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Suffolk City Council made the right call in delaying its vote on the proposed Holland Glen housing development. The project would rezone 28.7 acres of agricultural land on Holland Road to build 83 homes — a mix of townhouses and duplexes — including 11 units priced for families earning below 80% of the area median income. While Suffolk needs more housing, especially at attainable price points, delaying the vote allows time to answer key questions and invite additional public input.

This decision reflects a responsible approach to growth that weighs the benefits of new housing against the practical impacts on infrastructure and traffic. A short delay today is far preferable to long-term challenges tomorrow.

The Holland Glen proposal is located along the busy U.S. 58 corridor, in an area already experiencing rapid development. 

While Holland Glen is relatively modest in size, any new development in a high-traffic corridor must be carefully vetted. 

Beyond roadways, growth affects schools, utilities, and public safety. Suffolk Public Schools is already preparing for an influx of students from multiple housing projects underway across the city. Even if Holland Glen adds only a few dozen students, officials need to assess local school capacity and determine whether rezoning, temporary classrooms, or proffers are needed.

Delaying the vote also ensures residents have more opportunity to weigh in. No one spoke in opposition during the Planning Commission’s hearing, but that doesn’t mean nearby residents have no concerns. Residents often are unaware of rezoning proposals until they’re nearly finalized.

Residents can raise significant on-the-ground concerns — driveway safety, stormwater runoff, or school bus traffic — that complement formal studies by pausing. In return, developers can incorporate adjustments that improve the project, such as adding buffers, enhancing drainage, or providing cash proffers.

Public input strengthens, rather than weakens, good development.

The developers deserve credit for including an affordable housing component. Homes priced around $340,000 may not seem low-cost, but they meet a growing need for first-time buyers, teachers, and young professionals in the current market.

The project also aligns with the city’s long-range vision. It concentrates growth along major transportation corridors near job centers like Amazon and Target’s regional hubs. This is far better than pushing development into rural, car-dependent areas.

Still, good planning means addressing impact, not just location. City Council’s decision to pause the vote doesn’t derail the project — it strengthens it. Thorough review now will give the community and Council confidence that Holland Glen is a welcome addition, not an avoidable mistake.

Suffolk is growing quickly, and pressure to act fast comes with that growth. But haste in planning rarely serves the public well. The decision to delay the Holland Glen vote reflects a mature, measured approach: one that prioritizes long-term success over short-term approval.

When Council revisits this proposal, with public feedback, updated studies, and staff recommendations, it can make a fully informed decision. If the project still holds up to scrutiny, it will proceed with broader support and fewer surprises.

In the end, this pause isn’t about opposing development — it’s about getting it right. Suffolk’s future depends on growth that is smart, sustainable, and shaped by the people who live here.

Let’s take the time to do just that.