City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session May 1, 2024 A Joint Work Session of the Suffolk City Council and the Suffolk Planning Commission was held in the City Council Chamber on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. PRESENT Council Members - Michael D. Duman, Mayor, presiding Lue R. Ward, Jr., Vice Mayor (arrived at 3:05 p.m.) Leroy Bennett Shelley Butler Barlow Roger W. Fawcett Timothy J. Johnson 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 The following members of the Suffolk Planning Commission were present: Arthur L. Singleton, Chair Mills Staylor, Vice Chair MaryEllen Baur Oliver D. Creekmore Kittrell Eberwine Johnnie Edwards Gerald Goodman Anita Hicks JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE PLANNING COMMISSION City Manager Moor offered introductory remarks. 2045 COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Comprehensive Planning Manager W. Keith Cannady provided a summary of the above referenced item. Referring to the presentation, Vice Mayor Ward inquired about any changes to the fiscal impact analysis in the proposed 2045 Comprehensive Land Use Plan as a result of the recommendations received at the public input sessions. Mr. Cannady explained that no radical changes were made to the proposed 2045 Comprehensive Land Use Plan as it relates to the fiscal impact analysis. 1 City Council Work Session May 1, 2024 Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson sought information about possible future reviews of the fiscal impact analysis, as it relates to the proposed 2045 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Mr. Cannady explained that the City considers a project’s fiscal impact analysis for each future individual rezoning and conditional use permit. He added that the City will also update its ordinances accordingly in concert with consideration of future development. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson asked about the timeline for the implementation of the proposed Master Transportation Plan, as it relates to the proposed 2045 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Mr. Cannady reported that the proposed 2045 Comprehensive Land Use Plan does not include a Master Transportation Plan at this time. Council Member Bennett called for clarification about the expansion of growth areas into Holland and Whaleyville and the lack of infrastructure in those areas. Mr. Cannady advised that was an example of an expansion that would require the use of the fiscal impact analysis but those recommendations are not included in the proposed 2045 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Bennett queried about proposed implementation of a Master Transportation Plan, as it relates to the proposed 2045 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Mr. Cannady said that the proposed implementation of a Master Transportation Plan would make the City more competitive for State and Federal funding. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Butler Barlow opined about the use of fiscal impact analysis through rezonings and conditional use permits, as it relates to addressing development in the proposed 2045 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Mr. Cannady reported that this process is already in place and it addresses this matter in the growth areas. Referring to the presentation, Mr. Staylor inquired about the impact on farmland with the removal of growth area on Route 58. Mr. Cannady estimated that the removal of the growth area on Route 58 would result in a 30% reduction of farmland. Referring to the presentation, Ms. Hicks requested the anticipated amount of increased growth as a result of the recommendations in the proposed 2045 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Mr. Cannady replied that if all five of the recommended growth areas were approved, it would result in a 25% increase in growth. He added that if three of the growth areas were approved, it would result in a 15% increase in growth. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Rector asked for more information about the fiscal impact analysis of rezonings and conditional use permits. He also solicited information about the feasibility of retroactive review of approved projects, as they related to the accuracy of the fiscal impact analysis. City Manager Moor said that staff would continue to review the process and the resulting data accordingly. Council Member Williams asked about the City’s promotion of affordable housing, as it relates to the proposed 2045 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Mr. Cannady advised that the City has examined its adequate public facility structure and the consideration of incentives and best practices, as it relates to affordable housing in future growth areas. 2 City Council Work Session May 1, 2024 Council Member Williams queried about the preservation of historical structures, as it relates to the proposed 2045 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Mr. Cannady said that the City has studied the real estate market and considered the barrier that deter investors. He added that the City has also studied its ordinances to insure the attraction of potential investors. Council Member Williams asked about the lack of fresh food options in Whaleyville and the relationship between traffic versus housing growth, as it relates to the proposed 2045 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Mr. Cannady advised that it is a difficult issue; one option would be the consideration of small spaces for farmers of offer the sale of fresh food. Members of the City Council and the Planning Commission opined about the proposed 2045 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Cannady resumed his presentation about the proposed 2045 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett inquired about the feasibility of the targeted dates for the updates on the proposed 2045 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Mr. Cannady stated that the targeted dates are only recommendations provided for consideration. Members of City Council and the Planning Commission provided closing remarks. 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, Local Board of Building Code Appeals, Sister Cities Commission, Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Tidewater Youth Services Commission, Western Tidewater Community Services Board; and specifically the performance and salaries of the City Manager, the City Attorney, the City Clerk and the Real Estate Assessor. 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 purpose, 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 4:50 p.m. The Closed Meeting concluded at 5:40 p.m. 3 City Council Work Session May 1, 2024 Teste: _____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: JULY 17, 2024 4