[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6196467,"mediaKeyId","3857647-cfe24651014113ca7787c238133c9e92","parentId",3857647,"title","Planning commission fast‑tracks UDO change to align site‑plan review with new state deadlines (HB 2660); forwards to council","audioSeconds",272,"startMs",3109000,"endMs",3381000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3857647-cfe24651014113ca7787c238133c9e92&start=3109&end=3381","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3857647-cfe24651014113ca7787c238133c9e92/thumbnail_3109000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6196467/Suffolk-City/Virginia/Planning-commission-fasttracks-UDO-change-to-align-siteplan-review-with-new-state-deadlines-HB-2660-forwards-to-council","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196467-073c2bdbc6ef37df63119136c94cdb6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770485866&Signature=RI6zbE3wTWn56okiLMVdC0t6PWiOEvvpzcSTtK5EieetKcLJrSxu3xoo7gttiiJ5ExP2wIL~~x4m9CaZpUxzEACPXmj9k5U0i4LjpdlE5Bv56Y8uqZXbIyiji2jzlvPx~oV6wp3cjTC-dLlblZsiw2uraY6qrNl-0IdC0g2uE2BfESj0PTpF1FPuar87gKj2~sKk~jb4ui4iFGvwRr9WlB1ZQYWKp520hBmnYgkoX~NnUt-ViwP~tZGIf367ni~73JHshajZVqVjZ7KtWfbhXBbKrXbwq7McYgCTvi14E7buoQUYB8LYPZIahF0aOyfOKvIVct2APIse51SjhPb0Ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-18T07:24:07Z","article","The Suffolk City Planning Commission voted 7–0 to recommend Ordinance Text Amendment OTA2025‑005 to City Council and to fast‑track the change so it can be in place before July 1, when new state deadlines take effect.

Staff explained the General Assembly enacted House Bill 2660, which amends Va. Code §§ 15.2‑2259 and 15.2‑2260 and shortens the maximum number of days localities have to act on plats and site plans and prescribes methods staff must use to identify deficiencies. The proposed local amendment removes hard‑coded time limits from City Unified Development Ordinance section 31‑5‑06 so the UDO references the state code sections instead of duplicating the timing language; the staff presentation emphasized keeping the table that identifies which approval authority handles each application while removing the specific day counts and related notes.

Staff noted the change is not optional if the city is to remain consistent with state law and that the commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to City Council the next day for expedited consideration. The commission approved the amendment unanimously; staff said it will be presented to City Council the following day so the city’s UDO aligns with state law effective July 1.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Suffolk Planning Commission Meeting (6-17-25)","oneSentenceSummary","The commission unanimously approved a text amendment to remove local time limits from the Unified Development Ordinance and rely on updated state code deadlines (House Bill 2660 and Va. Code §§ 15.2‑2259, 15.2‑2260), keeping a table of approval authorities while deleting redundant timing language.","taxTitle","Suffolk City, Virginia","taxId",4193,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6196471,"Commission approves allowing limited home food preparation but keeps on‑site sales banned",766,2315000,3081000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3857647-cfe24651014113ca7787c238133c9e92&start=2315&end=3081","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3857647-cfe24651014113ca7787c238133c9e92/thumbnail_2315000.jpg","/articles/6196471/Suffolk-City/Virginia/Commission-approves-allowing-limited-home-food-preparation-but-keeps-onsite-sales-banned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196471-766874033f58b781d014f462c4b72ca8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770485866&Signature=e7EgFvQmPzRLyjpIKURSYX5j2i~LyOVAzReAU4SqsOzLsOTSQY3T3535QoseIR5tbVLNM8EbT1v6jUkjLe-MF474xgiHnsMTzFDx1YZnzOFCh17niA6qKEm1eW39IGx8AOX0jx1CcgdauCTpMqT7-g2XXvnpl6um6~vWQ1eReDrgfib-wPhL5CvY2-iAGHoP9b9~8FukDOadOxgsJQ0kJVwB9FDKQQ8~M8lQrUui4zoVDd0mnMH0gLiB2apTiqBgJM-JGmqEq~CKd7CitbwAYoLxVeBSwlrDGceHX6962xfwlRgW6tHUT0E6bz9wnQrGr7QKd27n6CqLIBet6wsQJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Suffolk City Planning Commission voted 6–1 to recommend Ordinance Text Amendment OTA2025‑004, which adds a narrowly defined allowance for food processing and preparation in private homes as a permitted home occupation, provided it complies with Virginia Code 3.2‑5130(C) and does not involve sales on the premises.

