In this edition ● Energy Storage 101 ● Chesapeake Sustainability Network ● Bike Month ● General Assembly Update ● Tree Preservation ● Environmental Town Hall ● Data Center Update ● Green Drinks ● Planning Commission ● City Council ● Action Alerts ● Volunteer Opportunities ● In the News | ||||||||
Topics of Interest
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May Newsletter
May Newsletter
In this edition ● Energy Storage 101 ● Chesapeake Sustainability Network ● Bike Month ● General Assembly Update ● Tree Preservation ● Environmental Town Hall ● Data Center Update ● Green Drinks ● Planning Commission ● City Council ● Action Alerts ● Volunteer Opportunities ● In the News
Energy Storage 101
Join the Chesapeake Sustainability Network for a call on Thursday, May 7, 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 the Data Center Working Group Update, Urban Forestry Updates, and planning for future activities of the network.
Chesapeake will be hosting 4 events for Bike Month this year
- BikeFest, Sunday, May 3, 1-4 pm @ Dismal Swamp Canal Trail
- Glow Ride, Friday, May 8, 7-8:45 pm @ Oak Grove Park
- Bike Ride of Historic Great Bridge, Saturday, May 16, starting from the Great Bridge Community Center (registration required)
- Chesapeake Ride of Silence, Wednesday, May 20, 6:30-8:30 pm starting from City Park (registration required).
Get all the info and register at https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/3092/Bike-Month
General Assembly Update
See the final round-up of environmental bills we've been tracking, as well as links to the bills, on our General Assembly page.
Tree Preservation
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| Tree clearing at housing development site |
But for these new levels to take effect, a locality must opt in and adopt the requirement in its local ordinances. In other words, the Chesapeake City Council must approve this change. We will plan to advocate for in the coming months. Stay tuned for how you can help.
Environmental Town Hall
Some key areas that still need to be addressed include setback distances, how noise analysis is performed, enforcement of noise limits, and water usage. We will be discussing this at our next Chesapeake Sustainability Call on May 7.
Green Drinks
Our next Green Drinks Meeting will be on Wednesday, May 27 at 6 pm. Location TBA.
Planning Commission
Some agenda items of interest for the Planning Commission on May 13 include:
- PLN-REZ-2025-015 in Great Bridge at 1401 Battlefield Blvd South at the Great Hope Baptist Church. Per the initial site plan, this includes the addition of 486 parking spaces, accessory buildings, and ball fields to an existing church.
- PLN-REZ-2025-021 in Western Branch at the western terminus of Woodland Drive. Project builds Low Density Residential - 22 lots of a minimum 8000 sq. ft. each. The site currently has 10.5 acres of tree canopy. There would be a loss of about 7 acres of tree canopy in the plan. It sets aside a riparian buffer in CBPA.
- PLN-USE-2025-048 in Greenbrier at Old Sears at Greenbrier Mall. Costco is requesting a Conditional Use Permit to operate a gas and service center next to a new Costco.
Find the full agenda at Planning Commission Agenda
City Council
Some agenda items of interest at the City Council in May
- PLN-REZ-2025-009 in Great Bridge to build low-density residential on 25-acre forested lot, including forested wetlands. The site plan sets aside 3 acres for a park site and 4.2 acres for conservation. Potential tree canopy loss of 16 to 18 acres. The Planning Commission recommended denial, partially due to the loss of open space, trees, and wetlands from development. The City Council CONTINUED the application to the May 19, 2026 City Council Meeting.
- PLN-USE-2025-003 in South Norfolk for in-fill development of lots at 1413, 1417, 1420, and 1421 Bainbridge Blvd (north of Lakeside Park) with single family homes. Planning Commission Recommended Approval on 4/8/2026
Proposed City Budget
- City Manager presented the proposed City Budget at the City Council's March 24 Work Session. The presentation and proposed budgets can be found at https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/176/Budget-Department. A vote on the budget is planned for May 12.
City Council meeting details are posted to the City Council agenda page.
