City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session July 17, 2024 Work Session of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Tuesday, July 17, 2024, 4:00 p.m. PRESENT Council Members - Michael D. Duman, Mayor, presiding Lue R. Ward, Jr., Vice Mayor 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 2045 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Principal Planner William Cannady, Deputy City Manager Kevin Hughes, Parks and Recreation Director Mark Furlo, Capital Programs and Buildings Director Gerry Jones, Public Utilities Director Paul Retel and Public Works Director Robert Lewis submitted information about the above referenced item. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Butler Barlow asked for information regarding the specific percentage of acreage in the City’s growth areas. Principal Planner Cannady said that staff could provide that information. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Butler Barlow queried about the potential impact of employment centers on zoning designations. Principal Planner Cannady explained that employment centers are a matter of land use, therefore, have no impact on zoning designations. Council Member Rector opined about the vacancy rate of warehouses in the City. Deputy City Manager Hughes advised that the City is currently experiencing an under average vacancy rate for warehouses. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Rector called for information about the number of Equivalent Residential Unit. Public Utilities Director Retel said that 550 Equivalent Residential Units were anticipated. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson sought clarification about solar farms as it relates to the proposed 2045 Comprehensive Plan. Principal Planner Cannady explained that the proposed plan does not promote solar farms, but it does allow for their development. 1 City Council Work Session July 17, 2024 Council Member Johnson requested an explanation about the inclusion of federally mandated low- income housing areas the Holy Neck Borough, as it relates to the proposed 2045 Comprehensive Plan. Principal Planner Cannady said that he could research that matter. Deputy City Manager Hughes reported that the Economic Development Chapter did not exist in the 2035 Comprehensive Plan; therefore, low-income housing was not a component, which was a shortcoming in the plan. He added there are federally recognized incentives in specific areas that were identified as potential low income housing tax credits opportunities, which is all driven by population and demographics. Deputy City Manager Hughes concluded that these types of incentives are being used today throughout the entire City, on developments that are, often, not large in scale. Vice Mayor Ward called for an explanation about the lack of historical village designations for the areas of Pughsville and Huntersville. Principal Planner Cannady explained that historical village designation status starts with community acknowledgement. He added that he could research the matter further. Vice Mayor Ward sought clarification for the recommendation to reduce the growth area near Route 460 as included in the proposed 2045 Comprehensive Plan. Principal Planner Cannady stated that residents expressed their concerns about too much growth in that area, therefore, staff recommended a reduction in the growth area. Mayor Duman opined about the notation of the amendments to the proposed 2045 Comprehensive Plan to reflect citizen recommendation. Principal Planner Cannady advised that staff is working on a document to reflect said changes. The Work Session adjourned at 5:34 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: OCTOBER 2, 2024 2