Council Member· 2015-01-05–2026-12-31 (current Cypress seat: elected Nov 2014, sworn Jan 5 2015 per Suffolk News-Herald 2015-01-05, re-sworn Jan 3 2023; term expires December 31, 2026 per suffolkva.us/886/Cypress-Borough; Nov-elected council/mayor terms commence Jan 1 and succeeding term ends December 31 (Va. Code § 24.2-222.1, LIS text read; Suffolk charter text not retrieved))
Leroy Bennett
Suffolk
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 19
- Total speaking time
- 1:05:27
- Avg per meeting
- 3:27
- Segments
- 848
Want every word Bennett has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Bennett said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
Data center prohibition
A ban could defer tax-base and job growth from data center projects while the city studies the issue.
Disabled veterans real estate tax exemption reform
Growing exemptions shrink the property tax base ahead of the April 1 budget presentation.
Cannabis retail land use rules
Retail licenses could bring new businesses to commercial corridors; application fees go to the state, not the city.
Farmland protection and solar cap
Converting farmland to solar affects the long-term agricultural economy and tax base, though no direct fiscal figure was given.
Table of uses and definitions overhaul
Pruden Lake Prince rezoning
Up to $12,486.71 per home in cash proffers for school capacity, paid at certificate of occupancy.
Community Corrections Program grant
$464,643 total added to the consolidated grant fund; $80,792 in local support already budgeted.
Crosswalk request at Diamond Grove Baptist Church
Accessory dwelling units citywide (OTA2026-005)
ADUs could add affordable rental inventory, but members worried about strain on older neighborhoods' parking, traffic and schools.
Flock camera data access concerns
The program runs on grant, budget, and community safety funds; no new cost was requested.
2026 bond issuance and refunding plan
About $35 million in new borrowing for capital projects, repaid through the city's debt service over time.
State ADU mandate vs. local control
Ordinance updates will cost staff time and could affect fee and tax revenue, but no dollar figure was given.
Playground Passport program
About $6,000 invested, roughly $2.47 per expected participant.
Regional transportation funding
The city is requesting about $54 million in state funds; the Pruden Boulevard project's total cost estimate is now around $120 million, with local CIP funding covering the rest in FY29–FY30.
School major repair funding
About $6.4 million added to school funding, including $688,000 in city money plus the state's $4.2 million.
Chesapeake Bay preservation regulation update
Adds new technical study costs for developers building near protected buffers.
Downtown arts district expansion
Potential future capital costs could exceed $1.6 million for roof and HVAC replacement.
Childcare shortage and Bizzy Bees daycare expansion
No city cost; the applicant's CUP fees were funded by the Economic Development Authority's day home grant.
East Constance/Wilroy and Wilroy/Progress intersection improvements
$4.8 million in federal grant funds, no local cost cited.
school financial audit
Could shift significant local social services costs to the state.
Decisions during term (152)
Recorded while Bennett was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Approval of the Minutes (Sept 2, 2026 work session and regular meeting)
Motion to continue Item 17 (Holland Road rezone) to January 20, 2027
Adoption of the agenda as presented
Consent Agenda — school repairs, trail, grants, photo enforcement (Items 7-15)
2027 Legislative Agenda (amended)
RZN2025-002 — Holland Road proffer amendment rezone
CUP2025-018 — accessory dwelling unit, 6528 Harbour Pointe Drive
OTA2026-007 — Unified Development Ordinance housekeeping amendments
OTA2026-008 — data center prohibition
New Business — vacant building registration ordinance motion
Adjournment
Consent Agenda - An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the Virginia Department of Foresty Virginia Trees for Clean Water (VTCW) Grant for the Suffolk Department of Parks and Recreation
Family Subdivision Plat FTR2026-0004
Ordinance Text Amendment OTA2026-010
Ordinance Text Amendment OTA2026-011
Approval of minutes from previous meeting
Approval of the Minutes
Adoption of the Agenda
Consent: Route 17 (Bridge Road) Multi-Use Path funding
Consent: East Constance/Wilroy and Wilroy/Progress intersection improvements
Voting record (32)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
Conditional Use Permit for Old Myrtle Road solar energy facility (CUP2026-011)
Said he listens to residents affected by a project.
City Council convene in a closed meeting for the above-mentioned purposes
FOIA Certification of Closed Meeting
Motion to place senior tax relief item on September 16 agenda
City Council convene in a closed meeting for the above-mentioned purposes
FY2026-2027 Fee Schedule Amendment
Commercial Dog Kennel CUP — 2170 Joshua Lane (CUP2026-009)
Concerned about the number of dogs relative to staffing on the property.