Action Alerts
- 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
In the News
- Chesapeake Bay Foundation sues Trump administration over rollback of climate pollution protections - WHRO
- Chesapeake wants to preserve land with transfer of development rights program - Virginian-Pilot
- Chesapeake neighbor raises safety concerns over the lack of sidewalks and bike lanes in Deep Creek - WTKR
- Zero Waste Wardrobe collects clothes for Virginia Beach families - WHRO
- 'Green Line' project illustrates how marshes will migrate in Portsmouth - WHRO
April Newsletter - Earth Month
In this edition ● Chesapeake Sustainability Network ● Earth Month ● Green Drinks Earth Day ● General Assembly Update ● Urban Forestry ● Composting Facilities ● Data Center Update ● Planning Commission ● City Council ● Action Alerts ● Volunteer Opportunities ● In the News
Chesapeake Sustainability Network
Join the Chesapeake Sustainability Network for a call on Thursday, April 2, 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 the Support Letter for Composting Facilities, Earth Month Planning (Earth Day Festival, Mayor's Proclamation, Green Drinks on Earth Day), Data Center Working Group Update, and General Assembly Updates.
Earth Month
- Saturday, April 18, Earth Day Festival @ Lakeside Park
- Sunday, April 19, The Lorax Movie “Speak for the Trees” screening @ Central Library
- Tuesday, April 21, Earth Day Proclamation at the City Council Meeting
For the formal Earth Day Proclamation on April 21, 6:30 pm, we would love to fill the City Council Chamber with people who care for the environment. Come out, wear your favorite environmental t-shirt, or something green or blue, and join us in standing up for a Greener Chesapeake!
Get the full schedule of events for the entire month here and check back for updates - we keep hearing about more events!
Green Drinks Earth Day
Our next Green Drinks Meeting falls on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22. We're brainstorming what we can do to celebrate the day. Stay tuned for details on the gathering!
General Assembly Update
A lot of strong environmental bills made ti through the General Assembly this session. You can find disposition of various bills we've been tracking as well as links to the bills on our General Assembly page. A few key bills include
- rejoining RGGI,
- allowing "Balcony Solar",
- streamlining rooftop solar permitting,
- requiring permitting to ensure no net loss of wetlands.
- enabling localities to protect more tree canopy during development. (see Urban Forestry below).
WHRO's Katherine Hafner wrote up a great summary of the session in her article -Virginia lawmakers passed big changes to energy and environment policy this year. Here’s a look.
Urban Forestry
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| Tree clearing at housing development site |
Preserving and protecting trees is essential to reversing this loss. Coming out of the General Assembly this year, pending the Governor's signature, is HB 549, a bill that will allow localities to increase the tree canopy that needs to be preserved or established after low-density development. The current law limits how much tree canopy developers are required to preserve or replace to no more than 20% of a residential site zoned 10 units or less per acre. The new law would increase this to preserving or replacing 25% tree canopy for a site zoned for more than 2 but less than 5 units per acre, and 30% tree canopy for a site zoned 2 or fewer units per acre.
But for these new levels to take effect, a locality must opt in and adopt the requirement in its local ordinances. In other words, the Chesapeake City Council must approve this change. We will plan to advocate for in the coming months. Stay tuned for how you can help.
Composting Facilities
The challenge is that the City currently treats compost facilities as a solid waste management facility, the same as landfills. This means that a mid-sized compost facility needs to meet all the setback, buffer, and other requirements as a large land landfill operation. The situation has been discussed at the Chesapeake Agriculture Advisory Commission (CAAC) has draft a letter recommending that the City consider a Zoning Ordinance Review for composting facilities that would create a distinct use category for “Composting Facilities" seperate from landfills. This review process could evaluate potential standards—such as setbacks, buffering, and operational requirements—that appropriately reflect the nature of composting operations while maintaining the City’s commitment to responsible land use planning.
At our next Chesapeake Sustainability Network call on April 2, we will consider writing a letter supporting the CAAC letter.
Date Center Update
The City has started holding stakeholder meetings to consider amendments to the Chesapeake zoning Ordinance to make Data Centers a conditional use in appropriate zoning districts when certain conditions are met. The first two meetings have been held and the first-cut on ordinance language should be shared with the stakeholder in the coming month. One of our network members is participating in the stakeholder meetings.
Planning Commission
Agenda items for the Planning Commission on April 8:
- PLN-USE-2025-003 in South Norfolk for in-fill development of lots at 1413, 1417,1421, 1420 Bainbridge Blvd (north of Lakeside Park) with Single Family Homes.
Find the full agenda at Planning Commission Agenda
City Council
At the City Council in March
- PLN-REZ-2025-017 in Great Bridge at 1733 & 1737 Battlefield Boulevard South, to build General Business District (4.2 acres), Multifamily Residential (10.6 acres), and Single Family Residential District (11.3 acres). Potential Canopy loss - 6 acres. City Council Approved
- PLN-REZ-2025-009 in Great Bridge to build low-density residential on 25.3 acre forested lot, including forested wetlands. The site plan sets aside 3 acres for a park site and 4.2 acres for conservation. Potential tree canopy loss of 16 to 18 acres. The Planning Commission recommended denial, partially due to the loss of open space, trees, and wetlands from development. The City Council CONTINUED the application to the May 19, 2026 City Council Meeting.
