Suffolk, VA

City Council Meeting Agendas

City Council Work Sessions

City Council Meeting Packets

Electoral Board Meeting Packets

The Suffolk Electoral Board is meeting to consider a single action item: confirming annual ADA compliance for all polling places, as required by state law. The board will vote on three findings regarding accessibility assessments and compliance, and authorize the secretary to submit the confirmation to the state. The meeting also includes public comment and planning for upcoming election activities.

• Action: ADA Compliance Survey (annual confirmation vote)
• Logic and Accuracy Testing scheduled
• Officer of Election Training scheduled
• Precinct Visit for Early Voting scheduled
• Early Voting begins September 18, 2026

Electoral Board Meeting Agenda

The Suffolk Electoral Board is meeting to approve its agenda, hear public comments, and consider an action item on an ADA compliance survey. The meeting is largely procedural, with the main substantive item being the survey action.

• Action: ADA Compliance Survey
• Public Comment Period
• Next meeting scheduled for October 6, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

Agricultural Advisory Committee

The Suffolk Agricultural Advisory Committee is meeting to approve minutes, continue strategic planning for the Agricultural Reserve with facilitator Jonathan McBride, and discuss old and new business. The agenda is mostly procedural, with the main substantive item being the ongoing strategic planning effort.

• Approval of July 23, 2026 meeting minutes
• Continue Ag Reserve Strategic Planning with Jonathan McBride
• Discussion of activity report and old/new business
• Next meeting scheduled for October 22, 2026

City Council Work Sessions

The Suffolk City Council is holding a work session to discuss an overview of the Virginia Cooperative Extension, a proposed agreement with constitutional officers, and potential appointments. The agenda also includes proposed items for a closed session, but no specific details are provided.

• Virginia Cooperative Extension overview
• Agreement with constitutional officers
• Appointments
• Proposed closed session items

City Council Meeting Agendas

The Suffolk City Council is meeting to consider a consent agenda of grant acceptances and appropriations, hold public hearings on fee schedule changes, conditional use permits for a dog kennel and two day cares, and zoning ordinance amendments, and discuss a staff report on village plans. The meeting also includes motions to study an agritourism grant program and minor subdivision standards.

• Public hearing on amending FY 2026-2027 fee schedule, including Western Tidewater Water Authority wholesale water rate and fixed capacity charge
• Public hearing for Conditional Use Permit for commercial dog kennel at 2170 Joshua Lane (CUP2026-009)
• Public hearings for two family day home conditional use permits at 1017 Meadows Reach Circle (CUP2026-016) and 145 Patriots Walke Drive (CUP2026-017)
• Ordinance to restrict through truck traffic on Manning Road and Arthur Drive
• Motion to evaluate a Farming and Agritourism Resiliency and Marketing Grant Program

City Council Meeting Packets

The Suffolk City Council will hold a work session and regular meeting on August 19, 2026. The regular session includes public hearings on amending the FY 2026-2027 fee schedule (including Western Tidewater Water Authority rates), three conditional use permits (a commercial dog kennel and two day cares), and two Unified Development Ordinance amendments. The consent agenda includes accepting and appropriating funds from state and federal sources for victim/witness assistance, airport, arts, sheriff's equipment, fire/rescue, housing, and transit. The council will also consider restricting truck traffic on Manning Road and Arthur Drive, and motions to study a farming/agritourism grant program and minor subdivision standards.

• Public hearing to amend FY 2026-2027 fee schedule: Western Tidewater Water Authority wholesale water rate and fixed capacity charge, Public Works sign program fee, site plan/engineering review fees, major subdivision fee, Parks and Recreation membership fees for City employees
• Public hearing for Conditional Use Permit for commercial dog kennel at 2170 Joshua Lane (CUP2026-009)
• Public hearings for two day care (family day home, 5-12 children) conditional use permits at 1017 Meadows Reach Circle (CUP2026-016) and 145 Patriots Walke Drive (CUP2026-017)
• Ordinance to restrict through truck traffic on Manning Road (Copeland Road to Mineral Springs Road) and Arthur Drive (Mineral Springs Road to Whaleyville Boulevard)
• Consent agenda includes accepting and appropriating funds from Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, Department of Aviation, Commission for the Arts, Office of Emergency Medical Services, HUD (CDBG and HOME), and Department of Rail and Public Transportation

Planning Commission Meeting Packets

The Suffolk Planning Commission will hold public hearings on two city-initiated amendments: one to update the Unified Development Ordinance (OTA2026-009) and another to add policy language on cumulative acreage caps for utility-scale solar facilities to the 2045 Comprehensive Plan (CPA2026-01). The commission will also receive a staff report on a separate UDO text amendment (OTA2026-07) and status reports from a recent City Council meeting. The agenda includes routine items like approving minutes and commissioner comments.

