Planning Commission
Regular MeetingPetersburg, VA · October 4, 2022
Minutes
Minutes from the Petersburg Special City Council meeting held on October 4, 2022 -1–
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The Special Joint City Council Meeting of the Petersburg City Council and Planning Commission was held on
Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at the Petersburg Public Library. Mayor Parham called the Special City Council
Meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Mayor Parham stated, “I go over to Council Member Myers first. He wanted to make an announcement
for a moment of silence.”
Council Member Myers stated, “Yes, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. I would like everyone to assist us in a
moment of silence for Denise Johnson who worked for us in Social Services. Thank you.”
1. ROLL CALL:
Present:
Council Member Charles H. Cuthbert, Jr.
Council Member Treska Wilson-Smith
Council Member W. Howard Myers
Council Member Arnold Westbrook, Jr.
Council Member Darrin Hill
Vice Mayor Annette Smith-Lee (left at 7:29pm)
Mayor Samuel Parham
Absent: None
Present from City Administration:
Clerk of Council Nykesha D. Lucas
Interim City Manager Kenneth Miller
City Attorney Anthony Williams
2. DISCUSSION/PRESENTATION:
a. Comprehensive Plan Kick-Off and Joint Meeting of the Petersburg City Council and the
Petersburg Planning Commission.
BACKGROUND: In accordance with the Code of Virginia, the City of Petersburg is required to
present a Comprehensive Plan.
RECOMMENDATION: For informational purposes.
Reginald Tabor, Department of Planning and Community Development, stated, “This evening we have
the Berkley Group, a consultant working with the city on the Comprehensive Plan Update, to make a
presentation. And we are kicking off the update process this evening.”
Kelly Davis, Director of Planning for Berkley Group, gave a PowerPoint presentation.
Key points:
Berkley Group is a local government consulting firm that specializes in comprehensive planning.
They are a Virginia based firm that has had the pleasure of working with many localities in
Virginia with the comprehensive planning projects.
This will be a community driven process with meetings and focus groups.
*Audio available upon request.
Minutes from the Petersburg Special City Council meeting held on October 4, 2022 -2–
______________________________________________________________________________
Caroline Vanterre, Planner with Berkley Group, gave some key points with PowerPoint.
Key points:
The Comprehensive Plan is a long-range planning documents and decision-making guide. It is a
community guided vision for the future.
It is a showcase of assets and areas for improvement. The guiding framework for the
community’s planning tools: Zoning ordinance, subdivision ordinance, capital improvements
program and other plans and studies.
It is a plan that is legally required by the Code of Virginia §15.2-2223.
The comprehensive plan assesses existing conditions, establishes visions and goals, sets
direction for future changes, and identified implementation strategies.
The plan addresses land use, housing, mobility and transportation, community facilities and
infrastructure, economy and tourism, education and workforce development, quality of life: arts,
culture and parks, historic preservation, environmental stewardship, public safety, and public
health.
The comprehensive plan diagnostic was presented to the Planning Commission in July 2021.
Code of Virginia Compliance Findings: 1. Update data to reflect current community conditions &
conditions analysis; 2. Incorporate a coordinated transportation section with VDOT; 3. Include
surveys, studies, and capital improvements completed since the last community update; 4.
Goals, objectives and strategies should be included in each chapter and formatted consistently.
Community Workshops will be on November 17, 2022, December 1, 2022, and January 5,
2023.
There will be a survey available November 1, 2022 - January 7, 2023.
There will be a Petersburg Comprehensive Plan website as well to help with participation from
everyone in the community.
There was discussion among City Council, staff, and the presenters of the Berkley Group.
Council Member Hill asked if they could include the report from Dr. Roy on the Anti-Poverty
Commission to be included in the plan. He also asked to add everyday citizens as well.
Mayor Parham asked if they could add housing authority, social services, and economic development
to the report as well.
Ms. Nanterre stated that there will be copies of flyers and information throughout the city so that the
citizens will have access to them.
Council Member Hill stated, “On another note we know that Christmas is going, and I don’t know if we
are going to have our Christmas parade this year, but I want us to be ready so that we do not have to get
ready. I also know that we try to decorate our city so for those individuals who are responsible for that the little
gingerbread man on the box, they are old, and they are tired. We need to do something different. When you go
across the bridge you see nice lit up snowflakes on each pole. We need to do something different. No shade
on anybody who put up the gingerbread box, but it is time for us to move into the 22nd century. So, just make
sure that we have a team that is ready to decorate and make things nice this Christmas.”
Mr. Altman stated, “Understood. A refresh is what I am hearing.”
