier foundations to make sure that the house still has a good foundation, while staying away from the lifesystem of the tree. We shouldn’t have century old oaks being cut down for the sake of Wall Street billionaires.
This may be small thinking, but it is also impactful where we are humans. Our neighborhoods are important reflections of how we live our lives.
This being said, it doesn’t address the larger issue, which is that we have a lot of agricultural land. Policies need to reflect sound forestry management, and I know some of our farmers have tree farms. ... Read More
Dr. George Yacus: I can’t make a decision on this initiative at this time that would endorse this proposal, because it could be considered an overreach of government authority. I think we could partner and collaborate with developers to strongly encourage site planning to maintain or grow our tree canopy in developments.
Santiera Brown-Yearling: Yes, I would support looking at stronger tree canopy requirements, especially in low density developments where there is more opportunity to preserve existing trees. Trees are more than landscaping. They provide shade, help with stormwater, reduce heat, improve air quality, provide wildlife habitat, and make neighborhoods more attractive. What concerns me most is seeing mature trees cleared and then replaced with a few small trees that may take decades to provide the same benefit. I would rather see us preserve healthy mature trees whenever possible. I support stronger tree preservation plans, incentives for developers who preserve mature trees, reasonable replacement requirements, protection of trees during construction, and follow-up inspections to make sure what was promised is actually delivered. I also think Chesapeake should establish a measurable canopy goal. We should know whether we are gaining or losing tree cover over time, not just how many trees were planted in a particular year.
Jennifer Naperala: Tree canopies are essential. Therefore, I would argue to protect any mature tree within reason.
We can’t champion infrastructure improvements without also championing the tree canopies that will facilitate walking, outdoor recreation, and protecting our residents from the heat and sun.
As we provide needed infrastructure in northern areas of the city, I will advocate for the necessary tree canopies to accompany the upgrades.
I would certainly advocate for an increased tree canopy requirement on site plans for low-density single-family home development. An increase in cost at the outset would quickly pay for itself and shift to dividends both families and properties will enjoy.
Dr. Janelle St Louis: 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.
Amanda Newins: 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.
Daniel Rosinski: 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?
Ozan Duran: This is complicated and nuanced. Densification is important, but so is neighborhood cohesion. I live in Norfolk Highlands, we have a lot of older homes on larger plots. I’ve been lamenting the loss of these older homes that get replaced with cookie cutter duplicate houses. When we know that this will happen in the planning phase, we need to mandate that developers incorporate the existing building aesthetics so that we aren’t losing the character of the existing community. We also can incentivize that the older building be expanded and an attached or detached ADU be incorporated. We need to make the permitting process more streamlined, such that there are preconfigured 20x10, 20x20,20x30 autoapprove ADU permits that can be issued, provided the ADU match the existing architecture of the building. These notions should be the guidelines for within neighborhoods.
On the edges of neighborhoods and along major thoroughfares, we need to incentivize densification. Even in older established neighborhoods, having mixed use 3-4 floor buildings that are close to the street with covered sidewalks, businesses on the bottom floor, residential on the top, ... Read More
Dr. George Yacus: We have areas in the city where lower-income homes are more prevalent and available for sale. Generally, people that have bought properties and homes want to maximize the return on their investment, so I don’t believe that forcing them to build low-income homes would be fair, especially if it changes the character of the community to something different than what they and their neighbors bought. I believe that we have established communities with multi-family dwellings that are more affordable and will continue to do so. From a rental housing perspective, I own a recently refurbished 4 BR rental home in the city with Section 8 tenant that seems to be working out well, because it is managed by a rental agency, maintained by me, and supported with government funding. The tenants are integrated in a vibrant neighborhood instead of a city-owned project that would deteriorate over time.
