The Certificate of Appropriateness is to provide for the review of all significant exterior modifications visible from a paved public street within the Chesapeake Historic and Cultural Preservation District, and to determine whether or not these proposed changes will be compatible with the surrounding area. The primary function of the review board is to ensure that Chesapeake does not needlessly loose its historic and architectural past.

Certificates of Appropriateness may be needed for work on additions, roofs, chimneys, doors, windows, siding, fences, walls, and color changes, and must be approved by the Review Board as being architecturally compatible with the historic area, landmark, building, or structure itself.

A rezoning is required when a property owner proposes to use his land for purposes other than those permitted by the current zoning classification. The zoning process protects property owners by requiring that related uses of land are located in close proximity to each other in order to create a well-developed and harmonious community in compliance with the City's Comprehensive Plan and the Chesapeake Zoning Ordinance.

It is recommended that the applicant meet with the Planning Department and other reviewing departments prior to submitting the rezoning application so that potential problem areas may be identified.

A conditional use permit is required for land uses listed in the Chesapeake Zoning Ordinance as a "conditional use." Certain land uses in the Ordinance require intensive review to determine whether they are appropriate in specified situations and whether special conditions would make the land use sufficiently compatible with the immediate area to warrant the granting of a use permit for the proposed use

An application for the creation/modification of a Planned Unit Development is required when a property owner proposes to rezone his or her property to Planned Unit Development or seeks to amend the language or requirements of a Master Development Plan for an existing Planned Unit Development. The establishment of Planned Unit Development (PUD) districts are for specialized purposes where tracts are in a suitable location, area and character for the uses and structures proposed to be planned and developed in a unified manner. Suitability of such tracts for the plans and development proposed for the PUD district shall be determined primarily by reference to the existing and prospective character of surrounding development and the City's Comprehensive Plan. Within PUD districts, regulations adapted to such unified planning and development are intended to accomplish the purposes of zoning and other applicable regulations to the same degree as in districts in which regulations are intended to control development on a lot-by-lot rather than unified basis. PUDs are further intended to promote the economical and efficient use of land, an improved level of amenities, appropriate and harmonious variety in physical development, creative design, and a better environment.

In view of the substantial public benefits of Planned Unit Developments, it is the intent of the Chesapeake Zoning Ordinance to promote and encourage development in this form where undeveloped parcels are in an appropriate location which lends them to an individual, planned approach.

A Planned Unit Development Deviation is required for relief from the literal terms of approved Planned Unit Development Criteria for properties located within a Planned Unit Development. Consideration for a deviation can be processed as part of a required preliminary site plan or subdivision plan review or as a separate request.

A preliminary site plan is required for new construction and additions located on land zoned commercial, office and institutional, industrial, and multi-family residential. This review ensures that the site plan conforms to all City Code development ordinances and standards.

On September 25, 2002, the Planning Commission delegated preliminary site plan review to the Planning Department. A preliminary plan is required for multi-family residential, large retail establishments (cumulative gross square footage exceeds 50,000 square feet) and for properties located within the Transportation Corridor Overlay District that have been rezoned since June 13, 2001. All other site plans do not require preliminary review and final construction plans may be submitted directly to the Department of Public Works. If in doubt, the Planning Department should be consulted to determine if a preliminary site plan will required.

A preliminary subdivision plan is required when a parcel of land is subdivided into more than five lots, or when a new street or public utility extension must be constructed to serve a newly subdivided parcel. This review ensures that the subdivision meets all design criteria established by the Chesapeake Subdivision Ordinance and ensures the citizens and community that the subdivision is properly designed and equipped.

A special exception may be granted by the Planning Commission for relief of specific Zoning Ordinance requirements only under special circumstances. The Chesapeake Zoning Ordinance specifies when a property owner can apply for a special exception. Consideration for a special exception can be processed as part of a required preliminary site plan or subdivision plan review or as a separate request.

A street closure petition is required when an owner of property located adjacent to a street or other public right-of-way seeks to close the street or other public right-of-way and convert it to private property.

Section 70-86 of the Subdivision Ordinance states that in cases where the subdivider can show that strict adherence to the public improvement requirements in articles III and IV of the Subdivision Ordinance would cause an unnecessary hardship, the Planning Commission may grant a variance to such requirements. When considering a variance, the Planning Commission must determine that because of topography or other conditions peculiar to the site, a departure from the requirements can be made without destroying the intent of the Subdivision Ordinance standards and provisions.

Section 26-241 of the Chesapeake City Code states that no person shall excavate a borrow pit within the City without first having obtained a conditional use permit from City Council. Certain land uses, such as excavations/borrow pits, require intensive review to determine whether they are appropriate in specified situations and whether special conditions would make the land use sufficiently compatible with the immediate area to warrant the granting of a use permit for the proposed use.

A conditional use permit for a solid waste management facility is required when the facility operates for the collection, source separation, storage, transportation, transfer, processing, recycling, composting, treatment, or disposal of solid waste. A conditional use permit for a solid waste management facility is required for all zoning districts. The conditional use permit process allows intensive review of the proposed operation to determine whether it is appropriate in specified situations and whether special conditions would make the use sufficiently compatible with the immediate area to warrant the granting of a use permit for the proposed solid waste management facility operations.