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CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH Technical Report

Adopted: December 8, 2009 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TECHNICAL DOCUMENT

Table of Contents

CITYWIDE Background ...... 3 Land Use ...... 6 Environment ...... 11 Transportation ...... 69 Public Facilities ...... 74 Housing ...... 103 Historical/Cultural ...... 110 Economic Vitality ...... 118 Tourism ...... 127 Military Employment ...... 132 Agriculture ...... 133

PLANNING AREAS Bayfront ...... 136 Bayside ...... 153 Courthouse/Sandbridge ...... 172 Great Neck ...... 195 Holland ...... 212 Kempsville ...... 233 Little Neck ...... 252 Oceanfront ...... 267 Pungo/Blackwater ...... 285

APPENDIX Natural Heritage Definitions ...... A-1 Bibliography ...... A-3 Glossary ...... A-4 Southern Rural Area Soils ...... A-15 Planning Commission Design Awards ...... A-17

BACKGROUND

The City of Virginia Beach is a large, maturing and highly diverse municipality that includes the entire range of urban, suburban and rural areas. Virginia Beach experienced a significant population increase over the last two decades, most of which occurred in the 1980's. A strong economic climate throughout the 1990's, opportunities for housing and employment, the abundance of environmental amenities, and the growth in the military were major factors that contributed to a steady growth rate of the City from 1990 through 2000 and a continued moderate growth rate over the last few years.

Virginia Beach is located where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. Our City’s geographic area comprises a total of 307 square miles. The land area consists of 248 square miles with much of the northern sector devoted to more urban uses. The southern part of the City is rural. Inland waterways cover roughly 59 square miles of the City and comprise water, marshes and wetlands that stretch along hundreds of miles of shorelines throughout the areas of the City. Almost 20,000 acres of the inland waterways are owned and controlled by federal and state authorities. In a recognizable way, the relationship between the land and the water defines the City’s physical environment and enhances the quality of life for its citizens and visitors alike.

The Green Line was established in 1979. North of the Green Line it is the policy to support growth and urban activity in accordance with this Comprehensive Plan. The Transition Area is planned for low density residential and non- residential uses consistent with the character of that area. The rural area, located south of the Transition area, is planned for agricultural, very low density residential and non-residential uses that reinforce the rural quality of life in that area. It is the policy of the City to restrict public water and sewer service extensions into the rural area.

Citywide- Background 3 Land and Water Area Tables Citywide

Land Area 248 square miles Water Area 59 square miles Total Area 307 square miles

North of the Green Line Land Area 131 square miles Water Area 14 square miles Total Area 145 square miles

Transition Area Land Area 16 square miles Water Area < 1 square mile Total Area 17 square miles

South of the Transition Area Land Area 100 square miles Water Area 45 square miles Total Area 145 square miles

Note: Figures include Planning Areas and Military Inst allations Source: City of Virginia Beach Planning Department

Citywide- Background 4 DEMOGRAPHICS

The Citywide section summarizes and compares the quantitative data discussed in each of the individual planning areas, and shows how the individual elements come together to describe the City as a whole.

Population and Demographic Characteristics

1980 1990 1995 2000 2005 Demographic U. S. U.S. City U. S. U.S. Characteristic Census Census Estimate Census Census * Total Population 262,200 393,100 421,500 425,257 431,000 Military Population (%) 18.2% 18.6% NA 13.3% NA Median Household $20,200 $36,700 $43,000 $48,700 $59,000 Income Median Age 26.9 years 28.9 years NA 32.7 34.9 Work Force 110,300 197,500 212,500 213,000 236,000 High School Graduates 80% 88% NA 90% NA College Graduates 22% 25% NA 28% NA (Approx. 8% increase or a net gain of about 3200 people per year between 1990 and 2000)

Racial Composition: 1980 1990 1995 2000 2005* White 86.5% 80.5% NA 71.4% 70.2% African American 10.0% 13.9% NA 18.9% 19.0% Asian/Pacific Islander 2.5% 4.3% NA 5.0% 5.5% Hispanic (All races) 2.0% 3.1% NA 4.2% 4.8% Native American 0.2% 0.4% NA .4% .3% Other 0.7% 0.9% NA .1% 1.4%

Theoretical Build out to year 2026: 506,000 to 525 people assuming .8 to 1.0% annual growth rate. NA means Not Available Source: U.S. Census - * U.S. Census 2005 American Community Survey (sample size used)

Citywide- Background 5 LAND USE

LAND USES

EXISTING RESIDENTIAL

While much of the existing land use in the City represents a low density suburban character, certain defined strategic growth areas located outside established residential neighborhoods are seeing a more compact, mixed-use form of development. The predominant form of residential land uses consist of low to medium density single family dwellings located in the northern and central portions of the City. In the Suburban area, multi- family uses are typically concentrated along several of the City’s main arterials. The citywide ratio of single family and multi family is beginning to change. Over the past few decades, the growth of housing has been dominated by the single family detached unit. The number of single family detached units, as compared to the citywide total of about 170,000 units has hovered around 60% for many years. Since 1996, however, the proportion of single family detached units dropped from 59% to 57% and multifamily units increased from 26% to 28%. While these are slight percentages, they reflect a shift toward more compact development consistent with the city’s comprehensive planning strategy that seeks to reduce sprawl, protect valued natural resources and optimize efficient use of existing infrastructure. Part of the emerging urban residential growth may be seen at the City’s Town Center where about 600 rental and condominium units have been built in the past 7 years. There are approximately 2100 dwelling units in the rural area of the city.

EXISTING COMMERCIAL

Similarly, while the vast majority of commercial areas of the City remain primarily low intensity, suburban style development, there are defined growth areas that reflect a transformation to a more vertical mix of uses capturing compatible commercial, office, entertainment, and other complementary activities. Within the suburban areas of the City, commercial development varies in size from small scale strip shopping establishments to large malls, with certain design characteristics shared among many establishments regarding roadway frontage, large parking areas, and out parcels which are often devoted to gas stations, convenience stores and fast food restaurants. Much of this commercial development is located at major road intersections and along many of the City’s primary arterials.

Major suburban commercial centers located in the City include two regional-scale malls, Lynnhaven Mall (1 million square feet of gross floor area), and Pembroke Mall (600,000 square feet of gross floor area). Several community-sized shopping centers are located around the City at Kemps River Landing (Kempsville), Hilltop (Great Neck), Red Mill Commons (Courthouse- Sandbridge) and several in the Bayside and Bayfront Planning Areas among others. Other community-sized retail centers are at the intersections of the Princess Anne Road and Lynnhaven Parkway, and Lynnhaven Parkway and Salem Road.

Citywide- Landuse 6 EXISTING OFFICE

Several major office uses and office parks are located Citywide. The primary office developments are located in the Pembroke/Central Business District (CBD) area, the Greenwich Road Office Park, the Hilltop/First Colonial Road corridor, the Lynnhaven Parkway corridor, and the Corporate Woods Office Park (South Lynnhaven Road). Several smaller scale office establishments are located along several of the City major arterials. As noted above, there is a market for urban office growth within planned areas that also include a compact mix of other complementary urban uses.

EXISTING INDUSTRIAL / BUSINESS PARK

Several large tracts of land throughout the City are devoted to industrial and business park uses. These areas range from low to moderate intensity office industrial parks to several heavy industrial operations. Major industrial parks, many of which contain office uses, located in the City include: Oceana West Industrial Park (approximately 1,024 acres); Corporate Landing Industrial Park (approximately 325 acres); Oceana East Industrial Park (approximately 262 acres); and Airport Industrial Park (approximately 250 acres). A moderate amount of light manufacturing occurs at these facilities. Several singular heavy industrial operations are scattered around different areas of the City, specifically along Cleveland Street and Southern Boulevard, Potters Road, London Bridge Road, Oceana Boulevard, and Military Highway. These operations serve primarily as central offices and storage/repair yards for construction equipment and are used to store construction materials.

OTHER EXISTING USES

Other existing nonresidential land uses comprise agriculture, resort, parks and open space and other recreational type uses, public/governmental uses, and ones that may not fit into any specific land use category, (e.g. improvements to historic and cultural resources). These also include faith-based, medical and other institutional uses. All of the significant nonresidential land uses are described either in a particular planning area where they are located or in this Citywide chapter.

Citywide- Landuse 7 Existing Citywide Land Uses

Residential Use Acres Dwelling Units 1996 2000 2007 1996 2000 2007

Single Family Detached 39,674 41,298 41,848 90,699 95,677 97,050 Single Family Attached 2,352 2,887 2,071 23,712 24,440 25,831 (Townhouse & Duplex) Multi-Family 2,742 3,021 3,715 39,854 42,655 47,780 Subtotal 44,768 47,207 47,634 154,265 162,772 170,661

Acres

Non-Residential Use 1996 2000 2007

Office 1,047 1,282 1,155

Commercial 3,159 3,532 5,303

Industrial 951 1,049 1,278 Public and Semi-Public 8,579 9,900 9,216

Agriculture 41,654 39,858 31,928 Federal and State 14,637 14,637 10,015

Subtotal 70,027 72,258 58,895

Total

Residential and Non- 114,347 118,515 106,529 Residential

Sources: City of Virginia Beach Real Estate Assessors Office and Planning Department

* Note - Due to improved computer mapping capabilities over the past five years, acreage figures shown for 2007 reflect refinements in right-of-way, water, wetland and floodplain delineations. The changes shown are approximations and should be used for general planning purposes.

Citywide- Landuse 8 ESTIMATED DEVELOPABLE LAND NORTH OF THE GREEN LINE

Developable land includes areas not approved for development and outside wetland and floodplain areas. The amount of developable land in Virginia Beach has been estimated for general planning purposes. This is due to many factors, such as unresolved property title issues, unwillingness of certain property owners to sell or develop their land, estate settlement constraints, AICUZ and environmental constraints and the like. With this caveat, the 1997 estimate of developable land north of the Green Line was about 13,000 acres. In the year 2000, this estimate dropped to around 5,700 acres. The 2007 estimate was roughly 4,400 acres.

TRANSITION AREA

The City’s Transition Area is located south of the Green Line that follows Princess Anne and most of Sandbridge Road and is north of the rural service area boundary that follows New Bridge Road, Indian River Road and a segment of North Landing Road. The Transition Area comprises nearly 3,200 acres of developable land. Of this, about 1,700 acres are located inside the ‘Interfacility Traffic Area’ with densities no greater than that permitted ‘by right’ in the agricultural zoning district. Some additional residential and non-residential growth is permitted in the remaining 1,500 acres consistent with Transition Area planning policies.

AGRICULTURAL RESERVE PROGRAM

In 1995, the City Council adopted the Agricultural Reserve Program (ARP) as a way to preserve and protect agricultural lands in the southern part of the City through perpetual easements. By purchasing development rights, the ARP will ensure that farm and forested lands will be available for future generations to maintain a viable agricultural industry for the City.

Participating landowners retain fee simple ownership of their property and are compensated for their development rights through an installment purchase agreement IPA. This innovative financial tool leverages the City’s dollar over a 25 year payment plan. Landowners receive tax free interest payments on the purchase price for 25 years and then receive their principal payment at the end of the plan. The number of applications submitted for ARP sometimes increases when the interest rate is on the rise. A few tenths of a point can be financially significant over the term. The current real estate market can also have an effect on what landowners feel their development rights are worth.

To date, over 185 applications have been received and over 7,795 acres have been protected from development and preserved for agricultural use. The goal of the voluntary program is to enroll over 20,000 acres.

Citywide- Landuse 9 Agricultural Reserve Program Statistics Acres Total Acres Year Acquired in Program 1997 3,050 3,050

1998 920 3,970

1999 210 4,180

2000 875 5,055

2001 690 5,745

2002 600 6,345 2003 360 6,705 2004 105 6,810 2005 215 7,025 2006 55 7,080 2007 180 7,260 Source: City of Virginia Beach Department of Agriculture, January 2009 Acres are rounded to the nearest 5 acres.

Citywide- Landuse 10 ENVIRONMENT

Virginia Beach is uniquely located along the Atlantic Ocean straddling the two largest estuaries in the world, the Chesapeake Bay and the Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds. This physical location has resulted in a very special natural environment which supports numerous exemplary living resources. This location is further enhanced by extensive brackish lunar tidal areas, such as the Lynnhaven River and Elizabeth River systems, and expansive freshwater wind tidal areas, such as the North Landing River and Back Bay systems. Due to a combination of its geographic position on the mid-Atlantic coastline near the Gulf Stream’s eastward departure from North America to the open Atlantic Ocean and proximity to two of the world's most productive and ecologically significant estuaries, the City serves as the southern range limit of many northern plant and animal species and the northern range limit of many southern plant and animal species. This environmental setting and resulting abundance of ecological diversity is unparalleled in Virginia and seldom encountered elsewhere in the United States. Many environmental characteristics and natural resources interact to give the City its unique identity and quality.

AIR QUALITY AND MANAGEMENT

The goals the City has established for air quality and management include the following: promotion of a comprehensive and effective transportation system that consists of transportation alternatives, including mass transit; industrial development that is clean and does not negatively impact air quality; greater effort to improve on the forest cover existing in both the City’s urban and rural areas; and significantly reduce the emissions associated with wood-burning fireplaces.

Air quality problems affecting the City are primarily associated with motor vehicle emissions and smoke from wood-burning fireplaces. The City supports alternative transportation programs and transportation demand management.

Prior to 1997, the Hampton Roads Region had been classified as a marginal nonattainment area, a classification that represents the least severe level of ozone contamination. In February of 1997, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved the State’s request to redesignate the Hampton Roads region as meeting air quality standards for ozone. This action was based on the region’s lack of violations to the ozone standards for a period of three consecutive years. The region’s redesignation provides for maintenance of the standard through the year 2008. The following actions contributed to improvements in the region’s ozone: • region-wide use of reformulated gasoline since January 1995; • expansion of the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) network along the Interstate 64 and I-264 road system; • assistance to the region’s large ozone emitters to develop methods of emission reduction;

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• commitment in the region’s Transportation Improvement Program to study and design a voluntary “Enhanced Inspection and Maintenance Program”; • commitment in the region’s Long Range (20 year) Transportation Plan on projects identified and projected to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions by nearly half; and • development of a public education campaign on the reduction of emissions of ozone precursors. The region’s Ozone Advisory Program has been in effect since the summer of 1995.

Despite the regional air quality improvements, motor vehicle emissions remain major contributors of ozone, carbon monoxide, and PM (particle matter)10. In most nonattainment areas, motor vehicles generate approximately 30% of ozone emissions and 90% of carbon monoxide emissions. The reduction of ozone, nitrous oxides, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxides, has both air and water quality benefits. Air pollution is increasingly viewed as a major contributor of nitrogen to waterways. In particular, nitrous oxide can enter waterways in the form of nitrate. Some estimates indicate that the airborne contribution of nitrogen to the Chesapeake Bay watershed may be as high as 25- 33% of the total nitrogen load. Studies indicate that as much as 64% of the inorganic nitrogen load to Back Bay originates from precipitation.

The Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) TRAFFIX Program was established in 1994 as a cooperative public service to promote transportation alternatives aimed at decreasing traffic congestion in southeastern Virginia, by reducing the number of Single Occupancy Vehicles (SOVs) commuting to work sites. Program alternatives include car/vanpooling, park and ride, HOV lanes, Metro area Express bus service, ferry service, teleworking/flexible work schedules, biking/walking networks, a guaranteed ride program for persons who unexpectedly need to leave work early or stay late, a commuter computer program that matches persons with similar work schedules at near by workplaces who desire to share a ride, and a transportation incentive program to accommodate commuters who travel to Naval Station Norfolk. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), transportation is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions. Long-term progress in reductions of these gases greatly depends on reducing vehicle miles traveled. Details regarding the City’s transportation initiatives including Transportation Demand Management programs are discussed in the Transportation section of the Comprehensive Plan.

Air Quality Monitoring Station

The City of Virginia Beach has one regional air quality monitoring station that measures particulate matter. The station is located in the Kempsville Planning Area, at the western end of Princess Anne Road, near the City line.

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Airsheds (Air Quality)

Air pollution not only pollutes the air, but it also defiles the land and water. Research in recent years has provided a better understanding of the link between air pollution and water pollution. Approximately one-quarter of the Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) load in the Chesapeake Bay region comes from air deposition. The sources of nitrogen pollution include: stationary sources (utilities and industries); mobile sources (cars, boats, and trains); agricultural sources; and natural sources.

The Airshed zone that encompasses the City of Virginia Beach extends far beyond the local area boundaries, hundreds of miles west to the Ohio Valley area. Figure 1 shows the Airshed for the City. The air quality present in Virginia Beach is greatly affected by the air quality occurring in the larger zone of influence that includes areas as far away as Canada, Indiana, Tennessee, and Georgia.

Stationary Air Permit Locations

Currently, 112 Air Quality Permits have been issued in the City. The regulated air pollution point sources include uses such as dry cleaners, small manufacturing and fabrication industries, photocopying and photo processing shops; and mobile small engine sources such as boats, lawn mowers, chain saws, and other 2-cycle gasoline engines used for outdoor activities. A map providing the locations of stationary air permit sites in the City is found on Figure 1 in this section of the Technical Report.

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FIGURE 1

Citywide- Environment 14 TOPOGRAPHY

The topographic relief exhibited in the City consists of three primary north-south ridges separated by low-lying flats. The easternmost Pungo Ridge has elevations of 18 to 21 feet above mean sea level; the central Oceana Ridge has elevations of 25 to 30 feet above mean sea level; and slightly higher elevations in the westernmost ridge in the City. Solitary dunes existing south of False Cape range up to 55 feet above mean sea level. The wooded dunes in and around the Cape Henry range from 20 to 85 feet above mean sea level. These ridges and flats are geological relics of previous coastlines and bays formed during events such as the last Ice Age.

MINERAL RESOURCES

Mineral resources in the City are limited to sand and gravel deposits of commercial value. In Virginia Beach, the mining of sand and gravel is regulated by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy under the Virginia Minerals Other Than Coal Surface Mining Act. The Act recognizes potential impacts of mining on the natural environment by stating that uncontrolled mining of such minerals and the unreclaimed land can adversely effect the environment through the following ways:

• destruction of vegetative cover; • disruption of drainage patterns; • increased siltation and sedimentation of streams as well as other forms of pollution; and, • temporary and sometimes permanent destruction of scenic beauty and wildlife habitats.

The City manages mining operations in the context of land use through its conditional use permit process. In accordance with the City Zoning Ordinance, the City Council shall give due consideration to the following factors prior to the issuance of a permit for a borrow pit:

• effect of the proposal on groundwater supply and drainage in the area; • effect of the proposal on city streets in the area, including traffic safety; • impacts from noise, dust, odor, or other nuisances on surrounding properties; and • effect of the proposal as a potential health or safety hazard.

The sand and gravel mineral resources excavated from borrow pits in the City are commonly used for various road construction projects, and to a lesser degree, beach replenishment. In 2007, 653,089 short tons of sand were excavated in the City, consisting mainly of masonry sand, foundry sand and fill sand. The continued erosion along the Atlantic coast and a continued need for beach replenishment sand, whether it comes from sand resources onshore or sand dredged offshore, will remain an important issue in the future. The City has completed a 3-year contract to replenish 3.5 million cubic yards of sand to the Resort Area beachfront to expand its width and elevation for a distance of 6.2 miles, between Rudee Inlet and 89th Street.

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A map providing the locations of permitted borrow pits operating in the City is found on Figure 2 in this section of the Technical Report.

SOILS

Soil types that comprise the City generally consist of the following:

• extensive fair to poorly drained loamy soils located in the Bayside, Little Neck and Great Neck Planning Areas, north of the Virginia Beach Boulevard / I-264 corridor; • extensive fair to poorly drained loamy soils interspersed with poor to very poorly drained peaty soils located along headwaters of wind tidal areas located in the Kempsville, Holland and Courthouse-Sandbridge Planning Areas, south of the Virginia Beach Boulevard / I-264 corridor and north of the Indian River Road corridor; and • extensive very poor to excessively drained sandy and peaty soils interspersed with narrow ridges of fair to poorly drained soils on relict sand dunes and former ocean shorelines located in the Bayfront, Oceanfront, Courthouse-Sandbridge and Pungo-Blackwater Planning Areas, along the northernmost and easternmost boundaries of the City and south of the Indian River Road corridor to the Virginia-North Carolina state line.

A map providing the locations of general soil types in the City is found on Figure 3 in this section of the Technical Report.

Poorly drained soils in the City pose special problems for a number of development- related land uses. These soils generally exhibit high seasonal water tables, making these areas extremely difficult for maintaining functioning septic systems, or for supporting agricultural operations, without extensive engineered solutions such as ditching systems. A map providing the locations of soil development suitability in the City is found on Figure 4 in this section of the Technical Report.

A map providing the types and locations of the Southern Rural Area Soils is found on Figure 5. A general description of the soil areas is found in Appendix-16 of this Technical Report.

More detailed information on soils in the City is available in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) “Soil Survey of the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia”.

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FIGURE 2

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FIGURE 3

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FIGURE 4

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FIGURE 5

Citywide- Environment 20 WATER RESOURCES

Groundwater

Four major aquifers provide fresh and brackish groundwater to the South Hampton Roads area, comprising the cities of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Chesapeake. A brief summary of these aquifers and their use potential follows:

• Shallow Aquifer - This aquifer is capable of supplying small amounts of fresh, non-potable water for residential lawn watering and similar uses. Water quality is variable, with limitations due to pH and iron content. Water table levels can fluctuate with variations in seasonal rainfall.

• Yorktown Aquifer - The Yorktown Aquifer is the major fresh potable water aquifer underlying the area. While the geologic Yorktown Formation is 300 to 400 feet thick, the major water-bearing zones within this aquifer are found in the upper 50 to 150 feet. This aquifer is separated from the overlying Shallow Aquifer by a 20 to 40 foot thick bed of silt, clay, and sandy clay. The three major sand units that comprise this aquifer are referred to as the upper, middle and lower portions of the Yorktown Aquifer. Groundwater availability from this aquifer is variable, and the lower portions of the aquifer are brackish in many places.

• Eocene-Upper Cretaceous Aquifer - This aquifer is found at a depth of approximately 1,000 feet. Moderate supplies of brackish groundwater are available from this aquifer.

• Lower Cretaceous Aquifer – Groundwater availability in this aquifer is limited to the areas of northwestern Chesapeake, Portsmouth, and western Norfolk; however, fresh groundwater is available from this aquifer.

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issues permits for the withdrawal of groundwater equal to or in excess of 300,000 gallons per month. A map providing the location of DEQ permitted major groundwater withdrawal locations in the City is found on Figure 6 in this section of the Technical Report.

Surface Water - Reservoirs

A map providing the location of public water reservoirs in the City is found on Figure 7 in this section of the Technical Report.

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FIGURE 6

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FIGURE 7

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Surface Water - Watersheds

The City consists of three primary watersheds. The northern and more urbanized portions of the City drain to the Chesapeake Bay primary watershed, which includes the Lynnhaven River, Elizabeth River, and Little Creek secondary watersheds. The central, southern and more rural areas of the City drain to the Southern Rivers primary watershed, which comprise the Back Bay, North Landing River and Northwest River secondary watersheds. The remaining portion of the City drains either directly to the Atlantic Ocean or through the Rudee Inlet / Owl’s Creek primary watershed. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) considers the Rudee Inlet / Owl’s Creek primary watershed as part of the Southern Rivers primary watershed, whereas the City considers it as its own primary watershed due to its drainage characteristics.

Primary Watersheds

Primary Watershed Approximate Acreage Percent of City Chesapeake Bay 61,300 32.2% Southern Rivers 132,400 67.4% Rudee Inlet / Owl’s Creek 2,800 1.4% Total Area 196,500 100% Source: City of Virginia Beach Department of Public Works

Secondary Watersheds

Secondary Watershed Approximate Acreage Percent of City Lynnhaven River 43,000 21.9% Little Creek 8,200 4.1% Elizabeth River 9,400 4.8% Small Coastal 700 0.4% Rudee Inlet / 2,800 1.4% Owl’s Creek North Landing River 64,000 32.6% Northwest River 2,100 1.1% Back Bay 66,300 33.7% Total Area 196,500 100% Source: City of Virginia Beach Department of Public Works

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A map providing the general locations of primary and secondary watersheds in the City is found on Figure 8 in this section of the Technical Report.

Information concerning tertiary watersheds in the City is found in the various Planning Area Environment Sections of the Technical Report.

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FIGURE 8

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Surface Water – Water Quality

DEQ administers a network of water quality monitoring stations which includes sampling locations on the following waterways:

Lynnhaven River/Broad Bay and tributaries: • Crystal Lake • Linkhorn Bay • Little Neck Creek • London Bridge Creek • Thalia Creek

West Neck Creek/North Landing River

Back Bay/Shipps Bay and tributaries: • Beggars Bridge Creek • Hell Point Creek • Muddy Creek • Nawney Creek

Elizabeth River

Rudee Inlet/Owl’s Creek

Every two years DEQ publishes the Virginia Water Quality Assessment Report as required in accordance with Section 305 (b) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. The report summarizes the water quality conditions of the Commonwealth’s waters during the reporting period. More detailed information regarding ambient water quality conditions associated with these monitoring locations is available in the DEQ “2008 305(b)/303(d) Water Quality Assessment Integrated Report, December 18, 2008” or online at http://www.deq.virginia.gov/wqa/ir2008.html. The following is a brief summary of the report.

Lynnhaven River Complex, Broad Bay, Crystal Lake (Small Coastal Basin):

Nine different streams or lake locations are found within this 11.93 square mile estuarine waterbody. These locations include Broad Bay, Crystal Lake, Eastern Branch of the Lynnhaven River, Linkhorn Bay, Little Neck Creek, London Bridge Creek, Lynnhaven River (main stem), Western Branch of the Lynnhaven River and Thalia Creek. Three facilities within this waterbody hold Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) Permits:

1) U.S. Department of Defense: Fort Story - minor industrial

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2) U.S. Department of Defense: Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base – minor industrial 3) Hampton Roads Sanitation District: Chesapeake/Elizabeth Sewage Treatment Plant - major municipal

The monitoring station on London Bridge Creek was noted with fecal coliform bacteria violations more than 10% of the time during the reporting period. The station on Thalia Creek was noted with fecal coliform bacteria violations more than 25% of the time. The January 2006 shoreline survey summary developed by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) shows that this watershed incorporates four shellfish growing areas, which contain 4,553 acres of condemned shellfish beds. The condemnations are due to natural conditions and/or contributions from on-site sewage deficiencies, animal pollution, boat pollution, and urban runoff. This water body is classified as “nutrient enriched” under the Virginia Water Quality Standards. All permitted dischargers are in accordance with the DEQ policy for Nutrient Enriched Waters.