Santiera Brown-Yearling: I would support a balanced approach that encourages a variety of housing options, including workforce housing, apartments, townhomes, smaller homes, and mixed-income communities. At the same time, affordability should not come at the expense of quality of life. New development should be accompanied by adequate roads, drainage, parks, schools, public safety, and other infrastructure. I also believe we should encourage energy efficient and environmentally responsible construction that helps reduce long-term utility costs for residents. For me, this is about responsible growth. We can build the housing our families, seniors, veterans, young professionals, and workforce need while preserving the character, natural resources, and quality of life that make Chesapeake a great place to live. We don't have to choose between affordability and a healthy environment.
Jennifer Naperala: I’d like to avoid more new construction. I prefer we explore opportunities to renovate existing structures.
Dr. Janelle St Louis: 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.
Amanda Newins: 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.
Daniel Rosinski: 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?
Ozan Duran: Not cutting trees is an incredibly important start, and I think that beautifying stormwater infrastructure is an understated item. We have a lot of stormwater detention and retention ponds that could serve as destinations for people, which would increase appetite for additional projects that serve the interests of the public. It could be as simple as adding paddleboats and a pier to them.
Sealevel rise has two components: The sea as we know it is rising as ice and snow in previously frozen areas of the planet thaws, but Southeastern VA also is experiencing subsidence(The land sinking down). As we’ve been drawing from the aquifer(water that is underneath the soil that wells are supplied from), the water underneath the soil no longer can keep the soil up, and the soil drops. SWIFT is a program to pump highly treated wastewater back into the aquifer. 50% of the sealevel rise in Hampton Roads is attributed to subsidence. For me, this program is slightly controversial, as we don’t have a good way of filtering forever chemicals out of the water that we are pumping in. That being said, it is critical that we offset the water that is being used, ideally not use it any more, ... Read More
Dr. George Yacus: I live on the water on Indian River and have not experienced a significant sea-level rise and I believe it is just a natural climate variation over time and the threat may be overstated. The best we can do is maintain storm-water systems to the best of our ability, ensure that builders install the required drainage (including required French drains where stipulated), and ensure that any new development be designed with adequate infrastructure to support our mid-Atlantic climate.
Santiera Brown-Yearling: My first priority is protecting the neighborhoods and businesses that are already here and making sure new development does not make an existing flooding problem worse. That means maintaining our ditches and drainage systems, upgrading aging infrastructure, protecting wetlands and natural drainage areas, improving stormwater capacity, and using current flood and rainfall information when we make development decisions. I also support using natural solutions where they make sense, trees, wetlands, rain gardens, living shorelines, floodplains, and other green infrastructure. Sometimes the answer is a larger pipe or drainage project, but sometimes nature can help us manage water more effectively and at the same time improve the environment. For new development, simply meeting today's minimum standard should not always be the end of the conversation. We should be asking what happens during the next major storm and what happens to the neighborhoods upstream and downstream. Whenever possible, Chesapeake should aggressively pursue state and federal resilience dollars so local taxpayers are not carrying the entire burden.
Jennifer Naperala: It is important to improve flood resilience as naturally as possible. The Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act provides environmentally-conscious methods to protect communities from flooding, and exploring those options would allow Chesapeake to qualify for mitigation grants from the Commonwealth.
Dr. Janelle St Louis: 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 .....Read More
Amanda Newins: 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.
Daniel Rosinski: 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.
Ozan Duran: Chesapeake should not treat every farm, forest, or empty field as land waiting to become another subdivision. Economic growth should first happen where we already have roads, utilities, schools, empty shopping centers, and large parking lots. We should grow inward before we grow outward. I would generally vote against rezoning agricultural land for large residential developments.
Forests, farms, and wetlands also perform work for us. They hold water, reduce flooding, provide shade, and give wildlife somewhere to live. Once they are paved over, taxpayers often have to pay engineers to poorly recreate the same services.