• Public hearing on OTA2026-009: UDO text amendment to repeal Section 31-415, enact 31-415.1, and amend Appendix B-13
• Public hearing on CPA2026-01: Comprehensive Plan amendment to add solar facility acreage caps and limits
• Staff report on OTA2026-07: amendments to multiple UDO sections (e.g., 31-301, 31-306, 31-701) and Appendix B
• Status report on City Council meeting of July 15, 2026
• No preliminary plats approved (status report)

Planning Commission Meeting Agendas

The Suffolk Planning Commission will hold public hearings on two city-initiated amendments: one to repeal and replace a section of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and another to revise the 2045 Comprehensive Plan to add policy language on cumulative acreage caps for utility-scale solar facilities. The commission will also review a staff report on a separate UDO text amendment affecting multiple sections, and receive status reports from the City Council meeting and preliminary plats.

• Public hearing on OTA2026-009 to repeal Section 31-415 and enact Section 31-415.1 of the UDO
• Public hearing on CPA2026-01 to add solar facility acreage caps to the 2045 Comprehensive Plan
• Staff report on OTA2026-07 amending numerous UDO sections (e.g., 31-301(a), 31-306, 31-701)
• Status report on City Council meeting of July 15, 2026
• No preliminary plats approved (status report)

Historic Landmarks Commission Agendas

The Suffolk Historic Landmarks Commission will consider two Certificates of Appropriateness for City-owned properties: one to rehabilitate the facade, storefront, and parking lot at 157 N. Main Street, and another to improve the parking lot and add a landscaped pedestrian area at 347 E. Washington Street. The meeting also includes routine items like minutes approval and staff reports.

• Certificate of Appropriateness HLC2026-00011 for facade and storefront rehabilitation at 157 N. Main Street
• Certificate of Appropriateness HLC2026-00012 for parking lot and pedestrian area at 347 E. Washington Street
• Both properties are in the Historic Conservation Overlay District

Historic Landmarks Commission Packets

The Historic Landmarks Commission will hold a regular meeting on August 13, 2026, to consider two Certificate of Appropriateness requests submitted by G. Wayne Rhoads on behalf of the City of Suffolk. The first involves rehabilitating the facade, storefront, and parking lot at 157 N. Main Street (the Virginia Pilot Building), and the second involves rehabilitating a parking lot and creating a landscaped pedestrian area at 347 E. Washington Street. The agenda also includes approval of minutes, staff reports, and announcements. The meeting is open to the public.

• Certificate of Appropriateness HLC2026-00011: Rehabilitate facade and storefront, renovate parking lot at 157 N. Main Street (Virginia Pilot Building), including 48 new parking spaces and landscaping.
• Certificate of Appropriateness HLC2026-00012: Rehabilitate parking lot and develop landscaped pedestrian area at 347 E. Washington Street.
• Both properties are in the Historic Conservation Overlay District and zoned CBD or FRRD.
• Staff reports on administrative approvals, property maintenance, and zoning updates.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee is meeting to receive updates from city officials on tax collections and investments, tax assessments and trends, the Commissioner of the Revenue, and the budget and finance status. These are informational reports, not decision items. The next meeting is scheduled for November 11, 2026.

• Status of tax collections and investments report by Treasurer Andrew Owen
• Status of tax assessments and trends report by Assessor Holt Butt
• Commissioner of the Revenue update by Susan Draper
• Budget and finance update by Director of Finance Stephanie Wells

OPEB Committee

The OPEB Committee is meeting to discuss and review items related to the City and School, including an introduction/discussion, audit/actuarial matters, a reimbursement request, and new business. The agenda is brief and procedural, with no specific decisions or dollar amounts listed.

• Introduction/Discussion for City/School
• Audit/Actuarial for City/School
• Reimbursement Request for City/School
• New Business for City/School

Economic Development Authority Board Meeting Agendas

The Suffolk Economic Development Authority board will review minutes and financial reports, consider several façade grant applications and an extension for a land sale contract, and hold a closed session to discuss real property acquisition or disposition related to Project Flood. The meeting is scheduled for August 12, 2026, at 4:00 pm in the City Council Conference Room.

