Dear City Council,

As a concerned citizen of Suffolk, I would like to express my intense disagreement with the rezoning of Ellis Farm (RZN2022-007), from agricultural to residential. This rezoning, if approved by the City of Suffolk, will allow the developer to build 300 single-family homes on that lot. These additional homes will drastically negatively impact Manning Road, the Springfield subdivision and all the surrounding neighborhoods, with increased traffic and overcrowded schools.

Manning Road is unsafe for the projected increase in traffic caused by the additional 300 homes. The traffic study was conducted on Manning Bridge Road, not Manning Road, and does not adequately reflect this impact. 

Our local schools cannot support the additional students that this proposed development will bring. Kilby Shores Elementary School and Forest Glen Middle School are currently projected at 104% and 109% capacity respectively, without added developments. The 2024 projection was made on the historical data on live births in Suffolk, not factoring in these types of developments, which means that there will be more students than the projection reflects. Furthermore, the Kilby Shores facility is in seriously poor condition, with many students learning in mobile units. We do not have the staffing (teachers, bus drivers, or support staff) to support this growth in our schools.  

Until the City of Suffolk can markedly improve the current schools and implement a plan for additional infrastructure, Suffolk is not ready to adequately support this type of development on Manning Road. I respectfully ask that you please consider these impacts mentioned above and render a sound decision to refuse the rezoning of Ellis Farm to residential.

Respectfully Yours,

Your Name
Your Addresswith