City of Suffolk, VA
Comprehensive Plan

The City of Suffolk is part of a large, dynamic, and rapidly changing region that benefits greatly from its position as part of a significant population and employment center. At almost 430 square-miles of land, Suffolk was a town in Nansemond County until it was incorporated as a city in 1910 and merged with Nansemond County in 1974. City leaders recognized that in order to remain competitive while retaining a high quality of life, Suffolk needed a plan to grow strategically while preserving its small town feel, desirable residential neighborhoods, and agricultural areas. With a complex array of issues to address, the City engaged a team led by Planning NEXT to lead a multifaceted team to create a plan that would provide a framework for growth and change.

Maintain focused growth approach and expand growth opportunities.

Suffolk has two distinct centers for population and activity. The Central Growth Area features a core of traditional downtown development, and accommodates retail in storefronts with residential and office uses above. The Northern Growth Area features a more suburban commercial lifestyle center, accommodating commercial, office, and institutional uses. Suffolk 2045 aims to support both while enhancing the unique character and vibrancy of each. Through an analysis of growth capacity input, strategic expansion of the Growth Areas was proposed along key corridors to incorporate additional capacity for future growth.

Preserving agricultural heritage.

Agriculture and forestry make up over one-third of the total land area of the City. Suffolk 2045 continues the ideals of the previous plan regarding the preservation of agricultural land, while recognizing business realities and market forces. It focuses on the idea of providing choices to farmers and agricultural property owners that both encourages the preservation of the rural landscape, where desired, and provides them with flexibility.

Coordinate transportation and land use considerations.

Transportation improvements are needed to accommodate growth and the continued train, truck, and car volumes within and through Suffolk, but transportation improvement needs exceed funding. The plan prioritizes new development within the Growth Areas to more efficiently focus transportation funding to support the growing population.

Related News

Final Plan Document

Suffolk 2045

Tags

Project Type: comprehensive plan
Community Type: city
Client: City of Suffolk
Services: comprehensive plan, community engagement