Proposed City Budget
- City Manager presented the proposed City Budget at the City Council's March 24 Work Session. The presentation and proposed budgets can be found at https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/176/Budget-Department. Work Sessions and Public Hearings are planned in April, with a vote on the budget planned for May 12.
Action Alerts
- 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
- The Throwing Shade Virginia program from the Virginia Department of Forestry incentivizes customers to purchase and plant native species of trees and shrubs by providing discounts of $25 on eligible purchases valued at $50 or more. Chesapeake's Southern Branch Nursery is one of the participating nurseries. Learn more at https://dof.virginia.gov/urban-community-forestry/urban-forestry-community-assistance/throwing-shade-va-program/
Volunteer Opportunities
In the News
- Virginia Beach offshore wind farm has started producing electricity - WHRO
- DEQ Receives Grant to Accelerate Bay Clean Up and other DEQ News - Virginia DEQ
- Cost of Norfolk floodwall project balloons to $6 billion, completion slated for 2037 - WHRO
- State regulators approve natural gas compressor station in Chesapeake despite community concerns - WHRO
Earth Month Chesapeake 2026
Calendar of Events
- Saturday, March 28 - Great American Cleanup
- Multiple locations
- Sign up: https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/calendar.aspx?EID=6714
- Saturday, April 4 - Flowers and Ferns Walk
- Northwest River Park, 9 am - 11 am
- Register: https://www.visitchesapeake.com/event/guided-nature-hike-flowers-and-ferns-walk/11492/
- Saturday, April 4 - Greenbrier Parkway Cleanup
- CEIC Cleanup along Greenbrier Parkway, 9 am to 11 am
- Sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084CA8AB23A7FB6-58214545-ceic
- Saturday, April 11 - Chesapeake Recycles Day
- Western Branch High School, 9 am to Noon
- GFL, Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA), and Shred-It are partnering with us to collect a wide variety of items at each of our events. In general, accepted items will include electronics (e-waste), household hazardous waste, and sensitive documents. Also collecting Child Safety Seats for re-use.
- https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/1089/Chesapeake-Recycles-Day
- Saturday, April 11 - Indian River Park Second Saturday Hike
- Indian River Park, 8:30 am to 10 am
- Learn about the history of the park, the native trees and plants in this century old forest on the Indian River flood plain, and its value to maintaining the health of local butterfly, bird, and wildlife populations.
- More Info: https://www.friendsofindianriver.org/p/calendar.html
- Saturday, April 11th - Sam's Circle and Sentinel Drive Clean Up
- CEIC Cleanup along Sam's Circle and Sentinel Drive, 9 am to 11 am
- https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084CA8AB23A7FB6-62825065-ceic#/
- Friday, April 13 – Thursday, April 19 - Chesapeake C.A.R.E.S. Cleanup Challenge
- City Departments Cleanup Challenge (City Departments Only)
- Saturday, April 18 - Friends of Indian River Adopt-a-Park
- Indian River Park, 9 am to Noon
- Sign Up: https://www.friendsofindianriver.org/p/calendar.html
- Saturday, April 18 - Spring Migration Bird Walk
- Cancelled
- Saturday, April 18 - Earth Day Festival
- Lakeside Park, 12 pm to 4 pm
- A day of fun and education about the environment from local organizations.
- More Info: https://www.mobilize.us/lcvva/event/924740/
- Sunday, April 19 - The Lorax Movie -“Speak for the Trees”
- Chesapeake Central Library, 3 pm to 6 pm
- Free. Bring a blanket and some snacks! Meet with local environmental groups, and after the movie, take a picture with the Lorax.
- More Info: https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/calendar.aspx?EID=6803
- Tuesday, April 21 - Earth Day Proclamation at City Council
- City Council Chambers, Chesapeake City Hall, 306 Cedar Rd, 6:30 pm
- We would love to see the City Council Chamber filled with people who care for the environment. Wear your favorite environmental t-shirt, or something green or blue, and join us to stand up for a Greener Chesapeake!
- This will be at the start of the agenda and should be complete by 7 pm.