Preserving open space does not mean putting a fence around it. I would like every home to have multiple places to recreate within a five-minute safe walk or bike ride. These do not all need to be expensive parks. A wooded path, pond, culvert, spillway, or drainage area can be made useful with safe access, shade, and places to sit. ... Read More
Dr. George Yacus: As a member of the city’s Citizen Advisory Committee for the Chesapeake Land Bank Authority, we do our best to repurpose blighted or unused properties for the good of the community. I think we have a good record of already doing the things mentioned in this question and will continue to do so. Blue Heron Park, a quarter of a mile from my home, is a good success story. Chesapeake is Virginia’s 2nd largest city and will continue to grow, so there needs to be a balance between development and preservation. We have a master plan to guide us and execute. With the proper oversight, we can maintain a healthy urban/rural balance. City Council members have some influence, but not overall control in this area.
Santiera Brown-Yearling: I believe Chesapeake does not have to choose between economic growth and environmental stewardship. We can grow responsibly while protecting the forests, farms, wetlands, waterways, and open spaces that define the character of our city. As Chesapeake continues to grow, I would support a balanced growth strategy that prioritizes redevelopment and appropriate infill where infrastructure already exists, while being more intentional about protecting large areas of rural and environmentally sensitive land. We should work with landowners, farmers, developers, conservation organizations, and regional partners to identify opportunities for conservation easements, land preservation, and incentives that keep valuable properties from being unnecessarily developed. We should also invest in training City staff on current forestry, habitat management, stormwater, and conservation best practices so that our decisions are based on sound science and long-term stewardship. My approach would be simple: grow where growth makes sense, preserve what makes Chesapeake special, and be responsible stewards of the land we leave for the next generation.
Jennifer Naperala: Chesapeake does not need to physically expand in order for us to grow. Chesapeake can continue to foster economic growth by focusing on overlooked areas of our city. By providing infrastructure to include school improvements, sidewalks, tree canopies, and community centers, Chesapeake will improve the beauty of the areas and entice businesses to explore the areas - a massive upside would ultimately be eliminating the food desert that folks in the northern areas of Chesapeake are forced to cope with. Furthermore, by addressing the lack of infrastructure in northern areas, we will be relieving the pressure infrastructure is struggling under in the southern areas.
Dr. Janelle St Louis: 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 ....Read More
Amanda Newins: 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.
Daniel Rosinski: 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?
Ozan Duran: Lane diets are incredibly important, and the Comprehensive Plan gets a lot of things quite well when it comes to development. We need to reduce setbacks along roads, raise crosswalks within and when entering neighborhoods when sidewalks are present. With the demographics of Chesapeake, allowing low-speed vehicles along bike oriented infrastructure such as bike lanes could speed up adoption of road diets and public appetite with them. This needs to be studied. We are in an affordability crisis, it is unacceptable for a household to live within a mile of a grocery store, but not feel safe enough to walk or bike to it. Painting the lanes different colors, and adding reboundable bollards will increase the separation and aesthetic of this infrastructure. We also need to make sure that in lane dieted roads, we install pedestrian islands so that pedestrians can cross these 6 lane highways that are now converted.
Dr. George Yacus: Some of this is already occurring in our community and we have a good record of accomplishment. Indian River Road next to my house has reduced travel lanes from 3 to 2 and new bike paths have been instituted and marked just this month. I would like to continue to see sidewalks and bike-paths retrofitted where feasible in our city, and have developers include sidewalks in their site plans. I am a strong supporter of finishing the shoulders/sidewalks of Military Highway between Auburn Avenue and Greenbrier Parkway, which is a busy commercial corridor.
Santiera Brown-Yearling: A person should not have to get in a car just to safely travel a mile down the road. I support building a better connected network of sidewalks, crosswalks, trails, bicycle facilities, and safe pedestrian routes, especially around schools, parks, libraries, shopping areas, employment centers, neighborhoods, and transit stops. Sometimes the solution is not a huge project. There are places in Chesapeake where a sidewalk simply ends and leaves someone a few hundred feet away from the place they are trying to reach. Closing those small gaps can make a big difference. We should improve lighting, crosswalk visibility, ADA accessible curb ramps, pedestrian crossings, and traffic calming where it is appropriate. Accessibility has to be part of the conversation from the beginning. If someone using a wheelchair, walker, or mobility device cannot safely use a sidewalk, then we have not really built an accessible sidewalk. Walking and biking infrastructure is not just recreation. It is transportation, independence, health, and quality of life.
