Laura Elise Tworek

The meeting commenced with a special invocation for comfort and peace following a recent atrocity. A significant portion of the session involved confirming the declaration of a local emergency issued due to the May 31, 2019, shooting at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center. The consent agenda included several financial and contractual actions: a resolution for the issuance and sale of general obligation bonds up to $185 million, a resolution supporting a local commitment for a VDOT bicycle and pedestrian safety program on Pacific Avenue, authorization for an agreement regarding regional economic development, and an intergovernmental agreement for agricultural Reserve Program easements. The council also addressed temporary encroachments for a wooden walkway at Croatan Beach and appropriations related to the parking enterprise budget, Emergency Medical Services, Children's Services Act programs, and the libraries operating budget. Several speakers raised concerns about the proposed sale of excess city property on Bonnie Road, citing high traffic accident statistics in the vicinity and the proximity to planned VDOT interchange studies, urging the council to delay the sale. Other public comments focused on opposition to the development, citing environmental concerns regarding the area being a flood-prone wetland, and issues surrounding publicly owned tidal waters being claimed as private property.

The formal meeting began with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. A proclamation was read declaring July 2021 as Parks and Recreation Month, celebrating the department's 65th anniversary and its recognition as a top four finalist for the 2021 National Gold Medal Award. The council handled administrative tasks, including certifying the closed session and approving the minutes from the informal and formal sessions of June 15, 2021, and the special session of June 22, 2021. The consent agenda covered several ordinances and resolutions, including ending the local emergency declaration for the COVID-19 pandemic, adding student members to the Green Ribbon Committee, approving general obligation bonds up to $110 million, authorizing temporary property encroachments for constructing a floating pier, and appropriating funds from various sources for Police, Parks and Recreation, and Human Services operating budgets. A significant add-on item was the resolution directing the City Attorney to file a petition for a writ of special election for the Kempsville district council member vacancy following Council Member Jessica Abbott's resignation, effective July 2, 2021, scheduling the election for November 2, 2021. The planning session addressed several items, including requests for street closures adjacent to property dedications, modification of easement conditions for office use, and conditional use permits for senior housing developments.

This informational briefing focused on the Independence Boulevard and Wakefield Drive intersection project, which involves installing a new traffic signal. The discussion included a history of the project dating back to 2018, when initial traffic studies indicated signal warrants were met. A summary of a public information meeting held in March was presented, showing divided community feedback on the project. The briefing detailed an alternatives analysis comparing five options, including doing nothing, installing the proposed signal (Alternative 2), closing the median entirely, restricting left turns, and closing access to Paul Rivere. The analysis evaluated impacts on delay, cut-through traffic (which accounted for 5% of southbound Independence vehicles using the Lakemith Terrace neighborhood), and overall adherence to the project's purpose of enhancing safety, particularly for left turns and pedestrian accommodation. Alternative 2 was identified as the preferred option as it best met the effectiveness criteria without redistributing traffic patterns to subsequent neighborhood streets. Next steps involve finalizing the design in the fall of 2025, followed by construction slated for spring 2026.

The public meeting involved procedural announcements, including introductions of commissioners and recognition of departing members, Planning Director Barry Frankenfield and Senior Planner Jimmy McNamara. The initial order of business addressed withdrawals and deferrals. Item 4 was deferred, and Item D1 was withdrawn. Four items (1, 3, 5, and 7) were approved by consent agenda, covering requests for conditional rezoning for industrial office/warehouse units, a conditional use permit for an automobile repair garage, a conditional use permit for an indoor/outdoor recreation facility (fitness center), and a conditional use permit for a family daycare home. The main agenda then began with Item 2, concerning a subdivision variance, conditional rezoning, and conditional use permit for a tattoo parlor, which involved discussion regarding existing zoning, the nature of the tattoo business as non-traffic generating, and opposition from adjacent residents concerning a proposed shopping center rezoning.

The proceedings included roll call, certification of a closed session, and approval of minutes from prior sessions on January 6 and January 7, 2020. A significant portion of the meeting involved special recognitions and the reading of resolutions honoring the late volunteer EMS members Jack Dye and Jen Moore for their extensive contributions to training and service. A proclamation was also presented honoring Naomi S. Terris for her advocacy during Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Discussions under ordinances and resolutions included the consideration and subsequent approval via consent agenda of granting a non-exclusive franchise agreement to SQF LLC for wireless communications facilities, declaring excess restricted easements over city property for sale back to the United States of America (Navy), tax exemptions for several LLCs, and accepting grant funding from the Virginia Tourism Authority for economic development related to the Sports Hall of Fame. Public comments raised concerns regarding the franchise agreement, easement sales, and opposition to legislation affecting single-family zoning.