Virginia Beach City Council Meeting - September 17, 2025

The Virginia Beach City Council met on September 17, 2025, to consider an ordinance to amend the 2016 Comprehensive Plan and Master Transportation Plan, removing a portion of the Southeastern Parkway and Greenbelt reservation between Princess Anne Road and Hudome Way. The meeting opened with an invocation, pledge of allegiance, roll call, and approval of minutes from previous sessions. The council approved a consent agenda containing multiple routine items and later voted 10–1 to approve the transportation plan amendment, which was fast-tracked due to a developer's financing deadline. Council also confirmed numerous appointments to city boards and commissions.

Consent Calendar

• Approved a subgrant agreement ($8,775) from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources for a historic nomination update.
• Accepted FEMA grants: $669,568 for Virginia Task Force II; $51,129.38 plus $1,533.88 for Texas flood mobilization; $17,063.75 plus $511.91 for Tropical Cyclone Errand mobilization.
• Accepted $216,870 from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs for training and equipment.
• Accepted $22,500 from equipment sale for a replacement vehicle.
• Carried forward $10,867,297 in operating budget funds.
• Deferred Ashton Builders 1 LLC (historic review board appeal) for 90 days to December 9, 2025.
• Approved variances, changes in nonconformity, modification of proffers (including a 375-unit multifamily development at 1276 Baker Road), special exceptions, conditional use permits, and zoning amendments (Western Campus Overlay District and floodplain ordinance).
• Councilmember Ross Hammond commended the Baker Road developer for adding 7% attainable/affordable housing units after a 30-day deferral.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lisa Murphy (Chair, Virginia Beach Development Authority): Spoke in favor of removing the reservation, highlighting that acoustical sheet metal’s expansion will double its facility to nearly 500,000 sq. ft. and increase employment to ~900 workers. She noted that the Virginia Beach Development Authority had already sold the land subject to the removal.
• Mike Ireland (Representative, Acoustical Sheet Metal): Described the company’s growth from eight employees to 650, emphasizing job creation and training. He supported the amendment to secure bank financing for a 250,000 sq. ft. expansion and 350 new jobs.
• Martha Thoreau (via WebEx): Opposed the removal, arguing the land was acquired with taxpayer money for transportation and is being sold for $150,000 to a private developer without proper process. She questioned the accelerated timeline and suggested an internal audit or Attorney General review.

Discussion Items

Item 11 – Ordinance to Remove Southeastern Parkway and Greenbelt Reservation

• Councilmember Henley (District where property located): Voiced strong opposition, noting the hasty process – the planning commission received the item only five days before its meeting. She stated that the master transportation plan (draft August 20, 2025) still calls for retaining right-of-way, and removing this segment creates a gap. She argued the council has not adequately vetted the change and that the conditional use permit for the development will not be heard until October.
• Councilmember Raps: Asked staff to explain the expedited timeline. Natalie Gumius (Deputy Director of Economic Development) responded that the bank financing for the $45 million project required the reservation removal, and the company had a tight deadline to close before September. The issue arose only weeks ago.
• Councilmember Schulman: Questioned staff about the necessity of the road alignment. Katie Shannon (Deputy Director of Public Works) stated the Southeastern Parkway is a conceptual alignment with no current funding or design. The city owns only a portion; additional land would need to be acquired. She confirmed that alternative alignments exist (e.g., extending Hudome Way), which would reconnect the corridor.
• Councilmember Barbara Wilson (via WebEx): Expressed concern that the city had purchased land at great expense over decades, and removing this parcel would require buying developed land later. She argued the issue had not been properly studied.
• Councilmember Daisy (likely Councilmember Rouse?): Noted that a major BMP (stormwater facility) and a Virginia Power easement already existing on the reservation make a road impractical. Staff confirmed that a signalized intersection on Hudome Way now exists, and extending that road could provide the needed connection.
• Councilmember Ross Hammond: Clarified that this is not a typical developer but a thriving business; removing reservations is standard for lenders.

Key Outcomes

• Vote on Item 11: The council voted 10–1 to approve the ordinance removing the Southeastern Parkway and Greenbelt reservation from the Master Transportation Plan. Councilmember Henley cast the sole dissenting vote. (Vote: 10 yes, 1 no, with Vice Mayor Wilson and Councilmember Ross Hammond voting yes via WebEx.)
• The approval clears the way for acoustical sheet metal to secure bank financing and proceed with its expansion.
• Appointments: The council unanimously approved (11–0) a slate of appointments to various boards and commissions, including the Beaches and Waterways Advisory Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Historic Preservation Commission, and others, as read by Councilmember Henley.