Virginia Beach Planning Commission Meeting - April 9, 2026

The Virginia Beach Planning Commission held an all-day meeting on April 9, 2026, beginning with an informal session (briefing) followed by a formal public hearing. The commission reviewed 17 agenda items, heard public testimony on several, and voted on recommendations to City Council. A key topic was a briefing on data center proliferation and the need for updated regulations, leading to a motion to send a letter to City Council.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1, 3, 5, 12, 14, 15, 16 and the minutes of prior meetings were approved by consent. These included: adding cemeteries/columbariums/crematories/mausoleums to industrial districts (Item 1); a subdivision variance for a Seven Brew coffee shop at 1605 Laskin Road (Item 3); an alley closure for 4502 and 4504 Myrtle Avenue (Item 5); a conditional use permit for a home-based wildlife rehabilitation facility (Item 12); and three short-term rental conditional use permits at 213 16th Street and two units at 4005 Atlantic Avenue (Items 14-16).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 2 – Lighthouse Development LLC (Ash Avenue subdivision variance): Wayne Beagle and Shirley Williams, property owners on Ash Avenue, expressed strong opposition due to chronic flooding in the area. They described repeated flooding events and frustrations with city inaction. Councilmember Dr. Amelia Ross Hammond attended to hear the concerns. The applicants noted the proposal would not increase density but would improve lot sizes.
• Item 4 – Schroeder alley closure (Croatan): Stephen Donini and Ashley Donini, owners of 624 Surfside Avenue, spoke in opposition. They stated they had invested over $60,000 in improvements on the alley, were unaware of the property lines, and argued the closure should reflect historical use. The applicant’s attorney countered that the Schroeders had legal rights to half the alley and the opponents were encroaching on city property.
• Item 8 – Montessori Schoolhouse LLC family daycare home: No public speakers were signed up, but the commission noted eight letters of support and five letters of opposition from neighbors concerned about traffic, noise, and property values.
• Item 10 – Colin Nannary e-bike rental business: Debbie Jeter and Hatcher Jeter, neighbors at 3700 Sandpiper Road, spoke in opposition citing safety concerns, reckless e-bike use, and lack of bike lanes. James Barton, the applicant’s father, spoke in support, emphasizing safety measures and economic benefits. The applicant clarified the business would rent only Class 1 and 2 e-bikes with geofencing and GPS tracking.
• Item 11 – Southside Barbell LLC gym: No public speakers were present. The applicant requested an indefinite deferral to pursue a professional parking study.
• Item 13 – Pembroke Square Associates (Pembroke Mall redevelopment): The applicant requested minor modifications to conditions regarding sidewalk width and the definition of “street” in the form-based code requirements. No public speakers.

Discussion Items

• Data Center Briefing: Zoning Administrator Hannah Sabo presented an overview of data centers, their energy and water use, noise impacts, and regulatory gaps. Commissioners discussed the lack of specific zoning tools in Virginia Beach compared to other localities (e.g., Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William) and the urgency to address potential applications. The commission agreed to send a letter to City Council highlighting the need for updated regulations.
• Comprehensive Plan Transition: Staff discussed how the pending adoption of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan (scheduled for City Council on April 21) would affect applications submitted under the 2016 plan. Staff noted that applications would still be evaluated against the 2016 plan but the commission could consider conformance with the new plan.

Key Outcomes

• Item 2 – Lighthouse Development LLC: Approved (10-0). The commission recognized the flooding concerns but noted the variance only slightly enlarges existing buildable lots and does not increase density. Councilmember Ross Hammond pledged to advocate for drainage improvements.
• Item 4 – Schroeder alley closure: Approved (10-0). The commission determined the street closure was routine and that ownership disputes are a civil matter outside the commission’s purview.
• Item 6 – Commonwealth Brewing Company extension: Approved (9-0) with a modified condition extending the deadline to 180 days from City Council approval (approximately November 2026).
• Item 8 – Montessori Schoolhouse LLC: Approved (9-0) with a modified condition limiting the number of children to eight (instead of twelve) to address neighborhood concerns. The applicant agreed.
• Item 10 – Colin Nannary e-bike rental: Approved (9-0) with added conditions limiting the fleet to 25 Class 1 and 2 e-bikes, requiring helmets and safety education, and enforcing geofencing within Sandbridge.
• Item 11 – Southside Barbell LLC: Indefinite deferral granted (9-0) at the applicant’s request to allow time for a professional parking study.
• Item 13 – Pembroke Square Associates: Approved (7-0-2) with the modified condition removing the word “sidewalks” from Condition 8, as requested by the applicant. Commissioners Biler and Plumley abstained due to business affiliations.
• New Business – Data Centers: The commission voted (9-0) to authorize the chair to draft and send a letter to City Council regarding the secondary impacts of data centers and the need for updated zoning regulations. The letter will include reference to the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) study and other relevant materials.