• Façade and SBIG Grant Extension – 155 E. Washington Street (1742 Coffee Co.)
• Façade Grant Application - Peanut Crossing Phase II
• Façade Grant Application – 1256 Holland Road (Suffolk Massage and Wellness)
• Consideration of Contract Extension for Sale of Land – Acesur USA, LLC
• Closed session per Virginia Code § 2.2-3711(A)(3) for Project Flood

The Suffolk Economic Development Authority approved an amendment extending the purchase and development agreement for Parcel C2 at The Point to accommodate a revised hotel concept. The board also authorized conveying an EDA-owned parcel in Suffolk Industrial Park to the City for the Peanut Park redevelopment initiative. A closed meeting was held to discuss real property acquisition at Suffolk Industrial Park.

• Approved minutes from June 10, 2026 meeting (7-0)
• Approved Amendment No. Two to contract for sale of land for Parcel C2 at The Point (8-0)
• Approved resolution certifying closed meeting of July 8, 2026 (8-0)
• Approved resolution to convey Tax Map No. 34*50 (Site 12) in Suffolk Industrial Park to the City (7-1, Webb opposed)

Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting Agendas

The Suffolk Board of Zoning Appeals will hold public hearings on three applications for Tier 1 construction projects. The board will also approve minutes from the July 14, 2026 regular meeting and address any old or new business.

• Public hearing for BZA24-2026, Map No. 35E€W188, Tier 1 Construction
• Public hearing for BZA25-2026, Map No. 34C*S13*18, Tier 1 Construction
• Public hearing for BZA26-2026, 113 N 10th St, Tier 1 Construction

Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting Packets

The Suffolk Board of Zoning Appeals will hold public hearings on three variance requests (BZA24-2026, BZA25-2026, BZA26-2026) for Tier 1 Construction. Each seeks to reduce required side yard setbacks from 10 feet to 5 feet to build a single-family dwelling. The board will also approve minutes from the July 14, 2026 regular meeting.

• BZA24-2026: Variance to reduce side yard setbacks from 10 ft to 5 ft at 0 Goodman St (Tax Map 35E(E)W188) for new single-family dwelling
• BZA25-2026: Variance to reduce side yard setbacks from 10 ft to 5 ft at Map 34C*S13*18 for Tier 1 Construction
• BZA26-2026: Variance to reduce side yard setbacks from 10 ft to 5 ft at 113 N 10th St for Tier 1 Construction
• Approval of minutes from July 14, 2026 regular meeting

Electoral Board Meeting Agenda

The Electoral Board is conducting a multi-day canvass to verify ballot counts and determine voter eligibility. This process involves reviewing provisional and absentee mail-in ballots to finalize election results.

• Verification of Election Day, Early Voting, and pre-processed Absentee Mail-In ballot counts
• Eligibility review and counting of Provisional Ballots
• Eligibility review and counting of Late Absentee Mail-In Ballots
• Canvass activities located at 440 Market Street

Electoral Board Meeting Agenda

The Suffolk Electoral Board will meet on August 5, 2026, to canvass results from the August 4 primary elections, review provisional ballots, and conduct other necessary business. Additional meetings are scheduled if needed through August 10.

• Certify Democratic and Republican primary election results from August 4, 2026
• Review provisional ballots from the primary election

Agricultural Advisory Committee

The Suffolk Agricultural Advisory Committee will meet to approve previous minutes and discuss the Ag Reserve Strategic Planning and a FARM Grant Proposal. The group will also set dates for future meetings.

• Approval of April 2, 2026 minutes
• Ag Reserve Strategic Planning discussion
• FARM Grant Proposal Update
• Schedule 2026 Regularly Scheduled Meetings

Public Safety Committee

The Public Safety Committee will discuss updates from police, fire, sheriff, schools, and other agencies, and review a comprehensive list of funded and proposed safety programs and projects. The agenda includes new public comment guidelines limiting total comment time to six minutes. The committee will consider over $4.5 million in funding requests, including a $1.56 million heavy rescue fire apparatus, a $500,000 armored vehicle, and $800,000 for downtown street light upgrades.