Summary of Assessed Uses:

1) Aquatic life – impaired due to dissolved oxygen and aquatic plants (macrophytes) 2) Fish consumption – impaired due to PCB in fish tissue 3) Swimming - fully supporting in 11.72 square miles, partially supporting in 0.05 square miles, and not supporting in 0.16 square miles due to fecal coliform violations; these violations are due to nonpoint source inputs from stormwater runoff associated with the surrounding residential/urban area 4) Shellfishing - fully supporting in 2.88 square miles, 5.88 square miles fully supporting but threatened due to shellfish condemnations, and 3.17 miles square miles partially supporting due to harvesting prohibitions; the prohibited area is the impoundment surrounding Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base and channel leading to the Chesapeake Bay

Lynnhaven River/Little Creek (all coastal areas from Lynnhaven River to Willoughby Spit-Small Coastal Basin):

This waterbody encompasses the riverine portion of the coastal area from Lynnhaven inlet to Willoughby Bay. As such, this watershed contains Chub Lake, Lake Bradford, Lake Joyce, Lake Lawson, Lake Smith, Lake Whitehurst and all tributaries and main stems of Broad Bay, Crystal Lake, Eastern and Western and Branches of the Lynnhaven River Lynnhaven Bay, Little Creek, Little Neck Creek, London Bridge Creek and Lynnhaven River. DEQ does not maintain ambient water quality monitoring stations within the riverine portion of this waterbody. One facility within this waterbody holds a VPDES Permit:

1) U.S. Department of Defense: Oceana Naval Air Station - minor industrial

Citywide- Environment 28 According to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Division of Soil and Water Conservation, “pollution potential” rating priorities for urban related sources were listed as high. These activities have the potential of affecting water quality and may be contributing to the condemnations for the shellfish growing areas. According to DEQ, this waterbody is classified as “nutrient enriched” under the Virginia Water Quality Standards. All permitted dischargers are in accordance with the DEQ policy for nutrient enriched waters.

Summary of Assessed Uses:

1) Aquatic life - impaired due to dissolved oxygen and pH levels 2) Fishing - fully supporting 3) Swimming - fully supporting 4) Shellfishing - not assessed since this is the riverine portion of the waterbody

North Landing River:

Within this 77 square mile waterbody, the area includes Macon’s Corner north around Oceana Naval Air Station to London Bridge south to Mapleton and west to Kempsville, southwest to Great Bridge, southeast to the headwaters of Blackwater Creek and south to the Virginia/North Carolina line, then north along route 615 through Pungo to Macon’s Corner. This watershed contains all of the tributaries and main stem of the Blackwater Creek, Intracoastal Waterway, North Landing River, Pocaty River, Stumpy Lake and West Neck Creek.

The DCR Division of Soil and Water Conservation has given this waterbody an overall rating of “medium” based upon the nonpoint source contributions from agriculture, urban, and forestry activities. Individual “pollution potential” rating priorities were rated as medium for agriculture related sources, medium for urban related sources and low for forestry related sources. There are no known advisories or bans related to fishing, swimming or public water supplies. There were no violations of the water quality standards during the reporting period.

Summary of Assessed Uses:

1) Aquatic life – impaired due to dissolved oxygen 2) Fishing- impaired due to PCB in fish tissue 3) Swimming – impaired due to fecal coliform 4) Shellfishing - not assessed since this is the riverine portion of the water body

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Back Bay:

DEQ maintains eleven monitoring stations within this 83 square mile waterbody. The stations are located at Back Bay, Beggar’s Bridge Creek, Hell’s Point Creek, Muddy Creek, Nawney Creek, Redhead Bay and Shipps Bay. Six facilities within this waterbody hold Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) Permits:

1) Hampton Roads Sanitation District: Atlantic Sewage Treatment Plant - major municipal permit 2) Indian Cove Campground - minor municipal permit 3) False Cape State Park - (well water) minor industrial permit 4) The Samaritan House – minor municipal permit 5) Support Terminals Operating Partnership- minor industrial permit 6) VA-COMA Air National Guard – minor industrial permit

The fecal coliform violations at Nawney Creek are due to runoff associated with surrounding livestock production areas and spray irrigation of livestock effluent.

According to the DCR Division of Soil and Water Conservation, the overall “pollution potential” rating for this water body is “medium” based upon the nonpoint source contributions from agriculture, urban, and forestry activities.

There are no known advisories or bans related to fishing, swimming, or public water supplies.

Summary of Assessed Uses:

1) Aquatic life - impaired due to dissolved oxygen and pH levels 2) Fishing - impaired due to PCB in fish tissue 3) Swimming - impaired due to fecal coliform violations at Nawney Creek 4) Shellfishing - impaired due to fecal coliform

Elizabeth River

This is the western most water body in the City of Virginia Beach.

DEQ does not maintain ambient water quality monitoring stations within the riverine portion of this waterbody

According to DEQ, this water body is classified as “nutrient enriched” under the Virginia Water Quality Standards. All permitted dischargers are in accordance with the DEQ policy for nutrient enriched waters.

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Summary of Assessed Uses:

1) Aquatic life – impaired due to dissolved oxygen levels 2) Fishing – fully supporting 3) Swimming – fully supporting 4) Shellfishing – no testing done in this area

Rudee’s Inlet/ Owls Creek

This area is the smallest of all watersheds in Virginia Beach, but the only one that spills into the Atlantic Ocean. This waterbody is just a bit smaller than one square mile in size.

DEQ does not maintain ambient water quality monitoring stations within the riverine portion of this waterbody.

According to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Soil and Water Conservation, “pollution potential” is accurate in describing this watershed because of the given development pressures found there.

According to DEQ, this water body is classified as “nutrient enriched” under the Virginia Water Quality Standards. All permitted dischargers are in accordance with the DEQ policy for nutrient enriched waters.

Summary of Assessed Uses:

1) Aquatic life – impaired due to dissolved oxygen levels 2) Fishing – fully supporting 3) Swimming – impaired due to enterococcus levels 4) Shellfishing – impaired due to fecal coliform

In addition to the DEQ monitoring stations, the City undertakes field screening of stormwater in accordance with the City’s Municipal Stormwater Permit, which is described under the stormwater management part of this section of the Technical Report.

Stormwater Management

In accordance with the requirements of the Clean Water Act, the City in 1992 completed and filed a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Storm Water Permit Application with the DEQ, known as the VPDES Permit. Elements of the permit include:

• Stormwater field screening; • An inventory of the City’s storm sewer system; and • Storm Sewer Discharge Ordinance.

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A Stormwater Utility Fee was implemented by the City in FY 1992/1993 as a way to fund the VPDES permit program, and other stormwater initiatives. Redevelopment activities provide opportunities to retrofit the existing stormwater system, while new development provides opportunities to address larger issues such as regional stormwater management. For example, an infill development may provide an opportunity to divert increased runoff to an existing facility with an adequate capacity already present.

The City’s stormwater system consists of a network of stormwater management facilities and conveyance systems. This system currently includes ninety-six (96) regional stormwater management facilities, defined as those that equal or exceed five acres in size. Maps providing the general locations of tertiary watersheds and stormwater outfalls in the City are found in the various Planning Area Environment Sections of the Technical Report. A map providing the locations of major stormwater management facilities and their corresponding service areas in the City is found on Figure 9 in this section of the Technical Report.

WETLANDS

In 1990, the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC) estimated in a “Wetlands Impact Report” that approximately 80% of the City's undeveloped land supported hydric soils. Due to the complexities associated with accurately delineating both tidal and nontidal wetlands, the City relies upon the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) National Wetlands Inventory (NWI), as a general guide, to determine the presence of wetlands within the City. Nontidal wetlands are further defined in the City’s Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area and Southern Watersheds Management Ordinances, as consisting of areas of the following soil types:

• Backbay Mucky Peat • Corolla-Duckston Fine Sands • Dorovan Mucky Peat • Duckston Fine Sand • Nawney Silt Loam • Pamlico Mucky Peat, Ponded • Pamlico-Lakehurst Variant Complex • Pamlico Mucky Peat • Pocaty Peat • Rappahannock Mucky Peat, Strongly Saline

A map providing the locations of both tidal and nontidal wetlands areas in the City is found on Figure 10 in this section of the Technical Report.

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FIGURE 9

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FIGURE 10

Citywide- Environment 34 Wetlands Compensation

Significant land disturbance and wetland losses associated with public and private development activities require permits under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. If appropriate and reasonable efforts cannot be achieved on site to compensate for the wetland loss, then mitigation may be allowed off-site, accomplished through the purchase of “credits” from an approved wetland mitigation bank, or in some cases, payment “in lieu of” into an approved Wetlands Trust Fund.

Wetlands compensation allows for the establishment of large off-site wetland areas to be used to mitigate a number of independent sites’ wetland losses as part of the permitting process. The rational behind this concept is that banking provides greater ecological benefits than fragmented onsite, project specific mitigation. The banking sites are likely to be larger to accommodate several mitigation sites, which allow them to be better both ecologically and biologically than a series of several independent sites.

Since the fall of 1999, the City has owned and operated the Creeds Wetland Mitigation Bank at the former airfield site under the terms of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the City and several State and Federal regulatory agencies. The Creeds bank can only be used to mitigate wetland losses associated with City projects. Originally, this bank was designed to mitigate funded Capital Improvement highway projects. The Creeds bank was approved for 32.2 “credits” (acres). As of 2008, municipal construction projects that the Creeds mitigation bank has been used for include:

Kellam High School soccer field 1.982 credits used Courthouse Loop Phase II 2.300 credits used Mill Landing Road 0.396 credits used Sandbridge Road Safety 0.180 credits used Sandbridge Drainage 0.680 credits used Indian Creek Drainage and Safety Improvement 0.276 credits used Seaboard Road 1.260 credits used Emergency Operations Center and Judicial Center Parking 1.930 credits used Expansion Projects 1.420 credits used Shipps Corner Road Bridge Replacement 0.636 credits used Elbow Road Phase IIA 2.310 credits used Sandbridge Road Safety Project VOID earlier debit 0.180 credits gained Seatack Phase IIB 0.500 credits used Sandbridge Road Safety Improvements 0.438 credits used Nimmo Parkway Extension 5.470 credits used Birdneck Road Phase II 0.750 credits used Princess Anne Road Phase 7 3.420 credits used

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Creeds Police Training Facility 0.690 credits used PA Ballfields 0.490 credits used Emergency Operations Center 0.210 credits used Stumpy Lake Dam and Spillway 0.920 credits used Total 26.438 Credits Used

Total Credits Remaining 5.56

Based on current usage of the Creeds bank, it is estimated that there are two years of supply left in this bank. Should the City’s capital projects mitigation needs increase significantly in the short term, then the useful life of the bank will be shortened considerably. The City is actively pursuing new mitigation bank site options, as well as purchase of credits from commercial mitigation banks should the need arise.

FOREST RESOURCES

Since the last Comprehensive Plan adoption in December 2003, State assessments and aerial photography indicate that the overall amount of undisturbed tree cover has diminished significantly statewide, occurring at varying rates for individual localities. Virginia Beach has experienced this decline, although detailed data is not available at this time. The reductions are attributed to clear cutting for development activities, commercial tree harvesting, and natural occurrences from fires and other weather-related events.

Champion Trees

A number of exceptionally large, mature trees exist throughout the City. The following table provides a list of the designated City, State and Federal Champion and Co- Champion trees found in the City of Virginia Beach, as of January 2008.

Champion Trees Located Within the City of Virginia Beach

Scientific Name Common Name Location Circum- Height Spread ference (feet) Crown (inches) (feet) Acer buergeranum + Trident Maple Diamond Springs 48 40 30 Road Acer griseum + Paperbark Maple Diamond Springs 19 20 16 Road Acer palmatum * Japanese Maple West Little Neck 58 30 43 Road Acer rubrum * Red Maple James Court 186 55 71 Albizia juliabrissin * Mimosa /Silk-tree Laurelfield Court 81 40 56 Betula nigra * River Birch Diamond Springs 72 48 53 Road Carya illinoiensis * Pecan Parliament Drive 143 89 93

Citywide- Environment 36 Scientific Name Common Name Location Circum- Height Spread ference (feet) Crown (inches) (feet) Carya ovata* Shagbark Hickory Indian River Road 56 97 45 Castenea dentata* American Chestnut Muddy Creek Road 163 60 68 Cedrus deodara* Deodar Cedar Diamond Springs 152 65 54 Road Cedrus libani ++ Cedar of Lebanon Indian River Road 74 48 42 Celtis occidentalis* Common Hackberry Lookout Road 61 43 82 Celtis laevigata* Sugar Hackberry Lookout Road 129 57 83 Cornus florida* White Dogwood East Lynn Shores 53 38 41 Circle Cunninghamia lanceolata + China Fir Municipal Center 95 76 53 Cupressocyparis leylandii + Leyland Cypress Diamond Springs 65 45 26 Road Diospyros virginiana* Common Persimmon Diamond Springs 78 69 64 Road Fagus grandiflora* American Beech Lawson Hall Road 166 78 94 Ginko biloba* Ginko Diamond Springs 107 60 71 Road Ilex opaca* American Holly Bayview Avenue 73 80 52 Juglans nigra* Black Walnut Lawson Hall Road 116 61 52 Juniperus virginiana ** Eastern Red Cedar Cedar Lane 115 69 Juniperus virginiana ** Eastern Red Cedar Cheswich Lane 109 65 40 Lagerstroemia indica + Crape Myrtle Kenstock Drive 128 50 46 Liriodendron tulipifera* Tulip Tree/Tulip Poplar Duke of Windsor 208 130 107 Road Magnolia acuminata Yellow Cucumbertree Diamond Springs 168 86 89 ‘subcordata' > Road Magnolia grandiflora* Southern Magnolia Holland Road 149 70 62 Magnolia xsoulangeana* Saucer Magnolia Shell Road 65 27 34 Metasequoia Dawn Redwood Club House Road 94 66 47 glyptostroboides* Nyssa aquatica* Water Tupelo Boadwalk Way 42 60 26 Nyssa sylvatica* Black Tupelo Mango Drive 52 61 37 Paulownia tomentosa* Empress Tree North Withduck 73 33 28 Road Picea abies* Norway Spruce Muth Lane 66 50 36 Pinus palustris + Longleaf Pine US Naval Air 84 105 57 Station Oceana Pinus taeda* Loblolly Pine Dawley Road 127 108 63 Platanus occidentalis ** Sycamore/Amer. Holland Road 170 105 117 Planetree Platanus occidentalis ** Sycamore/Amer. Francis Land House 218 64 80 Planetree Prunus serotina* Black Cherry North Wolfsnare 163 65 79 Drive Prunussubhirtella pendula* Weeping Higan Cherry Sweeney Road 79 33 54

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Scientific Name Common Name Location Circum- Height Spread ference (feet) Crown (inches) (feet) Pyrus calleryana Callery Pear Diamond Springs 66 49 45 'Aristocrat' + Road Pyrus communis* Heirloom Pear Indian River Road 46 25 15 Quercus alba* White Oak US Naval Air 139 105 90 Station Oceana Quercus bicolor* Swamp White Oak Little Neck Road 108 101 71 Quercus coccinea* Scarlet Oak Five Forks Road 175 105 95 Quercus falcata* Southern Red Oak Municipal Center 210 103 90 Quercus laurifoli* Laurel Oak Dermott Avenue 110 53 66 Quercus lyrata* Overcup Oak “500-Year Forest” 140 115 103 Quercus michauxii* Swamp Chestnut Oak Holland Road 192 126 120 Quercus nigra* Water Oak Indian River Road 145 78 16 Quercus pagodafolia* Cherrybark Oak Crags Causeway 280 116 116 Quercus palustris + Pin Oak Potters Road 195 110 109 Quercus phellos* Willow Oak Sandbridge Road 255 111 127 Quercus rubra ** Red Oak Wolfsnare Road 205 86 70 Quercus rubra ** Red Oak North Fir Avenue 175 104 94 Quercus velutina + Black Oak Hermitage Point 249 116 113 Quercus virginiana* Live Oak Locke Lane 221 93 89 Sequoia sempervirens* Redwood Holland Road 144 78 43 Taxodium ascendens* Pondcypress Princess Anne Road 115 80 63 Taxodium distichum* Bald Cypress East side of West 251 95 49 Neck Creek Ulmus americana* American Elm Hialeah Arch 182 93 65 Ulmus parvifolia + Chinese Elm / Lacebark Adam 166 91 85 Elm Thoroughgood House Zelkova serrata + Zelkova North Lynnhaven 74 37 43 Road Zelkova serrata ** Zelkova North Lynnhaven 70 35 4 Road Source: City of Virginia Beach Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Parks and Landscape Services Notes: * City Champion Tree; ** City Co-Champion Tree; + State Champion Tree; ++ State Co- Champion Tree; >Federal Champion Tree; Specific Locations of Trees are Available Upon Request

A map providing the locations of champion trees in the City is found on Figure 11 in this section of the Technical Report.

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FIGURE 11

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NATURAL HERITAGE AREAS

Field studies conducted by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage (DCR-DNH) show that Virginia Beach is located at the heart of the region of Virginia supporting the highest occurrence of rare elements of natural diversity. The highest number of rare plants located within any one locality and native to the Commonwealth east of the Blue Ridge Mountains has been recorded in Virginia Beach. In response to the findings, the City initiated a Natural Heritage Inventory in 1989. The four-phase project was designed to systematically identify all of the City's natural heritage resources including areas supporting unique or exemplary natural communities; and rare, threatened, and endangered species of plants and animals.

A critical component of the final phase of the Natural Heritage Inventory was the identification of potential protective mechanisms for the delineated resources. Natural heritage resources were assigned ranks that signify state and global rarity and legal protection status for each species. A description of the natural heritage resources located within the City is found in the various Planning Area Environment Sections of the Technical Report.

Natural Heritage Resources Inventory:

• Fifty-nine (59) rare animal species; • Seventy-six (76) rare plant species; and • Nineteen (19) types of natural communities of state-wide significance.

Ecologically significant areas that are located in the City and managed by the State or Federal government include the following:

• Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge; • False Cape State Park; • First Landing State Park and Natural Area; • North Landing River Natural Area Preserve; • Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge; and • Princess Anne Waterfront Management Area.

Collectively, these areas provide protection to unique and exemplary maritime forests, pocosins, freshwater wetlands, tidal marshes, and beach/dune ecosystems.

A map providing the locations of natural heritage areas in the City is found on Figure 12 in this section of the Technical Report.

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FIGURE 12

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FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES

Forested upland areas located throughout the City provide critical habitat for a variety of species. Much of this forested area is deemed “critical edge habitat” because it occurs along the edges of waterways, floodplains and nontidal wetlands. The City recognizes those “critical edge habitat” lands located adjacent to wetlands and waterways as major resources that provide for flood control, water quality enhancement, wildlife use, public access and recreation, and aesthetics. The continued protection of forested areas, along the edges of waterways and in isolated uplands, is critical to the continued well being of a variety of wildlife species. This is particularly true since the City is positioned along the Atlantic Flyway for migratory birds, including waterfowl, shorebirds, and songbirds.

Two state parks, two national wildlife refuges, and a state-owned natural area preserve are located in the City. All of this land has unique intrinsic values in terms of the ecosystems which they support. For example, since its establishment in 1938, 259 bird species have been observed at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. In addition to migratory birds, the refuge’s ecosystems support several rare and endangered wildlife species. Back Bay consists of 12,290 acres currently owned by the federal government, and also includes an additional 2,800 acres that are located within the federally approved expansion boundary that are eligible for acquisition from willing sellers in the future.

A map providing the locations of current Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge lands and additional lands located within the expansion boundary in the City is found on Figure 13 in this section of the Technical Report.

Bird Sanctuaries

Section 5-31 of the City Code establishes as a sanctuary for the protection of all birds in the areas north and west of the trace line beginning at the intersection of North Landing Road and the Chesapeake-Virginia Beach city boundary line; then north along North Landing Road to Indian River Road; then east along Indian River Road to New Bridge Road; then northeast along New Bridge Road to Sandbridge Road; then east along Sandbridge Road to its intersection with the Atlantic Ocean; and all land north of False Cape State Park and east of Shipps Bay and Hells Point Creek.

Section 5-31 also states that it shall be unlawful for any person to kill or injure any bird, nest or eggs of any bird, except starlings, in the designated bird sanctuary established by this section of the Code. The restrictions shall not prevent the lawful hunting of game birds under the authority of a permit issued pursuant of the provisions of Section 38-3, relative to the discharge of firearms, air guns, etc., from or across any land or water that fall within the boundaries of the designated bird sanctuary.

Citywide- Environment 42 The prohibitions shall not apply to the discharge of pellets from a shotgun when the following conditions are met:

• On land that comprises fifty (50) acres or more of contiguous area; or less than fifty (50) acres south of the designated bird sanctuary area; • Land is under single ownership; • Land is used primarily for agricultural purposes; • Landowner has applied for an annual permit from the City Manager to use his property for this purpose; • The person discharging the shotgun shall have in his possession at all time written permission from the landowner to discharge such weapon on the premises; and • All permits shall expire on the next June 30 following the date of issuance.

A map providing the locations of the bird sanctuary and conservation areas in the City is found on Figure 14 in this section of the Technical Report.

Oysters

A map providing the locations of the leased oyster grounds and oyster sanctuaries in the City is found on Figure 15 in this section of the Technical Report.

Wildlife Corridors

The City’s waterways, shorelines, and beaches also support a variety of wildlife. These include various species of submerged aquatic vegetation, freshwater, saltwater, and anadromous fish species, and several species of sea turtles including loggerhead turtles. The City’s unprecedented level of habitat diversity is further reflected by the presence of humpback whales and bottlenose dolphins within the adjacent Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay.

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FIGURE 13

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FIGURE 14

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FIGURE 15

Citywide- Environment 46 OPEN SPACE, GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC LANDS MANAGEMENT

Agricultural Reserve Program

A map providing the locations of lands participating in the Agricultural Reserve Program in the City is found on Figure 16 in this section of the Technical Report.

Open Space

The City promotes the protection and long-term preservation of open space by:

• Development and adoption of the Virginia Beach Outdoors Plan and the Virginia Beach Bike and Trails Plan; • Adoption of the Agricultural Reserve Program and associated Agricultural Lands Preservation Ordinance.

A map providing the locations of major recreation sites in the City is found on Figure 17 in this section of the Technical Report.

A map providing the locations of designated Federal, State and private open space areas in the City, including birding and wildlife trails and scenic waterways, is found on Figure 18 in this section of the Technical Report.

A map providing the locations of neighborhood parks, pedestrian linkages, and general open space is found in each of the respective Planning Area chapters of the Technical Report.

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FIGURE 16

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FIGURE 17

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FIGURE 18

Citywide- Environment 50 ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Adopt-A-Programs

The intent of the Adopt-A-Programs is to encourage citizen participation in litter cleanups of designated areas around the City at regular intervals. Individuals, organizations, or businesses agree to keep a designated area cleared of litter for a two- year period. Types of Adoption Programs currently available in the City include the following:

• Beach - One-mile section of beach; • Highway – Two-mile arterial roadway section; • Park - City parks; • School Ground - Public/private school grounds; • Spot - Any neglected public area; • Street - One-mile residential street section; • Trail - One-mile bike/walkway sections; and • Landscape Maintenance - Provide all plant material & complete maintenance services for an area (minimum of 300 sq. ft.).

Bay Cleanup Program

Since 1983, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia and the federal government have worked together to revive the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in North America. Water and air pollution, loss of natural buffers, diminished fisheries and population growth continue to adversely impact the shallow waterway that touches Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, across 64,000 square miles.

While some gains have been achieved since the adoption of the Chesapeake Bay legislation, there remains a tremendous amount of work to be done before the states can achieve the kind of results that will make a measurable difference in the Bay waters. The most recent Chesapeake Bay Agreement sets forth a series of goals and actions to be accomplished by the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia by 2010.

As part of the Bay Clean up Program, individuals in Virginia Beach founded the Clean the Bay Day initiative in 1989.

Education and Public Outreach

Existing Environmental Education and Public Outreach Initiatives that have developed in the City from both government and non-government activities include:

• Southern Watershed Area Management Program • Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Program • Adopt-A-Programs

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• Oyster Heritage Restoration Fund • Live Oak Restoration Fund • Lynnhaven River Citizen Water Quality Monitoring Program • Lake Smith/Lake Lawson Watershed Initiative • Internet/ Intranet Web Page Information Sources • Recycling Programs • Water Conservation Programs • Nature-Based Tourism Initiatives • Virginia Beach Clean Commission • Municipal Cable Television – Programming Environmental Awareness Programs • Lynnhaven River NOW • Back Bay Restoration Foundation • Elizabeth River Project • North Landing River Keepers • Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Habitat Restoration Projects

While much of the City has been developed, particularly within the City's Chesapeake Bay watershed, many opportunities exist for restoring previously disturbed areas with appropriate vegetation and restoring valuable wildlife habitat.

In 1995, the City established the Habitat Enhancement Committee as a partnership committed to enhancing the City's natural environment. The volunteer committee works to improve the City's natural environment through coastal sand dune stabilization, tidal wetlands restoration, and community tree plantings. A map providing the locations of habitat restoration projects in the City is found on Figure 19 in this section of the Technical Report.

Solid Waste Management

A map providing the locations of public solid waste facilities in the City is found on Figure 20 in this section of the Technical Report.

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FIGURE 19

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FIGURE 20

Citywide- Environment 54 HAZARD MANAGEMENT AND MITIGATION

Air Installation Compatible Use Zone (AICUZ) NAS Oceana and ALF Fentress

Background

In its Report issued September 8, 2005, the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission (“BRAC”) conditioned the ongoing mission of Naval Air Station (N.A.S.) Oceana as the East Coast Master Jet Base upon efforts of the state and local governments to stop and roll back encroachment surrounding N.A.S. Oceana. The Report required enactment of a program to accomplish this objective by the end of March 2006. The Report further required certification of compliance by the Department of Defense's Inspector General by June 1, 2006, and provided the City of Jacksonville, Florida an opportunity to submit a plan before December 31, 2006 for the re-opening of Cecil Field.