Jennifer Naperala: The number of neighborhoods in Chesapeake that lack sidewalks is a huge problem. The obvious place to start is to install sidewalks with tree canopies in order to encourage safe walking and mobility scooters.
Dr. Janelle St Louis: 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, ....Read More
Amanda Newins: 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.
Daniel Rosinski: 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?
Ozan Duran: Funding. We are woefully underfunding our public transportation system, we only contribute 1/10th of what CPS does to its transportation, and 70% of riders of public transportation use it to go to work. I’ve been looking into if there are savings that could be had in combining part of the highschool transportation routes with existing HRT funding to see if that is possible, by expanding service, it might increase ridership. This needs to be studied. We need to stop paying consultants crazy fees when we have the ability to fund pilot programs and directly test what our experts at HRT and within the Public Works/Planning department know. This isn’t rocket science. We can’t complain about traffic but also not fund solutions to the traffic problem. A bus transports more people than a single car does, and does it for less fuel and cost. We need these buses to go to places that people need to go first, then want to go second. Let’s start by doubling our investment of 4m annually, and see where that gets us. Where do the diminishing returns begin? Are there studies that show this? Ideally we need to have models that demonstrate what expansion gets us, at what cost. Also, bus riders spend money on the bus system which is returned as revenue. So people using public transportation aren’t freeloaders, they are paying their fair share.
Dr. George Yacus: I will continue to support HRT and their programs to serve the community, possibly including point-to-point transport.
Santiera Brown-Yearling: I believe public transportation is about more than getting from one place to another but more importantly it is about access to opportunity. Residents should be able to get to work, school, healthcare, grocery stores, and essential services without transportation being a barrier. I would work with Hampton Roads Transit and regional partners to identify gaps in service and pursue state and federal funding for expanded routes, bus stops, and shelters. We should also make sure transit stops are safe, accessible, well lit, and connected to sidewalks and bike infrastructure. Because Chesapeake is geographically large and includes rural communities, we also need to think beyond traditional fixed bus routes. Ultimately, improving public transportation strengthens our economy, supports our workforce, helps seniors and people with disabilities remain independent, and gives residents more choices in how they move around our city.
Jennifer Naperala: By expanding it. Chesapeake needs to recognize that unless our people who depend on public transportation can get around the city, they will not be able to live here long term.
Dr. Janelle St Louis: 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 ....Read More
Amanda Newins: 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.
Daniel Rosinski: 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?
Ozan Duran: The cheapest ton of trash is the ton we never have to collect. We need to treat waste reduction as a financial issue. First, we need to measure what we are throwing away. The City should publish the total tons collected, the cost to taxpayers, and the amount of waste produced per household. We should set a public goal of reducing waste per resident by 10% by 2030 and 25% by 2040. City departments should also report their own waste and be held to the same goals. Ideally, we should know what type of trash is being produced at the greatest volume. My brain says it might be packaging materials such as cardboard and foam.
Food and yard waste should be the first target because they are heavy. The City should provide low-cost compost bins, expand places where residents can drop off food scraps and yard waste, and make it easier for local farms and composting businesses to accept these materials. We should work with Chesapeake Public Schools to compost cafeteria scraps.
The City should buy durable and repairable products, reduce single-use items, and require large vendors .... Read More
Dr. George Yacus: I personally somewhat favor curbside recycling in some form because it provides convenience for citizens that wish to recycle and promotes slightly better efficiency in recycling. It has been discontinued due to affordability for citizens and I support that decision. I endorse citizens voluntarily paying extra for curbside recycling if such a plan could be designed, and I will continue to recycle as I do now, bringing materials to the Indian River Library recycling site.