Assistant Director Jennifer Copp told commissioners the change responds to a City Council request to align the Unified Development Ordinance with state law. Copp summarized the redline change: “and food processing and preparation in private homes in accordance with code section of Virginia 3.2‑5130C with no sales on the premise.” She said the amendment is intended to allow low‑risk items (baked goods, jams, jellies, pickles) that do not require temperature‑controlled commercial kitchens and for which state code exempts routine inspection.

Commissioners raised concerns about enforcement and about occasional home‑cooked dinners or fundraisers. Commissioner Goodman and others said they were reluctant to enable on‑site sales that could look like a commercial operation; staff clarified that preparing nonperishable goods at home would be allowed under the amendment but selling food directly from the home would remain prohibited. Staff also noted the amendment would still bar perishable, temperature‑sensitive meal preparation (for example, dinners or fried foods) that require health‑department oversight.

An initial motion to deny the text amendment failed after a recorded vote; the commission then moved to approve the amendment and forward it to City Council. The approved language leaves the prohibition on on‑site sales in place but would permit home production of low‑risk foods that can be sold off‑site (for example, at farmer’s markets or through online orders fulfilled elsewhere). The commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to City Council for consideration on July 16.","The planning commission voted 6–1 to recommend an ordinance text amendment that would allow certain non‑perishable food processing and preparation in private homes in line with Virginia Code 3.2‑5130(C), while explicitly prohibiting on‑site sales.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6196476,"Planning commission approves exception to Chesapeake Bay buffer for expanded deck at 1878 N. Cherry Grove Road, 6–1",798,1426000,2224000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3857647-cfe24651014113ca7787c238133c9e92&start=1426&end=2224","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3857647-cfe24651014113ca7787c238133c9e92/thumbnail_1426000.jpg","/articles/6196476/Suffolk-City/Virginia/Planning-commission-approves-exception-to-Chesapeake-Bay-buffer-for-expanded-deck-at-1878-N-Cherry-Grove-Road-61","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196476-ec7abf2c035614ec13a352c163ebdee8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770485866&Signature=RB9gpQwxhI5Kn3MibvdGRKyEBCOfDmMHKt9t6qjCQGiYmYnHRb7zOndwaH~ew2TlqAHEO3Dq8SVyFRcW5hp4cxeLtzVJ~BKRrUF26nbU9wEm3Xpx6-UhGhMOtenEuKkCw06-1Lop47MdMAI2b5FlZZV7uoh5US8XwCAAc8apbWtn-5trcRlGmi1o0WEym9qfGq6DJJwdBzMU~eh5u7Cr0~oqF-2KT8MbK1Ii2acMaHiZc98OnG6nC4ubNSgSPQRz4fTJ6Da2iXlRjZog36CMlmHxO7zedA0o5UsCM9J~~XIHR2PCL9F4SLaYa-qKmSaPOoPqh0Aq3eS7lZu8uS1tTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Suffolk City Planning Commission voted 6–1 to grant Exception Request CEX20250007 for the replacement and expansion of a deck at 1878 North Cherry Grove Road in the Cherry Grove Estates subdivision.

Staff planner Isabel Reynolds recommended denial, saying the proposal “does not satisfy the criteria outlined in section 31‑4‑15 of the Unified Development Ordinance.” The applicant’s agent, Brian Lang, described efforts to minimize impacts and noted the house and much of the lot lie within the 100‑foot resource protection area (RPA) buffer; he provided a buffer mitigation plan proposing three units of vegetation to offset land disturbance.

The property is zoned Rural Estate (RE) and is about 1.61 acres. The homeowner proposes to replace a 410‑square‑foot deck with a new 1,088‑square‑foot elevated deck; staff said the new work would more than double the existing deck and therefore “does not meet the minimum necessary to afford relief.” The agent estimated the increased pollutant load from the added impervious area would be about 0.01 pounds of phosphorus per year.