The Commonwealth of Virginia and the Cities of Virginia Beach and Chesapeake timely submitted a comprehensive program. The Inspector General thereafter certified as compliant all elements of the Plan, except for the BRAC Report’s requirement that the City condemn and purchase all incompatible uses within the APZ-1 areas. As a result, he did not certify Virginia’s compliance with the BRAC Commission’s requirements. Virginia and the City of Virginia Beach filed a lawsuit challenging the Inspector General’s interpretation of the requirements of the BRAC Report. However, the lawsuit was rendered moot when Jacksonville failed to submit a BRAC compliance plan by December 30, 2006, thus eliminating the possibility of re-opening Cecil Field.

Virginia began to implement the acquisition aspect of its plan on January 1, 2007. The statutory and land use requirements had been enacted and were effective prior to submission of its Compliance Plan in March 2006.

Preparation of Compliance Program

Between the date of the BRAC Order (September 8, 2005) and the submission deadline (end of March 2006) the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Cities of Virginia Beach and Chesapeake began what has proven to be a highly successful effort to develop a program to stop and roll back encroachment.

In a short seven months, driven by the desire to retain N.A.S. Oceana in its current mission and armed with land use tools, tax and economic development incentives, and a financial commitment to meet BRAC provisions, the state and local governments created and enacted a comprehensive program designed to halt new incompatible development and reduce existing incompatible uses. In its effectiveness, the program measurably exceeds the program contemplated by the BRAC Commission.

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Program Implementation

All legislative enactments, including the land use, land acquisition and rollback programs were approved before the end of March 2006. (The program components are outlined beginning on page 9 of this report). While implementation of the land use provisions were effective upon adoption (December 20, 2005 and March 28, 2006), implementation of the acquisition programs could not begin until after December 31, 2006, the date on which it became evident that Jacksonville would not comply with the BRAC requirements applicable to it. Thus the acquisition plan for the first year of the program, based on a July 1 to June 30 fiscal year, required the acquisition of $15 million in property from January 1, 2007 to June 30, 2007.

The Land Use Program

The initial land use elements of the City's program encompassed all areas within AICUZ Noise Zones of 70 dB DNL and greater. That scope is within the requirements of the BRAC Report and the preceding Joint Land Use Study.

In the APZ-1 and Clear Zones (See Figure 21), all future incompatible development was, to the greatest extent allowed by law, prohibited after December 20, 2005. This action, employing local land use tools, was by far a more effective option for stopping encroachment than the BRAC Order’s condemnation-only approach, which failed to address the ongoing effect of new, by-right, incompatible development in APZ-1. This resulted in the immediate reduction of 1,326 potential incompatible units in the APZ-1 and Clear Zones upon adoption of the ordinances on December 20, 2005.

The AICUZ Overlay Ordinance

In the remainder of the AICUZ footprint encompassing noise zones of 70 dB DNL and greater (See Figure 21) future incompatible development requiring City Council approval was severely restricted to allow approval of discretionary development applications (e.g., rezonings and conditional use permits) only where no compatible use of the property would be reasonable. In such cases, approval could be given only for the lowest reasonable density or intensity. A committee composed of Navy and City staff evaluates land use applications to present joint findings and recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council.

These land use provisions also avoided the governmental purchase of property which would have a minimal impact on stopping encroachment. It also largely conformed to a Joint Land Use Study conducted with the Navy, was in compliance with BRAC requirements, and avoided significant acquisition costs.

The AICUZ Overlay Ordinance also extended existing sound attenuation requirements applicable to residential units so as to apply to most types of commercial buildings and structures.

Citywide- Environment 56 The Interfacility Traffic Area (ITA) (See Figure 21) was identified in the 2005 Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) with the Navy as a strategic flight path, located between N.A.S. Oceana and Naval Auxiliary Land Field Fentress (N.A.L.F.), critical to the mission of N.A.S. Oceana. It is a largely rural and environmentally sensitive area comprising approximately 4,700 acres in which the JLUS recommended limited future residential growth and preservation of agricultural zoning. The BRAC Report required legislative enactment of the JLUS provisions and establishment of a program for the purchase of development rights in the ITA.

On December 20, 2005, Virginia Beach, again utilizing a local land use tool, amended its Comprehensive Plan and City Zoning Ordinance to change the maximum allowable density for property in the ITA from one dwelling unit per acre (1:1) to one unit per fifteen acres of developable property (1:15) in the greater than 75 dB DNL Noise Zone and to one unit per five acres (1:5) in the 70-75 dB DNL Noise Zone. This action helped to advance the policies of the JLUS to limit further residential growth and preserve agricultural zoning in this 4,700 acre tract located between NAS Oceana and ALF Fentress. Further action was taken by the City on January 8, 2008 to promote greater land use compatibility within the ITA and noise zone 65-70 DNL. The City’s Comprehensive Plan policies and Zoning Ordinance requirements were amended in both areas thus increasing alignment of the City and Navy land use compatibility provisions.

Oceanfront Resort Area

The Navy recognized the City’s need for economic growth within this relatively small defined area along the Atlantic seaboard but desired to see a reduction of potential residential units at build-out. In cooperation with the Navy, the City studied this area and developed new zoning provisions that incentivized the development of compatible uses in such a manner as to result in a yield of significantly fewer residential units at build-out. These provisions were enacted on December 20, 2005.

Accident Potential Zone 1 and Clear Zones

In accordance with the BRAC requirement, Virginia committed to purchase $15 million of incompatible use property within the APZ-1 and Clear Zones annually. The Commonwealth of Virginia and the City of Virginia Beach each committed to appropriate $7.5 million to support this initiative. The City of Virginia Beach is the implementing agency.

Between January 1, 2007 and June 30, 2007, the City acquired or contracted to acquire $15 million of property in the APZ-1 and Clear Zones. The FY 2007 purchases were primarily of vacant residentially zoned property, developed properties with by-right density increases available, and commercial properties that were adversely affected by the ordinances limiting incompatible development. All acquisitions were voluntary and were acquired under commercial terms favorable to the landowner. Following considerable public input, the City Council adopted the APZ-1 Clear Zone Master Plan in April of 2008. This policy provides planning and design guidance for

Citywide- Environment 57 citizens, businesses, City and Navy officials and other stakeholders as they consider land use issues affecting this area.

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FIGURE 21

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Floodplains

Due to its low elevations and proximity to tidal waters, extensive areas of the City are located within the floodplain. Floodplains are areas that under storm events of certain intensity and frequency are inundated with runoff water from adjoining upland areas. Runoff from these inundated areas is further exacerbated by tidal conditions. In lunar tide areas, floodwaters can reach elevations several feet higher than would be observed at low tide conditions and these conditions fluctuate in accordance with predictable lunar tide cycles. In other areas of the City, wind tides predominate, due to the distance these areas lie from lunar tidal influences. In wind tide areas, floodwaters can reach elevations several feet higher than would be observed in low to no wind conditions. These conditions can be prolonged, depending entirely on the duration and intensity of wind events.

The predominant floodplains of concern in this City are known as the 100-year floodplain. These areas are prone to inundation from floodwaters on a statistical frequency of a significant storm event, which occurs every 100 years. This statistical average is usually not mimicked in nature. These storms often occur more frequently than once every 100 years. The City has broken the 100-year floodplain into two parts for land use and development-related purposes. The northern portion of the City located in the 100-year floodplain allows for encroachments and fill activity to occur, provided the finished floor elevation in structures is a minimum of one foot above the 100-year floodplain elevation. In the southern part of the city, encroachments and fill in the 100- year floodplain are not allowed without first obtaining a variance, except for certain City Public Works projects. These areas are called floodplains with special restrictions.

A map providing the location of the delineated 100-year floodplain and floodplain areas subject to special restrictions in the City is found on Figure 22 in this section of the Technical Report.

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FIGURE 22

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Hurricane Disaster Zones, Areas of Evacuation and Local Police and Fire Department Evacuation Strategies

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June through November. During that period, the eastern part of Virginia is especially at risk for a major storm. The best defense against the danger and destruction caused by hurricanes is preparedness.

In addition to paying attention to storm warnings and keeping the proper supplies on hand, residents should know their proper evacuation route. Local officials can order evacuations if they think an approaching storm will be a safety hazard or cause serious damage.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has developed an evacuation plan designed to minimize problems caused by heavy traffic. To ensure a successful evacuation, residents should leave as early as possible and use routes specified for their area. Because of the large population and the limited number of highways leading out of Hampton Roads, it is necessary to have a phased evacuation with assigned routes.

Phase One - evacuation will consist primarily of those residing in the cities of Hampton, Poquoson, Virginia Beach and Norfolk and York County. Virginia Beach - 14 to 24 hours prior to the onset of tropical storm force winds.

When instructed, population is encouraged to evacuate as follows:

• Individuals residing south of I-264 and along the Oceanfront will use I-64 towards Suffolk. • Individuals residing north of I-264 will use I-64 West towards Richmond.

Phase Two - will consist of those residing in the City of Newport News, the remainder of Hampton, and the cities of Chesapeake, Portsmouth and Suffolk.

A map providing the designated evacuation routes for the City and the remainder of South Hampton Roads and the Peninsula is found on Figure 23 in this section of the Technical Report.

Citywide- Environment 62

FIGURE 23

Citywide- Environment 63

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORY PROGRAMS

Noise Attenuation

The City adopted the Airport Noise Attenuation and Safety Ordinance in 1994, which was amended in 1998, 2005 and 2008. The purpose of the ordinance is to protect the public health, safety, and welfare from excessive noise and potential accidents associated with proximity to aircraft operations. The ordinance establishes:

• Acoustical performance standards for noise attenuation in construction, • Disclosure requirements for purchasers or lessees of property within a noise zone, • Boundaries for airport noise zones.

Noise attenuation measures in accordance with the Virginia Uniform Building Code are required for new residential and certain non-residential construction, including additions, located within noise zones 65 Ldn (day/night average sound level) or greater. Noise zones less than 65 Ldn are exempt from these requirements. The requirements apply to single family dwellings, duplex dwellings, semi-detached dwellings, townhouses, multiple family dwellings, condominiums, hotels, motels, dormitories and group homes.

Beaches and Coastal Primary Sand Dunes

In 2002, the City’s Beaches and Waterways Advisory Committee completed a Beach Management Plan, which includes recommendations based upon historical trends, coastal processes, environmental concerns, public benefits, and financial feasibility among other things. This report recognizes the impacts of natural erosion along the City’s beaches and the potential impacts to shoreline development if left unchecked. The Plan recommends the following:

• Use of sand replenishment, along with dune construction and enhancement where appropriate, along all erosion beaches;

• Use of bulkheads and seawalls only in those instances where there is pending danger to developed property from a severely-eroded beach, or as part of the long-term hurricane protection plan for the intensely developed Resort Area beach; and

• Completion of a comprehensive review of the City’s building codes in terms of engineering advances and construction methods in coastal hazard areas.

Many outcomes and recommendations of this Plan, such as those relating to public beach access, were previously incorporated into the City’s Outdoors Plan. Other outcomes, such as the Beach Erosion and Hurricane Protection Project and the Sandbridge Beach Section 933 Project, have been approved by City Council and are included in the City’s Capital Improvement Program.

Citywide- Environment 64 Coastal primary sand dunes were once a dominant natural feature adjoining the City’s Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean shorelines. These resources serve as sand reserves to naturally replenish beaches following storm events. They also exhibit unique natural communities of plants and animals that thrive in this harsh environment. Development pressures in this high value area have resulted in the loss of much of this valuable resource, particularly in areas that have high erosion rates, such as Sandbridge and Chesapeake Beach.

Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas

The entire Chesapeake Bay Watershed is designated as a Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area (CBPA). The CBPA is further divided into Resource Protection Areas (RPAs) and Resource Management Areas (RMAs). RPAs are comprised of those lands located at or near the shoreline, which have an intrinsic water quality value or are sensitive to impacts which may result in significant degradation to state waters.

Resource Protection Areas:

• Tidal wetlands; • Nontidal wetlands adjacent to shorelines and tidal wetlands; • Highly erodible soils; and, • A 100 foot wide vegetated buffer as measured from the landward limit of the above resources as they exist at a specific site.

Resource Management Areas:

• Comprise all other lands located within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

A map providing the general locations of Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas in the City is found on Figure 24 in this section of the Technical Report.

Citywide- Environment 65

FIGURE 24

Citywide- Environment 66 Highly Erodible Areas

In 1997, the HRPDC completed a “Regional Shoreline Study” in response to the need for its member localities to address shoreline conditions in their Comprehensive Plans. This study provides local governments with the information base necessary to develop the “Shoreline Element” of the Comprehensive Plan. The nexus between shoreline activities, particularly dredging, shoreline hardening, and the placement of docks and piers, and their associated impacts to vegetation and fisheries should be considered when determining policy issues. For example, large waterfront lots provide greater opportunity to avoid submerged aquatic vegetation (SAVs) and fisheries than smaller lots. Likewise, well-placed community docks and piers may provide opportunities to avoid the potentially greater cumulative impacts of individual docks.

The shorelines associated with the City’s inland tidal waterways are generally stable and exhibit few signs of erosion. Erosion problems that occur within these inland tidal areas are currently addressed through the City’s Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area, Wetlands and Waterfront Operations regulatory programs, in the case of privately owned properties. Public properties are addressed on a case-by-case basis. Shorelines that adjoin the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay, and are more prone to shoreline retreat and erosion than inland tidal areas, have been assessed through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s Section 933 Study and the City’s “Beach Management Plan.”

The City recognizes the sensitivity of its soils prone to high erosion through the inclusion of such areas as highly erodible soils in the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Ordinance. Soils with a slope greater than 6 percent are defined as highly erodible soils due to vulnerability of erosion if cleared of vegetation.

Southern Watersheds Management Areas

The City’s Southern Watersheds Management Area consists of the North Landing River, Northwest River and Back Bay secondary watersheds. Many waterways within the Southern Watersheds Area are influenced by wind driven tides rather than lunar tides. Unlike the RPAs the City’s Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Ordinance, environmentally sensitive areas consisting of tributaries, perennial streams, wetlands, and adjacent buffer areas are not mapped. The general delineation of these areas must be undertaken on a case-by-case basis. The Southern Watersheds’ features include:

• Tidal wetlands; • Nontidal wetlands adjacent to shorelines and tidal wetlands; • A 50 foot wide vegetated buffer as measured from the landward limit of the above resources, as they exist at a specific site.

A map providing the general locations of Southern Watersheds Management Areas in the City is found on Figure 24 in this section of the Technical Report.

Citywide- Environment 67

Tree Protection, Replacement and Landscaping

The City recognizes the contribution and value of trees as a natural resource in the both the urban and rural areas of the City. Tree cover, or canopy, and other vegetation benefit the City's environment by:

• Reducing soil erosion; • Assimilating pollutants; • Enhancing air quality; • Reducing energy costs; • Providing wildlife habitat; and, • Generally improving the livability of our neighborhoods.

The growth and development attracted to the City because of its natural beauty oftentimes result in the removal of trees and other plant material. The City presently administers a system of tree protection and landscaping ordinances designed to help offset losses. These ordinances include:

• Tree Planting, Preservation and Replacement Ordinance: Adopted in 1990 and amended in 1992, 1995 and 2003 as a means to ensure adequate tree cover in residential areas throughout City. Existing on-site trees may be counted towards canopy cover requirements, new trees may be added, or a combination of existing and new trees may be used to satisfy canopy requirements.

• Landscaping, Screening, and Buffering Specifications and Standards: Adopted in 1988 and amended in 2002 as a reference for persons who are tasked with performing work in accordance with City ordinances that regulate landscaping, screening, and buffering. The specifications and standards were developed for landscape design elements to be used to minimize negative impacts of proposed land uses against neighboring existing uses. The specifications also provide for the introduction of additional vegetation on development sites.

• Parking Lot and Foundation Landscaping section of the Site Plan Ordinance: Adopted in 1985 and amended in 1990, 1991 and 1992 to include the Foundation Planting Landscape Ordinance. The ordinance applies to commercial and public buildings, display areas, dumpster and trash receptacle areas, loading docks, parking garages, and parking lots.

Citywide- Environment 68 TRANSPORTATION

EXISTING SYSTEMS

Although several decades of dramatic growth has changed the appearance of much of the city, southern Virginia Beach still maintains many of the rural characteristics of its Princess Anne County era, whereas, the northern half of the city has been urbanized. Essentially, there are two unique roadway systems to maintain, both of which have felt the effects of growth.

The city’s urban arterial road network consists of three east-west corridors that run through the northern, central and southern portions of the urbanized part of the city. These roads provide direct access within the city and connections to the rest of Hampton Roads. The geographic transportation corridors include:

• Northern corridor - includes Shore Drive and Northampton Boulevard, which accommodate through traffic to I-64, and local and commercial traffic to employment areas in Norfolk and the northwestern section of Virginia Beach;

• Central corridor - I-264 and Virginia Beach Boulevard together form the backbone of Virginia Beach’s transportation system, both of which provide quick access into, through, and out of much of the city. Both arterials serve the large retail and commercial centers located along the corridor and accommodate through traffic as well as local and commercial trips;

• Southern corridor - includes a series of arterials running diagonally southeast to northwest, linking the southern half of the city to the regional roadway system at I-264 and I-64. Centerville Turnpike, Lynnhaven Parkway, Ferrell Parkway, Providence Road and Kempsville Road channel traffic to Indian River Road, which provides key western access to I-64.

These three major urban corridors are traversed and connected by a series of arterial roads running north to south.

The rural road network was designed to serve the needs of the southern rural area. This road system is strained in locations where it transitions between rural and urban use. It consists of a large network primarily made up of two-lane roads.

The City of Virginia Beach has accomplished much in recent years to improve traffic conditions on its roadway network. As a result of an aggressive road construction program during the 1980's and early 1990's and a continued, and a more modest, road building program in the early 2000’s the city’s arterial network functioned at an acceptable level of service throughout that time period.

Citywide- Transportation 69 More recently, however, there are several factors that have contributed to the less than optimal levels of service on several of the city’s major roads including:

• significant delays at a number of key intersections; • limited non-auto alternative transportation options; • vehicle growth rate that exceeds population growth rate; • numerous property access points along arterials that impede traffic flow; • restricted north-south travel options imposed by the limited passages under I-264; • increased demand on local roads to gain access to the regional roadway network; • limited funding from federal, state, and city coffers for planned network improvements; • lack of a dedicated funding source at the state or local levels for transportation projects.

Realities suggest that the City’s transportation priorities must be reexamined for both long and short term transportation planning. The following trends highlight some of the issues that help shape the transportation planning process:

INCREASED PEAK AND OFF-PEAK TRIPS

As the population increases and more people enter the labor force, commuting takes a longer period of time. Both nationally and regionally, commuters today travel longer distances to their jobs and make an increasing number of non-work trips as a result of additional personal and household responsibilities. Congestion is often thought of as occurring during the morning and afternoon commute to work periods but National Household Travel survey data shows that the highway system is carrying more shopping, errands, and social/recreation trips during all times of the day and on weekends.

An analysis of the region’s transportation network indicates that although the growth in roadway travel had been growing at a rate that is 2.5 times higher than the population growth rate, this trend is beginning to level off. Between 1998 and 2007 the population in Hampton Roads increased by 6% while daily roadway travel increased by 16%. Much of this growth in travel took place prior to 2003, when annual travel growth averaged 2%. Vehicle miles traveled (VMT) have only increased at an average rate of 0.3% between 2003 and 2007. Increasing fuel costs and slowing economic growth will likely result in even less growth in VMT in 2008 and 2009. Prior to the rise in fuel, each person in Hampton Roads has been is driving more each day; in 2007 the average miles traveled per person in Hampton Roads was 24.0 per day; in 1998 it was 22.5 miles per day. During this time period, the number of additional road miles increased by only 7%.

Citywide- Transportation 70

The increase in numbers of registered vehicles on the roads in Hampton Roads has outpaced both the region’s population growth rate and the vehicle miles traveled rate. In 2007, there were 1,487,000 registered vehicles in Hampton Roads. In 2007, the regional population was estimated to be 1,648,000 and the region had 1,487,000 registered vehicles; that is one vehicle for every 1.11 resident and an increase of 27% over 1998. The number of licensed drivers in Hampton Roads has also been increasing faster than the population. In 2007 there were 1,078,000 licensed drivers, up 9% since 1998; that represents 1.38 registered vehicles for every licensed driver, up from 1.16 per driver in 1998.

Population shifts to large metropolitan areas and to the suburbs have contributed significantly to the growth in trip length. Since 1980, Hampton Roads has changed from an area where approximately 75% of the work force lived in the suburban areas of the region to today where nearly 90% of the work force lives in the suburban areas.

Although interstates and other freeways constituted only 5% of the total roadway lane mileage in Hampton Roads in 2007, they carry 35% of the area’s daily traffic. In 2001, a study was initiated to investigate possible improvements to I-264 and its interchanges with I-64, Newtown Rd., Witchduck Rd., Independence Blvd., Rosemont Rd., and Lynnhaven Pkwy./ Great Neck Rd. Recent reductions in transportation funding will delay efforts to make some improvements to the I-64/I-264 interchange.

TRANSIT AND TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT

Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) is the federally designated provider of public mass transit for the Hampton Roads region. HRT is governed by the Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads (TDCHR) as authorized by the Commonwealth of Virginia. The City of Virginia Beach is a member of TDCHR. HRT provides bus, shuttle, ferry, and paratransit service. In 2010, HRT plans to begin light rail service in the City of Norfolk.

In Virginia Beach, HRT operates scheduled bus and shuttle routes, seasonal resort area service, and the complementary paratransit service mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The following are the bus routes that serve Virginia Beach:

Citywide- Transportation 71

HRT Bus Routes 2008 Citywide

ROUTE # DESCRIPTION

Route 1 Downtown Norfolk to Pembroke East South Norfolk to Tidewater Community College VB Campus (by Indian Route 12 River Rd. and Lynnhaven Pkwy.) Route 15 Naval Station Norfolk to Robert Hall Blvd Route 20 Downtownn Norfolk to VB Oceanfront Route 25 Military Circle to Princess Anne Route 26 International Parkway to Tidewater Community College VB Campus Route 27 Pleasure House Rd. to Military Circle Route 29 Pleasure House Rd. to Tidewater Community College VB Campus Route 30 Atlantic Ave. (seasonal) Route 31 Aquarium & Campground Shuttle (seasonal) Route 32 Shoppers Shuttle (seasonal) Route 33 North Seashore to Municipal Center Route 36 Pembroke East to Holland Rd. Route 37 Dam Neck to Oceana to Lynnhaven Mall Route 919 Virginia Beach to Naval Station Norfolk (Max Express) Route 922 Chesapeake, Virginia Beach to Naval Station Norfolk (Max Express) Route 960 Virginia Beach to Norfolk (Max Express) Route 967 Virginia Beach, Chesapeake to Newport News (Max Express) Source: Hampton Roads Transit

Although the percentage of transit work trips may be declining as a percentage of total work trips, the use of public transportation has been rising in Hampton Roads over the past decade. Passenger miles traveled on transit has increased 26% between 2002 and 2007. There were over 100 million passenger miles taken on public transit in Hampton Roads in 2007. This includes riders on regular and express buses, tourist and commuter vehicles, vans, and passenger ferry. 2008 ridership is expected to be even higher due to the sharp increases in gas costs that occurred.

TRAFFIX is the regional organization that provides and promotes a variety of public commuting alternatives, including ridesharing, van leasing, telecommuting, and guaranteed ride home programs.

Citywide- Transportation 72

TECHNOLOGICAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR EXISTING FACILITIES

As part of continuing efforts to take advantage of technological advances in traffic management systems, a new Traffic Management Center (TMC) has been constructed at the Department of Public Works’ Landstown Yard. The TMC connected to the VDOT Smart Traffic Center, which is the regional hub for traffic information collection and dissemination, including the traffic cameras and traffic advisories on the interstates. The TMC provides real-time traffic information to Virginia Beach motorists, police, fire, and rescue personnel. The Department of Public Works states that 88% of the City’s traffic signal system is served by the computerized timing system. When complete, the TMC will manage a transportation communications system composed of 90 miles of fiber optic cable, 200 miles of copper/twisted pair cable, 40 closed circuit TV cameras, and 6 changeable message signs.

It is estimated that a fully actuated signal system and the TMC could improve the efficiency of the existing transportation network by 15%, in terms of reduced delay and improved travel speeds.

CHANGING COMMUTING PATTERNS

In 2007, 80% of all commuters in Hampton Roads drove alone to work. This is an increase from 73% in 1990 and 79% in 2000. In 2007, 9% of commuters carpooled, a decrease from 12 % in 2000 and 14% in 1990. In 2007, 1.3% of commuters rode public transit to work, a decrease from 1.9% in 2000 and 2.2 in 1990. In 2007, the mean travel time for Hampton Roads workers to commute to work was 23.3 minutes, a slight decrease from the 24.1 minutes in 2000. 31% of all Hampton Roads residents had a work trip of 30 minutes or more and 5% had work trips of an hour or longer. In 2007 50% of all workers in Hampton Roads worked in a different jurisdiction than one they lived in, up from 45% in 1990 and 49% in 2000.

Citywide- Transportation 73 PUBLIC FACILITIES

This section provides a collective view of all public facilities and services provided by the City. Comparisons are made between the quantitative numbers and amount of services provided at each individual planning area levels. Public facilities and services discussed in this chapter include schools and other public buildings such as libraries, as well as police, fire and emergency medical services, water and sanitary sewer systems, solid waste management; parks and open space.

SCHOOLS

The Virginia Beach school system enrolled 71,721 students (grades K–12), as of September 30, 2006. The school system comprises the following facilities:

57 Elementary Schools (Grades K-5 – see Figure 25 for locations) • Includes Old Donation Center (citywide elementary magnet school).

15 Middle Schools (Grades 6-8 – see Figure 26 for locations) • Includes Kemps Landing Magnet School (citywide magnet campus). • Includes Center for Effective Learning (citywide alternative campus).

16 High Schools (Grades 9-12 – see Figure 27 for locations) • Includes Virginia Beach Central Academy (citywide alternative campus). • Includes Open Campus (Alternative Education High School). • Includes Technical and Career Education Center (citywide center offering technical and vocational classes). • Includes Adult Learning Center (citywide adult program). • Includes Advanced Technology Center (citywide center offering technology classes).

The student membership total for the Virginia Beach City Public Schools has decreased since the last Comprehensive Plan adoption. Over the last five years, student membership has declined at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Over the next five years, the student membership is projected to slowly increase at the elementary level, stabilize at the middle school level, and decline at the high school level. Based on these projected trends, the school division has no plans to add any new school facilities and has now shifted its focus to maintaining its extensive infrastructure and modernizing or replacing its older facilities. The following tables summarize the September 30th student membership for each school in 2007 and 2008, and compares these figures with the school’s capacity.

