Today, everyone is looking at the burden and benefit of the tax dollars they contribute. And asking where relief can be found...

Whether its grocery tax, car tax, personal property tax, restaurant taxes, cigarette tax, plastic bag fees, stormwater fees, or real estate taxes, residents of Virginia Beach are looking for fiscally-responsible decisions by city planners and City Council. Denying infill development of our waterways was actually one of the opportunities our city leaders had to avoid wasteful spending. To-date, our city leadership has been unwilling to implement the stormwater resolution which could spare us hundreds of thousands of "corrections" in the future. 

As we learn of neighborhoods recently targeted for infill development, like Great Neck Estates, Shadowlawn, and Old Beach, we can take a trip back in time via the Virginia Beach Historical Aerial Viewer Map. Many of the areas that are costing residents THOUSANDS today are directly tied to infill development. Using the Split View tool, enter "Bow Creek" in the search parameters, 1958 as the Left View and 2022 as the Right View. The result is a split view that shows clearly development around our waterways that resulted in the need for $68M tax-payer dollars going to the construction of a stormwater park. (The park includes an 80 foot setback around the lakes. Remember that as you use this tool.) Next, enter "Ashville Park" and note the infill development that cost taxpayers over $11M. Condominiums near Town Center are sinking, costing individual owners $10K in special assessments for 2024, due to infill development. Check out your home, business, and commute in 1958 as compared to now. What have you experienced that has cost you individually? 

We simply cannot have lasting tax relief without a legislated change that protects our waterways (and their watersheds) in Virginia Beach from future infill development. And we actually ALMOST had it....

In 2021, the majority of VB residents voted for the Flood Prevention Bond Referendum. As per their signatures on the stormwater resolution in Sept 2021, City Council committed to implement the following within three (3) weeks of the vote which occurred in November with the People's consent and did not:

• Amend the city’s comprehensive land use plan and require the planning department to recommend any new proposed development that generates “a net increase in water discharge demand” be denied.

Saying YES to infill development in Virginia Beach will continue to make our tax liability worse. Ignoring obligations entrusted in them by the voting public is dishonest and disgraceful. Will 2024 bring us new, fiscally-responsible leadership on our City Council? Who on Council has voted for the stormwater resolution and who has actively suppressed it? Who on Council has the courage to propose the enactment of that resolution in 2024? 

In the absence of Council Leadership on the matter, would you support a NEW citizen-sponsored referendum this coming year to achieve protection for our remaining waterways? Take a look around on this map and please share your comments.

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