Resort SGA

On December 2, 2008, the City adopted the Resort Area Strategic Action Plan (RASAP), which provides a vision for the Oceanfront Resort Area and an implementation strategy to achieve this vision.  The plan revealed that, like many other "Euclidian" zoning codes throughout the nation, the City's existing zoning code does not support the urban resort vision identified for this area.  The plan concluded that the best way to provide clear, concise, and responsive regulations to enable the vision of RASAP is known as Form-Based Code (FBC).

 

Form-Based Codes provide a different approach to zoning as a means to regulate land development.  Rather than focusing on the separation of land uses, like traditional "Euclidian" zoning codes, form-based codes focus on the physical form of development.  They address the relationship between buildings and public space and strive to create an integrated development pattern.  Unlike design guidelines, form-based codes are regulatory, not advisory. 

 

To help develop a Form-Based Code for the Oceanfront Resort Area, the City is working with Urban Design Associates (UDA) and CodeStudio, who introduced this effort at a public work session on December 10, 2009.  SGA-fbc-PPT.pdf

 

In 2010, City Staff and consultants gathered field data and met with various stakeholders, including property owners, business owners, residents, and the Navy to develop a draft Form-Based Code for the Oceanfront.  Initial feedback resulted in a draft released in March 14, 2011. 

 

On April 25, 2011, the City held a public meeting at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.  The meeting began with a presentation on the draft Oceanfront Resort District Form-Based Code (ORDFBC).  The presentation was  followed by a workshop in which property owners worked directly with staff to find out how the draft code applies to their property.

 

We are now in the process of refining the draft Code to address the many comments received over the last several months.  Anticipated changes to the Code were presented to the Planning Commission at their workshop July 11, 2011.

 

While we work on these revisions, the City will continue working on a Resort Parking Strategy, which has been identified as a critical tool necessary to complement the Form-Based Code and encourage redevelopment in the resort area. Another round of public meetings and presentations will take place once the draft Form-Based Code is revised and a draft Parking Strategy is developed.

 

If you have any questions or comments in the meantime, please send an email amoss@vbgov.com or call (757) 385-8573.  Your participation is very much appreciated.