Citywide- Public Facilities 74 Elementary Schools Capacity Map Sept. 30, Projected Capacity Capacity Figure Schools 2007/2008 Sept. 30, Difference 25 Membership 2008/09 Membership BAYFRONT 17 Hermitage 507 559 565 58 Subtotal 507 559 565 58 BAYSIDE 3 Bayside 437 414 490 53 26 Luxford 507 512 580 73 30 Newtown 410 460 398 -12 33 Old Donation 511 510 394 -117 Center 35 Pembroke 475 493 581 106 36 Pembroke 501 465 592 91 Meadows 46 Shelton Park 320 325 419 99 50 Thoroughgood 634 641 688 54 54 Williams 403 401 500 97 13 Diamond Springs 509 504 535 26 Subtotal 4,707 4,725 5,177 470 COURTHOUSE / SANDBRIDGE - NORTH 4 Birdneck 991 980 1,075 84 7 Christopher 754 732 760 6 Farms 10 Corporate 510 495 606 96 Landing 32 Ocean Lakes 583 623 687 104 41 Red Mill 661 658 752 91 47 Strawbridge 757 760 723 -34 Subtotal 4,256 4,248 4,603 347 COURTHOUSE / SANDBRIDGE - SOUTH 24 Landstown 798 759 883 85 31 North Landing 548 553 615 67 39 Princess Anne 539 559 586 46 51 Three Oaks 643 653 752 109 Subtotal 2,528 2,524 2,836 308

Citywide- Public Facilities 75 Map Sept. 30, Projected Capacity Capacity Figure Schools 2007/2008 Sept. 30, Difference 25 Membership 2008/09 Membership GREAT NECK 1 Alanton 584 562 629 45 12 John B. Dey 728 781 735 7 25 Linkhorn Park 725 716 715 -10 52 Trantwood 532 522 651 119 Subtotal 2,569 2,581 2,730 161 HOLLAND 5 Brookwood 522 538 600 78 16 Green Run 473 487 479 6 18 Holland 558 553 564 6 27 Lynnhaven 397 434 546 149 29 New Castle 749 776 780 31 34 Parkway 476 452 556 80 37 Plaza 358 333 500 142 42 Rosemont 338 360 439 101 44 Salem 447 433 514 67 53 White Oaks 711 722 687 -24 55 Windsor Oaks 526 494 552 26 56 Windsor Woods 384 388 415 31 Subtotal 5,939 5,970 6,632 693 KEMPSVILLE 2 Arrowhead 549 576 591 42 6 Centerville 659 672 694 35 8 College Park 422 407 485 63 14 Fairfield 499 479 526 27 15 Glenwood 914 894 972 58 19 Indian Lakes 520 523 572 52 20 Kempsville 478 445 521 43 21 Kempsville 530 532 540 10 Meadows 38 Point O’View 440 404 572 132 40 Providence 583 534 555 -28 43 Rosemont 542 500 592 50 Forest 48 Tallwood 610 570 621 11 57 Woodstock 625 616 734 109 KEMPSVILLE Subtotal 7,371 7,152 7,975 604

Citywide- Public Facilities 76 Map Sept. 30, Projected Capacity Capacity Figure 2007/2008 Sept. 30, Difference Schools 25 Membership 2008/09 Membership LITTLE NECK 22 Kings Grant 632 606 648 16 23 Kingston 573 523 626 53 28 Malibu 327 316 398 71 49 Thalia 636 647 680 44 Subtotal 2,168 2,092 2,352 184 OCEANFRONT 9 Cooke 490 502 545 55 45 Seatack 330 318 455 125 Subtotal 820 820 1,000 180 PUNGO/BLACKWATER 11 Creeds 298 292 426 128 Subtotal 298 292 426 128 TOTAL 31,163 30,963 34,296 3,133 ENROLLMENT

Citywide- Public Facilities 77

Figure 25

Citywide- Public Facilities 78 Middle Schools Capacity Map Sept. 30, Projected Capacity Capacity Figure Schools 2007/2008 Sept. 30, Difference 26 Membership 2008/09 Membership BAYSIDE 1 Bayside 1,071 1,005 1,129 58 14 Center for 135 99 * * Effective Learning 5 Independence 1,324 1,238 1,165 -159 15 Kemps Landing1 588 587 600 12 Subtotal 3,118 2,929 2,894 -89 COURTHOUSE / SANDBRIDGE - NORTH 3 Corporate 1,496 1,410 1,494 -2 Landing Subtotal 1,496 1,410 1,494 -2 COURTHOUSE / SANDBRIDGE - SOUTH 7 Landstown 1,566 1,536 1,522 -44 11 Princess Anne 1,447 1,440 1,250 -197 Subtotal 3,013 2,976 2,772 -241 GREAT NECK 4 Great Neck 989 1,019 965 -24 9 Lynnhaven 1,165 1,198 1,231 66 Subtotal 2,154 2,217 2,196 42 HOLLAND 10 Plaza 1,126 1,121 1,135 9 Subtotal 1,126 1,121 1,135 9 KEMPSVILLE 2 Brandon 1,248 1,208 1,198 -50 6 Kempsville 1,015 947 857 -158 8 Larkspur 1,638 1,574 1,601 -37 12 Salem 1,124 1,054 1,095 -29 Subtotal 5,025 4,783 4,751 -274 OCEANFRONT 13 Virginia Beach 688 679 699 11 Subtotal 688 679 699 11 TOTAL ENROLLMENT 16,620 16,115 15,941 -544

1School Facility is being used as a Magnet School with limited enrollment, as opposed to a regular school.

Citywide- Public Facilities 79

Figure 26

Citywide- Public Facilities 80 High Schools Capacity Map Sept. 30, Projected Capacity Capacity Figure 2007/2008 Sept. 30, Difference Schools 27 Membership 2008/09 Membership BAYSIDE 1 Bayside 1,996 1,999 1,895 -101 9 Princess Anne 1,814 1,819 1,611 -203 Subtotal 3,810 3,818 3,506 -304 COURTHOUSE / SANDBRIDGE - NORTH 5 Kellam 1,956 1,803 1,805 -151 8 Ocean Lakes 2,446 2,449 2,417 -29 Subtotal 4,402 4,252 4,222 -180 COURTHOUSE / SANDBRIDGE - SOUTH 7 Landstown 2,297 2,404 2,185 -112 Subtotal 2,297 2,404 2,185 -112 GREAT NECK 2 Cox 1,991 1,925 1,850 -141 3 First Colonial 2,073 2,047 1,707 -366 Subtotal 4,064 3,972 3,557 -507 HOLLAND 4 Green Run 1,809 1,737 1,821 12 Subtotal 1,809 1,737 1,821 12 KEMPSVILLE 6 Kempsville 1,892 1,819 1,933 41 10 Salem 1,908 1,933 1,847 -61 11 Tallwood 2,001 2,042 2,143 142 Subtotal 5,801 5,794 5,923 122 13 VB Central Academy1 277 246 441 164 12 Open Campus2 439 387 176 -263 Subtotal 716 633 617 99 TOTAL ENROLLMENT 22,899 22,610 21,831 -870

1 Virginia Beach Central Academy – is used for alternative education. 2 Open Campus - is used for alternative education.

Citywide- Public Facilities 81 Figure 27

Citywide- Public Facilities 82 SCHOOL SYSTEM CAPACITY DEFICITS

As of September 2008, there are no overcapacity elementary schools. Overcapacity middle schools are located in the, Kempsville and Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Areas. The overcapacity high schools are located in the Bayside and Great Neck Planning Areas. Schools are considered overcapacity if the student membership for that school exceeds its capacity by 10%.

All proposed and funded school renovations and replacements in the current Capital Improvement Program (CIP FY2008-FY2014) will reduce some of the burden on several of the existing overcapacity schools. Declining city wide student membership will also provide relief to overcapacity schools.

LIBRARIES

The City’s public library system is comprised of a central library; 8 branch area libraries; a municipal reference library; a public law library; and two outreach service libraries that include a sub-regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped and mobile services, including the bookmobile. The following table provides a list of the year 2007 existing library facilities. See Figure 28 for the locations of the existing and proposed library facilities.

The Princess Anne Area Library was added in 2003, and the Oceanfront and Bayside Libraries were replaced in 2004 and 2006 respectively. The remaining libraries have been extensively renovated with the exception of Kempsville where renovations will begin in 2008. As a result of a partnership between Tidewater Community College and the public library a new 120,000 square foot joint use academic/public library will replace the current South Rosemont Youth Library. Construction is scheduled for late 2008.

Library - September 2007 Square Footage 1 Bayside Area & Special Services Library 18,000 2 Kempsville Area Library 22,100 3 Windsor Woods Area Library 8,306 4 Great Neck Area Library 11,821 5 Oceanfront Area Library 16,000 6 Pungo-Blackwater Library 4,300 7 Municipal Reference Records Center 4,878 8 Wahab Law Library 5,000 9 Meyra E. Oberndorf Central Library 95,000 10 South Rosemont Youth Library and Mobile Services 5,000 11 Princess Anne Area Library 16,000 Total 206,405

Citywide- Public Facilities 83

Figure 28

Citywide- Public Facilities 84 POLICE

The Virginia Beach Police Department is the largest municipal law enforcement agency in the State, with a total of 818 authorized sworn positions and 168 civilian personnel. Current sworn positions translate to a ratio of 1.9 officers per 1,000 residents. Since 2003, the number of authorized sworn police officers increased by 11 positions, up from 807 to the current total of 818.

The City is served by four police precincts or bureaus, each providing a unique set and range of community public safety services within its geographic area served. The four police precincts and substations include the following:

First Precinct, located at the City’s Municipal Center in the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area, is the largest of the four police precincts. The First Precinct covers a land area of roughly 210 square miles and serves approximately 140,000 residents.

Second Precinct is located in the Oceanfront Planning Area at the 17th Street mini-municipal complex. The Second Precinct covers a land area of roughly 36 square miles and serves approximately 95,000 residents. This precinct also serves most of the City’s tourist industry.

Third Precinct is located in the Bayside Planning Area and covers roughly 34 square miles. Approximately 110,000 residents are served by the Third Precinct. This precinct also serves a business population of approximately 7,500.

Fourth Precinct is located in the Kempsville Planning Area and covers roughly 31 square miles. Approximately 115,250 residents are served by the Fourth Precinct.

Two neighborhood police substations currently operate in conjunction with two of the four police precincts. The substations were established through a corporate partnership between the City and the Southland Corporation (7-11). The two neighborhood police substations operate at the following locations:

• First Precinct: Creeds Substation located in the 900 block of Princess Anne Road. • Second Precinct: 7-11 Substation located in the 2400 block of Pacific Avenue.

The Third Precinct, located in the Bayside Planning Area, is the newest of the police precincts. The old facility was replaced in 2005 with a new 9,000 square foot facility at the same site. This capital improvement project was done in conjunction with the replacement project of the old Bayside Area Library with a new facility, also at the same site. The capital projects required additional property acquisition to accommodate the building expansions and parking requirements for both facilities. The following table summarizes the City’s Police Department Demographics.

Citywide- Public Facilities 85 Police Department Demographics

Precinct Estimated Population Estimated Sq. Miles (Service Area) (Land Area) First 129,500 203 Second 79,000 39 Third 101,450 35 Fourth 115,250 31 TOTAL 425,200 *308 Notes: 1. * Total Estimated Square Miles (Land Area) figure includes those areas encompassed by water, Federal and State lands, and other governmental facilities.

2. Estimated Population (Service Area) data are based on the Year 2000 U.S. Census population figures.

Source: The Virginia Beach Police Department, Office of Planning and Analysis.

See Figure 29 for locations of the City’s Police Stations and neighborhood Police Substations.

Citywide- Public Facilities 86

Figure 29

Citywide- Public Facilities 87 FIRE

Twenty (20) fire and or fire/EMS stations currently serve the City. Nineteen (19) of the stations are located in the City, and one in Knotts Island, North Carolina. The Knotts Island station provides fire-fighting services to the City via an inter-jurisdictional agreement between the two cities. Volunteer organizations own three of the stations. Approximately 440 full-time fire fighters and approximately 50 volunteers serve the City.

The department has developed formalized standards of response to more effectively evaluate the delivery of a variety of services including fire, non-fire service calls, emergency medical, marine, technical rescue, and hazardous materials. The following table provides a list of the current Fire, EMS and Fire/EMS stations.

Fire and EMS Facilities

Station Station Name Services Provided Planning Area No. 1 Ocean Park* EMS Bayfront 2 Haygood Fire and EMS Bayside 3 London Bridge Fire Holland 4 Chesapeake Beach* Fire and EMS Bayfront 5 Courthouse Fire and EMS Courthouse/Sandbridge 6 Creeds Fire and EMS Pungo/Blackwater 7 Thalia* Fire Kempsville 8 Old Donation Fire and EMS Great Neck 9 Kempsville Fire and EMS Kempsville 10 Woodstock Fire Kempsville 11 Beach Borough Fire Oceanfront 12 Seatack Fire Courthouse/Sandbridge 13 Blackwater** Fire and EMS Pungo/Blackwater 14 Virginia Beach EMS Oceanfront 15 Knotts Island*** Fire and EMS Outside of the City 16 Plaza Fire and EMS Holland 17 Sandbridge Fire and EMS Courthouse/Sandbridge 18 Green Run Fire Holland 19 Stumpy Lake Fire Kempsville 20 Little Neck Fire Little Neck 21 General Booth Fire and EMS Courthouse/Sandbridge

Citywide- Public Facilities 88 Station Station Name Services Provided Planning Area No. 22 First Landing+ Fire and EMS Bayfront Notes: * Volunteer-owned facility.

** Station #13 also provides fire-fighting and EMS services to a portion of Currituck County, North Carolina, known as Gibbs Woods. This arrangement consists of an inter-jurisdictional agreement between the City of Virginia Beach and Currituck County.

*** Station #15 is located under the jurisdiction of Knotts Island, North Carolina. Fire-fighting services are provided through an inter-jurisdictional agreement between Knotts Island and the City of Virginia Beach. EMS/Rescue services are provided by Currituck County, North Carolina.

+ Newest Fire and Rescue Station as of Fall 2007. The First Landing Station #22 will house a new ladder truck and staffing to address the increased height of high-rise structures developed along the Shore Drive corridor, as well as increased storage to support the Fire Department’s Marine Response Program.

Several existing Fire Department facilities are identified as being structurally and mechanically deficient. As a result of conditions that extend beyond reasonable structural or economic renewal, major building system replacements, upgrades, or complete building replacement improvements are programmed and/or funded in the current Capital Improvement Program (CIP), Fiscal Year (FY) 2007-2012. Those improvements include the following:

• Fire Facility Rehabilitation and Renewal. Project is for the repair and renewal of all existing fire facilities to ensure habitability. Because fire stations have employees living in on a 24-hour basis, an important need exists to ensure that these facilities are adequately maintained.

• Site acquisition funds for replacement of the Thalia Station #7 facility are programmed in the FY 2007/08 CIP. The current facility is significantly undersized and not adequate to accommodate the development activity that has occurred in the Town Center area. Larger truck equipment and additional personnel are needed.

• A CIP Project has been requested to plan for a new onsite fire/rescue facility at the Blackwater Station #13. The current facility is significantly undersized for the personnel and equipment assigned and is not cost effective to renovate. • The Chesapeake Beach Station #4 facility is past the point of being cost-effective to renovate to meet the acceptable response time needs of the Shore Drive/Northampton Boulevard corridors. Site funding has been appropriated in the CIP FY 2008.

The Fire Department has identified four geographic areas of service level concern for the next ten years as a result of increased residential and commercial growth, increased

Citywide- Public Facilities 89 response time as a result of increased traffic congestion, lack of a municipal water system in the southern portion of the City, and development of the medical complex and surrounding residential and commercial development that have occurred in Princess Anne, Dam Neck and Salem Roads corridors. Those geographic areas include:

• Kempsville Road and Centerville Turnpike; • Northampton Boulevard and Diamond Springs Road; • Princess Anne Road and Pleasant Ridge Road; • Dam Neck Road and Salem Road.

Source: The City of Virginia Beach Fire Department.

See Figure 30 for locations of the existing and proposed fire station facilities.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS)

Twelve (12) emergency medical service (EMS) stations currently operate in conjunction with designated fire stations around the City. These facilities are staffed by approximately 709 active volunteer rescue members, which is the largest volunteer-based rescue service in the nation. Two independent stations, Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad (Station #1) and Oceanfront Volunteer Rescue Squad (Station #14) are the only two stations devoted solely to emergency medical and rescue operations.

See table above entitled “Fire and EMS Facilities” for a list of the City’s EMS facilities that operate in conjunction with designated fire stations.

Citywide- Public Facilities 90

Figure 30

Citywide- Public Facilities 91 PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM AND SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM

PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM

Virginia Beach owns a public water system that serves the northern suburban and urban portions of the City. The southern rural portion of the City is not served by the public water system. The public water system consists of approximately 1,550 miles of treated water transmission and distribution mains, 8,313 fire hydrants, 12 storage tanks and 7 pumping stations.

Virginia Beach also owns and/or has water rights in two raw water sources: Lake Gaston in Brunswick County and Stumpy Lake in Virginia Beach. However, Virginia Beach does not own any water treatment facilities. Instead, it pumps water from Lake Gaston and Stumpy Lake into reservoirs owned by Norfolk. Pursuant to a Water Services Contract, which runs through the year 2030, Norfolk receives, stores, transmits, treats and delivers that water to the master meters at the boundary between the two cities.

The following is a list of the primary water sources that supply water to the Norfolk- Virginia Beach water system:

Sources located outside of Norfolk and Virginia Beach:

Lake Gaston: Water Rights held by Virginia Beach (intake located in Brunswick County) Nottoway River: Water Rights held by Norfolk (intake located in Southampton County) Blackwater River: Water Rights held by Norfolk (intake located in Isle of Wight County) Lake Prince: Owned by Norfolk (located in Isle of Wight County and City of Suffolk) Lake Brunt Mills Owned by Norfolk (located in Isle of Wight County and City of Suffolk) Western Branch Reservoir: Owned by Norfolk (located in City of Suffolk)

Sources located in Norfolk:

Lake Whitehurst: Owned by Norfolk Lake Wright: Owned by Norfolk Lake Taylor: Owned by Norfolk

Citywide- Public Facilities 92 Sources located in Virginia Beach (see Figure 31 for Locations of Public Water Reservoirs):

Little Creek Reservoir: Owned by Norfolk Lake Lawson: Owned by Norfolk Lake Smith: Owned by Norfolk Stumpy Lake: Owned by Virginia Beach (partially located in City of Chesapeake)

The Water Services Contract also requires Norfolk to design, construct and operate its facilities to provide seasonal water demands, including maximum day and maximum hour capacities. The following table lists the contract capacities that apply to the Lake Gaston project and compares them to Virginia Beach’s current demand:

Contract Year 2006 Excess Treated Water to Virginia Beach (Annual Avg): 45 mgd 35 mgd +29% Treated Water to Virginia Beach (Max Day): 68 mgd 48 mgd +42% Treated Water to Virginia Beach (Max Hour): 90 mgd 64 mgd +41% Virginia Beach Distribution Capacity (Max Hour): 90 mgd 64 mgd +41% Note - mgd - million gallons per day

Citywide- Public Facilities 93

Figure 31

Citywide- Public Facilities 94 PUBLIC SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM

The City of Virginia Beach is responsible for providing reliable, efficient sanitary sewer service to their customers and to ensure the City’s future needs are met. Virginia Beach owns and operates a sanitary sewage collection system comprised of gravity mains, pumping stations, force mains, and vacuum sewer systems in the northern and urban areas of the City. This system consists of approximately 1,170 miles of gravity sanitary sewer mains (sizes 4" - 36"), 40 miles of vacuum sanitary sewer (sizes 1 1/4" - 10"), 190 miles of force mains (sizes 2" - 24"), 397 sewage pumping stations, and 6 vacuum sanitary sewer systems. Sanitary sewage is collected and conveyed to the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) facilities within the City for treatment. The six vacuum sewage collection systems in the City are Sandbridge South, Sandbridge North, Alanton, Dozier’s Bridge, Salem Road and Little Neck.

The HRSD owns and operates two wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) within the City of Virginia Beach, which handle flows generated by the citizens, Military facilities, and other adjacent municipalities that convey sewage to HRSD’s collection system. HRSD’s Atlantic WWTP, located along Firehall Drive at the oceanfront, has a treatment capacity of 36 million gallons per day (MGD). The Chesapeake-Elizabeth WWTP, located adjacent to the Little Creek Amphibious Base, has a treatment capacity of 24 MGD. In addition, HRSD has two pumping stations (Newtown Road and Arctic Avenue) that receive flows directly from citizens of Virginia Beach.

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Since 1997, the City’s personnel needed to collect and dispose of its refuse and solid waste has remained steady at roughly 180 employees. Weekly pickups service approximately 123,000 residences for waste collection, and recycling collection every other week. Private refuse companies under contract with the City collect the solid waste from multiple-family residential and other land uses.

The estimated remaining capacity of the Virginia Beach Landfill in the Kempsville Planning Area is roughly 22 more years, through the Year 2031. The City’s commitment to recycling solid waste material reduces the volume dumped into its landfill and, thus, lengthens the life of the facility. The State mandated in the mid-1990s that all localities recycle 25 percent of their total solid waste collected. Recycling has proven to be a sound and successful method to collect and manage solid waste in the City of Virginia Beach.

The following three tables show total volumes of solid waste that have been collected, recycled, and received in the City’s landfill over the last five years.

Citywide- Public Facilities 95 SOLID WASTE VOLUME COLLECTED 2003-2006

Year Tonnage

2003 205,846 2004 212,821 2005 206,065 2006 207,429 2007 164,284 (as of April 2007)

Source: City of Virginia Beach Department of Public Works, Solid Waste Management.

SOLID WASTE VOLUME RECYCLED 2003-2006

Year Tonnage

2003 75,136 2004 77,997 2005 78,146 2006 79,491 2007 65,555 (as of April 2007)

Source: City of Virginia Beach Department of Public Works, Solid Waste Management.

SOLID WASTE VOLUME RECEIVED AT VIRGINIA BEACH LANDFILL 2003-2006

Year Tonnage

2003 41,220 2004 29,690 2005 48,920 2006 55,190 2007 49,181 (as of April 2007)

Note: Year 2007 volume is from July 2006 to April 2007. Source: City of Virginia Beach Department of Public Works, Solid Waste Management.

Citywide- Public Facilities 96

Not all of the City’s refuse and solid waste collected go into its landfill. As the table above indicates, the volume of solid waste received at the City’s landfill has been substantially reduced since 1996, as a result of a service contract with the Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA). A large percentage of that volume goes to the SPSA transfer stations located in the City and surrounding localities. Depending on where in the City solid waste is being collected on a scheduled pickup day, the City’s Waste Management trucks go to either the City’s landfill or the closest SPSA transfer station to deposit the waste material. The two SPSA transfer stations operating in the City are located at 2025 Virginia Beach Boulevard (Great Neck Area) and 1825 Concert Drive (Holland Area).

The volume of refuse and solid waste received at the City’s landfill comprises that amount picked up by the City’s Waste Management Division, private haulers under contract with the City, and construction waste from local contractors. Solid waste from the SPSA transfer stations is sent out to SPSA’s regional landfill located in the City of Suffolk.

Private waste hauler companies are under contract with the City pick up recyclable waste from household products. Yard debris (tree and shrub trimmings and loose yard waste), furniture, appliances, and other bulky household items are picked up by the City, either through normal pickup or by special request.

Figure 32 shows locations of the City’s existing landfill and the Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA) solid waste transfer stations.

Citywide- Public Facilities 97

Figure 32

Citywide- Public Facilities 98 PUBLIC OPEN SPACE/PARKS/RECREATION FACILITIES

The healthy profile of the City's open space and recreational system is the result of consistent commitments made by the City in its Capital Improvement Programs over the last several years. These commitments have included efforts to provide an integrated system of open space and park facilities throughout the City that enhance the physical, recreational, environmental, social and cultural well-being of its citizens and visitors alike. The City continues to make significant investments to improve and upgrade outdoor recreational facilities that have diminished in quality as a result of increased user demands.

No other services are provided by the City that offers as many opportunities for one to improve or rejuvenate one's emotional, physical and social needs collectively at any one given time. The increasing demand for more facilities and services is indicative of the importance the citizens of the City have placed on these services.

PUBLIC OPEN SPACE

Open space is generally described as a wide range of outdoor areas and activities that are valued for their natural or nature-based setting. These areas and activities provide sensory relief and the opportunity for active or passive enjoyment.

Public open space areas are protected for public use via easements, rights-of-way, parks, golf courses, etc. Publicly-held areas protected by such mechanisms are typically more permanent than those properties defined as open space and held in private ownership without such protections.

Composition of the Open Space System

City, state and federal parks and wildlife refuges, along with municipal golf courses, comprise the public recreational areas available to all citizens in the City.

The open space system comprises the following:

• All public and semi-public parks; • Outdoor recreation amenities; • Environmentally significant areas, including inland lakes and waterways, natural greenways, and beaches; and • Other areas that contribute to a sense of openness (agriculture land, military properties, etc.).

These areas are in the form of public lands, semi-public lands, and lands held in private ownership.

Citywide- Public Facilities 99 As part of the Department of Parks and Recreation’s development of its Strategic Plan, the Department recently reclassified and updated its parks and recreation land and facilities site inventory and developed corresponding Design Standards. The park and recreation classifications were revamped in order to align the City’s parks and recreation land and facilities with similar sites in comparable size localities nationwide.

The new park and recreation classifications include: Signature Parks; Metro Parks; Community Parks; Neighborhood Parks; Natural Resource Areas; General Open Space; Linkages; and Special Use Facilities for Recreation Centers, Golf Courses, Athletic Complexes, and Water Access Sites.

For a detailed description of each of the new classifications and their accompanying amenities, please refer to the Department of Parks and Recreation Design Standards Manual, or the 2008 Virginia Beach Outdoors Plan.

PUBLIC PARKS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

The following figures provide an overall view of the City’s major recreation sites and scenic waterways and water access sites.

Figure 33 shows the City’s major recreation sites which include major parks, athletic complexes, golf courses and recreation centers.

Figure 34 shows the City’s scenic waterways, the State Scenic River and water access sites.

Citywide- Public Facilities 100

Figure 33

Citywide- Public Facilities 101

Figure 34

Citywide- Public Facilities 102 HOUSING

RESIDENTIAL DWELLINGS CONDITIONS SURVEY

Since 1990, the Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation has conducted four citywide “windshield” housing surveys to assess the general condition of all residential real estate in the City.

