VIRGINIA BEACH — Because of many dynamics brought about by its location, Virginia Beach faces the greatest risks for major flooding of any metro area on the East Coast.
About a decade ago, it became obvious that the development standards we were using for our storm water system were not doing the job. Therefore, in the FY14-15 budget, we undertook extensive studies of storm water and sea level rise to determine the best course of action for the future. Back-to-back storms in 2016 reinforced the fact that major changes to our storm water infrastructure system are needed.
Storm water projects now account for the largest percentage – 23 percent – of the city’s Capital Improvement Plan, but we need to do more. The existing storm water system funding of about $40 million a year just is not enough to tackle the nearly $4 billion in needs to address recurrent flooding from storms and sea level rise for the future.
The City Council has proposed a $567.5 million Flood Protection Program bond referendum on this year’s general election ballot so we can accelerate and expand our work in this area. It includes 21 major projects in various areas of the city that will be completed in 10 years or less. It also gives us the capability to eliminate the backlog in the maintenance of the city’s ditches, canals and ponds, and establish a reasonable cycle for their maintenance going forward.
In the Southern Watershed in particular, more than $110 million in projects are planned that will help reduce recurrent flooding from storms and wind tides, as well as mitigate effects from sea level rise.
This includes raising Pungo Ferry Road between Blackwater Road and the west side of the Pungo Ferry Bridge, and major improvements to the intersection of Sandbridge and New Bridge roads.
The West Neck Creek Bridge Replacement project will construct a series of in-water gates and earthen levees, and it will raise the bridge and roadway sections of West Neck Road, all of which will help control flooding in the immediate area as well as the northern West Neck Creek system.
Another project, styled in the referendum question as “Stormwater Green Infrastructure” will, among other natural measures, include a pilot project in the area of the Great Narrows at Bonney Cove, which is already being designed. It will restore marshes and reduce damaging wave energy and water spreads in Back Bay. You can attend a public information session and learn more about this exciting project from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 14, at Creeds Elementary School.
We are required to have approval from our citizens in a bond referendum in order to fund this level of activity sooner rather than later. A 4.3 cent increase in the real estate tax rate will be needed to fund the repayment of these bonds.
For example, a property owner of a home with an assessed value of $267,500 would pay an additional $10 a month in real estate tax. However, this additional bonding authority would free up money we are now allocating for capital improvement costs in order to address maintenance. That means we will be able to freeze the storm water fee at its current rate at least through 2028.
As noted, with approval of this bond referendum plan, we will be able to complete these 21 projects within 10 years or less, rather than the 40 years it will take at our current rate. The City Council has put measures in place to protect this money from being used for other projects, and it has committed to provide citizen oversight and regular public reports on progress.
This “whole system” approach is designed to benefit the entire city and is scaled to be able to address additional projects in the future. I hope that our citizens will recognize that now is the time for us to undertake this multi-generational investment that will safeguard our homes, businesses and the lives of those people who live, work and visit here.
Visit www.vbgov.com/rippleeffect for details about each of the projects, and attend one of the upcoming community meetings either virtually or in person to learn more and have your questions answered.
The author represents the Princess Anne District on the Virginia Beach City Council. The district includes rural communities and encompasses part of the the main coverage area of The Independent News.
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Thanks for clearly explaining the situation and the need to address it. Given the severity of the issue, I would gladly pay more in the way of a higher property tax dedicated to protecting our community from flooding risks, thus preserving the way of life we currently enjoy. I don’t think any reasonable person would resist a small increase if they can be assured such additional revenues will be utilized solely for flood management. Even in this era of out of control government spending, this particular expense is uniquely warranted.
I agree with Ms. Henley’s comments and that the City needs to invest in flood control. I am willing to pay more in taxes to fund these projects. However the City Council MUST do their part as well. One of the reasons VB is in this problem is the City Council & Planning Commission have been rubber stamping developments for over 20 years. Our tax dollars are now paying for these past mistakes.
See Asheville Park off Princess Anne, we are now paying to correct flooding issues to a development that never should have been approved. Now the City is considering approving a development at the Nimmo / Seaboard intersection that is literally in the wetlands!
This must stop and it’s the Council responsibility to do so.