For the past six years, we have witnessed egregious development proposals that threaten the quality of life in our beloved West Neck Community.  The first 55+ community developed in Virginia Beach, the West Neck Community is made up of 936 single family and condominium homes that surround an Arnold Palmer Signature golf course, which closed in 2019 due to owner’s mismanagement.  This Application to infill half of the former Signature golf course with 143 single family houses, ignores the recommendations from the City's own staff and the Transition Area/Interfacility Traffic Area Citizens Advisory Committee, both of whom have advised against this development due to its blatant violations of Open Space and Density guidelines. Instead of adhering to these guidelines, this project is now on the verge of getting a final determination from the City Council, which could forever destroy the look, character and tranquility of the West Neck Community.

The citizens of Virginia Beach have consistently voiced their preference for maintaining low-density development below the Green Line, and Open Space throughout all of Virginia Beach.  This 143 single family house proposal stands in stark contrast to previous City ideals as described in its Comprehensive Plan.  It would set a precedent that all Preservation Land throughout Virginia Beach is vulnerable to rezoning and unchecked excessive development.

The City Council has the responsibility to protect the interests of its citizens and the environment. By voting to approve this Application, they would permanently damage the integrity of Virginia Beach’s comprehensive planning guidelines and safeguards in place for land now zoned as P-1 Preservation Land.

In addition to concerns about Open Space and Density, here are some other areas of concern left unresolved in this Application.  Please feel free to add your own comments on any of these subjects:

• There will be no Stormwater deferred maintenance undertaken or Stormwater enhancements except 3 acres of an expanded retention pond along the former 18th hole;
• Access by construction vehicles into the West Neck Community will cause damage to roads, curbs, sidewalks, trees and landscaping;
• Actual construction including (i) restoration of the 9 hole golf course, (ii) roads, (iii) sewers, (iv) utility infrastructure and (v) the 143 houses, will be an extreme nuisance (noise, pollutants, visually repulsive) for a period of over five years;
• The addition of 143 houses would significantly impact Fire Department and EMS response times in West Neck’s 55+ community;
• JBWK should be legally compelled to not pursue future development on any land in the West Neck Community;
• This Application may violate Virginia Age Discrimination Law.  People 55 and over (referred to as “Elderliness”) are a protected class under Virginia law, Code of Virginia, Section 36-96.1.  A Complaint could be filed with the Virginia Fair Housing Office for investigation and ultimately action by the Attorney General.

We ask the Virginia Beach City Council to say NO to this inappropriate, and possibly illegal, 143 single family house development at West Neck. Our open spaces, quality of life, safety and environmental future depend on it.

Please sign this petition and offer your own thoughts to demonstrate your support for protecting Virginia Beach's open spaces and rejecting extreme density.  Together, we can ensure a better future for all residents of Virginia Beach.