City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session April 20, 2022 Work Session of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, 4:00 p.m. PRESENT Council Members - Michael D. Duman, Mayor, presiding Leroy Bennett, Vice Mayor Shelley Butler Barlow Roger W. Fawcett Donald Z. Goldberg (arrived at 4:08 p.m.) Timothy J. Johnson Lue R. Ward, Jr. LeOtis L. Williams Erika S. Dawley, City Clerk William E. Hutchings, Jr., City Attorney Albert S. Moor, City Manager ABSENT None RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OVERVIEW; SECONDARY ACCESS, MINOR SUBDIVISIONS, PAPER STREETS AND INFILL HOUSING Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Deputy City Manager Kevin Hughes gave an update about the above referenced item. Planning and Community Development Assistant Director Kevin Wyne and Public Works Director Robert Lewis gave supplementary information. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Goldberg opined about the City’s regulations regarding secondary access in the Unified Development Ordinance. Planning and Community Development Assistant Director Wyne explained the City’s Unified Development Ordinance approves any secondary access that has a connectivity ratio that exceeds 1.4 Referring to the presentation, Council Member Goldberg called for an explanation of the methodology used when topographical barriers prevent connectivity. Planning and Community Development Assistant Director Wyne stated that those situations are addressed through the variance process. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Goldberg sought information about the rationale behind the limitation on the length of cul-de-sacs. Planning and Community Development Assistant Director Wyne advised that the limitation on the length of cul-de-sacs helps meet connectivity goals. City Manager Moor added that the limitation on the length of cul-de-sacs also addressed public safety and service needs. Referring to the presentation, Mayor Duman opined about the purpose for the proposed amendments to the City’s Unified Development Ordinance regarding cul-de-sacs. Planning and Community Development Assistant Director Wyne said that the proposed amendments are meant to align the City’s Unified Development Ordinance with the State Fire Code. 1 City Council Work Session April 20, 2022 Referring to the presentation, Mayor Duman queried about any possible adverse impacts relating to the proposed amendments to the City’s Unified Development Ordinance regarding cul-de-sacs. Planning and Community Development Assistant Director Wyne replied that the proposed amendments to the City’s Unified Development Ordinance regarding cul-de-sacs are logical changes to align the City with the State Fire Code since the Unified Development Ordinance is more restrictive. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson asked about the feasibility of a new owner receiving more than four cuts, including the parent tract, with a residential development within the Agricultural District. Planning and Community Development Assistant Director Wyne replied in the negative. Council Member Butler Barlow asked for information about the connectivity in Chuckatuck Cove. Planning and Community Development Assistant Director Wyne advised he can provide the information. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson asked whether the new owner of a farm that has already received three cuts to make four parcels would be entitled to make additional cuts to the property. Planning and Community Development Assistant Director Wyne explained that the number of cuts available to a property would run with the parent tract in the agricultural district. Council Member Johnson then asked whether parcels the aforementioned parcels could be developed if they had no road frontage. Planning and Community Development Assistant Director Wyne replied in the negative, but they would be afforded the subdivision variance process. Council Member Goldberg opined about the significance of the date March 1, 1970, as it relates to the determination of permitted number of lots. Planning and Community Development Assistant Director Wyne reported that the date is when the first subdivision plan was adopted. CLOSED MEETING City Clerk Dawley presented the Closed Meeting motion for City Council’s consideration: 1. Pursuant to Virginia Code Sections 2.2-3711(A)(8) and (A)(1), the consultation with legal counsel employed by a public body regarding specific legal matters requiring the legal advice of such counsel, and the discussion, consideration, or interviews of prospective candidates for appointment and the assignment, appointment, and performance of specific public officers or appointees of the City, specifically the appointments as shown on the attached list for vacancies or term expirations for the Clean Community Commission, Early Childhood Development Commission, Human Services Advisory Board, Local Board of Building Code Appeals, and Sister Cities Commission, and Virginia Municipal League Policy Committees; and 2. Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711(A)(5) and (7), the discussion of a prospective business or industry or the expansion of an existing business or industry where no previous announcement has been made of the business’ or industry’s interest in locating or expanding its facilities in the community; and consultation with legal counsel employed or retained by a public body regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel, specifically concerning an EDIP proposal regarding Project Music. 2 City Council Work Session April 20, 2022 Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Johnson, moved that City Council convene in a closed meeting for the above referenced purposes, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Butler Barlow Fawcett, Goldberg, Johnson, Ward and Williams 8 NAYS: None 0 City Council convened in Closed Meeting at 5:04 p.m. The Closed Meeting concluded at 5:29 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: OCTOBER 19, 2022 3