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Residents urge city to scrutinize proposed Virginia Natural Gas compressor station over noise and health concerns
Summary
Speakers at the council meeting urged staff to examine expected decibel levels, potential emissions and environmental impacts of a proposed Virginia Natural Gas compressor station in North Deep Creek; the zoning reclassification is scheduled for Planning Commission review.
During the citizens’ comments portion of the March 18 Chesapeake City Council meeting, residents raised concerns about a proposed Virginia Natural Gas (VNG) compressor station that appears on the city’s pending zoning reclassification list.
Jeff Staples, a North Deep Creek resident, told council he was following the city’s initial review of the proposal and urged a broad examination of impacts tied to compressor-station operations. Staples asked staff to look closely at expected decibel (noise) levels and safeguards for neighbors, and to consider epidemiological and environmental studies he said show increased rates of respiratory disease near similar facilities. He also raised general concerns about air and water pollution from station emissions.
The items list on the city clerk’s consent materials included a zoning reclassification placeholder (identified in the agenda materials as an APLNREZ 2024-019 item for the VNG compressor station) that the clerk said is tentatively scheduled for Planning Commission consideration in April 2025 and ultimately would return to council for action if scheduled as a public hearing.
What residents asked for - Independent assessment or clear staff review of noise (decibel) impacts and whether enforceable mitigation measures will be required. - Examination of potential health impacts from emissions and a review of relevant studies. - Assurances that environmental effects on air and water quality will be evaluated and that safeguards would be included in any approvals.
What council did The comments were taken during the public-comments period; council did not act on the compressor-station item at the meeting. A staff note on the consent materials stated that the zoning reclassification is not a public hearing item at this time and is tentatively scheduled for Planning Commission review in April 2025.
Why it matters Compressor stations can be contentious because they involve continuous equipment operation, potential noise and concerns about air emissions. Public comments at the council meeting signal local interest in thorough review and monitoring if the project proceeds to formal hearings.
Next steps Planning Commission is tentatively scheduled to hear the reclassification request in April 2025; council will receive Planning Commission recommendations and may schedule a public hearing before taking final action.