Commission discussion noted the home was established about 1980, prior to the Chesapeake Bay preservation requirements; commissioners also discussed alternatives and mitigation. The motion to approve included the mitigation plan and the requirement that appropriate permits be obtained prior to construction; the vote passed 6–1. Staff told the applicant to obtain required permits and proceed with the mitigation measures if construction begins.","After a public hearing and debate over shoreland buffer protections, the commission approved an exception to allow replacement and expansion of a residential deck within the Chesapeake Bay resource protection area buffer, subject to mitigation and permitting.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6196481,"Planning commission approves indoor entertainment center at 813 W. Constance Road with restricted hours",882,417000,1299000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3857647-cfe24651014113ca7787c238133c9e92&start=417&end=1299","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3857647-cfe24651014113ca7787c238133c9e92/thumbnail_417000.jpg","/articles/6196481/Suffolk-City/Virginia/Planning-commission-approves-indoor-entertainment-center-at-813-W-Constance-Road-with-restricted-hours","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6196481-e90e3c70e4387de29e8021c761dceb53/orig.mp4?Expires=1770485866&Signature=O4jvGu4zAY4QIkhyTVXM6DDrVy0IPN~w64gk1zonPhFMbqhXMi6fCnSXMyjMcd0Gtvd6jP9c0spzsj54Jy3~TDSBvZB35EPJ~cT3sUgHRli~qzOkVx11qTSOFwbTp10ZsbWS9vVPCC8uT8Q-uoiRk-OvQE4R6taofUMpp0EiEG7UZ5jyt-PqVHnyUtCC8tlnsjqwGL3Puy19chz5Kq3Sw~fyuDQ7KdQMVj6rstM4E2XbsbOWI3pXpDEUPzuHsGJ4IFipxJe1AiP5sIlsXo11Vbl40-nltFUMtuycmUROi6HbH0MPbjnaCryPn26PT12x6mPbAwYMkkvzErDYIFqhFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Suffolk City Planning Commission on a unanimous vote approved Conditional Use Permit CUP20250008 to allow an indoor amusement, entertainment and recreation center in Suites B and C at 813 West Constance Road.

Staff planner Shannon Wolfe recommended approval, saying the request “satisfies the criteria set forth in section 31‑3‑06 and 31‑4‑06 of the Unified Development Ordinance,” and presented conditions limiting hours of operation. The applicant, Dwight James, asked the commission to permit 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday closing hours; staff and the commission adopted earlier closing times in the motion.

The proposed facility would include a skating rink, trampolines and arcade space and would operate with roughly 10 employees, including security and floor staff. The applicant told the commission the venue would host DJs, theme nights, birthday parties and private rentals and planned to serve bottled alcoholic beverages in a designated area subject to Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control licensing. James said extended weekend hours were crucial to the business model and to providing “a positive, supervised environment” for youth and families.

Staff described the site as part of the Suffolk West Plaza Shopping Center, noted Suites B and C formerly housed Sluggers batting cages, and said the proposed use is not expected to increase traffic or impede orderly development of the surrounding area. Staff also recommended the hours of operation be limited to Sunday–Thursday 9 a.m.–11 p.m. and Friday–Saturday 9 a.m.–midnight to align with similar live-entertainment uses downtown.

After public comment in support from residents including Jevon Smallwood and Yvette Massey, a motion to approve the CUP with staff’s conditions carried 7–0. The commission recorded that the item will be forwarded to City Council with a recommendation for approval at its July 16 meeting.

The approval includes the conditions in the staff report; the applicant must comply with applicable state regulations for alcohol service and obtain the necessary Virginia ABC license before serving alcohol.","The Suffolk City Planning Commission voted to approve a conditional use permit for an indoor amusement and live-entertainment center at 813 West Constance Road, rejecting the applicant’s request for later weekend closing hours and adopting staff-recommended time limits and conditions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning commission fast‑tracks UDO change to align site‑plan review with new state deadlines (HB 2660); forwards to council

Commission approves allowing limited home food preparation but keeps on‑site sales banned

Planning commission approves exception to Chesapeake Bay buffer for expanded deck at 1878 N. Cherry Grove Road, 6–1

Planning commission approves indoor entertainment center at 813 W. Constance Road with restricted hours