Chesapeake City Council approves Yadkin Energy siting agreement, leases and multiple grants and appropriations

Chesapeake City Council on an unspecified date approved a package of resolutions including a siting agreement for a proposed battery energy storage facility, a lease for city property, and grant agreements and appropriations. The council adopted each item on voice votes recorded as unanimous (9-0).

The most high-profile item was a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a siting agreement with Yadkin Energy Center LLC tied to a previously approved conditional use permit and rezoning for a battery energy storage facility. The written agreement was described by a representative for the applicant, Tyler Rosay, as complying with the statutory requirement in Virginia Code § 15.2-2316.7; Yadkin Energy told council it is prepared to provide required mitigation and a cash contribution to support broadband deployment. A member of the public, Vic Nichols, objected to applying the agreement to agricultural areas; council proceeded to approve the resolution 9-0.

Council also approved a retroactive lease with Newport News Shipbuilding Employees Federal Credit Union (doing business as Bayport Credit Union) for office space and operation of an interactive teller machine on city-owned property at 401 Albemar Drive; the lease was retroactive to April 1, 2024 and adopted 9-0.

Other actions approved included a small payment…