All the surveys classified exterior maintenance conditions by four categories:

• Standard - building exterior complies with building maintenance code; • Deficient - minor exterior violations; • Deteriorated - structure defects of greater severity; • Dilapidated - critical defects that are not feasible to repair.

The 1990 and 2000 surveys included single and multi-family residential and mobile home units, excluding those on military property. All structures were rated based on the exterior of the buildings. For example, if the exterior of a multifamily complex (apartment or condominium) was rated deficient, then all the dwelling units were also rated deficient.

The City’s Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation 1990 and 2000 residential dwelling conditions survey results revealed the following:

• 79% of all the housing units had exteriors in compliance with building maintenance codes; • 18% of the units had minor exterior code violations; • 3% of the units had major code violations; and, • Less than 1% of the structures were found to be dilapidated (which required demolition and rebuilding).

The 2004 survey included only multifamily units. There are 6085 multifamily buildings in the City of Virginia Beach, comprising 168 multifamily complexes, which vary in size from 1 building to 150 buildings. This group of complexes account for 25% of all housing in the City of Virginia Beach. The survey revealed the following:

• 60% of all the multifamily units had exteriors in compliance with building maintenance codes; • 36% of the units had minor exterior code violations; • 4% of the units had major code violations; and, • None of the structures were found to be dilapidated (which required demolition and rebuilding).

In 2006, the Department initiated a survey of a sample of approximately 2500 single family units. These single family units included detached homes, townhomes, duplexes, and houses with apartments. The principal purpose of the survey was to obtain a

Citywide- Housing 103 representative sample of units to determine a reasonable estimate of the condition of the City’s single family residential stock (approximately 120,000 units), and identify any trends, geographic areas or characteristics (such as type, age, or assessed value of structure) which can assist the City in determining the need for additional programs or services. The survey results revealed the following:

• 80% of all the units in the sample had exteriors in compliance with building maintenance codes; • 18% of the units had minor exterior code violations; • 2% of the units had major code violations or were found to be dilapidated (which required demolition and rebuilding).

These findings are representative of the conditions of structures citywide at a 95% confidence level, meaning:

• 78-82% of the all the single-family residential structures in the city are in compliance with building maintenance codes; • 16-20% of the all the single-family residential structures in the city have minor exterior code violations; • 0-4% of the all the single-family residential structures in the city have major code violations or art dilapidated (requiring demolition and rebuilding).

COMPARISON OF NON-STANDARD RESIDENTIAL UNITS

The following table provides a breakdown of the deficient residential units in the City between 1990 and 2006.

Non-Standard Residential Units between 1990 and 2006

CONDITION 1990 2000 2004 2006 (single & multi- (single & multi-family, (multifamily) (single-family citywide) family, mobile homes) mobile homes) % units % units % bldgs % units Deficient 18% 25,671 25% 35,463 36% 2,197 18% 21,600 Deteriorated 3% 3,824 3% 4,567 4% 227 2% 2,400 Dilapidated 1% 106 1% 1,544 0% 0 Total 22% 29,601 29% 41,574 40% 2,424 20% 24,000 Source: City of Virginia Beach Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation

Citywide- Housing 104 PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR RENTERS AND HOMEOWNERS

The Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation administers a variety of programs that are available to improve both the condition of the residential dwellings and housing opportunities in the City. Many of these programs have multiple sources of funding that could include:

• Grants and low interest loans provided by the City’s Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation utilizing HUD and other sources of funding for emergency repairs and rehabilitation of deteriorated structures • Section 8 Rent Subsidy Program and federal funding for security deposits for qualified renters • Virginia Beach Community Development Corporation, a city assisted non- profit housing development organization that operates programs to increase housing opportunities for renters and homeowners citywide • Low income housing tax credits • Tax exempt bonds • Funding from VHDA for homeownership and rehabilitation • Workforce Housing as developed on a voluntary basis by private developers

Federally subsidized apartment complexes that provide several hundred reduced-rent units for eligible households, low-income families, the elderly and/or disabled persons are located around the City. The following table shows subsidized development by Planning Areas.

Federally Subsidized Apartments September 2007

Planning Area Subsidized Facilities Bayfront Baker House Carriage House Apartments Courthouse/Sandbridge Sullivan House (S) Great Neck Russell House (S) Holland Twin Canal Village (D) Kempsville Beth Sholom Sands (D, S) Little Neck Luther Manor (D, S) Oceanfront Atlantis Apartments Friendship Village Sea Haven Apartments 15 ½ Street Apartments

Notes: (S) = Senior Housing Facility (D) = Disabled Source: City of Virginia Beach Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation

Citywide- Housing 105 HOUSING FOR SENIORS

Several types of housing developments for seniors exist in the City (see Figure 35 for locations). The three main categories of housing for seniors include:

• Independent Living Facilities - provide housing for senior residents that require little or no assistance with daily living activities. • Assisted Living Facilities - provide housing for senior residents that are functionally impaired and require complete assistance with daily living activities. • Nursing Facilities - provide housing for senior residents that are severely impaired and require 24 hour nursing care.

For purposes of this planning document, the term “Housing for Seniors” is limited to those facilities that were granted a conditional use permit by City Council and are age- restricted by definition of the City Zoning Ordinance. With the exception of the facility known as Silver Hill at Thalia, the age restriction or occupancy criteria is age sixty-two (62) for independent and assisted living facilities for those who are not disabled or ill.

The following table lists the senior housing facilities citywide that require a conditional use permit. Not listed are those facilities in the City that cater to seniors but did not apply for this special permitting process and therefore may have different age-restrictions.

Senior Housing Facilities September 2007 Planning Map Existing Facilities Independent Assisted Nursing Area Number Baylake Assisted Bayfront 27 X Living Westminster - Bayfront 8 X X X Canterbury Bayfront 35 Victoria Manor X Virginia Beach Bayside 36 X Estates Oakdale Heights Bayside 9 X Senior Living Bayside Health Care Bayside 16 X Center Bayside 17 Brighton Gardens X Bayside 18 Heritage Hall X Wesleyan Place Bayside 38 X (Proposed) Bayside 39 Abundant Care X C/Sandbridge 12 Hope Haven X Courthouse/ Sullivan House 34 X Sandbridge Courthouse/ 25 Atlantic Shores X X X

Citywide- Housing 106 Planning Map Existing Facilities Independent Assisted Nursing Area Number Sandbridge Virginia Beach Great Neck 13 X Health Care Silver Hill Great Neck 21 X Apartments Bay Pointe Medical Great Neck 14 X and Rehabilitation Windermere Nursing Great Neck 22 X Home Great Neck 7 First Colonial Inn X X Great Neck 6 Russell House X Great Neck 29 Atria Virginia Beach X Assisted Living at Holland 10 X Pritchard Road Holland 30 Holland House X Our Lady of Holland 28 Perpetual Help X X Health Center Holland 23 Sentara Village X Sentara Nursing Holland 24 X Center Berger/Goodrich Kempsville 2 Home at Beth X Sholom Village The Sands at Beth Kempsville 1 X Sholom Village The Terrace at Beth Kempsville 31 X Shalom The Commons at Kempsville 26 X Princess Anne Oakwood Nursing Kempsville 20 X Home Kempsville 37 Lynnhaven Cove X Kempsville 11 Marian Manor X Legacy Grande Kempsville 32 Senior Apartments X (Proposed) Acredale Assisted Kempsville 40 X Living River Pointe Little Neck 15 Rehabilitation X Center Little Neck 3 Luther Manor X Little Neck 4 Lynn Shores X

Citywide- Housing 107 Planning Map Existing Facilities Independent Assisted Nursing Area Number Chateau Beacon Shores Little Neck 5 Rehabilitation X Center Little Neck 19 Kings Grant Home X Little Neck 33 Silver Hill at Thalia X Sources: City of Virginia Beach Department of Planning and the City of Virginia Beach Senior Housing Guide, Mayor’s Commission on Aging, October 2005

Figure 35 shows the City’s senior housing facilities.

Citywide- Housing 108

Figure 35

Citywide- Housing 109 HISTORICAL / CULTURAL

CULTURAL RESOURCES

Several significant cultural resources are located around the City and are identified in the following table. The City’s abundance of natural resources and amenities are identified and discussed in the Citywide Environment Chapter.

CITYWIDE CULTURAL RESOURCES Planning Area Facility Courthouse/Sandbridge Virginia Beach Amphitheater Courthouse/Sandbridge Virginia Beach Farmer’s Market Oceanfront Virginia Marine Science Museum Oceanfront Tidewater Veterans Memorial Oceanfront Virginia Beach Convention Center Oceanfront The Old Coast Guard Station Museum Oceanfront Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum Oceanfront Association for Research and Enlightenment Oceanfront Contemporary Art Center of Virginia Little Neck The Sandler Center for Performing Arts Pungo/Blackwater Military Aviation Museum

The City of Virginia Beach employs several approaches to encourage desired physical design. A few of the more visible initiatives are: Planning Commission Design Award Program, the Historic and Cultural Districts Zoning overlay, the National Register of Historical Places/Virginia Landmarks Register, the National Historic Landmarks programs, and the local Virginia Beach Historical Register.

Planning Commission Design Awards

The Planning Commission began an awards program in 1991 to recognize efforts by members of the community who made improvements above the minimum requirements of standard developments. The first year awards were given for one general category. Since then, several recognition categories have been added, some awarded annually, while others less frequently. Refer to the appendix for lists by years of projects that been recognized for a community design award.

Citywide- Historical/Cultural 110

HISTORIC RESOURCES

Native Americans had occupied the Chesapeake area for at least 1,500 years. A tribe known as the Chesapeake inhabited the area along the Lynnhaven River and Great Neck area. On April 26, 1607, English explorers from the London Company came to the shores of Virginia, landing first at Cape Henry (in the eastern part of this study area). The settlers set up a cross to mark this site before moving up the James River and settling Jamestown.

By 1635, settlers had begun to move east into the Hampton Roads area. Early settlements occurred along the Elizabeth, Lynnhaven and North Landing Rivers, and on the north- south ridges of arable land. The first four men to move permanently into this eastern area were Adam Thoroughgood, William Julian, Francis Mason and Thomas Willoughby. Thoroughgood and others set up trade and established homes adjacent to the Lynnhaven River.

One of the earliest settlements occurred on land received in 1634 by Adam Thoroughgood at the mouth of the western branch of the Lynnhaven River. Two years later, the first court for what was then Lower Norfolk County, began to meet here. In 1665, attempts to establish a town called Lynnhaven had limited success. When Princess Anne County was established in 1691, Lynnhaven Town became the county seat but by the eighteenth century, with the moving of the courthouse, Lynnhaven lost much activity.

A later village also called Lynnhaven, evolved at the mouth of the Eastern Branch of the Lynnhaven River, with the construction of the narrow-gauge railroad through the community, in the late nineteenth century.

Throughout the nineteenth century, Princess Anne remained a predominately rural community with small towns. Perhaps the most significant development during the late nineteenth century occurred along the oceanfront, at Cape Henry and Virginia Beach. Early ships often stopped at Cape Henry to collect water from the dark cypress pools, since this water stayed fresh longer at sea. As early as 1770, fishermen were coming to this spot. To aid these ships traveling in the Hampton roads area, the U.S. Congress established in 1792 the first permanent lighthouse. The land at Cape Henry was considered common land until 1866, when it was available for purchase and sold to a lumbering company, which was not successful.

The population grew from 2,000 at the beginning of the century to 8,800 by 1900. Other public facilities soon came to this community, including a United States weather Bureau Observation Center in 1873, and a United States Life Saving Station (later called the Coast Guard) in 1874. A small community grew around these stations, including keepers’ quarters and staff houses. At the turn of the century, a group of Norfolk investors formed the Cape Henry syndicate to encourage development and to make this a popular recreational center, but it never achieved the scale of development of the Town of Virginia Beach. Fort Story was established at Cape Henry in 1917. The Commonwealth of Virginia acquired land from the syndicate to establish Seashore State Park (now

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known as First Landing State Park) in 1931. Today, this area is largely composed of the military operations and the state park.

The City’s historic and cultural resources are designated through several government programs. The City operates two of these programs, the Historical and Cultural District zoning overlay and the Virginia Beach Historical Register Program. Of these two City programs, the one that has been in existence the longest is the Historical and Cultural District zoning overlay designation, which is administered through the City Zoning Ordinance. In 1968, the Virginia Beach City Council established historic and cultural overlay districts. A district may include a general area or individual structures and premises officially designated as having historic or cultural significance. Historic and cultural district regulations provide a review process to discourage the destruction of, or encroachment upon such areas.

The second program, the Virginia Beach Historical Register Program, was established in 1999 to recognize local historic resources that may not qualify for the State of Virginia and the National Register Programs, but would have local significance. This program is based on the National Register Program. Properties in Virginia Beach that are already listed on the National Register are included in the Virginia Beach Historical Register. Properties do not have to be on the National Register to qualify to be listed in the local register, but they do have to go through a review process. Not only does the program recognize local historic resources, but also by being listed on the city’s register the resource is eligible for a partial exemption from real estate taxation. As of September 2007, 57 sites have been listed on the local register as shown in the following table.

The statewide historic resource program is administered by the State of Virginia through the Department of Historic Resources (DHR). The DHR maintains survey files of historic resources around the state. Historic resources that meet certain qualifications can receive the distinction of being listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register program. Working with the DHR, the Virginia Historic Landmarks Board administers the Virginia Landmarks Register program. At the federal level, the National Park Service (under the Secretary of the Interior) administers the National Register of Historic Places. The Virginia Landmarks Register Program is closely aligned with the National Register Program. The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 called for the expansion of the National Register of Historic Places to include properties of state and local as well as of national significance and charged the states with the responsibility of submitting nominations to the national Register.1

The Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places programs both maintain an official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. Using the same criteria for evaluation, the Register includes districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects that are of significant value to American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture. These resources contribute to an understanding of the historical

1 The Virginia landmarks Register, edited by Calder Loth, 4th edition, 1999, page xii., The University Press of Virginia

Citywide- Historical/Cultural 112 and cultural foundations of our Nation. Listing in the National Register does not interfere with a private property owner’s right to alter, manage or dispose of the subject property.

The Register serves both as an honor roll of historic resources and as a planning tool. It is an ongoing process that is by no means the complete record of all places of interest. At times, properties are not listed because of misunderstandings or concerns for privacy by the property owner, or because the designation has not been pursued.

The Virginia Department of Historic Resources maintains a systematic survey of all places in Virginia having historical, architectural, or archaeological interest. This is done in order to have sufficient information to justify specific nominations to the register. In a joint effort between the Department of Historic Resources (DHR) and the City of Virginia Beach, a large majority of historic resources in the City were surveyed and updated for the DHR properties files. Reconnaissance architectural surveys were conducted in two phases in 1992 and 1993. The result added almost 400 properties to the list. Even these efforts did not identify every resource of interest.

In 2009, City Council created the Virginia Beach Historic Preservation Commission (VBHPC) to advise the City Council and the Departments of Planning and Museums on all issues related to the preservation of historic buildings, structures and sites located in the City of Virginia Beach. Its mission is to preserve, protect and maintain the historic identity of the City and the former Princess Anne County. In this capacity, it is the policy of the City to coordinate with the VBHPC for their review and comment on pending land use proposals which may impact the integrity of historic properties.

Preservation Partnership

The Virginia Beach Historical Preservation Partnership (VBHPP) was established in 1999 through a Memorandum of Understanding involving The Princess Anne County/Virginia Beach Historical Society; The Hampton Roads REALTORS ® Association; and The City of Virginia Beach. The mission of the VBHPP is the preservation of historically significant properties within the City of Virginia Beach. The Partnership has sought to acquire historical properties that need protection and then place legal, protective restrictions on them as a condition of their future sale. The criteria for identifying historical properties are based on age and association with historical events or architectural styles.

The VBHPP has served as an important alternative or addition to historical preservation districts and governmental preservation ordinances. Instead of requirements mandated through legislation, it has worked to provide a mechanism for voluntary historical preservation to current or potential historical property owners.

As one of the tools to educate citizens and set priorities for preserving the most historical structures in the city, the VBHPP compiled a list of the “50 Most Historically Significant Houses and Structures in Virginia Beach.” This was printed in a magazine format in 2008 and the publication has helped to raise the awareness of Virginia Beach’s historical

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built environment. The following table identifies these and other properties that are listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register, the National Register of Historic Places, the Virginia Beach Historical Register, and those sites designated by the City of Virginia Beach as historical and cultural zoning overlay districts. See Figure 36 for the map showing locations for the more well known historic buildings and sites.

Designated Historic Places September 2007

Map # City H/C National / Of Well Planning Zoning Name Owner State / City Known Area Overlay Register Places District 1 First Landing Cross Site Fort Story* Federal - No Old Cape Henry 2 Fort Story* APVA N/S Register No Lighthouse1 Cape Henry Lighthouse 3 Fort Story* Federal N/S Register No 2nd Tower Fort Story Historic 4 Fort Story* Federal N/S Register No District 5 First Landing State Park State Park State N/S Register No 6 deWitt Cottage Oceanfront City N/S Register No 7 Norwegian Lady Statue Oceanfront City - No 8 Shirley Hall Oceanfront Private N/S Register No 9 Old Coast Guard Station Oceanfront City N/S Register No State Military 10 Camp Pendleton State N/S Register No Reservation 11 James-Bell House Oceana* Federal - No 12 Lancaster Lovett House Courthouse Private - Yes 13 Thomas Murray House Kempsville Private N/S Register Yes 14 Carraway House Kempsville Private - Yes 15 Lynnhaven House Bayside City Managed N/S Register Yes 16 Old Donation Church Bayside Private N/S Register Yes 17 Pembroke Manor Bayside Private N/S Register Yes 18 Ferry Plantation House Bayside Private N/S Register Yes 19 Church Point Manor Bayside Private - Yes Adam Thoroughgood 20 Bayside City N/S Register Yes House1 21 Weblin House Bayside Private N/S Register No 22 Adam Keeling House Great Neck Private N/S Register Yes 23 Francis Land House Little Neck City N/S Register Yes Former Princess Anne 24 C/S City - Yes County Courthouse 25 Civil War Statue C/S City - Yes Whitehurst / Buffington 26 C/S City - Yes House 27 Nimmo UM Church C/S Private - Yes 28 Upper Wolfsnare Manor Great Neck PAC\VB HS N/S Register Yes 29 Pleasant Hall Kempsville Private N/S Register No 30 Little Island Life Saving C/S City City Register No

Citywide- Historical/Cultural 114

Map # City H/C National / Of Well Planning Zoning Name Owner State / City Known Area Overlay Register Places District Station

31 Cavalier Hotel Oceanfront Private - No Frank Lloyd Wright 32 Oceanfront Private - No House - Tallwood Kempsville Private - No - 5047 Euclid Road Bayside Private City Register No - Elaine Moore House Bayside Private City Register No - Chaplin House C/S Private City Register No - Tabernacle UM Church C/S Private City Register No - St. John’s Baptist Church C/S Private City Register No - Woodhouse (Simmons) C/S Private City Register No - 1090 Indian River Road C/S Private City Register No William (Johnathan) - C/S Private City Register No WoodHouse House - Old Comfort Great Neck Private City Register No - Richard Murray House Kempsville Private City Register No - Gettel Home Kempsville Private City Register No - Salem UM Church Kempsville Private City Register No - Thalia Vol. Fire Station Little Neck Private City Register No - English Cottage Oceanfront Private City Register No - Ford Property Oceanfront Private City Register No - Pine Hill House Oceanfront Private City Register No - 200 78th Street Oceanfront Private City Register No - Edgar Cayce Home Oceanfront Private City Register No - Cayce Hospital Oceanfront Private City Register No - 1140 Crystal Lake Drive Oceanfront Private City Register No - 207 66th Street Oceanfront Private City Register No - 533 Carolina Avenue Oceanfront Private City Register No Faulkner House Oceanfront Private City Register No - 8600 Oceanfront - 805 Cavalier Drive Oceanfront Private City Register No - Estes/Campbell Home Oceanfront Private City Register No Christmas Attic at 301 & Oceanfront Private City Register No - 303 20th Street 8304 & 8306 Oceanfront Oceanfront Private City Register No - Avenue

Citywide- Historical/Cultural 115

Map # City H/C National / Of Well Planning Zoning Name Owner State / City Known Area Overlay Register Places District Dr. John Miller-Masury Oceanfront Private N/S Register No - House (Greystone Manor) Simons Residence Oceanfront Private City Register No - 167 Pinewood Road - Spruance Cottage Oceanfront Private City Register No - Howell Residence Oceanfront Private City Register No - Towne-Johnson Home Oceanfront Private City Register No - 411 16th Street Oceanfront Private City Register No - Holly House Oceanfront Private City Register No - Darden House Oceanfront Private City Register No - Enoch Capps House P/B Private City Register No Former Pleasant Ridge 33 P/B Private City Register No Elementary School - Walters Home P/B Private City Register No Outbuildings of 1560 N. P/B Private City Register No - Muddy Creek Rd - James E. Robinson Property P/B Private City Register No - Sajo Farm Bayside Private - No Key: * Either a State or U.S. property, Not in a City Planning Area. N – National, S – State of Virginia, C - City of Virginia Beach APVA - Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities. PAC\VB HS – Princess Anne County\Virginia Beach Historical Society Bold – Listed on 50 most Historic Structures in Virginia Beach Notes: (1) Recognized as a National Historic Landmark Source: City of Virginia Beach, Department of Museums and Historic Preservation and Planning and Community Development

Citywide- Historical/Cultural 116

Figure 36

Citywide- Historical/Cultural 117

ECONOMIC VITALITY

ISSUES AND TRENDS

Virginia Beach’s economy is healthy by most traditional measures. The city’s 2007 unemployment rate of 2.7 is almost 2% lower than the U.S. rate, .2% lower than that of Chesapeake, the next lowest within the region, and a half-percentage lower than the MSA rate. Per capita income levels in Virginia Beach are on par with the commonwealth and above the national average. The population, of 433,032, ranked 2nd in the state and the city’s 2006 household income number of $59,105 continues to have the highest household income numbers except for the City of Chesapeake within the Hampton Roads region. Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Newport News, Virginia/North Carolina, the state’s second largest metropolitan statistical area (MSA), has continued to add jobs having a relatively steady 11,000 or 1.4 percent growth track (source: VEC, Economic Assumptions dated January 2007, page 24) . The growth trend continues even with the negative impact of deployments of military personnel. The negative impact of the deployments to the local economy is to some extent offset by the fact that much of the supplies to support the military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan are shipped through the port of Hampton Roads.

Virginia Beach continues to lead most other communities within the Hampton Roads region in population and income levels. Virginia Beach is almost twice as large in population as Norfolk, the next largest city. Population growth accelerated slightly from 2000-2006, compared with the period from 1990-2000. Growth projections for the next five years project a slower rate of growth of .72%, less than population growth projections for the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) for the same time period.

The City’s economy continues to diversify. Efforts to diversify the economic base are ongoing, led by private enterprise, thriving tourism, and a strong military presence. In addition, many international corporations have established headquarters in the region. New business growth has resulted in more mixed use development than any other type of facility space 42.73 percent. This mixed use development is represented in large part by the Town Center project over 2.1 million square feet of space and the Landstown Commons project with 523,000 square feet of retail and office.

While this diversification is important the military presence still serves as a partially insulating force against cyclical economic trends. Retail and service industries continue to represent an important portion of the economy. This can be attributed to the strength of the tourism industry and the suburban nature of our community.

Citywide- Economic Vitality 118 THE OVERALL SYSTEM

The City’s functional links to the region need to be fully understood when local governments guide local business activity. The need for greater regional cooperation is essential to a healthy economy in our area, especially when collective economic powers are limited. The military installations, commercial ports, shipping facilities, state parks, tourist attractions and cultural facilities are assets in common for all of Hampton Roads.

Being the residential home to a large, commuting labor force has both benefits and drawbacks. As the City matures the preferred kind of job development could naturally occur where the best schools are, which has proven to be essential in producing the best potential professional labor force. Virginia Beach offers excellent schools, a safe living and working environment, and an abundance of natural resources.

The City’s proportion of local jobs per household will continue to expand. Between 1985 and 2005, Virginia Beach’s civilian employment grew from approximately 127,346 to around 229,143. The total employment figure increased from approximately 153,691 to 250,480, an annual increase of about 62%.

Economic development cannot occur by creating jobs alone, it must be in conjunction with a comprehensive strategy that proposes a more livable City and quality of life to attract new residents and tourists alike.

Human energy, information and skills are the most important raw materials needed for building an economy. The role of schools and learning must continue to expand in the community. Reports and studies done on healthy central business districts around the country have shown that great value is placed on face to face communications, even in this revolutionary age of communications technology. The incorporation of institutions of higher learning in land use planning of business parks and other significant employment bases could encourage a better interaction between the learners and the producers. For example, the Princess Anne Commons area has a vision to include educational, recreational and business development.

The City promotes four basic statements in relation to economic development policies. The main themes that occur throughout the key plans, documents and goal statements are:

• Improve workforce skills through technical training and higher education • Market the City effectively, internally and externally • Target businesses that support income growth • Redevelop older parts of the City

Citywide- Economic Vitality 119 POPULATION

Virginia Beach continues to lead most other communities within the Hampton Roads region in population and income levels. As the population table below shows, Virginia Beach is almost twice as large in population as Norfolk, the next largest city. Population growth accelerated slightly from 2000-2006, compared with the period from 1990-2000. Growth projections for the next five years project a slower rate of growth. The fastest growing community in the table is Suffolk, while several communities are expected to see slow or negative population growth.

Population Profile Virginia Beach and Surrounding Communities City 1990 2000 2007 1990 - 2000 - 2000 2007 Growth Rates Virginia 393,089 425,257 433,032 8.18% 1.8% Beach Norfolk 261,250 234,403 235,986 -10.27% 0.7% Chesapeake 151,982 199,184 216,568 31.05% 8.7% Hampton 133,811 146,437 145,861 9.43% -0.4% Portsmouth 103,910 100,565 98,542 -3.21% -2.0% Suffolk 52,143 63,677 81,208 22.11% 27.5% Newport News 171,439 180,697 182,477 5.40% 0.98% Hampton 1,454,185 1,575,348 1,647,927 8.33% 4.6% Roads Virginia 6,189,317 7,079,030 7,712,091 14.37% 8.9% Source: Weldon Cooper Center - 2008 Hampton Roads Data Book (HRPDC)

INCOME

Household and per capita income levels are another area that Virginia Beach shows relative dominance within the Hampton Roads area. The following tables show various income levels for the City and the growth over the most recent period of 2000-2006. Virginia Beach is projected to show strong household income growth for the next five years. Within the Hampton Roads region, Virginia Beach continues to have the second highest household income following the City of Chesapeake.