Santiera Brown-Yearling: I believe Chesapeake should focus on reducing waste at the source and not simply managing more waste after it has been created. With a 25-year contract and increasing tipping fees, every additional ton of waste has a long-term financial impact on our residents and our City. The City should take a comprehensive approach that makes waste reduction convenient, practical, and measurable. First, we should expand public education so residents understand what can be recycled, what should be kept out of the waste stream can make a meaningful difference. I would also support making recycling and waste diversion more accessible. That could include community collection events, partnerships with nonprofits and businesses, and exploring incentives for organizations that demonstrate measurable reductions in the amount of waste they send to the landfill. Finally, I believe the City should track and publicly report progress. We need to know how much waste we are generating, how much we are diverting, and where additional improvements are needed.
Jennifer Naperala: An educational ad campaign with coupons for supplies to encourage residents to start composting could be a place to start. Educational institutions and high school culinary classes and cafeteria staff might also be able to explore the viability of composting.
Businesses could have a clause built into their contract that outlines solid waste management.
Dr. Janelle St Louis: : 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.
Amanda Newins: 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.
Daniel Rosinski: 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?
Ozan Duran: Yes. My only concern would be impact, is it regressive, but I think that a fee on plastic bags is more than reasonable. I also have a bone to pick with the receipt being automatically printed, as thermal paper is a carcinogen and hormone disrupter due to the presence of BPA and BPS. If I have a rewards account, just email or text me my receipt, or ask me if I want it.
Dr. George Yacus: More fees for citizens to pay just makes it more difficult for them to afford the basics of housing, fuel, groceries, etc. so I don’t support the 5-cent fee. I believe that we have the necessary resources already in place through non-profits like yourself, school systems, and volunteers to clean up Chesapeake and mitigate litter. I would fully support a city campaign to focus on Adopt-A-Highway programs and other similar initiatives. Almost every morning I walk 4 miles and I regularly pick up bottles and trash between Lilac Avenue and the Indian River Shopping Center, disposing of many handfuls of trash each time. We can attempt to change our culture to stop people from littering our streets with limited success, but we need to mitigate their bad behavior by cleaning it up. When I don’t pick up the litter, it remains there for weeks. I don’t believe that this has a government solution, but the government is a stakeholder and partner.
Santiera Brown-Yearling: I would be willing to support a five cent plastic bag fee, but I would want it implemented in a way that does not unfairly burden families who are already watching every dollar. The goal should be reducing plastic waste and litter, not raising money from residents. If Chesapeake moves forward with a fee, I would want reusable bags made readily available, especially to SNAP and WIC recipients and other families who may be financially affected. Libraries, community centers, schools, churches, and community organizations could help with distribution. I would also want the City to publicly report where the money goes and whether the program is actually reducing plastic bag use and litter. Five cents may not sound like much, but small costs add up for families. We can protect the environment while still being thoughtful about affordability.
Jennifer Naperala: Given the rising cost of living, I don’t feel comfortable imposing any fees on our people at this point.
Dr. Janelle St Louis: : 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.....Read More
Amanda Newins: 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.
Daniel Rosinski: 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?
Ozan Duran: The City should create one public website where residents can see every active rezoning, conditional use permit, and major development proposal. Each project should include a plain-language summary, a map, the number and type of homes or businesses proposed, expected traffic, school impacts, stormwater impacts, public infrastructure costs, and all documents submitted by the applicant. The website should show where the project is in the process and the dates of every future public meeting.
