City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session October 4, 2023 Work Session of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, 4:00 p.m. PRESENT Council Members - Michael D. Duman, Mayor, presiding Lue R. Ward, Jr., Vice Mayor Leroy Bennett Shelly Butler Barlow Roger W. Fawcett Timothy J. Johnson (arrived at 4:17 p.m.) John T. Rector LeOtis L. Williams Erika S. Dawley, City Clerk William E. Hutchings, Jr., City Attorney Albert S. Moor, II, City Manager ABSENT None 2045 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE: – LAND USE Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Principal Planner William Keith Cannady gave a report about the above referenced item. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Rector asked whether the Unified Development Ordinance would need to be extensively rewritten if the proposed changes are approved. Principal Planner Cannady advised that he does not foresee major changes in the Unified Development Ordinance as a result of the proposed updates. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Rector inquired about any relation of Rural Conservation to Rural Estate designations. Principal Planner Cannady said the designations will be compatible. Referring to the presentation, Vice Mayor Ward requested examples of a Suburban Use District and queried about the need for such a designation. Principal Planner Cannady advised that those types of neighborhoods already exist, and the proposal would put a formal title on the area. He concluded that the designation would help direct potential development. Referring to the presentation, Vice Mayor Ward asked about the appropriate area to locate an arena or stadium. Principal Planner Cannady said the issue has not been examined, but staff can explore that option. SOLAR FACILITIES UPDATE Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Assistant Planning and Community Development Director Margaret Pittenger submitted information about the above referenced item. 1 City Council Work Session October 4, 2023 Referring to the presentation, Vice Mayor Ward asked about the City’s ability to direct the location of solar facilities. Assistant Planning and Community Development Director Pittenger answered that solar facilities are only allowed in agricultural, M1 and M2 zoned districts with a Conditional Use Permit at this time. Referring to the presentation, Vice Mayor Ward inquired about City Council’s ability to rezone property for solar facilities. Assistant Planning and Community Development Director Pittenger advised the updated Comprehensive Plan will attempt to address the zoning of solar facilities. Referring to the presentation, Vice Mayor Ward questioned whether villages would be excluded from the placement of solar facilities. Assistant Planning and Community Development Director Pittenger responded that solar facilities are required to be sited on parcels of at least five acres. She suggested there may not be parcels large enough in the villages to accommodate a solar facility. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson requested information about the timeline for City Council to consider the changes. Assistant Planning and Community Development Director Pittenger said a work session is anticipated for the Planning Commission this month and the matter could come forward to City Council in the near future. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson solicited details about the enforcement of requirements on solar facilities. Assistant Planning and Community Development Director Pittenger replied that decommissioning bonds will be activated for sites that no longer produce, and the Commonwealth will monitor productivity of the site. She added that the City has authority to order decommissioning. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Bennett called for clarification about the maximum size for a solar farm. Assistant Planning and Community Development Director Pittenger advised there is no limit on the maximum size of solar farms. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Bennett opined about limiting the total amount of land area in the City available for solar facilities. Assistant Planning and Community Development Director Pittenger advised that issue is the purview of City Council. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Rector inquired about the frequency of testing for runoff. Assistant Planning and Community Development Director Pittenger theorized that testing would be conducted on a set time frame, perhaps every three or five years. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Rector requested data on the amount of land that is already dedicated to solar facilities. Assistant Planning and Community Development Director Pittenger said 470 acres in the City have solar facilities. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Williams solicited information about setbacks. Assistant Planning and Community Development Director Pittenger reported that the current setback requirement is 50 feet. She said staff’s suggestion is changing the setback requirements to 150 feet for streets and 100 feet for residential areas 2 City Council Work Session October 4, 2023 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 Community Policy and Management Team, Early Childhood Development Commission, Fine Arts Commission, Human Services Advisory Board, Library Advisory Board, Local Board of Building Code Appeals, Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Tidewater Youth Services Commission, and the Virginia Municipal League Annual Conference Business Meeting and Urban Section Meeting Voting Delegate and Alternate. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Butler Barlow, 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 Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Fawcett, Johnson, Rector and Williams 8 NAYS: None 0 City Council convened in Closed Meeting at 4:57 p.m. The Closed Meeting concluded at 5:05 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: JANUARY 3, 2024 3