1. Considering data center ordinance changes under consideration in Chesapeake, what policies would you support regarding the siting of data centers and the management of associated impacts, such as setbacks, noise, pollution, water use, energy demand, backup generators, environmental impacts, and infrastructure costs?
Answer: Chesapeake should not sacrifice our neighborhoods, rural communities, natural resources, water supply, or quality of life for unchecked industrial growth. I have been one of the strongest voices on Council pushing back against inappropriate data center development. Last year, I led the charge against a proposed data center on Centerville Turnpike that was positioned immediately adjacent to a residential neighborhood. I have also led the charge to prevent the expansion of data centers into rural Chesapeake, where these massive industrial facilities are fundamentally incompatible with our agricultural land, rural character, and surrounding communities.
More recently, I moved to eliminate data centers as a by-right use and establishing a moratorium while the City develops stronger standards. I have also asked for an opinion from the Virginia Attorney General to determine whether Chesapeake has the legal authority to ban data centers altogether, because our legal staff has advised Council that the City currently cannot do so. I believe we have an obligation to fully explore every legal option available to protect our residents.
Going forward, if we cannot ban data centers, they should be located only where they are compatible with surrounding land uses and where the developer, not existing residents, is responsible for the infrastructure costs created by the project. I support meaningful setbacks from homes, stronger noise and lighting standards, careful review of water consumption and groundwater impacts, requirements addressing air pollution and backup generators, and consideration of the demands placed on our electric grid and infrastructure. We need to take a comprehensive approach without sacrificing the quality of life, natural resources, and character that make our city special.
2. How would you promote making more clean energy available to residents, businesses, and institutions in Chesapeake? What is your position on siting of battery energy storage systems (BESS) and utility scale solar? What do you believe the City can do to promote rooftop, balcony, and parking lot solar?
Answer: 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.
3. Between 2014 and 2021, the City had a net loss of over 800 acres of trees, largely to development. What polices will you support to protect tree canopy during development? Would you support increasing the tree canopy requirement on site plans for low-density single-family home development?
Answer: 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.
4. Our region faces a significant shortage of housing that is affordable to people earning the area median income or less. How would you promote building more housing in communities that maintains a high quality of life and a healthy and livable environment?
Answer: We 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.
5. Chesapeake continues to experience flooding, sea level rise, and increasingly intense rainfall. What are your priorities for improving flood resilience to protect neighborhoods, businesses, and natural resources?
Answer: 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.
6. One of the top resident priorities is "Preservation of large areas of open space and forest.*" How should Chesapeake balance continued economic growth with the preservation of open space, forests, wetlands, farms and rural character? How would you expand the City's urban forestry and natural lands management, such planting and maintaining trees, managing invasive plants, maintaining natural trails, and training staff on best practices? * As reported in the Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Master Plan study.
Answer: 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.
7. Considering that many daily trips that people make are over short distances, often less than 1 or 2 miles, how would you work to make our streets safer and more connected for people walking, biking, and using mobility devices?
Answer: I 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.
Answer: Public transportation should be convenient, reliable, safe, and connected to where people live and work. I would support continued coordination with regional transportation partners to identify opportunities to improve routes, frequency, and connections.
9. Considering the new 25-year contract the City signed with SPSA for combined single-bin trash and recycling collection, and considering the steadily increasing tipping fees (cost per ton collected) associated with the new contract, what steps should the City take to encourage residents, businesses, schools, and institutions to REDUCE the amount of solid waste put out for collection?
Answer: 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.
10. Would you support implementing a 5¢ fee on plastic bags to encourage the use of reusable shopping bags and to fund local environmental cleanup, litter and pollution mitigation, or environmental education efforts, and/or to provide reusable bags to recipients of SNAP or WIC benefits? Why or why not?
Answer: 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.
Answer: Residents deserve to
understand what is being proposed in their neighborhoods, what the potential
impacts are, and when they have an opportunity to be heard. I support earlier
and more meaningful public engagement rather than waiting until a project
reaches the final stages of the approval process.
The City should make
development information easier to find and understand, provide clear
explanations of proposed changes, and give residents adequate notice and
meaningful opportunities to participate. Staff reports should clearly identify
potential impacts on traffic, schools, utilities, public safety, water,
stormwater, environmental resources, and surrounding neighborhoods.
12. What other sustainability, environmental, or quality-of-life issue do you believe deserves greater attention? Please elaborate.
Answer: I believe we need to
place greater emphasis on the connection between quality of life,
responsible development, and infrastructure capacity. Environmental protection
is not separate from quality of life, it is a fundamental part of it.
That would mean
protecting our waterways and drinking water, preserving forests and open space,
reducing flooding, maintaining our rural character, and making sure development
does not overwhelm roads, utilities, schools, or public safety services. It also
means recognizing that once we lose a farm, mature forest, wetland, or natural
area to
As a Council Member, I
have focused on putting Chesapeake first and my most recent actions regarding
data centers and industrial uses near residential communities reflect that
approach. We can welcome investment and
economic development while still insisting that growth be responsible,
appropriately located, and compatible with the community.