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Council adopts Indian River design guidelines with change to bird‑safety language
Summary
City Council voted 7–1 to adopt the Indian River Small Area design guidelines as part of the 2035 comprehensive plan, striking language that had limited bird‑safe window standards to above‑ground floors after a stakeholder request.
Chesapeake City Council on Tuesday voted 7–1 to adopt the Indian River design guidelines and incorporate them into the 2035 Comprehensive Plan, after adding an amendment to broaden a proposed bird‑safe glass provision.
The council approval follows planning staff and community work on corridor standards for Indian River Road and adjacent commercial corridors. Planning staff said the guidelines provide standards for site design, architecture and landscaping intended to spur pedestrian safety, improved landscaping and new commercial destinations.
Public input: Rogard Ross of Friends of Indian River and Vicky Easley spoke in support of the guidelines at public hearing, saying the standards would advance pedestrian and bicycle safety and help kick off a façade improvement program. Ross asked council to strike a phrase in the draft language that limited bird‑safe window standards to “above the ground floor.” He argued the collision risk affects windows at ground level as well.
Council action: Councilmember Miller moved approval, and Councilmember Ward offered an amendment to strike the “above the ground floor” wording from the bird‑safe window section on pages 71–72 of the draft. Ward said the change reflected public comment and safety concerns; the motion to adopt the resolution dated March 27, 2025, with that amendment carried 7–1.
Why it matters: The planning staff said the guidelines are intended to preserve and enhance the Indian River commercial corridors, encourage pedestrian‑oriented redevelopment, and help implement an adopted small‑area plan. The guidelines provide guidance for discretionary rezonings and special use applications; staff also noted they could be codified later into an overlay district if council desired.
Next steps: Staff said the guidelines will be used in reviewing future discretionary development proposals in the Indian River planning area and that the council could direct staff to pursue an overlay district if it wanted the standards to be mandatory.
