CHESAPEAKE, Va. - After a more than five hour-long meeting, Chesapeake City Council voted 6-1 to deny a developer's rezoning request to build 500 new homes.
Before the vote, Councilman Roland Davis said, "We want people to invest in Chesapeake, but I'm not going to support this tonight."
Before the final vote to deny the Virginia Beach-based developers their rezoning request, a motion to continue the vote for 90 days failed to pass.
Chesapeake citizens packed city hall chambers and 71 people signed up to speak their mind. Some were in support of the development, but most were adamantly against. The Confluence development is slated to bring more than 500 homes, including houses, townhouses and apartments along with a medical facility.
There is a petition with more than 2,300 signatures opposing it. Many parents have spoken to News 3 and said they are concerned about the number of students, roughly 200, the new development will bring. Other folks in Chesapeake said they are against it because it's unsustainable growth.
The city staff recommended city council denies the development. The planning commission recommended approval.
A city council member and the Mayor abstained from voting to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.