- Location: City Hall, 306 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322
- Let us know you are coming by signing up at https://forms.gle/7KxNbi7W1eiho75s6
- Wednesday, April 22 - The BIG Tree Tour
- Join Parks, Recreation and Tourism on a wonderful bus tour adventure as we visit and learn about BIG trees throughout Chesapeake! 9 am to Noon.
- More Info: https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/3750/Earth-Month
- Wednesday, April 22 - CEIC Earth Day Open House
- Join the CEIC for an Open House with displays of their committees and projects.
11 am to noon. 12 pm to 1 pm, will be the regular CEIC meeting. - River Crest Community Center, 1001 River Walk Parkway
- More Info: https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/1252/Chesapeake-Environmental-Improvement-Cou
- Wednesday, April 22 - Green Drinks Chesapeake
- Chesapeake Arboretum, 6 pm - 8 pm
- Our next Green Drinks falls on Earth Day and we're doing something different. We will gather at the Chesapeake Arboretum. Bring a camp chair and your favorite NON-alcoholic beverage (this is a City park), and enjoy the evening with folks who care about the Earth and a greener Chesapeake.
- Location: 624 Oak Grove Road, Chesapeake, VA 23320.
- We're going to order pizza, so to know how much to order, please RSVP at https://forms.gle/pa6NKcV1S8jJWLRb6
- More Info: https://www.greeningchesapeake.com/p/green-drinks-chesapeake.html
- Friday, April 24-Saturday, April 25 - Master Gardener Plant Sale
- Friday 8 am to 6 pm, Saturday 8 am to Noon
- Warren Farms, 1448 S. Battlefield Blvd. Enter via Peaceful Road.
- More Info: https://www.cmgv.org/programsevents/plant-sale
- Saturday, April 25 - Fix-It-Fair
- Western Branch Community Center, 10 am to 2 pm
- Repair, Reuse, Recycle! Bring your textiles, jewelry, small appliances or furniture, and bicycles to be fixed for free, and save it from the landfill! We can’t guarantee it will be fixed, but we will try!
- More Info: https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/3750/Earth-Month
- Saturday, April 25 - Trash Can Painting Contest
- Western Branch Park - Basketball Courts, Noon to 3 pm
- Come help beautify our parks with a fun trash can painting contest! After the event, photos of the trash can designs will be posted to the Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism Facebook page where you can vote by “reacting” to your favorites. Winning entries will receive a prize pack!
- More Info: https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/3750/Earth-Month
- Sunday, April 26 - Waterway Market at Great Bridge Village
- Grand opening of farmers market located in historical Battlefield Park South next to the Great Bridge Bridge on the Intracoastal Waterway in Chesapeake.
- Sundays from 11:00 - 2:00 May thru November.
- More Info: https://www.facebook.com/people/Waterway-Market-at-Great-Bridge-Village/61579523097189/
- Monday, April 27 - Environmental Wins Town Hall
- Join Virginia LCV, Climate Action Virginia, local General Assembly Delegates, and partners as we hold a town hall in celebration of environmental wins this General Assembly and Earth Day.
- 6 pm to 7:30 pm, more info at https://www.mobilize.us/lcvva/event/934570/
- Saturday, May 2 - Clean the Bay Day ** New Date **
- The region's biggest cleanup!
- Mulitple locations.
- Sign up: https://www.cbf.org/clean-the-bay-day/
- All Month - Throwing Shade - Native Tree and Shrub Discount
- Southern Branch Nursery
- The Virginia Department of Forestry is partnering with retail nurseries to offer discounts on eligible native trees and shrubs. The program incentivizes customers to purchase native species of trees and shrubs through customer discounts of $25 on eligible trees valued at $50 or more.
- Get Details: https://dof.virginia.gov/urban-community-forestry/urban-forestry-community-assistance/throwing-shade-va-program/
- All Month - Lights Out Hampton Roads
- As part of this voluntary program, the Cape Henry Audubon Soceity and its partners urge property managers, businesses, tenants, government agencies, and residents help to prevent night-time bird collisions with building by turning off and/or blocking as many external and internal building lights at workplaces as possible at night during the spring migration to help prevent injury and death of migrating birds, especially from 11 pm to sunrise. Learn how you can help at https://www.birdsafehr.org/
- Every Friday - Friday Farmers Market
- 70 Knells Ridge Blvd., behind Chesapeake Regional Healthcare
- Friday's 10:00 - 2:00
- More info: https://www.facebook.com/fridayfarmersmarket
March Newsletter
March Newsletter
In this edition ● Chesapeake Sustainability Network ● Green Drinks Chesapeake - Survey ● General Assembly ● Native Plants ● Planning Commission ● City Council ● Action Alerts ● Volunteer Opportunities ● In the News
Chesapeake Sustainability Network
Join the Chesapeake Sustainability Network for a call on Thursday, March 5, 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 the Data Center Working Group, Green Drinks Review, and General Assembly Updates.
