The Virginia Beach Planning Commission held its regular public hearing on December 10, 2025, at noon. The meeting covered withdrawals, deferrals, a consent agenda with multiple items, election of officers for 2026, and two regular agenda items: a proposal to remove a historic district overlay and a rezoning/conditional use permit for a self-storage facility. All actions are recommendations to City Council.
All consent items were approved unanimously (10-0), with Commissioner Plumley abstaining on Item 10.
Item 2: City of Virginia Beach – Ordinance to Remove the NIMO Church Historic District Zoning Overlay Mark Reed, Historic Preservation Planner, presented the proposal to remove the overlay from two parcels (NIMO Church and a Royal Farms). He noted the church, built 1791 with an 1893 steeple, is historically significant. The church trustees requested removal after the Historical Review Board denied a large “welcome center” addition that would have obscured the steeple. Commissioners expressed concern about insufficient information, lack of church representatives, and the precedent of removing a district. Commissioner Camp observed that the ordinance cites “dense commercial/residential development” as justification, but the only recent change is the Royal Farms next door. After debate, a motion to defer for 30 days passed (vote not explicitly stated, but approved).
Items 7 & 8: Michael D. Siphon Inc. – Rezoning from O-2 (Office) to Conditional A-18 (Apartment District) & Conditional Use Permit for Mini-Storage Eddie Burdon, attorney for the applicant, and developer Michael Siphon presented plans to demolish a 60-year-old medical office building and build a three-story, 50,000 sq. ft. self-storage facility with 11-foot multimodal trail, brick facade, and parking in front. They argued the medical office market is oversaturated; Senterra Hospital has available space; and the property lies in a 70–75 DNL noise zone that prohibits residential (including senior housing). Staff recommended denial, citing inconsistency with the First Colonial Medical Corridor Comprehensive Plan, which prioritizes medical, office, and neighborhood-serving uses. Commissioners questioned the applicant about cross-access, future conversion to office, and market conditions. The applicant agreed to construct the first floor to be adaptable for office use and to allow vehicular cross-access across the property. Commissioner Plumley moved to approve with those conditions; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously (10-0).
Good afternoon. I'd like to welcome everyone to the December 10th, 2025 Planning Commission hearing. My name is Holly Quayar, and I serve as the chair. Today, Commissioner Hippin is unable to be with us as she is out of town. Before we get started, I've asked Commissioner Plumley to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Please stand. I pledge the flag of the United States of America. For which it stands one nation. Under God. At this time, we'll go ahead and introduce the commission and we'll have our planning administrator, Caitlin Alcock introduce our staff. We'll go ahead and start to my right with our council. Michael Modch, I have the pleasure of serving the city as the at-large representative. Walter Camp representing Kemptsville, District 1. John Cromwell, District 2, Pungo and Blackwater. Hi, Mike Anderson, District 3. Hi, Catherine Bailer, District 4, which includes town center, all the way up to the Norfolk border. Holly Quayar, District 8. John Coston, District 9. Catherine Scudover, District 5. Brian Plumley, beautiful District 6 from Historic CTAC to the North End. Nina Morjani, District 10. Caitlin Alcock, Planning Administrator, clerking to my left, we have Briotne Harrison and Grace Smith. In the audience, we have Planning Director Kathy Warren, Deputy Director Kerry Bookholt, Zoning Administrator Hannah Sabo with our planning administration team. We have Marselle Coleman, Kristen Bauer, Mike Hayes, Alexis Bailey, Mark Reed, and Allie Dowernheim. Thank you very much. Madam Clerk, if you could please describe the rules and order of business for today's meeting. Thank you, Madam Chair. The Virginia Beach Planning Commission takes pride in being fair and courteous to all parties in attendance. It is important that all involved understand how the commission normally conducts its meetings. It is equally important that everyone treat each other and the members of the commission with respect and civility. We request that cell phones be put on silent during this meeting. This is an abbreviated explanation of the rules. The complete set of rules is located in the front of the planning commission agenda. Following is the order of business for this public hearing. Withdrawals and deferrals. Regular agenda. Speakers will be called next, and then the speakers participating via WebEx. Speakers in support or opposition of an agenda item will have three minutes to speak per item, unless they are solely representing a large group, such as a civic league or homeowners association. In which case they will have 10 minutes per item. If the speaker does not respond or if a technical issue occurs, which renders the comments unintelligible, we'll move on to the next speaker or the next order of business. Please note that the actions taken by the commission today are in the form of a recommendation, recommendation to this Virginia Beach City Council. The final decision to approve or disapprove an application will be made by the City Council. The Commission thanks you for your attendance, and we hope that your experience here today leaves you feeling that you have been heard and treated fairly. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Clerk. The next order of business is the consideration of requests to withdraw or to or to defer an item. At this time, do we have any withdrawals? We do have one withdrawal that was sent to the commission. It's applicant Courtney Ebron has requested a withdrawal from the docket. She is not present, but because we have the letter on file, we will now ask for a motion for approval of the withdrawal.