City Council
Regular MeetingPetersburg, VA · September 19, 2023
Minutes
Minutes from the Petersburg City Council Closed Session meeting held on September 19, 2023 -1–
The Closed Session Meeting of the Petersburg City Council was held on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at the
Petersburg Public Library. Mayor Parham called the Closed Session Meeting to order at 3:01 p.m.
1. ROLL CALL:
Present:
Council Member Annette Smith-Lee
Council Member W. Howard Myers
Council Member Arnold Westbrook, Jr.
Vice Mayor Darrin Hill
Mayor Samuel Parham
Absent: Council Member Charles H. Cuthbert, Jr.
Council Member Marlow Jones
Present from City Administration:
Clerk of Council Nykesha D. Lucas
City Manager John March Altman, Jr.
City Attorney Anthony Williams
2. CLOSED SESSION:
a. The purpose of this meeting is to convene in the closed session pursuant to §2.2-3711(A)(3) of
the Code of Virginia for the purpose of discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real property
for a public purpose and the disposition of publicly held real property where discussion in an open
meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body,
specifically including but not limited to the acquisition and disposition of real property and (7) and (8)
of the Code of Virginia for the purpose of receiving legal advice and status update from the City
Attorney and legal consultation regarding the subject of specific legal matters requiring the provision
of legal advice by the city attorney, specifically including but not limited to discussion regarding
Chapter 107 of the City Code; 58.1-608.3 of the Code of Virginia; Section 33-6 of the Petersburg
Zoning Ordinance; 15.2-2100 of the Code of Virginia; Article VII Section 9 of the Virginia
Constitution; and other matters requiring the legal advice of the City Attorney.
Vice Mayor Hill made a motion that the City Council go into closed session for the purposes noted.
Council Member Smith-Lee seconded the motion.
On roll call vote, voting yes: Smith-Lee, Myers, Westbrook, Hill, and Parham; Absent: Cuthbert and
Jones
The City Council entered closed session at 3:02 p.m.
CERTIFICATION:
Mr. Williams stated, “The Mayor would entertain a motion to conclude the closed session called today
to certify in accordance with §2.2-3712 that the Code of Virginia that to the best of each members knowledge
that only public business matter lawfully exempted from the opening meeting requirements were discussed and
that only such public business matters were identified in the motion by which the closed meeting was
convened, heard, discussed, or considered. If any member believes that there was a departure from the
foregoing requirements should state prior to the vote indicating the substance for departure in which he
believes has occurred. This requires a roll call vote Mr. Mayor.”
Council Member Westbrook made a motion to return the City Council to open session and certify the
Minutes from the Petersburg City Council Closed Session meeting held on September 19, 2023 -2–
purposes of the closed session. Council Member Myers seconded the motion. There was no discussion on the
motion.
The motion was approved on roll call vote.
On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Jones, Myers, Westbrook, Hill, and Parham; Absent: Smith-Lee
23-R-55 A RESOLUTION CERTIFYING, AS REQUIRED BY THE CODE OF VIRGINIA, SECTION 2.2-
3712, THAT TO THE BEST OF EACH MEMBER’S KNOWLEDGE, ONLY PUBLIC BUSINESS
MATTERS LAWFULLY EXEMPTED FROM OPEN MEETING REQUIREMENTS OF VIRGINIA
LAW WERE DISCUSSED IN THE CLOSED SESSION, AND ONLY SUCH PUBLIC
BUSINESS MATTERS AS WERE IDENTIFIED IN THE MOTION CONVENING THE CLOSED
SESSION WERE HEARD, DISCUSSED, OR CONSIDERED.
City Council returned to open session at 4:53 pm
Council Member Cuthbert made a motion to direct the city manager to take all actions necessary to
acquire the properties necessary for Project Renew. Vice Mayor Hill seconded the motion. On roll call vote,
voting yes: Cuthbert, Jones, Smith-Lee, Myers, Westbrook, Hill, and Parham
3. DISCUSSION/CONSIDERATION:
a. Discussion and/or consideration of a request to appeal the Planning Commission
recommendation of approval of 2023-REZ-05 (2255 Jamestown Road.)
BACKGROUND: See attached information.
RECOMMENDATION: To discuss and consider the appeal for 2255 Jamestown Road.
Naomi Siodmok, Director of Planning & Community Development, gave a brief overview of the request.
Ray Ferguson, appellant, stated that the schools were not contacted, and Fort Gregg-Adams was not
contacted. He stated that the amount of school bus stops is a lot and that there is a lot of traffic on this road.
He stated that the citizens were fully disadvantaged. He stated that the citizens were not fully aware of what is
currently being proposed for the site and area.
Sandy Graham, Attorney of Williams Mullen, stated that information was provided and that a letter was
also written and sent out to council to give background on some of the issues.
There was discussion among the city council and staff.
Council Member Myers made a motion to deny the request for an appeal. Vice Mayor Hill seconded the
motion. The motion was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Myers,
Westbrook, Hill, and Parham; Abstain: Jones
3. ADJOURNMENT:
The City Council adjourned at 5:11 p.m.
