City Seeks Resident Input on How to Manage Future Growth and Development

Does Virginia Beach need to build more affordable housing, focus on improving traffic congestion, prioritize the environment and flood mitigation? Should the City try to attract more tech companies? Should there be more pedestrian friendly bikeways and trails? All of the above? If you have thoughts, City leaders invite you to join in a conversation about change—where we are, and where we want to be in the future.

The Virginia Beach Department of Planning & Community Development is hosting a series of community planning sessions to solicit resident input on updates to the City’s Comprehensive Plan.

State law requires that the plan, which outlines a guiding vision for how Virginia Beach will manage current and anticipated growth over the next 20 years and beyond, be updated every five years. Local stakeholder feedback is used to establish a basic direction for initiatives such as facility and infrastructure improvements that account for changes such as:

• Projected population fluctuations and how that impacts future city facilities, roadway development, resilient infrastructure and public transit
• Relevant industry forecasts including how to promote regionalism, attract major employers, foster innovation and increase job opportunities
• Innovations in technology such as artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, green energy, broadband and Smart City Technology
• Resident values like environmental sustainability, community health, safety and housing affordability

Be part of the conversation and have your voice heard at one of four upcoming public workshops that will be hosted throughout the city.

• Saturday, Nov. 4: 2-4 p.m. at College Park Elementary, 1110 Bennington Road
• Monday, Nov. 6: 6-8 p.m. at Kellam High School, 2665 West Neck Road
• Wednesday, Nov. 8: 6-8 p.m. at Bayside Recreation Center, 4500 First Court Road
• Thursday, Nov. 9: 6-8 p.m. at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, Suite 3, 1000 19^th St.

“For decades, planning in Virginia Beach has centered around growth and outward expansion,” said Comprehensive Planning Administrator Hank Morrison. “However, with limited buildable land remaining above the Green Line, our focus will need to shift to redevelopment and infill. We need public feedback to ensure that we use our land and other resources wisely and appropriately. This will help balance both current and future needs of a thriving City for the next generation.”

As the name suggests, the Comprehensive Plan is a large document with numerous components and there will be multiple opportunities in the coming months for residents to review and provide feedback on ideas and draft plans.

This is your chance to help City planners optimize connections between the City’s people, economy and environment; connections which work together to achieve long-term prosperity and help sustain Virginia Beach’s quality of life while keeping an eye toward the future. Think about where you’ll be in 2040—how can the City best accommodate you, your family and your lifestyle?

Can’t make it in person?

At the conclusion of the public workshops, anyone unable to attend will have the opportunity to share their thoughts online via an on-demand, virtual version of the public workshops at planning.virginiabeach.gov/comp-plan. Reach out to the Comprehensive Planning team with any comments or questions at CompPlan@vbgov.com.

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