Citywide- Economic Vitality 120 Household Incomes Virginia Beach and Surrounding Communities City 1990 2000 2006 2011 (est.) 1990 - 2000 - 2006 - 2000 2006 2011 Growth Rate Virginia $36,271 $48,681 $59,105 $68,733 34.21% 21.41% 16.28% Beach Norfolk $23,563 $31,945 $38,826 $45,006 35.57% 21.54% 15.91% Chesapeake $35,737 $50,745 $61,578 $71,850 41.99% 21.34% 16.68% Hampton $30,144 $39,541 $48,045 $55,499 31.17% 21.50% 15.51% Portsmouth $24,601 $33,782 $40,354 $47,085 37.19% 19.45% 16.67% Suffolk $26,125 $41,114 $49,601 $56,620 57.37% 20.64% 14.15% Newport News $27,469 $36,693 $44,082 $50,877 33.57% 20.13% 15.41% Regional MSA $30,742 $42,698 $51,915 $60,419 38.89% 21.58% 16.38% Source: ESRI Business Information Solutions 2007, U.S. Census Bureau 2000

UNEMPLOYMENT

The Hampton Roads region maintains consistently lower unemployment levels compared to the Commonwealth and U.S. rates. The table below shows employment and unemployment levels for several cities within Hampton Roads. Within this comparison, Virginia Beach maintains the lowest unemployment rate of all the cities within the region.

Hampton Roads Region Employment and Unemployment March 2007 Area Name Civilian Employment Unemployment Unemployment Labor Force (%) Virginia Beach 225,362 219,323 6,039 2.7 Chesapeake 114,316 111,041 3,275 2.9 Hampton 68,220 65,671 2,459 3.6 Newport News 88,078 84,993 3,085 3.5 Norfolk 98,231 94,098 4,133 4.2 Portsmouth 45,564 43,743 1,821 4.0 Suffolk 38,697 37,431 1,266 3.3 MSA 797,016 771,456 25,560 3.2 Virginia 4,048,354 3,924,445 123,909 3.1 U.S. 152,236,000 145,323,000 6,913,000 4.5 Source: Virginia Employment Commission

Citywide- Economic Vitality 121

EMPLOYMENT

The number of jobs in the City has steadily increased over the last two decades. From 1985 to 2006, employment in Virginia Beach grew at a rate of 64%. In South Hampton Roads, only the City of Chesapeake exceeded that growth rate for the same period. The following table provides a summary comparison of the civilian and military employment trends between 1985 and 2006.

Civilian and Military Employment Trends Virginia Beach 1985-2006 Percent 1985 1990 1995 2000 2006 Change Civilian 127,346 158,036 177,950 211,317 232,204 83% Military 26,345 28,727 21,961 23,349 21,204 -19% TOTAL 153,691 186,763 199,911 234,666 253,408 64% Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, Hampton Roads Data Book – May 2008

Employment Statistics

• In March 2007, Virginia Beach had a labor force of 225,362 persons, of which an average of 219,323 were employed.

• By the year 2034, the City is forecast to have approximately 276,100 jobs along with a population of approximately 469,200 persons (Hampton Roads 2034 Socio-Economic Forecast, HRPDC).

• In 2007, the City’s unemployment rate was around 2.7%. This was slightly below the State’s unemployment rate of 3.1% and a 3.2% rate for the Hampton Roads MSA. The relatively low unemployment rates are due in part to the stabilizing influence of the military presence. See the following table for a comparison of the employment to population ratios for the South Hampton Roads area over the last two decades, and future forecasts.

Citywide- Economic Vitality 122 Employment to Population Ratios Employment to Population Ratios Forecast 2034 2034 2034 1980 1990 2000 Forecast Population Employment Chesapeake 0.28 0.41 0.52 0.51 313,600 159,600 Norfolk 0.86 0.99 0.96 0.95 240,400 229,100 Portsmouth 0.52 0.57 0.53 0.48 104,500 50,300 Suffolk 0.41 0.40 0.41 0.45 180,600 81,700 Virginia Beach 0.43 0.48 0.56 0.59 469,200 276,100 Source: “Hampton Roads 2034 Economic Projections – June 2007”, Hampton Roads Planning District Commission

NEW BUSINESS

Business growth within the City of Virginia Beach has caused absorption of over 4.8 million square feet of office space, industrial space (i.e. warehouse space, production, and distribution space), flex space (office/warehouse space), retail space, hotels, and mixed use space (vertical and horizontal integration of multiple use types).

Virginia Beach Distribution of Facility Space for New Businesses Facility Type Square Feet % of Total Office 2,519,127 39.86% Industrial 512,189 8.10% Flex Space 309,208 4.89% Retail 164,000 2.59% Mixed Use 2,700,500 42.73% Hotel 115,000 1.82% TOTAL 6,320,024 100.00% Source: City of Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development, 2000-2006

As the City matured, its ratio of jobs to housing steadily increased. Retail sales have grown dramatically in Virginia Beach over the last two decades, although the most dramatic retail expansion in recent years, in South Hampton Roads, occurred in the City of Chesapeake.

Nevertheless, Virginia Beach captured about 40% of all retail sales dollars in the South Hampton Roads Planning District Commission in the early nineties. The following tables provide a summary comparison of the retail sales trends for South Hampton Roads over the last two decades.

Citywide- Economic Vitality 123 Retail Sales for South Hampton Roads Cities 1985 - 2006 1985 1990 1995 2000 2006 Percent Change Chesapeake $571 $922 $1,565 $2,247 $3,153 452% Norfolk $1,765 $1,829 $1,925 $2,285 $2,753 56% Portsmouth $448 $449 $393 $405 $529 18% Suffolk $182 $208 $265 $352 $624 243% Virginia Beach $1,837 $2,372 $2,949 $3,655 $4,684 155% Source: Virginia Department of Taxation, Hampton Roads Data Book, May 2007(Millions of Dollars)

JOB SALARIES

A key economic development role in the City is the promotion of the kinds of jobs that will help to raise the income levels in the City. The distribution of jobs in the City comprises a very large retail and service component. The following table provides a summary of the wage and salary for select job categories in the City.

Jobs by Salary for Virginia Beach September 30, 2006 (Wage and Salary Employment for Selected Categories) Total Average Type Jobs Employees Weekly Wage Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Mining 95 $388 Construction 13,755 $707 Transportation, Communication, & Utilities 2,623 $693 Manufacturing 6,209 $608 Wholesale & Retail Trade 30,279 $513 Financial, Insurance and Real Estate 14,630 $843 Information 4,178 $909 Services 82,293 $546 Total Private 154,062 $598 State Government 1,843 $596 Local Government 19,022 $767 Federal Government 5,765 $961 Total Public 26,630 $797 Military (State and Local) 21,337 $1,435 Source: Official Bond Statement dated June 13, 2007, page A-17. Military Source: BEA April 2007

Citywide- Economic Vitality 124 Virginia Beach contains about 13 million square feet of retail space, approximately 27% of the total retail space in Hampton Roads with an average rent for small shop space being $18.36 per square foot. As of 2006, only 5.56% of the total retail space was vacant. The following table provides a summary of the vacancy rates for retail centers in Virginia Beach.

Vacancy Rates in Retail Centers Virginia Beach Number of Gross Leasable Vacant SF %Vacant Sub-market Properties Area in SF Pembroke 23 2,721,075 262,161 9.63% Lynnhaven 7 1,807,532 152,560 8.44% Hilltop/Great Neck 12 1,534,848 5,584 0.36% Little Neck 10 1,414,306 124,487 8.80% Kempsville 11 1,222,988 39,351 3.22% Holland/Green Run 9 1,014,004 32,308 3.19% Princess Anne 12 1,376,539 9,481 0.69% Dam Neck 6 1,102,697 10,400 0.94% Newtown 9 475,260 87178 18.34% Bayfront 4 213,821 3,720 1.74% Birdneck/Oceanfront 4 191,655 886 0.46% Source: 2007 Hampton Roads Market Survey, Old Dominion University Real Estate Center, College of Business & Public Administration

As of October 2006, the City’s office vacancy rates were relatively low while rental rates remained competitive. The following table provides a summary of the office space availability by submarket in South Hampton Roads and approximate leasable square footage, percent vacancy rate and average rent per square foot for each submarket.

Office Space Availability by Sub-Market Sub-market Leasable Space Vacancy Average Rent (Sq. Ft.) Rate % Per Square Feet Airport/Northampton 320,307 8.1 $14.71 Central Norfolk 984,503 9.8 12.51 Chesapeake/Greenbriar 2,973,835 7.3 14.78 Corporate Landing 69,756 0.0 12.93 Downtown Norfolk 3,314,224 6.9 16.58 Hilltop/Oceanfront 446,996 2.5 15.53 Kempsville 442,000 6.2 15.83 Little Neck 530,716 3.1 12.86 Lynnhaven 1,760,940 8.8 16.16 Military Circle 336,997 6.6 14.57 Newtown/Witchduck 2,110,457 4.8 14.58 Pembroke/Central 2,224,632 2.6 16.67 Business District Suffolk 832,289 5.5 13.87

Citywide- Economic Vitality 125 Sub-market Leasable Space Vacancy Average Rent (Sq. Ft.) Rate % Per Square Feet Portsmouth 448,266 10.5 13.90 Source: 2007 Hampton Roads Office Market Survey, Old Dominion University Real Estate Center, College of Business and Public Administration.

The following table provides a summary profile of the City’s office and industrial parks.

Virginia Beach Office and Industrial Parks Planning Area Office and Industrial Park Acres Holland Oceana West Corporate Park 1,024 Bayside Airport Industrial Park 250 Courthouse/Sandbridge Corporate Landing 325 Holland Oceana East Industrial Park 262 Holland Oceana South Industrial Park 225 Bayside Commerce Park 70 Little Neck The Town Center 11.7 Kempsville Corporate Woods 30 Little Neck Convergence Center 27 Bayside Corporate Center 26 Little Neck Lynnhaven Industrial Park 15 Bayside Westmoreland Office Park 21 Holland Centre Pointe 25 Holland Reflections Office Park 19 Holland Lakeview Corporate Park 23 Bayside Taylor Farm Industrial Park 40 Source: City of Virginia Beach Development Authority Annual Report, June 30, 2006 Note: Figures may include easements, wetlands, and right-of-way dedications

Citywide- Economic Vitality 126 TOURISM

The tourism industry is very similar to the private sector company. The industry creates revenue, incurs costs and generates taxes and jobs. It also generates a “profit” or net direct dollar return, to the extent that tourism revenues to the City are greater than its cost.

Visitors and Their Direct Economic Effect on Virginia Beach

Dollars spent by visitors to Virginia Beach flow through the City’s economy creating taxes, spending, earnings and jobs. Though the initial energy of the spending is absorbed by taxes at the point of sale, as well as by those industries that have “direct” contact with visitors, the effect of the spending flow continues through the City’s economy. For example, industries that have direct contact with visitors pay employees, pay additional taxes, and purchase goods and services from intermediate suppliers. Some of the goods and services are “imported” from suppliers located outside of Virginia Beach so that the economic energy of visitor spending leaks away and is incrementally dissipated. However, some suppliers to the industries that have direct contact with visitors are located in Virginia Beach. Output, earnings and jobs are created in Virginia Beach within these “indirect” industries that meet the factor demands of the industries with direct visitor contact. The final burst of economic energy created by the flow of visitor spending is expended by subsequent purchases from Virginia Beach industries whose source is spending “induced” by the household earnings created in the direct and indirect industries.

Visitors to Virginia Beach spent an estimated $890 million in 2007. The estimated total economic impact of visitor spending, the sum of the direct, indirect and induced effects is roughly $1.44 billion dollars of output from Virginia Beach industries, 15,100 jobs and $378 million dollars in earnings in Virginia Beach in 2007.

2007 visitor spending was responsible for generating more than 11,000 jobs and $78.4 million in taxes and fees paid to Virginia Beach from those industries having direct contact with visitors. To help attract both new and repeat visitors, as well as to provide additional services to residents, the City of Virginia Beach spent an estimated $66.6 million in tourist related expenditures in 2007. Net revenue was $11.8 million, resulting in a net return on expenditures of 17.7% to the City of Virginia Beach.

The Visitor Market

The 2007 summer profile on overnight visitors to Virginia Beach is a highly stable and thus fairly predictable geographic market. Basic data on how far visitors travel, where they come from and how they get to Virginia Beach for the most part changed only marginally from year to year. For example, the top metropolitan areas where visitors originate their trips almost always include in descending order of importance, Washington D.C., Richmond, New York City, Pittsburgh, Roanoke, Philadelphia,

Citywide- Tourism 127 Baltimore and Cleveland. These metros account for more than one of every two summer visitors.

As reported and analyzed in the 2006 Virginia Beach Summer Visitor Profile, since 2002 Canadian visitors from Ontario and Quebec became an increasingly important portion of summer visitors to Virginia Beach because of changes in the Canadian economic environment. Statistical analysis indicates two main correlates with increased Canadian visitation an economy-wide increase in income in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario and an appreciation of the Canadian dollar compared with the U.S. dollar.

The Canadian visitors to Virginia Beach declined slightly in the summer of 2007. The rate of growth of income in Ontario and Quebec had fallen steadily since its recent peak in 2005. Ontario has been plagued by the loss of manufacturing jobs, especially in the auto industry and Quebec has had economic problems with its manufacturing, forest and paper industries. Still, the level of summer 2007 Canadian visitation was not far-off from the relative peaks set in the two previous summers.

Visitor Demographics

Since the mid-1990’s to 2004 summer visitors had been slowly graying as the average age of the head of visitor parties rose from the high thirties to the low-mid forties. This process appears to have run its course as the average age of a visitor has leveled out over the three summer period from 2004 to 2007 at roughly 43 to 44 years of age.

Proportion of Summer Overnight Visitors in Selected Age, Income and Spending Categories Proportion 2002 Proportion 2007 Age Categories 45 or older 40.5% 49.0% 18-34 25.7% 21.0% Income Categories Over $125,000 12.0% 16.6% Under $40,000 17.1% 13.2% Spending Categories Over $1,000 56.4% 65.6% Under $500 13.9% 11.8% Source: Summer 2007 Virginia Beach Overnight Visitor Profile Bureau of Research, College of Business and Public Administration, Old Dominion University

Citywide- Tourism 128 Over the past five years there has been a fairly substantial alteration in the age distribution of overnight visitors at the extreme ends of the distribution. The decline in visitors in the 18 to 34 age bracket has been offset by the increase in the proportion of visitors 45 or older with the visitor proportion in the 35 to 44 age range remaining relatively stable.

Based on U.S. Census data and the Virginia Beach summer visitor survey, the median household income of Virginia Beach visitors is roughly 50 percent greater than that of the median household income in the U.S. Furthermore, in 2007 one in every six visitors has income greater than $125,000, a significant gain over 2002 proportions.

The Visitor Experience

The 2007 scorecard reinforces the possibilities highlighted by the summer 2006 scorecard. Specifically, that the increasingly positive visitor perceptions of Virginia Beach experienced since the late 1980’s have peaked at a relatively high level. A corollary to this observation is that the long-term and consistent increase of repeat visitation experienced since the early 1990’s has reached its maximum. As seen in the repeat visitor chart, the repeat visitor rate appears to have peaked at around 78 to 80 percent; the repeat visitor rates experienced between 2003 and 2007.

Summer Overnight Visitor Perception Scorecard 1988 1995 2000 2005 2006 2007 Visually Appealing 2.01 1.82 1.59 1.56 1.60 1.56 Family-Oriented 1.84 1.55 1.52 1.44 1.43 1.47 Clean 1.85 1.59 1.59 1.55 1.55 1.59 Safe 1.75 1.75 1.69 1.62 1.66 1.65 Scale: 1 = extremely; 2 = quite; 3 = slightly; 4 = not at all Source: Summer 2007 Virginia Beach Overnight Visitor Profile Bureau of Research, College of Business and Public Administration, Old Dominion University

Tourist Market Area

• In 2007, the metropolitan areas of Washington, D.C. and Richmond were the two largest identifiable markets. Together they accounted for almost one in three visitors. • Visitors traveled an average of 387 miles. • Slightly more than half of visitors traveled more than 300 miles. • Although most visitors in 2007 traveled a considerable distance, three of ten visitors were from Virginia. • About one in every 11 visitors came from Canada. • About nine of every ten visitors begin their visit from points around an axis which originates in Virginia Beach and passes through metropolitan Washington, D.C. to Ottawa, Canada.

Citywide- Tourism 129

Demographic Characteristics

• Roughly four of every five visitor parties were headed by a visitor 35 or older. • More than half of visitors had yearly family income over $75,000. • Median visitor income was about 50 percent higher than median U.S. family income. • Three of every four visitors were married, and about three of every five visitors were accompanied by children 18 years of age or younger. • Slightly less than half of visitors had four or more years of college compared with about one in four nationally.

Visitor Characteristics

• Two of every five visitors stayed five or more nights. • Two of every three visitors came in parties of two to four people. • Almost one in every four visitors came on a weekend trip. • Four of every five visitors had previously vacationed in Virginia Beach. • Ninety-five of everyone hundred visitors come by private vehicles and two of every three transit via the I-64 tunnel. • Roughly one in five visitors crossed the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. • About one in every seven visitors go to Busch Gardens, while one in ten visited Williamsburg. • More than half of visitors patronize local shopping malls. • The top five close-in attractions in order of importance to visitors are: The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Ocean Breeze Park, Busch Gardens, the Old Coast Guard Station and Williamsburg. • Beach cleanliness heads the list of factors people liked most about Virginia Beach. • Traffic, from tunnel delays to local traffic on Atlantic and Pacific Avenues, leads the list of identifiable factors people liked least about Virginia Beach. • One in three visitors indicated considerable difficulty with local traffic. • More than half of visitors used the Boardwalk or Atlantic Avenue after 10:00 P.M.

Visitor Spending Patterns

• Each visitor spent an average of $94 per day. • About seventy-seven cents of each dollar spent by visitors is spent on lodging and restaurants. • About nine out of ten visiting parties spend more than $500 while two of every three parties spend over $1,000 during their visit. • Total spending is greatest for those who stay in cottages, condos and motels/hotels and least for those who stay with friends/relatives and in campgrounds. • Visitors with incomes greater than $60,000 spend slightly more during their visit than those with incomes of $40,000 or less. Visitors with income over $125,000 spent about 20 percent more than those with incomes between $50,000 and $125,000.

Citywide- Tourism 130

• Visitors 35 years of age or older spend an average of 15 percent more than those visitors under 35.

Data which have varied and showed directional trends over the 2002 to 2007 period

• Since 2003, visitor annual household income has risen from $76,729 to $81,382 • Since 2003, the proportion of visitor parties spending over $1,000 per visit has grown from 60.9% in 2003 to 65.6% in 2007. • Since 2003 per person per day spending has risen by 17%. • 76.8% of visitors got information from the internet in 2007 compared to 72.5% of visitors in 2003. • From 2003 to 2007 visitors purchasing some portion of their vacation via the internet rose from 27.8% to 46.5%.

Citywide- Tourism 131 MILITARY EMPLOYMENT

Virginia Beach and the Hampton Roads area have continued to maintain a very strong military presence. Virginia Beach is home to four major military installations NAS Oceana Dam Neck Annex, Oceana Naval Air Station, Naval Amphibious Base and Little Creek/Fort Story Joint Expeditionary Base.

NAS Oceana Dam Neck Annex’s primary mission is to provide training in the operation and employment of combat direction and control systems. Dam Neck Annex provides the highest quality, most up-to-date training in aviation maintenance, administration and management, survival, evasion, resistance and escape training and conventional weapons training. Dam Neck Annex has an annual payroll of $416 million for 4,088 active duty personnel and 1,490 civilians.

Oceana Naval Air Station is the U.S. Navy’s largest Master Jet Base, home to some 304 aircraft with 18 squadrons of F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets fighter/attack aircraft and one DC-9 Skytrain II squadron. NAS Oceana is the largest employer in Virginia Beach with a $1.3 billion economic impact which has 8,548 active duty personnel and 2,206 civilian employees and a gross payroll estimate of over $ 761 million.

Combined Oceana Air Station and Dam Neck Annex are the largest employer in the City with a combined payroll of over 1.18 billion for over 16, 332 military and civilian employees. The contracts, goods and services generated by the combined bases are over $400 million, making Oceana an economic engine of over $1.5 billion.

The Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, is the largest base of its kind in the world; it is the major operating base for the amphibious forces of the United States Atlantic Fleet. Little Creek’s mission is to provide continuously improving support and services to operating forces and shore commands. Little Creek has 9,564 active duty personnel and 2,772 civilian employees with an annual payroll of $623 million.

On October 1, 2009, the Navy’s Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base and the Army’s Fort Story merge to become a single entity, with a unified command and a new name: Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek–Fort Story. The newly merged base will be the biggest military employer in Virginia Beach, with 17,211 personnel and an estimated payroll of $850 million a year. It will be the primary East Coast base supporting overseas contingency operations. By 2012, the Joint Expeditionary Base is expected to have more than 18,000 personnel.

Source: Public Affairs Officers at each Military Base.

Citywide- Military 132 AGRICULTURE

According to the data compiled by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency, the Virginia Beach Department of Agriculture and the Virginia Beach Cooperative Extension, agribusiness is a significant contributor to the City’s overall economy. In 1995, the City approved the Agricultural Reserve Program to protect the agricultural lands and the rural character of southern Virginia Beach. As of July 2007, over 7,260 acres have been protected in agricultural easements and the success of the program has stimulated further protection of open space in the rest of the City. The goal of the program is to protect 20,000 acres as a resource base for our agriculture industry. Over the next decade the local agriculture industry will continue changing to include many alternative enterprises to the traditional commodity crops. Because of our location, population and tourism industry, Virginia Beach is the best example of farming on the edge of urban development.

Virginia’s Use Value Assessment Program allows land under agricultural, forestry, and horticultural uses to be taxed on the basis of a land use assessment. The following table shows the total acreage reported under the program’s land use assessments for agriculture, forestry and horticulture within the City of Virginia Beach.

Land Use Reported under Virginia’s Use Value Assessment Program

Fiscal Year Land Use Acreage Reported 2003 34,540 2004 33,500 2005 31,930 2006 30,680 2007 29,560 Source: City of Virginia Beach Real Estate Assessor’s Office & Dept. of Agriculture – July 2007 Acres are rounded to the nearest 10 acres.

CROPLAND ACREAGE IN VIRGINIA BEACH

According to the latest Census Data in 2002, Virginia Beach had 172 farms and 28,382 acres in farmland. When compared to the state average, the market value of land and buildings per farm in Virginia Beach is 33% larger and the market value of agricultural products sold per farm is approximately 13% more.

The Virginia Agricultural Statistics Service publishes acreage reports each year. In 2007, the City ranked 15th in corn production, 12th in soybean production, and 12th in wheat production and 1st in strawberry production compared to other localities in Virginia. The rankings vary per year based on the number of acres planted for each crop. Many farmers use a rotational system in which three crops are grown in two years. The City also has an expanding equine industry with over 4,000 horses. According to the Virginia Beach Cooperative Extension Service, the total value of agricultural products in 2007 was roughly $32,096,305 and the economic impact to the Citywide- Agriculture 133 local economy is estimated to be over $102,708,176. The following table provides a breakdown of the volume of agribusiness products produced in the City of Virginia Beach.

Agriculture Statistics 2007 Crop Acres Av. Yield/Acre Total Yield Av.Price/BU Gross Income Corn 7,000 135 945,000 $3.83 $3,619,350.00 Soybeans 12,500 37 462,500 $8.26 $3,820,250.00 Wheat 5,000 80 400,000 $5.54 $2,216,000.00 Barley 200 Silage-8 Tons 1,600 $30.00 $48,000.00 Subtotal 24,700 $9,703,600.00

Estimated Value of Fruits, Vegetables, Crops and Livestock Value of Agronomic Crops $9,703,600.00 Fruits and Vegetables $3,058,750.00 Other Products $2,387,500.00 *All Livestock $16,946,455.00 Total Value of AG Products $32,096,305.0 *This includes $14,010,000 of horse-related expenses that are combined with $2,936,455 of income from other livestock sold.

Fruits, Vegetables, Ornamentals and Pasture Potatoes 250 Strawberries 38 Sweet Corn 350 Snap Beans 20 Sweet Potatoes 20 Tomatoes 15 Watermelons 10 Other Fruits & Vegetables 600 Ornamentals 200 Pasture/Hay 3000 Subtotal 4503

Value of Livestock Sold Hogs Cattle, Sheep, Goats $2,649,313 $287,142

Citywide- Agriculture 134 Annual Expenses for Horses in Virginia Beach $14,010,000

Annual Economic Impact-Livestock $16,946,455.00

Total Economic Impact of Agricultural Products $102,708,176.00

Source: Virginia Beach Cooperative Extension Service – 2007. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 units.

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TTEECCHHNNIICCAALL RREEPPOORRTT BACKGROUND

The Bayfront Planning Area is located along the northernmost portion of the City. Its general boundaries include: the Chesapeake Bay on the north; First Landing State Park to the east; First Court Road, Pleasure House Creek, Long Creek, and Broad Bay to the south; and Little Creek Navy Amphibious Base to the west.

In addition to Little Creek Amphibious Base, the Army operates Fort Story to the east near to the Atlantic Ocean. The area is divided in half by the Lynnhaven River, one of the major rivers existing in the City.

Many significant environmental and scenic features and amenities such as public bayfront beaches, water bodies and tributaries, man-made fresh water storage lakes, and numerous environmentally sensitive areas, including marginal soils, dunes, wetlands, floodway and floodplain areas are located within the Bayfront Planning Area.

The following table refers to land and water areas for the Bayfront Planning Area. See citywide section for land and water areas table citywide.

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Land and Water Area Table Total Land Area 2,452 acres (3.8 square miles) Total Water Area 608 acres (1.0 square miles) Total Area 3,060 acres (4.8 square miles) Source: City of Virginia Beach Planning Department

Population figures that have occurred in the planning area between 1990 and 2000 are summarized below: Population Table YEAR POPULATION PERCENT CHANGE 1990 16,234 2000 22,378 38% Source: City of Virginia Beach Planning Department based on U.S. Census. (Approximate 38% increase or net gain of 6,144 people between 1990 and 2000.)