• Introduction of new Western Tidewater Regional Jail Superintendent Heather Richardson
• $1,559,572 heavy rescue fire apparatus for Fire Station 11
• $500,000 armored vehicle (Lenco Bear Cat) for Suffolk Police Department
• $800,000 additional funds for downtown street light upgrades and LED conversion
• New traffic safety projects: $45,000 Mack Benn Jr. Elementary pedestrian improvements, $20,000 Godwin Courthouse crosswalk, $50,000 Freedom Lane median removal, $50,000 Holland Road reflective markers, $70,000 Hillpoint Blvd sidewalk extension

Planning Commission Meeting Packets

The Suffolk Planning Commission meeting on July 21, 2026 will hold public hearings on several conditional use permit requests, including a commercial kennel at 2170 Joshua Lane, a family day home at 1017 Meadows Reach Circle, a family day home at 145 Patriots Walke Drive, and an exception request for a larger shed at 306 Princess Arch. The commission will also consider Ordinance Text Amendment OTA2026-006, which proposes changes to multiple sections of the Unified Development Ordinance. Additional agenda items include status reports from the City Council meeting of June 17, 2026 and a note that no preliminary plats were approved.

• Conditional Use Permit CUP2026-00009 – commercial kennel at 2170 Joshua Lane, Holy Neck Borough, Agricultural zoning district.
• Conditional Use Permit CUP2026-00016 – family day home for up to 12 children at 1017 Meadows Reach Circle, Chuckatuck Voting Borough, Planned Development Overlay zoning district.
• Conditional Use Permit CUP2026-00017 – family day home for up to 12 children at 145 Patriots Walke Drive, Suffolk Voting Borough, Residential Low-Medium zoning district.
• Exception Request CEX2026-00002 – larger shed at 306 Princess Arch, Cypress Voting Borough, Residential Low-Medium zoning district.
• Ordinance Text Amendment OTA2026-006 – amendments to sections 31-406(c), 31-407(c), 31-408(b), 31-602(a), 31-602(b), 31-602(c), 31-603(e), 31-606(a), 31-701(c), and 31-724 of the Unified Development Ordinance.

Planning Commission Meeting Agendas

The Planning Commission will consider several conditional use permits for businesses and home-based care. The body will also review an exception request for a shed construction and a city-initiated amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance.

• CUP2026-00009: Commercial kennel request at 2170 Joshua Lane
• CUP2026-00016: Family day home for up to 12 children at 1017 Meadows Reach Circle
• CUP2026-00017: Family day home for up to 12 children at 145 Patriots Walke Drive
• CEX2026-00002: Exception for shed construction at 306 Princess Arch
• OTA2026-006: City-initiated amendments to multiple sections of the Unified Development Ordinance

Wetlands Board Packets

The Suffolk Wetlands Board will hold a public hearing on a permit application to modify and extend an existing riprap revetment at 6954 Respass Beach Road along the James River. The board will also elect officers for the year and discuss permit identification numbering. No restoration hearings or permit extensions are scheduled.

• Public hearing on VMRC2023-0895: David Spencer requests permit to modify and extend riprap revetment at 6954 Respass Beach Road (Tax Map 7A(1)*3), impacting 6 sq ft vegetated and 202 sq ft non-vegetated tidal wetlands.
• Annual election of officers for the Wetlands Board.
• Approval of minutes from the February 19, 2026 meeting.
• Discussion of permit identification numbers for future clarity.
• No restoration hearings, permit extensions, or compliance items on the agenda.

Wetlands Board Agendas

The Suffolk Wetlands Board will hold a public hearing on a permit to modify and extend an existing riprap revetment along the James River. The board will also elect officers for the year and discuss how permit identification numbers are assigned.

• Public hearing on permit VMRC2023-0895 to modify a riprap revetment at 6954 Respass Beach Road (Tax Map 7A(1)*3)
• Annual election of officers
• Discussion of permit identification numbers

City Council Meeting Packets

The Council held a work session to discuss updates to the Parks and Recreation master plan and proposed changes to the Floodplain Overlay District. The meeting also included discussions regarding various city ordinances, funding appropriations, and potential land use permits.

• Parks and Recreation Master Plan update
• Proposed amendments to the Floodplain Overlay District
• Ordinance creating a Traffic Safety Fund for automated traffic camera violations
• Conditional Use Permit for a day care at 113 Mallard Drive
• Conditional Use Permit for a solar energy facility on Old Myrtle Road

City Council Meeting Agendas

The City Council will review several ordinances regarding fund appropriations for public safety, parks, and schools. The meeting includes public hearings for a day care facility, a solar energy facility, and a wetlands mitigation bank.

