COURTHOUSE — The city could land a major economic development prospect that may develop on what is now farmland near Virginia Beach National Golf Course.
However, a possible 250-acre location needed to help seal the deal may be a sticking point because it is below the city’s Green Line, a longstanding boundary meant to limit development, and in an area where farming and recreational uses are favored.
City Councilmember Barbara Henley, a farmer who represents District 2, said possibly changing the use of land in a sensitive area – and, of course, taking farmland out of production – raises concerns and goes against the city’s goals for the area.
“People have purchased their homes and made their investments based upon our plans,” she said, “and, if our plans aren’t any good, that doesn’t say too much for us.”
The city is scheduled to hear from the public on Tuesday, May 16, about potentially rezoning land for the opportunity, though many of the details will remain a mystery.
Deputy City Manager Taylor Adams briefed the City Council about “Project Wayne” on Tuesday, April 25, while protecting the identity of the prospect. He provided broad strokes about an advanced manufacturing operation that is looking at the city but, depending upon what happens with Virginia Beach, could wind up somewhere else.
An unidentified prospect, which has been speaking with state economic development officials, could be located on property that would need to be rezoned from agricultural to industrial use. The property is owned by the city within the Interfacility Traffic Area, an area in which development is restricted due to flight operations between Naval Air Station Oceana in the city and Fentress Naval Auxiliary Landing Field in Chesapeake.
“We have been approached about tentatively locating a large project here in Virginia Beach,” Adams said during the meeting, noting that officials had looked for a spot throughout the city but could only identify one area where it might work.
Adams said the project would bring advanced manufacturing of medical products and bring 400 jobs and $500 million in capital investments. Ultimately, it could mean 2,000 jobs, he added.
He said city staff sought properties that aren’t next to residential areas.
“The only place where the public owns the amount of land to locate a project like this is in the Interfacility Traffic Area,” Adams said.
City Councilmember Rocky Holcomb, who represents District 1, said the council should follow the lead of Henley, on the issue and consider precedent. “If we’re going to do this, this could very easily be the nose of the camel where, if we start here, it could end up somewhere else,” Holcomb said.
Mayor Bobby Dyer said the city would need to have heavy public engagement to discuss the possibility of allowing the use under the Green Line.
“I don’t think it’s a question of moving the Green Line,” Henley said. “I think it’s a question of whether there is a Green Line or not.”
“Please don’t forget that agriculture is also an important industry,” Henley added later in the meeting, noting that the city should stick with the land-use plans it already has on the books.
Dyer said the city should do outreach to hear from the public.
“The bottom line is, whether we like it or not, we’re running out of land,” Dyer said. “It’s essential that we create some additional revenue streams that can possibly help relieve some of the residential tax burden.”
During an interview, Adams said the project represents part of an effort to bring manufacturing stateside again following issues felt during the Covid-19 years.
“Post pandemic, we’re seeing that manufacturing wants to come back to the U.S.,” he said. “Everything that would be coming here is currently being made in Asia.”
He said the city would be ideal for the project due to its proximity to the Port of Virginia.
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There is a great deal of vacant land already zoned for commercial and light industrial in the vicinity of NAS Oceana. Water, sewerage and stormwater management infrastructure is also in place. Additional investment of city tax revenue to support the development would be minimal. I’ve seen several for sale and for lease signs that indicate the nearby owners are ready to open their property to development, which would give Mayor Dyer his additional revenue streams.
Industrial development within the agricultural area would require a rezoning in conflict with city’s comprehensive plan, and would require a much greater expenditure of city funds to construct the infrastructure necessary to support that development.
Right development, wrong location.
Yeah right. If we allow a zoning variance for this company or this already wealthy person, then we have to allow the next Bozo to build his plastics manufacturing plant next to the medical manufacturing plant. Of course the citizens of VB will resist and protest enough to disallow further development of this precious land below the green line, and the next thing that will happen is the city will get sued and pay 25 million in a punitive lawsuit and Mr Bozo will still build his plant as he had wished for but now the city of VB will be paying the construction costs. Now the door is open for desecration of our valuable citizen owned land.