We have, for far too long, been asked to play small...Residents have been routinely discounted when it comes to development proposals in Virginia Beach. We are labeled "NIMBYS" for advocating for our interests, are accused of being afraid of change, are routinely ignored by developers, and in the end are too often dismissed by the representatives that we vote for. We do not have a true seat at the table of our city.
When the sale of a church's excess land was announced to the quiet and modest neighborhood, the booklet said neighbors had no voice in what amounted to the destruction of an ecologically-important habitat and a substantial change to the entrance of our long-established neighborhood. When the community was invited to hear about the development plan last summer, we were told there was no reason for us to attend the Planning Commission meeting or the City Council hearing. Essentially we were told to sit down, stay quiet, and they would take care of the litttle "house-keeping item." Later, when some legal challenges showed some merit, we were asked by the developer to limit the community engagement and allowed a handful of us to listen quietly to their new plan.
This week, we residents of Virginia Beach were again told to take our seat at the kids' table. At the 11th hour, before this coming Tuesday's City Council hearing, the Applicant asked City Council to approve a revised plan that has not even been presented to the Planning Department or Planning Commission. This change is substantially and materially different from the plan previously submitted and has not gone through the regular process of evaluating the impact on all parties.
And we believe that Council will approve it. Why?? To make it go away. To make US go away. To remove our voice from the public input. Because it is uncomfortable. Because an apathetic, disengaged public makes operating a city much easier. We don't want to believe these things, but there is that history...
If you have been a resident in Virginia Beach for any length of time, you have watched hundreds of residents come forward to object to proposals that affect their communities, just to be casually overlooked. Most recently, the Silos at Southern Pines, Windsong Apartments, and the Westminster Canterbury Bay Tower passed with a strong majority despite a huge out-cry from the adjacent communities. Because we are afraid and they are courageous. And also because we don't have a genuine seat at the table.
The revised plan presented in a letter (instead of an application) might actually have merit. At first glance, it looks and sounds good. We were labeled as obsessive and angst-ridden, but, you know, sticks and stones....However, there were inconsistent facts such as the change in lot sizes and several ambiguous points that should be completely worked out. There is a church that has a "keen interest" that the applicant might transfer the property to (sale or lease?). Will the 3 acre minimum for church use be removed? If not, the property would revert to housing (where are the roads and utilities?). The Applicant states they repeatedly offered the GIVE Lake Conrad 2 to the city, but we don't know if this decision has ever been made or by whom. Questions were sent to the the Planning Department, Staff, and Council early Friday in response to the Thursday evening publication of the letter, but there was not a single reply....Not One.
City Council will vote on Tuesday night whether or not to approve a half-baked plan that hasn't seen the light of public OR planning input. Will you help residents of Virginia Beach to have a true seat at the table by emailing City Council with a request to DEFER this newest plan until actual written plans are delivered from which we can ask legitimate questions and they can make informed decisions? (If you know what voting district you are in, please tell them, so they know that their constituents are involved). Will you take the time from your busy week ahead to attend the City Council hearing on this matter that affects ALL Virginia Beach neighborhoods? Our city will either allow the suppression of public input or they give us a true seat at the table.
Thank you for your continued help in raising our voices.
Team Red Bridge
Find your District here:
https://vbgov.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=dd18d8e586fa4452a068382bf65c3019
Find your District Rep here and copy email address:
https://clerk.virginiabeach.gov/city-council/city-council-members
CC: CityCouncil@vbgov.com, gnecivic@gmail.com if you like.