We should also publish a record of meetings between developers, City staff, Planning Commissioners, and City Council members. Residents should be able to see who met, when they met, what project was discussed, and what major concerns were raised. Ideally this is a transcript. It needs to be enough for the public to understand how the proposal changed and who helped shape it. Citizens shouldn’t have to play and replay a video of a meeting numerous times to see who said what when over time. Having a written record allows keyword searching, rather than the contents of meetings disappearing into obscurity, .... Read More
Dr. George Yacus: I would like to see current rules enforced. If a property is sold and a house is being built, there should be a posted building permit with a developer’s name on it. I am not sure, but I think that neighbors are supposed to be informed when a home is sold and a new building/demolition is to occur.
Santiera Brown-Yearling: I believe residents should not feel like development decisions are being made around them instead of with them. Transparency and meaningful public engagement are essential to building trust in local government. I would work to make land use and development information easier for residents to understand and access. That means providing clear, plain language explanations of proposed rezonings, comprehensive plan amendments, major developments, traffic and infrastructure impacts, and environmental considerations well before a public hearing. I would also support earlier community engagement and not simply ask residents for input after a project has already been designed. The City should provide multiple opportunities for residents to participate through neighborhood meetings, online engagement, public workshops, and accessible public hearings. Meetings should be communicated widely and scheduled in ways that allow working families to participate. I also believe residents deserve to know what was heard and how their input influenced the decision. When significant public concerns are raised, the City should clearly explain how those concerns were addressed .... Read More
Jennifer Naperala: City council has countless options to support improved transparency and public engagement in land use and development decisions. A simple, helpful fix would be a city council Instagram account that announces meetings, agendas, time, location, and information about registering to speak.
Dr. Janelle St Louis: 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 ....Read More
Amanda Newins: 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.
Daniel Rosinski: 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.
Ozan Duran: One issue that deserves greater attention is the long-term strength of our neighborhoods. A sustainable neighborhood should have a local school, safe ways to walk and bike, small businesses nearby, and a City government that makes reasonable projects easier instead of making every resident start from zero.
A neighborhood school is not just a building where children attend class. It is part of the transportation system and part of the community. When a neighborhood school closes or is converted to another use, more children may need to be driven or placed on buses. That means more fuel, more traffic, longer travel times, and higher transportation costs. It also means fewer children can safely walk or bike to school.
Before closing, converting, or consolidating a school, Chesapeake Public Schools should publish the full effects of the proposal. This should include changes in bus mileage, transportation costs, travel times, traffic, school crowding, portable classrooms, and future construction needs. The public should .... Read More
Dr. George Yacus: As co-chair of the Norfolk Highlands Civic League, the major complaints are neighborhood speeding, inadequate drainage, bad neighbors that don’t comply with parking or are running businesses out of their homes, and lack of responsiveness by the city. I can’t fix bad behavior as a city council member, but I can focus on city response to citizen requests so that we have a government that works for the people. I consider the city as a service provider, and the citizens as our customers. Customers want good services and good value at affordable prices. Ultimately, I believe in quality government that provides the best quality-of-life in this city at the best value.
Santiera Brown-Yearling: Sometimes when we say “sustainability,” people think about something big or abstract. But for most residents, sustainability is much more personal. It is whether your street floods when it rains. Whether your child can safely walk to school. Whether there is shade at the playground. Whether your neighborhood has trees. Whether a senior can get to the grocery store. Whether families have clean air and clean water. Whether industrial development is being concentrated near the same communities over and over again. I would like Chesapeake to look at those things neighborhood by neighborhood, tree canopy, flooding, parks, pedestrian safety, transportation, environmental conditions, and infrastructure, and use that information when we decide where City investments are needed most. For me, sustainability is not about Chesapeake simply being called a “green city.” It is about leaving behind a Chesapeake where the next generation can afford to live here, raise their families here, enjoy the outdoors, and have the same or better quality of life than we have today. I want Chesapeake to remain a place where people can live, learn, work, farm, and play for generations to come.
Jennifer Naperala: Coal dust and groundwater contamination
Dr. Janelle St Louis: 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, ....Read More
Amanda Newins: 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.
Daniel Rosinski: 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.