Mayor Parham stated, “Thank you. Thank you to the Planning Commission and the Berkley Group for
the presentation tonight.
*Audio available upon request.
Minutes from the Petersburg Special City Council meeting held on October 4, 2022 -3–
______________________________________________________________________________
3. ADJOURNMENT:
City Council adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
_________________________
Clerk of City Council
APPROVED:
_________________________
Mayor
*Audio available upon request.
Agenda
City of Petersburg
City Council
Virginia
www.petersburgva.gov Samuel Parham, Mayor – Ward 3
Annette Smith-Lee, Vice-Mayor – Ward 6
Treska Wilson-Smith, Councilor – Ward 1
Darrin Hill, Councilor – Ward 2
October 4, 2022 - Joint Charlie Cuthbert, Councilor – Ward 4
W. Howard Myers, Councilor– Ward 5
Meeting of Petersburg City Arnold Westbrook, Jr., Councilor – Ward 7
Council and Petersburg
Planning Commission City Manager
John March Altman, Jr.
October 4, 2022
Petersburg Public Library
201 West Washington Street
Petersburg, VA 23875
6:30 PM
1. Roll Call
2. Discussion/Presentation
a. Comprehensive Plan Update Kick-Off and Joint Meeting of the Petersburg City Council and the
Petersburg Planning Commission.
3. Adjournment
Page 1 of 7
2.a.
City of Petersburg
Ordinance, Resolution, and Agenda Request
DATE: October 4, 2022
TO: The Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
THROUGH: March Altman, Jr., City Manager
Tangela Innis, Deputy City Manager
Brian Moore, Director of Economic Development
FROM: Reginald Tabor
RE: Comprehensive Plan Update Kick-Off and Joint Meeting of the Petersburg City Council
and the Petersburg Planning Commission.
PURPOSE: The purpose is to begin the Comprehensive Plan update process.
REASON: To inform the City Council, Planning Commission and the City at-large about the Plan Update
Process and to receive input from the City Council and Planning Commission.
RECOMMENDATION: For informational purposes.
BACKGROUND: In accordance with the Code of Virginia, the City of Petersburg is required to
COST TO CITY: N/A
BUDGETED ITEM: N/A
REVENUE TO CITY: N/A
CITY COUNCIL HEARING DATE: 10/4/2022
CONSIDERATION BY OTHER GOVERNMENT ENTITIES: Virginia Department of Transportation
(VDOT), Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
AFFECTED AGENCIES: Economic Development, Planning and Community Development
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION: N/A
REQUIRED CHANGES TO WORK PROGRAMS: N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 0923_2022ComprehensivePlanGuide
Page 2 of 7
2. 0923_2022Project_ScheduleGraphic
3. 0923_2022PetersburgCompSchedulePlanUpdate
Page 3 of 7
GUIDE TO COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING
What is a Comprehensive Plan?
A Comprehensive Plan is a long-range, high-level planning document that addresses topics such as land use, development, natural
environment, transportation, and resource utilization within a community. The plan is the community’s vision for where it wants to be in
20+ years and includes strategies to achieve that vision. Under Virginia State Code §15.2-2223, local governments in Virginia are
required to adopt a Comprehensive Plan and to review that plan every 5 years for necessary updates. Though having a plan is required,
the content of the plan is not regulatory. Rather, a Comprehensive Plan is a decision-making guide for changes to the natural and built
environment in a community. A Comprehensive Plan is the basis for regulatory tools such as zoning and subdivision ordinances.
Residents
Regional
Organizations
Who is Involved?
Local
Businesses A Comprehensive Plan is a community-driven process that is meant to develop a shared vision for
the community’s future. Through public dialogue, citizens discuss the future of their community.
Public input creates strong community support for the plan as well as subsequent decisions that are
Locality consistent with the plan’s policies. The Berkley Group listens, facilitates, and synthesizes community
Community Staff input from a wide variety of stakeholders. We work closely with staff and the Planning Commission
Organizations to draft the plan.
Elected
Planning
Commission
Officials What Does it Include?
As the name implies, a Comprehensive Plan studies, assesses, and makes recommendations about
the many elements that make up a community. Virginia State Code §15.2-2223 mandates the study
of subjects such as transportation, development areas, land use, population projections, and coastal
resource management to name a few. However, every community is unique and additional elements
People that are included in a plan are determined by the locality. Determining what a plan will address is an
important part of the planning process, and The Berkley Group works closely with the community
to ensure the right elements are addressed in the plan. Typical elements include: cultural resources,
local economy, housing, natural resources, land use, transportation, and community services. Once
Community Local determined, the Comprehensive Plan outlines existing conditions for each element and establishes
Facilities Government
a vision, goals, and specific strategies to improve each of these elements.