• Public hearing for bond issuance and sale by the City of Suffolk
• Conditional Use Permit for a day care at 113 Mallard Drive
• Conditional Use Permit for a solar energy facility on Old Myrtle Road
• Conditional Use Permit for a wetlands mitigation bank at 2101 Buckhorn Drive
• Ordinance creating a Traffic Safety Fund from automated camera violations

City Council Work Sessions

The City Council will receive updates regarding the Traffic Safety Fund and Capital Improvement Projects for Parks and Recreation. The agenda also includes items proposed for a closed session.

• Traffic Safety Fund Update
• Parks and Recreation and Capital Improvement Projects Update
• Proposed items for Closed Session

Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting Agendas

The Board of Zoning Appeals will meet to review zoning requests and appeals for several properties. The agenda includes four active public hearings and one deferred case.

• BZA 15-2026: 211 N. 7th St (Tier 1 Construction)
• BZA 16-2026: Tax Map 34C*58*17 (Pro-Home Builders)
• BZA 17-2026: Tax Map 35H(6)M6 (Alan Reese, II)
• BZA 18-2026: Tax Map 35H(4)Di7 (Alan Reese, II)
• BZA 13-2026: 6300 Old Myrtle Rd (Janet K. Harrell) - Deferred

Library Advisory Board Meetings

The Suffolk Library Advisory Board will review reports from the Library Director, the Friends of the Library, and the Literacy Council standing committee. It will consider unfinished business concerning the Downtown Suffolk Library. New business includes discussion of the Library’s 2026‑2031 Strategic Plan.

• Strategic Plan (2026-2031) discussion
• Unfinished Business – Downtown Suffolk Library
• Library Director’s Report
• Friends of the Library Report
• Literacy Council standing committee report

Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting Packets

The Board of Zoning Appeals will hold public hearings on five applications, including a deferred variance request to increase the impervious surface ratio from 16% to 61% for a church parking lot expansion. Also on the agenda are a Tier 1 construction at 211 N. 7th St and three applications by Pro-Home Builders and Alan Reese II on tax map parcels. The board will also consider approval of the June 9, 2026 meeting minutes, which were not approved due to lack of a quorum.

• BZA13-2026: Variance to raise impervious surface ratio from 16% to 61% for church parking lot and stormwater detention at 6300 Old Myrtle Rd (deferred from prior meeting)
• BZA15-2026: Tier 1 Construction at 211 N. 7th St
• BZA16-2026: Application by Pro-Home Builders on Tax Map 34C*58*17
• BZA17-2026: Application by Alan Reese, II on Tax Map 35H(6)M6
• BZA18-2026: Application by Alan Reese, II on Tax Map 35H(4)D17

Economic Development Authority Board Meeting Agendas

The Suffolk Economic Development Authority will hold its regular meeting on July 8, 2026, to review and approve previous meeting minutes and financial reports. New business includes an overview of 157 N. Main Street and an amendment to a contract for sale of land with Gees Group Partners C4, LLC. The board will also consider a marketing activity report and a downtown newsletter.

• Review and approval of minutes from June 10, 2026
• Financial reports for period ending May 31, 2026
• Overview of 157 N. Main Street
• Gees Group Partners C4, LLC Amendment No. Two to Amended and Restated Contract for Sale of Land Extension Request
• June 2026 Suffolk Marketing Activity Report

The Board approved the operating budget for fiscal year 2026-2027 and multiple small business improvement grants. Additional actions included approving a family day home grant, a performance agreement for Wanchese Fish Company, and a land sale contract for 1810 N. Main Street.

• Approved April 2026 meeting minutes (8-0)
• Approved FY 26-27 EDA operating budget (8-0)
• Approved Small Business Improvement Grant for 4 Day Catch (8-0)
• Approved Small Business Improvement Grant for Early Resultz Daycare & Learning Center (8-0)
• Approved Family Day Home Grant for Zoenita’s Loving Arms (8-0)
• Approved Wanchese Fish Company AFID performance agreement (8-0)
• Adopted EDA Board Protocols and Code of Conduct (7-1)
• Authorized contract for sale of land at 1810 N. Main Street to Palmetto Capital Group, LLC (8-0)