The Virginian-Pilot
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CHESAPEAKE
The city's process for reviewing development applications has been streamlined and improved in the first six months of his term, Chesapeake Mayor Alan Krasnoff told more than 600 people Wednesday at his first State of the City address.
Krasnoff said it was part of a strategy to make it easier to do business in Chesapeake, especially as many companies struggle to survive the recession.
Since he became mayor last year, the process for reviewing complex development plans has been reduced from two months to two to four weeks, he said. Other reviews that used to take weeks and months are now done in days.
"The deal here wasn't to reduce oversight," Krasnoff said. "This was about eliminating overregulation."
Krasnoff kicked off the event, which is organized by the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, by discussing the tough economy. The recession has translated into a burst of foreclosures and a drop in home sales in Chesapeake, he said.
He also blasted the Southeastern Public Service Authority as troubled and mismanaged, discussed the city's attempt to fill an $18 million revenue shortfall, and honored several Chesapeake employees who rushed to help injured workers after the November spill of 2 million gallons of fertilizer.
He also praised a development team that plans to build a new Jordan Bridge.
"That group saw an opportunity and seized it," he said, adding that the project moved at warp speed through the city approval process.
"If these stories don't demonstrate that Chesapeake is open for business, then I don't know what will," he said.
Mike Saewitz, (757) 222-5207, mike.saewitz@pilotonline.com
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I'm waiting for Mike Barrett
I'm waiting for Mike Barrett to chime in about SPSA. HaHa
Rates
"They said they can only follow the rates as set by city council." Council has nothing to do with value assessments. The rate council controls is the tax per $100 of assessed value. The rate was recently reduced. Council has done what it can to ease the tax burden without bankrupting the city.
Chesapeake real estate taxes
If things are so bad for Chesapeake property values, why did my last year taxes go up between 2 and 3 percent? I stopped by the Chesapeake Real Estate Appraiser’s office and asked them that question. They said they can only follow the rates as set by city council.
I asked why the rates have not come down at the same rate as they rose? They had no answer for that. If you don’t believe this, give them a call or stop by city hall.
Great Delivery and Outstanding Service!
We, the citizens of Chesapeake, are truly blessed to have Dr. Alan Krasnoff serving as our mayor. Also, our city council is doing an excellent job resolving financial burdens that plague our city while making well-thought, prudent decisions that affect us all. Special thanks to Vice Mayor de Triquet, councilmembers Ritter, Willis, and West for supporting the mayor in the positive changes made to processes pertaining to the city's business. Councilmember Collins worked tirelessly in a losing battle over SPSA, but should be recognized. Councilmembers Parker and Ward have supported the mayor and vice mayor on issues pertaining to education. Mayor Krasnoff is doing all he can to build a bipartisan council that works together to make Chesapeake a better place to live and do business. We are truly blessed!