Cultural Local A Note About the Future Land Use Map
Resources Housing
Economy
A key component of the Comprehensive Plan is the Future Land Use Map. The map describes general, ideal
future land use patterns in the community. It does not directly regulate private property, rather it is a guide
for officials when evaluating growth and development projects. The Future Land Use Map is different from the
Transportation Natural Official Zoning Map.
Resources Land Use Infrastructure
What is the Process?
Existing Conditions The Comprehensive Planning process is divided roughly into four phases: Data Gathering & Analysis;
Vision > Goals > Objectives Public Input; Plan Development; and Review, Adoption, & Implementation. Once the plan is accepted
by officials it is then a legal statement of community policy in regards to future development. The work
Implementation Strategies doesn’t stop when the plan is adopted. The plan must be implemented and part of implementation is
continual review, monitoring, and updating.
Review & Diagnostic Existing Conditions Public Input Public Review & Plan Adoption &
of Existing Land Use Vision, Goals, & Implementation
Tools Analysis Workshops & Survey Objectives Strategies Refinement Implementation
Continuous feedback and review with staff and Planning Commission
The Berkley Group | bgllc.net Page 4 of 7
GUIDE TO COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING
What a Comprehensive Plan is NOT
Regulation that controls how an individual can use their property.
A rigid, unchangeable document.
The only guiding document for the community.
A plan that sits on a shelf and is never implemented.
How is it Implemented?
Comprehensive Implementation is the most important step in developing a Comprehensive Plan. Continuous
review and progress monitoring holds everyone accountable to the plan’s vision. The Code of
Plan Virginia §15.2-2230 requires that Comprehensive Plans be reviewed every five years. Annual
reviews and revisions of ordinances and plans is considered a best practice. In addition to
monitoring and updating the plan, there are a variety of implementation tools that enable the
long-range vision to become a reality. The following tools are the most vital to ensuring the
successful implementation of a Comprehensive Plan: (1) resource plans such as the Capital
Improvement Plan and annual budget which allocate public expenditure on projects; (2)
community plans and programs that deal with specific subjects; and (3) ordinances and
development regulations that control the location, form, and character of private projects.
Capital Improvement Plan Community Plans Ordinances & Zoning Map
The Capital Improvement Plan The Comprehensive Plan The Zoning and Subdivision
(CIP) is intended to link public sets the stage for more Ordinances should be guided
capital investments with the detailed community plans by the Comprehensive Plan.
Comprehensive Plan. The CIP and planning initiatives. Theses ordinances are the
includes a schedule, cost Example plans might include: primary tool through which
estimate, funding source(s), Housing Studies, Green the land use goals and
and justification. Infrastructure Plans, Parks & policies of the plan are
Recreation Master Plans, and implemented.
Small Area Plans.
The Value of Comprehensive Plans
Provide continuity across time, and give successive public bodies a common framework for addressing
land-use issues.
Guide and protect public investments.
Allow communities to plan development in a way that protects valued resources.
Provide guidance for shaping the appearance of the community.
Promote economic development.
Provide justification for decisions by providing a factual and objective basis to support zoning decisions.
The Berkley Group | bgllc.net Page 5 of 7
Page 6 of 7
City of Petersburg
Comprehensive Plan Update
Project Schedule
The following schedule is predicated on the assistance of City staff in providing timely documentation, guidance, and scheduling of
necessary meetings and work sessions.
PROJECT TIMELINE
2022 2023 2024
August September October November December January February August September October November December January February
Phase # Task Description
March April May June July March April May
A1 Kick-off Meeting with Staff V
A2 Document Review
n A3 Kick-off Work Session / City tour X
at io
ve A4 Website & Promotions
st ig
In A5 Public Workshop (up to 3) X X X
A6 Public Survey
A7 Stakeholder Listening Sessions X X
B1 Work Sessions (up to 5) X X X X X
B2 Meetings/Coordination with Staff
B3 Outline, Vision, About the Plan
ment B4 Demographic Data / Baseline Analysis
De
velo B5-13 Content Drafting
p
B14 Implementation Plan
B15 Mapping
B16 Plan Layout & Graphics
C1 Public Draft Review + Open House (up to 1) X
op C2 Final Review Work Session (up to 1) X
tio
n
Ad C3 Incorporate Final Revisions
C4 Public Adoption (PC / Board hearings) X X
V= Virtual; X = In-person Attendance
Project Schedule | 1
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