LAND USE

EXISTING LAND USE

A diverse mixture of land uses are located throughout the Bayfront Planning Area, which is bisected by a major transportation corridor, Shore Drive. Distinct single and multi-family neighborhoods of varying densities make up the majority of land use. Commercial development is the second largest land use and is located primarily along Shore Drive and West Great Neck Road. The uses are locally oriented and primarily serve the surrounding residential neighborhoods. Other land uses include a golf course; a Navy facility (Little Creek Amphibious Base) to the west; and First Landing Park. The Existing Land Use Table identifies acreage for each land use in the Bayfront Planning Area.

Neighborhood shopping centers are located at or adjacent to the intersections of Shore Drive and Pleasure House, Sea Shell and Great Neck Road. Several hotels and restaurants are located in this planning area to serve the needs of visitors, tourists and locals. No large office developments are located in Bayfront. Most office uses consist of small, independent buildings for banking, real estate, medical uses and general business activities. A few light industrial uses related to the commercial seafood and marina business are located in this area, including boat storage and repair.

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ENVIRONMENT

The Bayfront Planning Area is bounded by Broad Bay, Chesapeake Bay and Pleasure House Creek, and is bisected by Lynnhaven Inlet. The Bayfront Planning Area is characterized by the dune and coastal plain topography typical of the Tidewater area of Virginia, and is bounded to the north and south by the estuarine environment of the Chesapeake Bay and the Lynnhaven River system. The most notable natural resources within the Bayfront Planning Area include the shorelines of Chesapeake Bay and the Lynnhaven River system. While the majority of the shoreline has been developed, natural areas remain in some areas, most notably on lands adjoining Lynnhaven Inlet and Pleasure House Creek. The southern boundaries of the Bayfront Planning Area adjoin Broad Bay, Long Creek and Pleasure House Creek, including numerous lunar tidal tributaries and their associated vegetated wetlands areas. The northern boundaries of the Bayfront Planning Area adjoin Chesapeake Bay, including beaches and dunes and their associated grasslands and maritime forests.

SOILS

Soils in the Bayfront Planning Area are generally sandy and well drained. Maps providing the general locations of soil types and poorly drained soils in the City are found on Figures 3 and 4, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

WATER RESOURCES

Groundwater

The Yorktown Aquifer is the major potable aquifer in the Bayfront Planning Area and the City as a whole. There are no Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) permitted groundwater withdrawals within the Bayfront Planning Area; however, the Bayville Golf and Country Club, which is located immediately south of the Bayfront Planning Area, holds a DEQ groundwater withdrawal permit. A map providing the general location of DEQ permitted groundwater withdrawal sites in the City is found on Figure 6 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

Surface Water

Notable surface water features include manmade freshwater lakes and lunar tidal tributaries. Surface waters are classified as being located within a hierarchy of primary, secondary, and tertiary watersheds. The Bayfront Planning Area is contained within the Chesapeake Bay primary watershed, and approximately equal proportions of the Lynnhaven River and Little Creek secondary watersheds. A map providing the general locations of primary and secondary watersheds in the City is found on Figure 8 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

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The Bayfront Planning Area includes portions of the tertiary watersheds found in the following table, as described in the City’s Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) Municipal Stormwater Permit. A map providing the general locations of tertiary watersheds and stormwater outfalls in the Bayfront Planning Area is found on Figure 37 in this section of the Technical Report.

Tertiary Watersheds in the Bayfront Planning Area

NUMBER TERTIARY WATERSHED DRAINAGE AREA (SQ MI)

1 Little Creek System 7.74

3 Western Branch Lynnhaven 8.21 River

5 Eastern Branch Lynnhaven 6.53 River (Main Stem)

30 First Landing 19.60

31 Little Creek Base 5.20 Source: City of Virginia Beach Public Works Department

Manmade freshwater lakes adjoining or within the Bayfront Planning Area include Bradford Lake, Chubb Lake, Pleasure House Lake and Lake Joyce. Lunar tidal tributaries adjoining or within the Bayfront Planning Area include the Chesapeake Bay, Crab Creek, Pleasure House Creek, Long Creek, Broad Bay, Lynnhaven Inlet and other unnamed lunar tidal tributaries to the Western Branch of the Lynnhaven River.

A network of water quality monitoring stations are located adjoining or within the Bayfront Planning Area and described in more detail in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

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Figure 37

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Stormwater Management

The Bayfront Planning Area includes the following water bodies serving as stormwater management facilities with a surface area exceeding five acres:

Stormwater Management Facilities and Service Areas in the Bayfront Planning Area

NUMBER FACILITY SERVICE EXISTING REQUIRED PERCENT NAME AREA STORAGE STORAGE IMPERVIOUS (ACRES) (ACRE (ACRE FEET) FEET)

31-04 Bradford 81.3 22.5 6.62 43.0 Acres

31-09 Pleasure 59.0 17.5 4.71 37.0 House Road Source: City of Virginia Beach Public Works Department

A map providing the general locations of major stormwater management facilities and their service areas in the City is found on Figure 9 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

WETLANDS

The Bayfront Planning Area includes extensive lunar tidal wetland fringes along tributary creeks and coves associated with the Lynnhaven River system, as well as isolated nontidal wetlands areas. Due to the extensive amount of area involved and the complexities associated with determining the limits of vegetated and nonvegetated lunar tidal wetlands and nontidal wetlands, these areas are delineated in detail on a case-by-case basis. A map providing general locations of tidal and nontidal wetlands areas in the City is found on Figure 10 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

FOREST RESOURCES

Former and more recent development activity has eliminated much of the original natural forest canopy, but an urban forest canopy has developed over many of the residential areas in the Bayfront Planning Area. Maritime forests which once were extensive along the Chesapeake Bay shoreline have largely disappeared from the Bayfront Planning Area. A map providing the general location of champion trees in the City is found on Figure 11 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

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NATURAL HERITAGE AREAS

Based upon information provided by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage (DNH), seven conservation sites have been identified adjoining the Bayfront Planning Area, though none have been identified within the Bayfront Planning Area. These sites contain many exemplary plant and animal species, and natural communities. This level of diversity is attributed to the variety of habitat types within these adjoining areas. These unique habitats include sandy beaches, maritime forest, bald cypress swamps, and interdunal ponds. Refer to the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report for a list of Natural Heritage Resources documented within these sites. A map providing the general location of Natural Heritage conservation sites in the City is found on Figure 12 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

A list of Natural Heritage Resources documented in the Bayfront Planning Area but not assigned to a specific conservation site follows:

Natural Heritage Resources Not Assigned to a Conservation Site in the Bayfront Planning Area

SCIENTIFIC COMMON GLOBAL STATE FEDERAL STATE SEEN NAME NAME RANK RANK STATUS STATUS SINCE 1980

Invertebrates

Barronopsis Funnel- G3 S1 NF NS Y jeffersi Web Spider

Cincindela A Tiger G5 S1 NF NS Y trifasciata Beetle Vertebrates

Siren Greater G5 S2 S=3 NF NS No Date lacertina Siren Plants

Arenaria Sandwort G5 T5 SH NF NS N lanuginosa ssp. lanuginosa

Eleocharis Baldwin G4 G5 S1 NF NS Y baldwinii Spikerush

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SCIENTIFIC COMMON GLOBAL STATE FEDERAL STATE SEEN NAME NAME RANK RANK STATUS STATUS SINCE 1980

Erigeron White-Top G5 S2 NF NS Y vernus Fleabane

Honckenya Sea-Beach G5 T4 SH NF NS N Sandwot

Iva imbracata Sea-Coast G5? S1 S2 NF NS Y Marsh Elder

Ludwigia Long G4 G5 S2 NF NS Y brevipes Beach Seedbox

Osmanthus Wild Olive G5 T5 S1 NF NS Y americanus var. americanus

Physalis Sticky G4 S2 NF NS Y walteri Ground Cherry

Solidago A G4 G5 S1 NF NS N tortifolia Goldenrod

Sphagnum Soft G4 S2 NF NS N molle Peatmoss

Stipulicida Pineland G4 G5 T4 S1 NF NS Y setacea var. Scaly-Pink T5 Setacea

Wisteria American G5 S2 NF NS No Date frutescens Wisteria Source: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage Key: See Appendix for Definitions of Rankings and Status Key Note: Rankings with a question mark denote where only an inexact numeric rank is available, given existing data and research.

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FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES

Due to its location adjoining the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, the Bayfront Planning Area is home to a wide array of unique plant and animal species. Its location at the southern mouth of the Chesapeake Bay makes the City an important stopover for many migratory bird species utilizing the Atlantic Flyway, most notably for shorebirds and neo-tropical songbirds. The entire Bayfront Planning Area has been designated a Bird Sanctuary by the City. Portions of Broad Bay and Lynnhaven Inlet are currently open for the direct marketing of shellfish, and many areas are leased or reserved as sanctuary areas for shellfish by the Commonwealth. Maps providing general locations of bird sanctuary areas, and shellfish lease and sanctuary areas in the City are found on Figures 14, and 15, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

OPEN SPACE, GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC LANDS MANAGEMENT

The Bayfront Planning Area contains limited public open space lands. Significant privately owned open space lands in the Bayfront Planning Area include the Lynnhaven Inlet and the Pleasure House Point area. These lands constitute the most significant undeveloped open space in the Bayfront Planning Area. The Bayfront Planning Area adjoins First Landing State Park to the east, which constitutes one of the largest open space areas located in the City. First Landing State Park has been designated as a ‘National Natural Landmark’ by the Federal government and the Commonwealth, due to the unique resources contained in the park. The entire Lynnhaven River watershed has been designated as a component of the City’s Scenic Waterway System. A more complete description of open space lands located within the Bayfront Planning Area is found in the Bayfront Public Facilities Section of the Technical Report.

Maps providing general locations of major federal, state and private open space lands, and golf courses, City metro parks, City signature parks, City community parks and City natural areas are found on Figures 17, and 18, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Significant environmental education opportunities exist in and adjoining the Bayfront Planning Area, particularly in connection with First Landing State Park. First Landing State Park has been designated as a Chesapeake Bay Gateway Regional Information Center by the National Park Service as part of the overall Chesapeake Bay Program. A number of habitat restoration projects have been undertaken in and adjoining the Bayfront Planning Area, most notably at First Landing State Park, involving lunar tidal wetlands and dune restoration, urban forestry, shoreline stabilization, riparian vegetation buffer establishment, and oyster reef establishment. A map providing the general locations of habitat restoration project sites in the City is found on Figure 19 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

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HAZARD MANAGEMENT AND MITIGATION

Due to its proximity to Chesapeake Bay and the Lynnhaven River system and adjoining lunar tidal tributaries, a significant portion of the Bayfront Planning Area is subject to extensive shoreline erosion and coastal flooding. Shore Drive as it traverses the Bayfront Planning Area has been designated a Hurricane Evaluation Route. A significant portion of the Bayfront Planning Area is located within the 100-year floodplain. Properties adjoining the Chesapeake Bay shoreline in the Bayfront Planning Area are located in coastal high hazard areas subject to storm surge during major storm events. Maps providing general locations of hurricane evacuation routes and hurricane evacuation zones, and 100 year floodplains and coastal high hazard areas in the City are found on Figures 22 and 23, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORY PROGRAMS

Development activities within the Bayfront Planning Area are regulated by the City under the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Ordinance, Coastal Primary Sand Dune Zoning Ordinance, Floodplain Regulations, Stormwater Management Ordinance, and Tidal Wetlands Zoning Ordinance. A general description of these programs is found in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

The entire Bayfront Planning Area is designated as a Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area (CBPA). Dunes along the Chesapeake Bay shoreline are regulated under the Coastal Primary Sand Dune Ordinance. While development is allowed within the 100 year floodplain in the Bayfront Planning Area, the Floodplain Regulations require that habitable spaces for all new development must be located a minimum of 1 foot above the 100 year flood level. All new development must meet requirements in the Stormwater Management Ordinance. Tidal shorelines comprising both vegetated and nonvegetated tidal wetlands areas are regulated under the Tidal Wetlands Ordinance.

A general description of these programs and areas regulated is found in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report. Maps providing the general locations of CBPA areas, 100 year floodplains, and tidal wetlands in the City are also found on Figures 24, 22, and 10, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

TRANSPORTATION

EXISTING SYSTEM

Because of the numerous large inland estuaries and rivers, Shore Drive (4 lane divided road) and Northampton Boulevard (6 lane divided road) provide the only east-west arterial connections

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north of Virginia Beach Boulevard. Northampton Boulevard is a heavily used trucking route leading to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, which connects to Virginia’s Eastern Shore and the populous northeast Atlantic metropolitan areas. Independence Boulevard and Great Neck Road provide north-south access to the Virginia Beach Boulevard/I-264 corridor and other areas of the City. The two primary collector roads serving the Bayfront Planning Area are West Great Neck Road, which provides access to the Bay Island community, and Pleasure House Road, which provides access to Chesapeake Beach.

PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS

Road improvements programmed in the City’s current CIP FY 2009-2010 (with FY 2010 update) include:

• Lesner Bridge Replacement – (CIP# 2-168) the project is for a study to replace the existing bridge, including accommodation of bicycle facilities and additional vehicular lanes.

• Shore Drive Interim Improvements Project (CIP 2-731), Shore Drive Phase II (CIP 2- 116), Shore Drive Phase III (CIP 2-117), and Shore Drive Phase IV (CIP 2-118). These projects will provide safety improvements, including pedestrian multi use paths along Shore Drive as well as improvements to several intersections and other safety improvements recommended by the Shore Drive Safety Task Force.

The following table provides a comparison of current and future traffic volumes on the primary roads in this planning area.

Current and Future Traffic Volumes by the Year 2030 Bayfront Planning Area 2003 2030 STREET FROM TO DAILY DAILY TRIPS TRIPS Shore Drive Northampton Blvd. Great Neck Rd. N 41000 45000 Independence Blvd. Northampton Blvd. Shore Drive 21000 29000 Northampton Blvd. Independence Blvd. Shore Drive 29000 37000 Source: Hampton Roads Planning District Commission 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan (December 2007).

BEACH PARKING

Commercial parking in the Bayfront Planning Area is adequate. Public parking is limited to neighborhood on-street availability. This is due in large part to the City requiring a certain amount of spaces for each commercial unit.

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24 HOUR TRAFFIC VOLUMES

A sample of twenty-four (24) hour traffic volume counts recorded at various points along Shore Drive follows:

Shore Drive 24 Hour Traffic Volumes From - To Volume Date Norfolk City Line – Diamond Springs Road 36,117 6/8/06 Diamond springs Road – Independence Blvd. 26,483 10/09/08 Independence Blvd. – Northampton Blvd. 18,970 10/09/08 Northampton Blvd. – Lesner Bridge 38,150 10/09/08 Lesner Bridge – N. Great Neck Road 41,651 5/14/08 N. Great Neck Road – Kendall St. 15,005 6/05/08 Kendall St. – Atlantic Ave. 11,940 6/12/08 Source: City of Virginia Beach Department of Public Works/Traffic Engineering

PUBLIC FACILITIES

Public facilities comprise all the public services and facilities provided by the City to all residents. Those services include education, public safety and emergency medical, recreation areas, public buildings such as libraries or recreation centers, public water and sewer, and solid waste management.

SCHOOLS

Hermitage Elementary School is the only public school located in the Bayfront Planning Area. Other public school facilities located in the adjacent planning areas serve this planning area.

LIBRARIES

No library facilities are located in the Bayfront Planning Area. This planning area is served by the library facilities located in the adjacent planning areas.

POLICE

No police precincts are located in the Bayfront Planning Area. The Second Police Precinct (Oceanfront Planning Area) and Third Police Precinct (Bayside Planning Area) provide public safety services to the Bayfront Planning Area.

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FIRE

Fire stations located in the Bayfront Planning Area include the following:

• Chesapeake Beach (Station #4) at 2444 Pleasure House Road • First Landing (Station #22) at 2837 Shore Drive

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

Volunteer Rescue Squads located in the Bayfront Planning Area include the following:

• Ocean Park EMS Station (Station #1) at 3769 E. Stratford Road • First Landing EMS Station (Station #22) at 2837 Shore Drive

PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM AND SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM

Most of the Bayfront Planning Area is served by City water and sewer. However, it is the long- term objective of the City to bring all areas not served by City water and sewer services on line via capital improvement projects.

PARKS / PUBLIC OPEN SPACE / RECREATION FACILITIES

As part of the Department of Parks and Recreation’s development of its Strategic Plan, the Department recently reclassified and updated its parks and recreation land and facilities site inventory and developed corresponding Design Standards. The park and recreation classifications were revamped in order to align the City’s parks and recreation land and facilities with similar sites in comparable size localities nationwide.

The new park and recreation classifications include: Signature Parks; Metro Parks; Community Parks; Neighborhood Parks; Natural Resource Areas; General Open Space; Linkages; and Special Use Facilities for Recreation Centers, Golf Courses, Athletic Complexes, and Water Access Sites.

For a detailed description of each of the new classifications and their accompanying amenities, please refer to the Department of Parks and Recreation Design Standards Manual, or the 208 Virginia Beach Outdoors Plan.

Figure 38 provides the general locations of neighborhood parks, general open space areas and linkages located within the Bayfront Planning Area. Refer to Figure 33 in the Citywide Section of the Technical Report for the general locations of signature parks, metro parks, community parks, special use areas and natural areas located within the City.

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Figure 38

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Parks, Public Open Space and Recreational Facilities Site Parcel Developed Undeveloped Site Name Site Address Type Acreage Acreage Acreage Aeries On The Bay GOS Rookery Way 9.32 0 9.32 Park LINK Cape Henry Trail Jade St. To Kendall St. 7.5 7.5 0 MP Bayville Park 4132 First Court Rd. 67.5 67.53 0 NP Cape Story Park 2235 Bayberry St. 0.26 0.26 0 Lookout Rd. & Beaufort NP Chesapeake Beach Park 4.6 0 4.6 Ave. NP Lock Haven Park East Stratford Rd. 1.72 1.72 0 Lynnhaven Colony NP 3140 Shore Dr. 1.67 1.67 0 Park Bayside Recreation SURC 4500 First Court Rd. 19.3 19.25 0 Center Lynnhaven Boat & SUWA 3576 Piedmont Cir. 16.1 16.1 0 Beach Facility SUWA Lynnhaven Marina 3211 Lynnhaven Dr. 2.39 2.39 0

Total Acreage 130.36 116.42 13.92 Key: Site Types: (SP)= Signature Park, (MP)= Metro Park, (CP)= Community Park, (NP)= Neighborhood Park, (SUGC)= Special Use Golf Course, (SURC)= Special Use Recreation Center, (SUAC)= Special Use Athletic Complexes, (SUWA)= Special Use Water Access, (GOS)= General Open Space, (NRA)= Natural Resource Areas, (LINK)= Linkages

Recreational Facilities Facility Name Amenity Type/Quantity Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility Four concrete boat launch lanes, this premier facility is located on the Lynnhaven Inlet and provides boating access to the Chesapeake Bay. Included on site are: restrooms, changing area, showers, and parking spaces. Lynnhaven Marina 50-slip boat marina on the Lynnhaven Inlet, fuel, pump out, 86 parking spaces, includes elongated spots for trailers.

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Bikeways and Trails System

According to the City’s adopted Bikeways and Trails Plan, the following bikeways and trails system initiatives are either existing or are recommended for implementation:

• Shore Drive Shared Use Path – This existing pathway runs parallel to Pleasure House Road from the Bayside Recreation Center to Shore Drive, then along the southern side of Shore Drive to Marlin Bay Drive.

• Cape Henry Trail – This existing shared use path runs parallel to Shore Drive within the neighborhoods of Cape Story by the Sea and Cape Henry. This trail is heavily used by community residents.

• First Landing to Aquarium Trail – The existing nine mile bike route between First Landing State Park and the Virginia Aquarium has been signed and marked to establish this trail as a recreational activity.

PUBLIC BEACHES

Public beaches located in the planning area include: • Chesapeake Beach • Cape Henry • Ocean Park

HOUSING

PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR RENTERS AND HOMEOWNERS

The Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation administers a variety of programs that are available to improve both the condition of the residential dwellings and housing opportunities in the City. Many of these programs have multiple sources of funding that could include:

Federally assisted rental housing developments are located around the City that provide several hundred reduced rental units for income-eligible households, low-income families, seniors and/or disabled persons. Federally assisted housing developments located in the Bayfront Planning Area as of September 2007 include: • Baker House • Carriage House Apartments

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HOUSING FOR SENIORS

The following table lists the senior housing facilities located in the Bayfront Planning Area:

Senior Housing Facilities Existing Facilities Independent Assisted Nursing Care Care Care Baylake Assisted Living X Westminster-Canterbury X X X Victoria Place X Sources: City of Virginia Beach Department of Planning; Virginia Beach Senior Housing Guide, Mayor’s Commission on Aging, City of Virginia Beach, October 2007

HISTORICAL/CULTURAL

The City of Virginia Beach employs several approaches to encourage desired physical design. A few of the more visible initiatives are: Planning Commission Design Award Program, the Historic and Cultural Zoning Overlay Districts, the National Register of Historical Places/Virginia Landmarks Register, the National Historic Landmarks programs, and the Virginia Beach Historical Register.

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BACKGROUND

The Bayside Planning Area is located in the northwest portion of the City. The general boundaries include Little Creek Amphibious Base and First Court Road to the north, Western Branch of the Lynnhaven River and Thalia Creek to the east, I-264 to the south, and the City of Norfolk to the west.

Bayside is the third largest planning area in population, behind Kempsville and Holland. The planning area comprises a diverse land use development pattern with large areas of single family residential ringed by clusters of multi-family and commercial land uses located along the planning area’s major transportation corridors, Virginia Beach, Independence and Northampton Boulevards, and Newtown and Diamond Springs Roads. The spatial distribution of land use development in the Bayside Planning Area has resulted in the following:

• Older and more established neighborhoods located in the eastern half of the planning area; • Highest concentration of single family, multi-family and townhouse densities located in the western half of the planning area.

The Bayside Planning Area contains a significant amount of commercial land use located at its

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major transportation intersections, some serving regional shopping needs, and others, localized area needs. The planning area also contains a good mixture of ethnic diversity, several recognized historic properties, the Airport Industrial Park, and the City’s designated Central Business District in the Pembroke area.

The following table refers to land and water areas for the Bayside Planning Area. See Citywide section for land and water area table citywide.

Land and Water Area Table Total Land Area 10,672 acres (16.7 square miles) Total Water Area 1,212 acres (1.9 square miles) Total Area 11,884 acres (18.6 square miles) Source: City of Virginia Beach Planning Department

Population figures that have occurred in the planning area between 1990 and 2000 are summarized below: Population Table YEAR POPULATION PERCENT CHANGE 1990 58,578 2000 60,236 3% Source: City of Virginia Beach Planning Department based on 2000 U.S. Census

LAND USE

EXISTING LAND USE

Single family detached residential is the predominant land use in the Bayside Planning Area. Multi-family residential uses also exist in portions of this planning area located near the Witchduck Road / Independence Boulevard intersection and in the southwest quadrant.

ENVIRONMENT

The Bayside Planning Area is bounded by the Lynnhaven River, and is bisected by Lake Lawson, Lake Smith, and the Little Creek Reservoir. The Bayside Planning Area is characterized by the flat coastal plain topography of the Tidewater area of Virginia, interrupted by manmade water supply reservoirs created from former lunar tidal waterways, and is bounded to the east by the coastal environment of the Lynnhaven River system. The most notable natural resources within the Bayside Planning Area include the shoreline of the Lynnhaven River system, and the shorelines of the water supply reservoirs of Lake Lawson, Lake Smith and Little Creek Reservoir. While the majority of the shoreline has been developed, natural areas remain in some areas, most notably on lands adjoining the water supply reservoirs and mature

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forestlands on the Virginia Wesleyan College campus. The eastern border of the Bayside Planning Area adjoins the Western Branch of the Lynnhaven River, which includes numerous lunar tidal tributaries and their associated vegetated wetlands areas.

SOILS

Soils in the Bayside Planning Area are generally clays and silt loams and fair to well drained. Maps providing the general locations of soil types and poorly drained soils in the City are found on Figures 3 and 4, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

WATER RESOURCES

Groundwater

The Yorktown Aquifer is the major potable aquifer in the Bayside Planning Area and the City as a whole. Bayville Golf and Country Club, Cypress Point Country Club, and Tidewater Linen Service, all located within the Bayside Planning Area, hold Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) permitted groundwater withdrawal permits. A map providing the general location of DEQ permitted groundwater withdrawal sites in the City is found on Figure 6 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

Surface Water

Notable surface water features include water supply reservoirs, manmade freshwater lakes, and lunar tidal tributaries. Surface waters are classified as being located within a hierarchy of primary, secondary, and tertiary watersheds. The Bayside Planning Area is contained within the Chesapeake Bay primary watershed, and approximately equal proportions of the Lynnhaven River and Little Creek secondary watersheds. A map providing the general locations of primary and secondary watersheds in the City is found on Figure 8 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

The Bayside Planning Area includes portions of the tertiary watersheds found in the following table, as described in the City’s Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) Municipal Stormwater Permit. A map providing the general locations of tertiary watersheds and stormwater outfalls in the Bayside Planning Area is found on Figure 39 in this section of the Technical Report.