_________________________
Clerk of City Council
APPROVED:
Minutes from the Petersburg City Council Closed Session meeting held on September 19, 2023 -3–
_________________________
Mayor
Agenda
City of Petersburg
City Council
Virginia Samuel Parham, Mayor – Ward 3
www.petersburgva.gov Darrin Hill, Vice Mayor – Ward 2
Marlow Jones, Councilor – Ward 1
Charlie Cuthbert, Councilor – Ward 4
W. Howard Myers, Councilor– Ward 5
September 19, 2023 - City Annette Smith-Lee, Councilor - Ward 6
Arnold Westbrook, Jr., Councilor – Ward 7
Council Closed Session
City Administration
September 19, 2023 John March Altman, Jr. - City Manager
Anthony Williams - City Attorney
Petersburg Public Library Nykesha D. Lucas - City Clerk
201 West Washington Street
Petersburg, VA 23803
3:00 PM
1. Roll Call
2. Closed Session
a. The purpose of this meeting is to convene in the closed session pursuant to:
(1)§2.2-3711(A)(3) of the Code of Virginia for the purpose of discussion or consideration of the
acquisition of real property for a public purpose and the disposition of publicly held real property
where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating
strategy of the public body, specifically including but not limited to the acquisition and disposition
of real property and (7) and (8) of the Code of Virginia for the purpose of receiving legal advice
and status update from the City Attorney and legal consultation regarding the subject of specific
legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by the city attorney, specifically including but
not limited to discussion regarding Chapter 107 of the City Code; 58.1-608.3 of the Code of
Virginia; Section 33-6 of the Petersburg Zoning Ordinance; 15.2-2100 of the Code of Virginia;
Article VII Section 9 of the Virginia Constitution; and other matters requiring the legal advice of
the City Attorney.
3. Discussion and/or Consideration
a. Discussion and/or consideration of a request to appeal the Planning Commission recommendation
of approval of 2023-REZ-05 (2255 Jamestown Road).
4. Adjournment
Page 1 of 11
3.a.
City of Petersburg
Ordinance, Resolution, and Agenda Request
DATE: September 19, 2023
TO: The Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
THROUGH: March Altman, Jr., City Manager
FROM: Naomi Siodmok
RE: Discussion and/or consideration of a request to appeal the Planning Commission
recommendation of approval of 2023-REZ-05 (2255 Jamestown Road).
PURPOSE: Discussion of an appeal request for 2255 Jamestown Road.
REASON: Request for an appeal for 2255 Jamestown Road.
RECOMMENDATION: To discuss and consider the appeal for 2255 Jamestown Road.
BACKGROUND: See attached information.
COST TO CITY: N/A
BUDGETED ITEM: N/A
REVENUE TO CITY: N/A
CITY COUNCIL HEARING DATE: 9/19/2023
CONSIDERATION BY OTHER GOVERNMENT ENTITIES: N/A
AFFECTED AGENCIES: N/A
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION: N/A
REQUIRED CHANGES TO WORK PROGRAMS: N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 2255 Jamestown Road 3287 County Drive - Appeal
Page 2 of 11
Request to Appeal
CITY COUNCIL
the Planning
MEETING Commission
SEPTEMBER
19, 2023
Recommendation
of Approval for
2023-REZ-05
Page 3 of 11
Background
Planning Commission recommended approval with
a proffer of a petition to rezone the property
located at 2255 Jamestown Road from A,
Agricultural Zoning, District to M-1, Light Industrial
Zoning, District and 2262 County Drive from B-2,
General Commercial Zoning, District to M-1, Light
Industrial Zoning, District.
Page 4 of 11
Background (continued)
A request to appeal the Planning Commission
decision on 2023-REZ-05 was submitted via email by
Ray Ferguson of Poe Lane with support from Ann
and Herman Burgess of Poe Lane on August 28th.
Appendix A Article I Section 33-6. – Appeals from
decisions of planning commission permits the
request for appeals.
Page 5 of 11
Stated Basis for Appeal
The appeal is based on the following items as identified by
the appellant:
1) Failure to submit the Williams Mullen 20-page document
dated 07/10/2023 to the public prior to the Planning
Commission meeting on August 17th.
2) Lack of input from Fort Gregg-Adams as required by Code
of Virginia § 15.2-2211 and from Petersburg Public Schools.
3) No drawings as to how an 18-wheeler acceleration lane
will look and impact HWY 460.
Page 6 of 11
1) The Williams Mullen
Document - Response
This document was received from the applicant
representative via email on 8/16 and uploaded to
the Planning Commission packet on 8/17 on the
Agendas and Minutes page.
Page 7 of 11
Fort Gregg-Adams – VA State
Code
§ 15.2-2211. Cooperation of local planning
commissions and other agencies.
…The planning commission of any locality shall
consult with the installation commander of any
military installation that will be affected by
potential development within the locality so as to
reasonably protect the military installation against
any adverse effects that might be caused by the
development…
Page 8 of 11
Fort Gregg-Adams + Public
Schools – Petersburg Code
Fort Gregg-Adams, Colonel Jim Hoyman, Garrison
Commander was contacted on 9/6/2023 with the
plans. He acknowledged receipt and shared the
plans with his team.
School Superintendent was called on 9/6/2023 and
a voicemail was left. Called back 9/13 and a
voicemail was left. Email sent on 9/13 with the full
case packet requesting feedback and notifying the
Superintendent of the Council meeting date.
Page 9 of 11
3) Details on the project’s
acceleration lane.
There is no outgoing acceleration lane, so there is
no acceleration lane diagram to review. Only an
inbound taper lane is warranted, and no outbound
acceleration lane.
Page 10 of 11
Fort Gregg-Adams
Fort Gregg-Adams
Page 11 of 11
Get email alerts for Petersburg
A daily email when new agendas and minutes are posted.