Virginia Beach City Council Meeting - September 16, 2026

The Virginia Beach City Council met on September 16, 2026, to receive updates on the flood protection program, the National Flood Insurance Program's Community Rating System, and small business resources, as well as to consider planning items, proclamations, and council member reports. Key actions included approval of a major rezoning for a 251-unit apartment development and a 30-day deferral of a short-term rental application.

Flood Protection Program Update

• Jeff Waller, chair of the Flood Prevention Bond Referendum Oversight Board, and Leisha Pika, program manager from Jacobs Engineering, presented the quarterly update. The program encompasses seven master projects with 21 bond referendum projects, plus 10 support and 10 other active projects.
• Since the last report, the board received briefings on storm drainage education, cost estimating, and procurement. City video education efforts have generated 17,464 video views, 1,981 blog views, and a 47% increase in web traffic compared to a year ago.
• Active construction projects include Bow Creek Stormwater Park, Elizabeth River Floodplain Restoration, Eastern Shore Drive Bundle, and Windsor Woods Princess Ann Plaza Lakes bundle (groundbreaking next week).
• Since Hurricane Matthew (October 2016), the city has completed neighborhood drainage improvements in 23 neighborhoods using $30 million in ARPA funds, televised 61 miles of sewers, lined 14 miles of storm sewers, dredged 13 lakes (removing 160,000 cubic yards of material), built tide gate structures, and installed major stormwater pump stations.
• The city has secured $73.4 million in state and federal grants and is pursuing $44 million more. The total program estimate remains $1.549 billion. To date, $215 million has been spent.
• Council members praised progress, noted the program is roughly in the "fifth inning" of a baseball game, and emphasized the need for continued communication about flood risks during ongoing construction.

National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System Update

• Whitney McMara, planning department, reported that Virginia Beach will advance from a Class 7 to a Class 6 community under the CRS effective October 1, 2026, increasing the flood insurance discount from 15% to 20% for approximately 19,800 policies citywide.
• New points were earned for map information services, flood protection information online, drainage system maintenance, and higher regulatory standards (e.g., requiring three feet of freeboard in VE flood zones and regulating finished floor heights outside special flood hazard areas).
• Further class increases would require programmatic or policy changes, including potentially limiting development in flood hazard areas.

Small Business Resources Presentation

• Emily Archer, economic development director, and Jerry Mathis, manager of the Hive, presented an overview of small business support. Over 99% of Virginia Beach's 39,000 registered businesses are small businesses (under 250 employees).
• The Hive (Hub for Innovation, Veterans, and Entrepreneurship) opened in 2021 and partners with over 60 organizations. In 2025-26, it hosted 165 workshops and 1,910 client visits; Q1 of 2026-27 already has 38 workshops.
• The Small Business Grant Program (Part F of EDIP) opens October 1, 2026, offering up to $10,000 in reimbursable grants to micro businesses (under 25 employees) owned by women, minorities, veterans, or service-disabled veterans. $150,000 is allocated for the next round; 17 grants were awarded in the first round in 2024.
• The Facade Improvement Grant Program, now citywide, has awarded nearly $600,000 to 85 businesses over six years, leveraging over $2.5 million in private investment. Applications open in January 2027.
• Workforce development support includes assistance with recruitment and talent retention, engaging transitioning military members and partnering with local educational institutions.

Council Member Reports and Announcements

• Councilmembers highlighted several community events and issues: a fall prevention presentation at the Senior Resource Center, concerns about sidewalk tripping hazards in age-restricted neighborhoods (West Neck), the unveiling of new murals through the Creative Neighborhood Grants Program, a district community meeting on flood protection and public art, and a request to accelerate analysis of a potential animal abuse registry.
• The mayor noted that child care is a crisis for military readiness, referencing a new Armed Services YMCA location with a waiting list of over 600 families.
• Councilmember Josh reported on a bipartisan leadership event at Regent University and wished the Jewish community a meaningful Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Consent Agenda

• The consent agenda was approved as read, including ordinances to accept various grants, a resolution for National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, and referrals to the planning commission. Planning items #3 and #8 were amended; item #4 was deferred to October 20, 2026. The vote was 10-0.

Planning Item #2: BH Farmhouse LLC Rezoning (Kempsville Road)

• The applicant proposed rezoning 8.5 acres from B2 to B4 to allow a 251-unit multifamily development, preserving the historic farmhouse as community amenity space. Seven percent of units (18) would be workforce housing at 100% area median income for 10 years. The applicant committed $600,000 toward pedestrian signalization.
• Public speakers opposed the project, citing concerns about density, traffic, stormwater, school capacity, and loss of green space. A petition with 6,500 signatures was presented. Speakers in favor highlighted the housing shortage (67,973 units short in Virginia Beach), the need for workforce housing, and the preservation of the farmhouse.
• Councilmember Green moved for approval, noting the project includes significant proffers and addresses the housing crisis. The mayor stated the council identified housing as a fourth priority in 2023. The motion passed 9-1.

Planning Item #9: Short-Term Rental at 414 19th Street

• The applicant requested a conditional use permit for one short-term rental unit in an eight-unit building. Planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval with conditions.
• A representative of the adjacent townhouse community spoke in opposition, citing ongoing issues with unauthorized use of their driveway and parking lot by guests and delivery services. She suggested a fence as a potential solution.
• The applicant's attorney noted the area in question is a city alley, not private property, and expressed doubt about fence placement. The council agreed to a 30-day deferral to explore the issue. The vote was 10-0 to defer to October 20, 2026.

Proclamations

• A resolution honored the Virginia Beach Little League Softball Program for sustained competitive success from 2023-2026, including multiple district championships and state tournament appearances.
• A resolution recognized October 2026 as Filipino American History Month and commended Phil Fest USA, a three-day celebration at Rudee Loop scheduled for October 2-4.
• A resolution recognized Dieter Steinhoff, founder of Acoustical Sheet Metal Inc. (ASI), for his leadership and community contributions. ASI grew from three employees to over 1,000.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the flood protection program update as informational.
• Noted the CRS class improvement to Class 6 with a 20% flood insurance discount starting October 1, 2026.
• Approved the consent agenda (10-0).
• Approved the rezoning for BH Farmhouse LLC (9-1).
• Deferred the short-term rental application at 414 19th Street to October 20, 2026 (10-0).
• Approved all proclamations as presented.
• Appointed Ryan Turner to the Clean Community Commission, Eric Camacho and Micah Rivers to the Minority Business Council, Tiffany Jenkins to the Public Library Board, and William Surge to the Wetlands Board.
• Council went into closed session and later certified the closed session as compliant.