Care4Suffolk – Care4Suffolk https://care4suffolk.org Wed, 05 Apr 2023 02:14:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://care4suffolk.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/cropped-Care4Suffolk-32x32.png Care4Suffolk – Care4Suffolk https://care4suffolk.org 32 32 Developing on Lake Kilby – Is It Really Smart Growth? https://care4suffolk.org/2023/04/05/developing-on-lake-kilby-is-it-really-smart-growth/ https://care4suffolk.org/2023/04/05/developing-on-lake-kilby-is-it-really-smart-growth/#respond Wed, 05 Apr 2023 01:07:00 +0000 https://care4suffolk.org/?p=2512 Read More »Developing on Lake Kilby – Is It Really Smart Growth?]]>

The Hampton Roads REALTORS Association Chairman of the Board spoke on the developer’s behalf at the March 21st Planning Commission meeting. He touted Smart Growth, but did not specify how rezoning for over 200 homes on Lake Kilby Road would fulfill any of the principles of this planning and development concept. This rezoning would actually contradict almost every Smart Growth principle as listed on the National Association of Realtors website:  

This Lake Kilby development plan fails to address walkable neighborhoods or distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place, or provide a variety of transportation options.  

  • Curb and gutter only along subdivision frontage does not equate to connectivity or walkability.  Rather, it creates an unattractive patchwork of sidewalks that lead to nowhere along a very narrow, highly-trafficked, ditch-lined road.  
  • Widening a critical portion of the road to a width that is below standard is not safe for the projected traffic or bicyclists. Even the developer’s lawyer stated that the proffered “approximate” width of 20 feet with no shoulder is below standard.  

The developer conducted only limited outreach and made no attempt to engage the most concerned neighbors.  There was total disregard for the most important Smart Growth principle of encouraging “community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions.”

The principle of preserving “open space, farmland, and critical environmental areas” is given no consideration.  The majority of the property is actively farmed, contains wetlands and natural runoff that feeds a drinking water reservoir.  

There is also a major contradiction due to the fact that the developer is intentionally trying to avoid connectivity with the existing subdivision next door.  The Lake Kilby Road rezoning effort was recommended for denial just last October because the developer specifically attached a Subdivision Variance to it, requesting the city waive connection requirements. He is now removing an entire parcel from the plan—just to AVOID CONNECTION with the neighbors.  

I think instead of just vaguely addressing a planning and development theory during a public hearing, the head of a trade organization should be prepared to talk specifically about the issue at hand–especially if his entire group is wearing “Smart Growth” stickers on their shirts. 

]]> https://care4suffolk.org/2023/04/05/developing-on-lake-kilby-is-it-really-smart-growth/feed/ 0 Update Lake Kilby Road Rezoning Request https://care4suffolk.org/2023/03/03/update-lake-kilby-road-rezoning-request/ https://care4suffolk.org/2023/03/03/update-lake-kilby-road-rezoning-request/#respond Fri, 03 Mar 2023 15:43:10 +0000 https://care4suffolk.org/?p=2188 Read More »Update Lake Kilby Road Rezoning Request]]>
The blue rezoning signs should be popping up any day now on Lake Kilby Road.  The Planning Commission public hearing for the Lake Kilby/Lake Cohoon Road rezoning effort (RZN2021-0018) is only a few weeks away (March 21st, 2pm at City Hall). We need as many people as possible to attend this meeting (wear a blue shirt!). They will vote to recommend approval or denial and City Council will take this into consideration when they make the final vote on it in April. 
 
We still have an online petition that will get printed out and shared with the city. Please check out the link, sign it and pass it along! We appreciate comments on the petition, too!
Sign Petition to Stop Rezoning on Lake Kilby
 

A developer is requesting to rezone 87 acres on Lake Kilby and Lake Cohoon Roads from Rural Estate to Residential Medium Density to allow for 204 cluster style homes.  Rural Estate allows for 1 house for every 3 acres.  Residential Medium zoning allows for 4 houses per acre.

Local residents oppose this rezoning because our narrow, rural roads are already crowded and dangerous. According to VDOT, our impacted roads see about 1,200 vehicle trips per day. This proposed development would bring more than 2,000 additional daily vehicle trips. That number does not include delivery trucks and other service-related vehicles.

The public schools for this area are overcrowded. Elephant’s Fork Elementary is already at 110% capacity.  It is listed as a school with most needs and has a poor facility condition per the Joint School Board Presentation. Kings Fork High School is at 104% capacity. 

City Council has already approved more than 7,400 housing units across Suffolk that have not yet been built.  We don’t need anymore new residential units in Suffolk.

This rezoning effort will go before Planning Commission for consideration 21 March 2023 at 2 PM.

Please help stop this rezoning by attending on March 21st and by signing this petition!

Thank you!

Share Flyer with Neighbors

Important Contact Information

City Hall is at 442 W. Washington St 

Email the City Planning Department direct – planningemail@suffolkva.us

Email City Council direct – council@suffolkva.us

Call City Planning – 757-514-4060

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