Council approves conditional use for Ansell Road farm events despite fire‑safety and road‑width concerns

Chesapeake City Council approved a conditional‑use permit allowing Dwellings Farms to operate a meeting and banquet facility on a 143‑acre property accessed from narrow Ansell Road, adopting amended stipulations by a 5–3 vote.

The hearing drew more than 20 speakers and sustained debate. Planning staff and the fire department had recommended denial because Ansell Road is a substandard rural access (approximately 14 feet wide and about 935 feet long), raising concerns about safe two‑way traffic, emergency vehicle access, and recurring flooding along the route. Several neighbors and public‑safety speakers reiterated those technical concerns and noted a pattern of past permit violations at the applicant’s Baum Road site.

Supporters—neighbors, customers and agritourism advocates—told council the farm helps preserve open land, supports local vendors and small businesses, and that traffic management and other stipulations can mitigate risks. Applicant representatives offered a package of commitments: limiting formal outdoor events between 50 and 175 attendees to no more than 30 per year, providing traffic attendants in radio contact at both ends of Ansell Road for events over 50, requiring event contracts to include emergency access measures, and using grass (alternative) parking or other approved surfaces rather than new paved lots. The applicant also sought a longer review horizon; council amended the planning commission’s 3‑year renewal/sunset to a 5‑year review period and agreed to expedite any future renewal to reduce administrative burden on the operator.

Key clarifying details recorded during testimony: • Site size: roughly 143 acres. 72 acres reportedly farmed at present on the parcel leased to local farmers. • Road dimensions: Ansell Road described as approximately 14 feet wide and about 935 feet long; planning and fire officials said 20 feet is the preferred minimum for two‑way fire‑ apparatus access. • Event limits: stipulation caps events sized 50–175 attendees to 30 per year; events under 50 attendees are not subject to the same permit requirements per local practice.

Council members were split between supporting agricultural preservation and local economic activity and deferring to professional staff and first responders on public‑safety readiness. Supporters emphasized oversight language in the stipulations and the applicant’s willingness to use traffic attendants and other controls; opponents said the road and flood conditions present unacceptable risk and questioned the city’s ability to enforce limits.

The conditional use was approved with stipulations that address parking surface, traffic control, hours (activities to conclude by 10 p.m., cleanup by 11 p.m.), and the review period. The motion passed 5 in favor, 3 opposed.