Process and Adoption
The 2009 Comprehensive Plan, winner of the 2010 Outstanding Plan Award by the Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association, serves as the official land use planning policy for the City of Virginia Beach. It is used to guide growth, protect neighborhoods, improve our economy, help manage our limited resources and, ultimately, advance the overall quality of life for citizens.
This Plan was created in large part based upon the information we received in many public input sessions. In the fall of 2008, the City held 12 public open houses to learn what planning issues and goals were most important on the minds of our citizens. We also met with a wide range of stakeholder groups to gather information of interest to them.
Once the draft plan was finalized in October 2009, the City held three advertised public information meetings. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on November 12, 2009 to considered all comments received prior to the hearing and to obtain further public comment on this plan. The City Council held public hearings December 1, 2009 and December 8, 2009 when they voted unanimously to adopt this Comprehensive Plan.
The Comprehensive Plan is divided into three sections:
Policy Document - embodies the key planning recommendations affecting land use, neighborhood preservation, transportation systems, natural resources and economic vitality, among other topics
Technical Report - includes a wealth of data and information on a wide range of planning elements
- Reference Handbook - a new component that includes general community appearance design guidelines, special area development guidelines, special purpose guidelines, a list of other plans and studies adopted as part of the comprehensive plan by reference, and an Agenda for Future Action to be used to help advance certain policies of the Comp Plan
Amendments
Updates and amendments to the Comprehensive Plan must be approved by City Council. The following amendments have been approved:
The following draft amendments are pending approval:
- No amendments are pending approval at this time.
Thank you for your interest in the Virginia Beach Comprehensive Plan. It truly reflects our community vision and collectively, It’s Our Future!