Green Drinks Chesapeake - Survey
Our next Green Drinks meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The location will be based on the survey input. The theme will be Earth Day and Earth Month.
General Assembly
Native Plants
The Throwing Shade Virginia program from the Virginia Department of Forestry incentivizes customers to purchase and plant native species of trees and shrubs by providing discounts of $25 on eligible purchases valued at $50 or more. Chesapeake's Southern Branch Nursery is one of the participating nurseries. Learn more at https://dof.virginia.gov/urban-community-forestry/urban-forestry-community-assistance/throwing-shade-va-program/
The Extraordinary Caterpillar film features Doug Tallamy and other leading voices exploring the essential role caterpillars play in sustaining the food web — and how native plants can help rebuild biodiversity right here in Chesapeake. This inspiring 60-minute film reveals how small actions in our own yards can make a meaningful difference for wildlife, pollinators, and the health of our ecosystems.
Planning Commission
Agenda items for the Planning Commission on March 11:
- Concurrent advertising to go to the City Council on March 17:
PLN-REZ-2025-017 in Great Bridge at 1733 & 1737 Battlefield Boulevard South, to build General Business District (4.2 acres), Multifamily Residential (10.6 acres), and Single Family Residential District (11.3 acres). Potential tree canopy loss - 6 acres
Find the full agenda at Planning Commission Agenda
City Council
At the City Council in February
- Parks, Recreation and Tourism Master Plan was approved on February 24
Going to City Council in March:
- PLN-REZ-2025-009 in Great Bridge to build Low Density Residential development on a 25.3 forested lot. The site contains forested wetlands; it is not in CBPA. Sets aside 3 acres for park site. Sets aside 4.2 acres for conservation. Potential Canopy loss of 16 to 18 acres. Planning Commission recommended denial, partially due to the loss of open space, trees, and wetland from development
- PLN-REZ-2025-017 in Great Bridge (see March Planning Commission above).
Action Alerts
- The Planning Department will hold informational meeting detailing a proposed new land conservation option for rural property owners on Monday, March 9, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways Museum (1775 Historic Way). Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) is a proposed tool the City is exploring to assist with accomplishing goals to promote the preservation of agricultural and environmentally sensitive land. The meeting will include a presentation and time for staff to answer individual property owner questions.
- The Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO) is seeking public input to identify and address congestion concerns. It includes opportunities to rate the importance of Alternative Transportation Modes, such as biking and walking, and Land Use Planning, such as building walkable communities. Take the survey https://www.hrtpo.org/m/newsflash/home/detail/276
- Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC) is seeking public input for Hampton Roads Horizon, a long-range regional strategic plan focused on improving the quality of life and strengthening economic competitiveness. Take the survey at https://hrpdcva.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/280
- Chesapeake Recycles Day will be on March 7, 9 am - Noon, at Oscar Smith Middle School. https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/1089/Chesapeake-Recycles-Day
- The Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council (CEIC) is taking nominations for its Environmental Awards through March 16. The Awards Program is an annual celebration to recognize those individuals, groups, or organizations that have been involved in outstanding recycling, beautification, litter control, and environmental projects in Chesapeake. https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/1261/Environmental-Awards-Program
- The Chesapeake Clean & Green Poster Contest is taking entries through March 30. https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/1255/Chesapeake-Clean-Green-Poster-Contest
Volunteer Opportunities
- Friends of Indian River Volunteer Opportunities
- Chesapeake Parks, Recreation, and Tourism has ongoing efforts for invasive species management and tree planting on multiple dates through 2026. Sign up at Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism: Volunteering Opportunities
- Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council Cleanups
In the News
- Virginia's return to Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative picks up steam - WHRO
- Attorney General Jones joins multi-state lawsuit over canceled Solar for All funding - WHRO
- Virginia is slowly expanding access to community solar - WHRO
- Pause on Virginia offshore wind farm cost Dominion more than $200M — but turbines will power up soon - WHRO
- Elizabeth River nonprofit gets $2 million grant to build living shorelines - Virginian Pilot
- Press Statement from CBF - Despite Potomac Sewage Spill, Virginia Budget Proposals Underfund Clean Water
- Trump administration eases limits on coal plants for emitting mercury, other toxins - Virginian Pilot
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