Virtual Wetlands Board Public Hearing
In accordance with Virginia Code Virginia § 2.2-3708.2(A)(3), Virginia Code § 15.2-1413 and the City's Continuity of Government Ordinance adopted on March 31, 2020, and Chapter 854 of the 2019 Acts of Assembly as amended, the chair of the Virginia Beach Wetlands Board has called a special meeting for a public hearing to be held on Thursday, May 28, 2020, at 9:30 am BY ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION MEANS which will be held virtually with Wetlands Board Members, Staff and citizens participating via video/audio conference. This meeting will be broadcast on cable tv.
For those citizens who desire to attend this meeting virtually, registration is required. Please visit www.vbgov.com/wetlands or enter the following URL into your web browser to register: https://vbgov.webex.com/vbgov/onstage/g.php?MTID=e21bb729b61e391da4f3a60e24d6ceb91
If you desire to speak at the virtual public hearing you must notify Staff prior to 8:30 am, May 28, 2020 at (757) 385-4621. Citizens are encouraged to submit comments to the Wetlands Board prior to the public hearing via email to waterfront@vbgov.com or via United States Mail to David K. Compton, 2875 Sabre Street, Suite 500, Virginia Beach, VA 23452.
Staff will attempt to facilitate real-time citizen participation/comments in the public hearing for those citizens who registered, which includes speaker's name, physical address, email address, and phone number. For more information on this process, please review the Wetlands Board website at www.vbgov.com/wetlands or contact Staff at (757) 385-4621.
Current Operations
The City of Virginia Beach continues to operate under modified conditions and the Planning & Community Development office is closed to the public. Most of our employees are working remotely, but Staff is available via phone or email. Staff encourages future applicants to continue to complete their Joint Permit Applications (JPA) online, and submit their JPA to the Virginia Marine Resource Commission (VMRC) at jpa.permits@mrc.virginia.gov.
Those without access to the internet may drop off Joint Permit Applications at 2875 Sabre Street, Suite 500, and our staff will forward your application to the Marine Resource Commission for you. Place the entire submittal package including application, plans, disclosure statement and processing fees (fees in a sealed envelope, checks payable to Treasurer, City of Virginia Beach) in the City Treasurer’s Drop Box located outside of the building in front of the lobby. Address the envelope to Ms. Carol Dozier, Department of Planning & Community Development. Links to the Joint Permit Applications and a schedule of processing fees are noted on the Wetlands Board web-page at https://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/planning/boards-commissions-committees/Pages/Wetlands-Board.aspx.
Applicants will be notified by phone or email if additional information is necessary to continue processing of all applications, regardless of submittal method.
For More Information, Please Contact: David Compton, (757) 385-8246
, or dcompton@vbgov.com
Wetlands Board General Information
The Wetlands Board is composed of seven members, appointed by the City Council, who are responsible for reviewing requests for permits for the use, alteration, or development of Tidal-Wetlands, Coastal Primary Sand Dunes, and beaches.
The Board's wetlands jurisdiction for non-vegetated wetlands (sand flat, mud flat, etc.) lies between mean low water and mean high water. Vegetated wetlands jurisdiction is from mean low water to an elevation one and one-half times the mean tide range. The mean tide range is approximately two feet for rivers and bay areas and three and one-half feet for ocean areas. Upland of that elevation, the Board does not have jurisdiction. However, a waterfront construction permit from the Waterfront Operations Bureau may still be required. If you have questions, contact a Waterfront Inspector at 757-385-8246.
The Board also reviews violations of the regulations and has the option to assess civil charges and/or order restoration of the site.