Virginia Beach Planning Commission Public Hearing – September 9, 2026

The Virginia Beach Planning Commission convened on September 9, 2026, at 3:45 PM UTC to hear numerous applications including subdivision variances, conditional rezonings, conditional use permits, and a consent agenda. The commission also voted on a change to its speaker order policy. All actions are recommendations to the City Council.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of the August 12, 2026 informal/formal hearings (with no abstentions) and September 3, 2026 site visits (Commissioner Plumley abstaining).
• Item 4 – Street closure at 624 Surfside Avenue (Ashley and Stephen Donini).
• Item 5 – Street closure at 512 Fanville Avenue and 613 South Atlantic Avenue (Foster/Baker).
• Item 6 – Street closure at 1945 Laskin Road (Pistelli’s Land Trust).
• Item 10 – Modification of conditions for Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School, a 20,000 sq ft field house.
• Items 12, 13, 14 – Sector Site Tower Assets LLC: conditional rezoning to Community Business and conditional use permits for mini‑warehouse and bulk storage yard.
• Item 15 – Genesis Holdings: conditional use permit for bulk storage yard (operable vehicles).
• Item 16 – Southside Barbell LLC: conditional use permit for indoor recreational facility with reduced parking from 92 to 68 spaces.
• Item 19 – Birchwood Mall Associates LLP: conditional use permit for fitness facility (Iron Asylum) in a vacant 20,000 sq ft space. All consent items were recommended for approval by a recorded vote of 10–0, with the noted abstentions on the minutes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Items 1 (Masters/Osterhouse) – Jack Harcourt (opposed, citing easement burden and trespass), Benjamin Tatum III (opposed, testified historic farm use of easement). Applicant rebutted that the easement exists and condition 5 should be removed.
• Items 2–3 (Turton) – Vernon Dordo (opposed, concerned about precedent, drainage, and traffic). Applicant clarified stormwater would be retained on site.
• Items 8–9 (Prime Storage) – Scott Sonier (opposed, cited previous proffers banning vehicle storage, concerns about hours, lighting, and compatibility with historic CTAC district). Robert Wilson (opposed, requested deferral for civic league). Brian Keel (opposed, representing Bells Road Commerce Park, concerns about crime and noise). Tommy Gill (opposed, requested deferral, cited incompatibility).
• Item 11 (Bonnie Road Apartments) – Josh McDonald testified via WebEx.
• Item 17 (Real Estate Pursuits) – Jackie Schelberg (opposed, presented 1,188‑signature petition, cited wetlands, existing storage facilities, and comprehensive plan vision). Applicant rebutted that the property has limited feasible uses.
• Item 18 (Minx Gentlemen’s Club) – Jake Lewis (opposed, requested 30‑day deferral to review documents, raised concern about adult use expansion). Applicant (attorney Fine) said competitor may be involved.
• Items 21–26 (Beach Vibe Stays) – Michael Lancaster (applicant, supported, explained conversion of office to STRs). No other public speakers.

Discussion Items

• Item 1 – Subdivision variance to combine parcels and widen easement. Applicant asked to delete condition 5 (new easement agreement). Motion to approve with condition 5 removed passed 10–0.
• Items 2–3 – Conditional rezoning from A1/A2 to R15 to create three lots on 3.85 acres at 2512 Seaboard Road. Applicant proffered a 50‑ft vegetative easement and 12‑ft multi‑use path. Approved 10–0.
• Items 8–9 – Prime Storage requested a conditional use permit for bulk storage yard (boat/RV parking) and modification of proffers. After a motion to defer failed (applicant objected), a motion to deny passed 10–0.
• Item 11 – Bonnie Road Apartments sought conditional rezoning to A24 for 209‑unit luxury apartments on 11.8 acres. Discussion focused on a 5‑ft reduction in the Thalia Creek Greenway public access easement. Approved 10–0.
• Item 17 – Real Estate Pursuits proposed a 4‑story mixed‑use building with self‑storage (approx. 800 units) and 8,000 sq ft of retail at Laskin Road. Staff recommended denial incompatible with Resort SGA. Approved on a 7–3 vote?** (Wait, transcript says denied 3–7? Actually 3 to 7 for denial – motion to approve failed, meaning denial. Let me check: Commissioner Scoonover moved to approve, then seconded. Chair says “by a recorded vote of three to seven, item 17 … has been recommended for denial.” So approved by commission? No – denial is recommended. So commission recommended denial. Correct: 3 in favor, 7 against, so motion to approve failed, thus recommendation is denial. In summary: recommended denial 3–7.
• Item 18 – Conditional use permit for bar/nightclub for Minx Gentlemen’s Club after unpermitted expansion. Approved 9–1.
• Items 21–26 – Six short‑term rental units in mixed‑use building at Cypress Avenue. Approved 6–4.
• Withdrawals/Deferrals – Item 20 withdrawn (10–0). Item 7 deferred 30 days (10–0). A request to defer items 8–9 to allow a civic league leader to speak (due to family emergency) was not granted; instead a motion to deny was made.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1 – Approved (10–0) with condition 5 deleted.
• Items 2–3 – Approved (10–0).
• Items 8–9 – Recommended for denial (10–0).
• Item 11 – Approved (10–0).
• Item 17 – Recommended for denial (3–7).
• Item 18 – Approved (9–1).
• Items 21–26 – Approved (6–4).
• New Business – Motion to amend rules of procedure to alternate speakers by sign‑up order (instead of supporters followed by opponents) was approved (7–3).

All recommendations will be forwarded to the Virginia Beach City Council for final decisions.