B ayside Planning Area 155

Tertiary Watersheds in the Bayside Planning Area

NUMBER TERTIARY WATERSHED DRAINAGE AREA (SQ MI)

1 Little Creek System 7.74

2 Lake Wright / Lake Taylor 1.42

3 Western Branch Lynnhaven 8.21 River

4 Thalia Creek / Thurston 12.66 Branch / Buchannan Creek

14 Arrowhead 0.63

21 Huntington Basin 2.66

31 Little Creek Base 5.20 Source: City of Virginia Beach Public Works Department

Bayside Planning Area 156

Figure 39

B ayside Planning Area 157

Manmade freshwater lakes adjoining or within the Bayside Planning Area include Lake Lawson, Lake Smith and Little Creek Reservoir. These lakes also function as components of the City’s drinking water system. Lunar tidal tributaries adjoining or within the Bayside Planning Area include Bayville Creek, Pleasure House Creek, Thalia Creek, Thoroughgood Cove, Thurston Branch, Witchduck Bay and other unnamed lunar tidal tributaries to the Western Branch of the Lynnhaven River. A map providing the general locations of public water supply reservoirs in the Bayside Planning Area is found on Figure 7 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

A network of water quality monitoring stations are located adjoining or within the Bayside Planning Area and described in more detail in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

Stormwater Management

The Bayside Planning Area includes the following water bodies serving as stormwater management facilities with a surface area exceeding five acres:

Stormwater Management Facilities and Service Areas in the Bayside Planning Area

NUMBER FACILITY SERVICE EXISTING REQUIRED PERCENT NAME AREA STORAGE STORAGE IMPERVIOUS (ACRES) (ACRE (ACRE FEET) FEET)

Haygood Point 01-09 115.0 231.4 7.22 29.0 Lake

Broad 78.0 01-10 62.8 5.35 27.0 Meadows Lake

Burton Station 01-11 30.0 7.55 33.0 #2

02-03 Lake Edward 171.0 122.4 17.89 62.0

02-04 Diamond Lake 64.0 308.0 6.35 54.0

Delhaven 03-02 28.0 34.4 2.48 47.0 Gardens

03-08 Thoroughgood 22.0 177.1 19.32 36.0

Lake 03-10 Thoroughgood 252.9 180.4 14.60 39.0 #1, #2, #3

Bayside Planning Area 158

Pembroke 03-11 72.0 30.0 5.32 31.0 Meadows Lake

Hunters Mill 04-05 485.0 115.0 41.72 43.0 Run Lake #1,#2

East / West 04-11 1168.0 183.3 91.27 36.0 Lake Pembroke

Toll Road 21-01 185.0 253.0 15.61 39.0 Borrow Pit #1 Source: City of Virginia Beach Public Works Department

A map providing the general locations of stormwater management facilities and major and minor outfalls in the City is found on Figure 9 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

WETLANDS The Bayside Planning Area includes considerable lunar tidal wetland fringes along tributary creeks and coves associated with the Lynnhaven River system, as well as isolated nontidal wetlands areas. Due to the extensive amount of area involved and the complexities associated with determining the limits of vegetated and nonvegetated lunar tidal wetlands and nontidal wetlands, these areas are delineated in detail on a case-by-case basis. A map providing general locations of tidal and nontidal wetlands areas in the City is found on Figure 10 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

FOREST RESOURCES

Former farming and more recent development activity have eliminated much of the original natural forest canopy, but an urban forest canopy has developed over many of the residential areas in the Bayside Planning Area. A map providing the general location of champion trees in the City is found on Figure 11 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

NATURAL HERITAGE AREAS

Based upon information provided by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage (DNH), no conservation sites have been identified in or adjoining the Bayside Planning Area. A map providing the general location of Natural Heritage conservation sites in the City is found on Figure 12 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report. A list of Natural Heritage Resources documented in the Bayside Planning Area but not assigned to a specific conservation site follows:

B ayside Planning Area 159

Natural Heritage Resources Not Assigned to a Conservation Site in the Bayside Planning Area

SCIENTIFIC COMMON GLOBAL STATE FEDERAL STATE SEEN NAME NAME RANK RANK STATUS STATUS SINCE 1980

Invertebrates

Cincin-dela Tiger G5 S1 NF NS Y trifas-ciata Beetle

Plants

Arenaria A G5 T5 SH NF NS N lanuginosa Sandwort ssp. lanuginosa

Eleocharis Baldwin G4 G5 S1 NF NS Y baldwinii Spikerush

Honckenya Sea-beach G5 T4 SH NF NS N peploides ssp. Sandwort robusta

Iva imbracata Sea-Coast G5? S1 S2 NF NS Y Marsh Elder

Ludwigia Long G4 G5 S2 NF NS Y brevipes Beach Seedbox

Osman-thus Wild Olive G5 T5 S1 NF NS Y americanus var. americanus

Physalis Sticky G4 S2 NF NS Y walteri Ground Cherry

Solidago A G4 G5 S1 NF NS N tortifolia Goldenrod

Spartina Freshwater G5 S2 NF NS N pectinata Cordgrass

Bayside Planning Area 160

SCIENTIFIC COMMON GLOBAL STATE FEDERAL STATE SEEN NAME NAME RANK RANK STATUS STATUS SINCE 1980

Sphagnum Soft G4 S2 NF NS N molle Peatmoss

Tillandsia Spanish G5 S2 NF NS Y usneoides Moss Source: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage Key: See Appendix for Definitions of Rankings and Status Key Note: Rankings with a question mark denote where only an inexact numeric rank is available, given existing data and research.

FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES

Due to its location adjoining the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, the Bayside Planning Area is home to a wide array of unique plant and animal species. Its location at the southern mouth of the Chesapeake Bay makes the City an important stopover for many migratory bird species utilizing the Atlantic Flyway, most notably for shorebirds and neo-tropical songbirds. The entire Bayside Planning Area has been designated a Bird Sanctuary by the City. Portions of Broad Bay and Lynnhaven Inlet are currently open for the direct marketing of shellfish, and many areas are leased or reserved as sanctuary areas for shellfish by the Commonwealth. Maps providing general locations of bird sanctuary areas, and shellfish lease and sanctuary areas in the City are found on Figures 14, and15, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

OPEN SPACE, GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC LANDS MANAGEMENT

The Bayside Planning Area contains open space lands owned by the Cities of Norfolk and Virginia Beach adjoining Lake Lawson, Lake Smith and Little Creek Reservoir. Other significant open space lands in the Bayside Planning Area include Bayville Golf and Country Club, Cypress Point Country Club and Virginia Wesleyan College. These lands constitute the most significant developed and undeveloped open space in the Bayside Planning Area. The entire Lynnhaven River watershed, and Lake Lawson, Lake Smith and Little Creek Reservoir have been designated as components of the City’s Scenic Waterway System. A more complete description of open space lands located within the Bayside Planning Area is found in the Bayside Public Facilities Section of the Technical Report.

Maps providing general locations of major federal, state and private open space lands, and golf courses, City metro parks, City signature parks, City community parks and City natural areas are found on Figures 17, and 18, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

B ayside Planning Area 161

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

A number of habitat restoration projects have been undertaken in and adjoining the Bayside Planning Area, most notably at City public school and park sites, involving urban forestry, shoreline stabilization and riparian vegetation buffer establishment. The Hampton Roads Agricultural Experiment Station is located in the Bayside Planning Area, and affords many opportunities for public - private partnerships for habitat restoration projects and environmental education. A map providing the general locations of habitat restoration project sites in the City is found on Figure 19 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

HAZARD MANAGEMENT AND MITIGATION

Due to its proximity to the Lynnhaven River system, Little Creek, and extensive lunar tidal tributaries, a portion of the Bayside Planning Area is subject to shoreline erosion and coastal flooding. Northampton Boulevard as it traverses the Bayside Planning Area has been designated a Hurricane Evaluation Route. A portion of the Bayside Planning Area is located within the 100- year floodplain. Maps providing general locations of hurricane evacuation routes and hurricane evacuation zones, and 100 year floodplains in the City are found on Figures 22 and 23, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORY PROGRAMS

Development activities within the Bayside Planning Area are regulated by the City under the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Ordinance, Coastal Primary Sand Dune Ordinance, Floodplain Regulations, Stormwater Management Ordinance, and Tidal Wetlands Ordinance. A general description of these programs is found in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

The entire Bayside Planning Area is designated as a Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area (CBPA). While development is allowed within the 100 year floodplain in the Bayside Planning Area, the Floodplain Regulations require that habitable spaces for all new development must be located a minimum of 1 foot above the 100 year flood level. All new development must meet requirements in the Stormwater Management Ordinance. Tidal shorelines comprising both vegetated and nonvegetated tidal wetlands areas are regulated under the Tidal Wetlands Ordinance.

A general description of these programs and areas regulated is found in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report. Maps providing the general locations of CBPA areas, 100 year floodplains, and tidal wetlands in the City are found on Figures 10, 22 and 24, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

Bayside Planning Area 162

TRANSPORTATION

EXISTING SYSTEM

Four major arterials provide access at the perimeter of the Bayside Planning Area: Independence Boulevard, Diamond Springs Road/Newtown Road, and Virginia Beach Boulevard. In addition, three arterials traverse the interior of the Planning Area: Northampton Boulevard (Route 13), Wesleyan Drive/Haygood Road, and Witchduck Road.

Key roads serving this planning area include: Virginia Beach and Independence Boulevards; Newtown and Witchduck Roads; and I-264. With the Norfolk International Airport located nearby, regional access is highly dependent on the nearby roadway system.

Major roads serving the Central Business District (CBD) include: Virginia Beach and Independence Boulevards, Constitution Drive; Kellam and Bonney Roads; and I-264. The intersection of Virginia Beach and Independence Boulevards is the largest and busiest in the City.

PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS

I-264 is being studied for improvements to the mainline roadway and its interchanges. VDOT’s I-64/I-264 Ramp Improvement Project and I-264 Witchduck Road Interchange and Ramp Extension Project will improve traffic flow and safety at the I-64/I-264 interchange and along I- 264 from I-64 through the Newtown Road and Witchduck Road interchanges. This project includes the construction of a new flyover at Greenwich Road.

Capital improvement road projects identified in the current CIP FY 2009-FY 2010 (with FY 2010 update) include: • Baker Road Extended – (CIP# 2-071) The project extends Baker Rd., as a 2-lane road, from Bulls Bay Dr. to Holly Farms Dr. and includes a traffic signal at Witchduck Rd.

• Diamond Springs Road Bridge Replacement – (CIP# 2-083) The project replaces the two existing bridges. Project to be completed in spring 2010.

• Wesleyan Drive – (CIP# 2-145) The project will partner with the City of Norfolk to widen Wesleyan Dr. to 4-lanes from Northampton Blvd. to Baker Rd.

• Pembroke Area Comprehensive Transportation Plan – (CIP# 2-238) The project will study the Central Business District surrounding Town Center and develop various alternatives for transportation improvements in the area.

B ayside Planning Area 163

If current traffic conditions continue on the primary roads in this planning area, by the Year 2026, Independence Boulevard and Newtown Road will be operating beyond their current capacities. Access in and out of the City along its western quadrant will be impacted by moderate congestion on that portion of Shore Drive.

Access to the Pembroke area from the south and southeast will be impeded by heavy congestion on Holland Road. The following table provides a comparison of current and future traffic volumes on the primary roads in this planning area.

Current and Future Traffic Volumes by the Year 2030 Bayside Planning Area 2003 2030 DAILY DAILY STREET FROM TO TRIPS TRIPS I - 264 Witchduck Rd. Independence Blvd. 213,000 223,000 I - 264 Newtown Rd. Witchduck Rd. 194,000 230,000 Independence Blvd. Haygood Rd. Northampton Blvd. 41,000 49,000 Independence Blvd. Pembroke Haygood Rd. 49,000 55,000 Independence Blvd. Va. Beach Blvd. Jeanne St. 54,000 62,000 Newtown Rd. Norfolk/VB line Diamond Springs Rd. 40,000 43,000 Northampton Blvd. Wesleyan Dr. Diamond Springs Rd 71,000 77,000 Shore Dr. Diamond Springs Rd. Independence Blvd. 30,000 36,000 Shore Dr. Norfolk/VB line Diamond Springs Rd. 36,000 37,000 VA Beach Blvd. Newtown Rd. Witchduck Rd. 43,000 53,000 Source: Hampton Roads Planning District Commission 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan (December 2007).

PUBLIC FACILITIES

Public facilities comprise all of the public services provided by the City to its residents and visitors alike. Those services include education, public safety and emergency medical, libraries, recreation, and public water and sewer and solid waste management.

SCHOOLS

The following schools are located in the Bayside Planning Area: Elementary Schools (Grades K-5) • Bayside • Diamond Springs • Luxford • Newtown

Bayside Planning Area 164

Elementary Schools (Grades K-5) • Old Donation Center1 • Pembroke • Pembroke Meadows • Shelton Park • Thoroughgood • Williams

Middle Schools (Grades 6-8) • Bayside • Center for Effective Learning • Independence • Kemps Landing1

High Schools (Grades 9-12) • Bayside • Princess Anne

Others • Virginia Beach Central Academy (high school alternative education) • Open Campus (high school alternative education)

LIBRARIES

Library facilities located in the Bayside Planning Area include: • Bayside Area & Special Services Library

POLICE

The Third Police Precinct is located in the Bayside Planning Area at 926 Independence Boulevard.

FIRE

The Haygood Fire Station (Station #2) is located in the Bayside Planning Area at 4672 Haygood Road.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES The Haygood EMS Station (Station #2), a volunteer rescue squad, is located in conjunction with the Haygood Fire Station.

1 School facility is being used as Magnet School with limited enrollment, as opposed to a regular school

B ayside Planning Area 165

PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM AND SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM

City water and sewer serve most of the Bayside Planning Area. However, it is the long-term objective of the City to bring all areas not served by City water and sewer services on line via capital improvement projects.

PARKS / PUBLIC OPEN SPACE / RECREATION FACILITIES

As part of the Department of Parks and Recreation’s development of its Strategic Plan, the Department recently reclassified and updated its parks and recreation land and facilities site inventory and developed corresponding Design Standards. The parks and recreation classifications were revamped in order to align the City’s parks and recreation land and facilities with similar sites in comparable size localities nationwide.

The new park and recreation classifications include: Signature Parks; Metro Parks; Community Parks; Neighborhood Parks; Natural Resource Areas; General Open Space; Linkages; and Special Use Facilities for Recreation Centers, Golf Courses, Athletic Complexes, and Water Access Sites.

For a detailed description of each of the new classifications and their accompanying amenities, please refer to the Department of Parks and Recreation Design Standards Manual, or the 2008 Virginia Beach Outdoors Plan.

Figure 40 provides the general locations of neighborhood parks, general open space areas and linkages within the Bayside Planning Area. Refer to Figure 33 in the Citywide Section of the Technical Report for the general locations of signature parks, metro parks, community parks, special use areas and natural areas located within the City.

Bayside Planning Area 166

Figure 40

B ayside Planning Area 167

Parks, Public Open Space and Recreational Facilities Site Parcel Developed Undeveloped Site Name Site Address Type Acreage Acreage Acreage CP Williams Farm Park 5252 Learning Circle 36 36 0 GOS Lake Lawson Parcel "A" Shell Rd. 5.2 0 5.2

GOS Lake Lawson Parcel "B" Shell Rd. 1.5 0 1.5 NP Amhurst Park Baker Rd. 2.69 0 2.69 Aragona Christ Pres. Church NP 725 Aragona Blvd. 1.7 1.7 0 Park Wesleyan Dr. & Baker NP Baker Park 2.48 2.48 0 Rd. NP Cypress Point North Park 1100 Fallbrook Bend. 2.51 2.51 0 NP Diamond Springs Park 5610 Haden Rd. 14.5 14.5 0 NP Grand Lakes Park Indian Summer La. 1 1 0 NP Haygood Point Park 4775 Haygood Point Rd. 5.15 5.15 0 NP Hermitage Park 4730 Andrew Jackson La. 0.61 0.61 0 NP Lake Edward North Park 800 Hamphire La. 0.92 0.92 0 NP Lake Edward Park Hampshire La. 4.9 1.1 3.8 NP Lakeview Shores Park 480 Mckenzie Dr. 0.98 0.98 0 NP Lawson Hall Park 5564 Lawson Hall Rd. 1.34 1.34 0 NP Lynbrook Landing Park 5390 Lynbrook Landing. 2.6 2.6 0 NP Margate Ave. Park 5980 Margate Ave. 0.3 0 0.3 NP Newsome Farms Park 600 Prospect La. 0.48 0.48 0 NP Northridge Park 5210 Condor St. 1.62 1.62 0 NP Pembroke Meadows Park Alfriends Tr. 1 1 0 Pembroke Meadows Wayside NP 4500 Pembroke Blvd. 0.9 0.9 0 Park NP Raleigh Square Park Shire Reach 2.54 2.54 0 NP Romney Lane Park 857 Romney La 0.3 0.3 0 NP Saw Pen Point Park 1051 Saw Pen Point Tr. 2.11 2.11 0 NP Wesleyan Park Hillock Crossing 2.98 2.98 0 NP Witchduck Landing Park 5073 Holly Farms Dr. 1.64 1.64 0 SUWA Lake Smith Fishing Station 5300 Shell Rd. 15.6 4.51 11.09

Total Acreage 113.55 88.97 24.58 Key: Site Types: (SP)= Signature Park, (MP)= Metro Park, (CP)= Community Park, (NP)= Neighborhood Park, (SUGC)= Special Use Golf Course, (SURC)= Special Use Recreation Center, (SUAC)= Special Use Athletic Complexes, (SUWA)= Special Use Water Access, (GOS)= General Open Space, (NRA)= Natural Resource Areas, (LINK)= Linkages

Bayside Planning Area 168

Bikeways and Trails System

According to the City’s adopted Bikeways and Trails Plan, the following bikeways and trails system initiatives are either existing or are recommended for implementation:

• A new shared use path will be constructed with the Baker Road Extended project.

• Thalia Creek Greenway – This proposed greenway project runs along Thalia Creek in the area around Town Center. The master plan document was completed in April 2007. The master plan includes a pedestrian crossing at I-264 to link Town Center and Mount Trashmore.

• Norfolk Southern Railroad Right of Way/Southern Boulevard – This corridor is identified for mass transit. There is potential to incorporate a parallel shared use path along this corridor within the Bayside Planning Area.

• Safe Routes to School Program – Bayside Middle School has been identified to participate in a pilot program that will involve grant funding targeted at increasing the number of children safely walking/biking to school. New infrastructure improvements to improve pedestrian safety will be decided upon with input from the community.

HOUSING

PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR RENTERS AND HOMEOWNERS

The Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation administers a variety of programs that are available to improve both the condition of the residential dwellings and housing opportunities in the City. Many of these programs have multiple sources of funding that could include:

There is currently no subsidized housing located in the Bayside Planning Area.

HOUSING FOR SENIORS

Senior housing facilities currently located in the Bayside Planning Area are listed in the following table.

B ayside Planning Area 169

Senior Housing Facilities EXISTING INDEPENDENT ASSISTED NURSING FACILITIES CARE CARE CARE Bayside Health Care X Center Brighton Gardens X X Virginia Beach X Estates Oakdale Heights X Heritage Hall X Wesleyan Place X (Proposed) Sources: City of Virginia Beach Department of Planning; Virginia Beach Senior Housing Guide, Mayor’s Commission on Aging, City of Virginia Beach, October 2007

HISTORICAL/CULTURAL

HISTORICAL RESOURCES

The City of Virginia Beach employs several approaches to encourage desired physical design. A few of the more visible initiatives are: Planning Commission Design Award Program, the Historic and Cultural Districts Zoning overlay, the National Register of Historical Places/Virginia Landmarks Register, the National Historic Landmarks programs, and the Virginia Beach Historical Register.

The following table identifies those properties located in the Bayside Planning Area that are listed on one of these Registers and/or is designated by the City of Virginia Beach as historical and cultural zoning overlay districts.

Bayside Planning Area 170

Designated Historic Places September 2007

Map # Of Well Known National/ State/ City H/C Zoning Owner Places City Register Overlay District Lynnhaven House City N/S/C Register Yes Managed Old Donation Church Private N/S/C Register Yes Pembroke Manor Private N/S/C Register Yes Ferry Plantation Manor City N/S/C Register Yes Church Point Manor Private --- Yes Adam Public N/S/C Register Yes Thoroughgood1 Weblin House Private N/S/C Register No Sajo Farm Private No 5047 Euclid Road Private City Register No Elaine Moore House Private City Register No Key: N – National, S – State of Virginia, C - City of Virginia Beach Bold – On List of 50 Most Historic Structures in Virginia Beach Notes: (1) Recognized as a National Historic Landmark. Source: City of Virginia Beach, Department of Museums and Historic Preservation and Planning and Community Development

B ayside Planning Area 171

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BACKGROUND

The Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area general boundaries consist of the former Kempsville/Princess Anne Borough line to the west; Landstown Road, Holland Road, Shipp’s Corner Road, the southern boundary of NAS Oceana, and Birdneck Road between NAS Oceana and Prosperity Road to the north; the western and southern boundaries of Dam Neck Fleet Combat Center and the Atlantic Ocean to the east; and Little Island Park’s southern boundary across North Bay to Muddy Creek, Muddy Creek, Indian River Road and portions of West Neck Creek and North Landing River to the south.

The Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area is divided by the Green Line, which establishes the northern and southern subareas. This planning area is the second largest geographic area of the nine planning areas, totaling 34,494 acres.

Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area 172

LAND USE

The land use pattern along the southern boundary of this planning area is made up of mostly agriculture and residential uses. The portion of the planning area north of the Green Line consists of a mix of suburban residential and commercial uses. This area consists of large concentrations of residential and commercial uses that are transforming what was formerly a predominantly rural landscape. The Sandbridge community includes about 1000 single family detached dwellings and approximately 250 multifamily units, many of which are vacation rental units, and is located on a barrier stretch of land between Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

Commercial development, some rather significant along and east of General Booth Boulevard, exists in this planning area. Most of the commercial uses are located north of the Green Line along the General Booth Boulevard corridor. A significant amount of commercial development has occurred in the Red Mill Commons area.

Several important employment centers located in or adjacent to this planning area include: Virginia Beach Municipal Center; Dam Neck Amphibious Base/Fleet Combat Training Center Atlantic; State Military Reservation (Camp Pendleton); and Corporate Landing Office Park.

The following table refers to land and water area for the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area. See Citywide section for land and water table citywide.

Land and Water Area Table Total Land Area 32,509 acres (50.8 square miles) Total Water Area 1,985 acres ( 3.1 square miles) Total Area 34,494 acres (53.9 square miles) Source: City of Virginia Beach Planning Department

The population figures for the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area between 1990 and 2000 are summarized below. The average annual growth increase was approximately 6.5% per year, compared the citywide growth rate of .8% per year.

Population Table YEAR POPULATION PERCENT CHANGE 1990 33,802 2000 55,880 65% Source: City of Virginia Beach Planning Department based on U.S. 2000 Census

Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area 173

ENVIRONMENT

The Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean, West Neck Creek, and Back Bay and adjoins the headwaters of the City’s three primary watersheds - the Chesapeake Bay watershed, the Southern Rivers watershed, and the Owls Creek watershed. The Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area is characterized by the flat coastal plain topography of the Tidewater area of Virginia, and is bounded to the south by the swamps and marshes of the North Landing River and Back Bay systems. The most notable natural resources within the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area include the headwater swamps of the North Landing River system, the expansive waters and marshes of Back Bay, and the northernmost end of the barrier island system comprising the North Carolina Outer Banks. Unlike other areas of the City, the majority of the shoreline in the area remains undeveloped, and natural resources remain prevalent in many areas, notably on lands adjoining wind tidal tributaries headwaters areas. The eastern and western borders of the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area adjoin the Atlantic Ocean and North Landing River and West Neck Creek, respectively, and include numerous wind tidal tributaries and their associated vegetated wetlands areas.

SOILS

Soils in the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area are generally sandy on two dominant ridges which run north to south and are well drained, while soils adjoining the North Landing River and Back Bay are generally clays and poor to fairly drained. Maps providing the general locations of soil types and poorly drained soils in the City are found on Figures 3 and 4, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

WATER RESOURCES

Groundwater

The Yorktown Aquifer is the major potable aquifer in the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area and the City as a whole. Hells Point Golf Club, Herons Ridge Golf Course, Redwing Golf Course, Virginia Beach National, and West Neck Creek Golf Course, all located within the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area, hold Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) permitted groundwater withdrawal permits. A map providing the general location of DEQ permitted groundwater withdrawal sites in the City is found on Figure 6 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

Surface Water

Notable surface water features include numerous manmade freshwater lakes, lunar tidal tributaries, and wind tidal tributaries. Surface waters are classified as being located within a hierarchy of primary, secondary, and tertiary watersheds. The Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area is contained within portions of the Chesapeake Bay, Owls Creek, and Southern Rivers

Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area 174

primary watersheds. The North Landing River secondary watershed encompasses approximately 45 percent of the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area, the Back Bay watershed encompasses approximately 45 percent of the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area, and the Owls Creek primary watershed encompasses the remainder of the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area. A map providing the general locations of primary and secondary watersheds in the City is found on Figure 8 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

The Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area includes portions of the tertiary watersheds found in the following table, as described in the City’s Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) Municipal Stormwater Permit. A map providing the general locations of tertiary watersheds in the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area is found on Figure 41 in this section of the Technical Report.

Tertiary Watersheds in the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area

NUMBER TERTIARY WATERSHED DRAINAGE AREA (SQ MI)

6 London Bridge Creek 14.06

9 Canal #1 South 16.48

10 Upper West Neck Creek 20.11

11 Lower West Neck Creek 6.61

14 Lower Canal #3 10.50

15 Canal #4 (North Landing 3.41 River)

23 Upper Back Bay 11.81

28 Sandbridge 58.38

29 Owls Creek 4.65 Source: City of Virginia Beach Public Works Department

Manmade freshwater lakes adjoining or within the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area include Birdneck Lake, Shark Lake, Bold Ruler Drive Lake, and Red Mill Farm Pond. Wind tidal tributaries adjoining or within the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area include Salem Canal, Gum Swamp, West Neck Creek, and other unnamed wind tidal tributaries to the North Landing River. Additional wind tidal tributaries adjoining or within the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area include Redwing Lake, Brinson’s Inlet Lake (also called Lake Tecumseh), Black Gut, Scopus Marsh, Ashville Bridge Creek, Malbon Swamp, Mill Creek, Stone Creek, Sand Bend, Big Bend, Hells Point Creek, and other unnamed wind tidal tributaries to Back Bay River.

Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area 175

A network of water quality monitoring stations is located in the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area and described in more detail in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

Figure 41

Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area 176

Stormwater Management

The Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area includes the following water bodies serving as stormwater management facilities with a surface area exceeding five acres:

Stormwater Management Facilities and Service Areas in the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area

NUMBER FACILITY SERVICE EXISTING REQUIRED PERCENT NAME AREA STORAGE STORAGE IMPERVIOUS (ACRES) (ACRE (ACRE FEET) FEET)

09-01 Ocean Lake 202.5 50.0 10.46 35.0 #3 (three lakes)

09-02 Birdneck 70.0 10.8 5.44 34.0 Lake

09-04 Shark Lake 67.0 37.5 4.43 25.0

09-07 Ocean Lakes 100.0 25.0 7.53 33.0 #4

09-14 Bold Ruler 440.0 62.5 29.95 26.0 Drive Lake #1-4

09-21 Ocean Lakes 40.0 11.3 2.47 21.0 #1 (two lakes)

09-24 Red Mill 548.0 44.0 32.54 17.0 Farm Pond 35.0 09-25 Lake #2 7.5 1.99 14.0

10-04 Hartford 73.0 10.0 5.14 29.0 Glen Townhouses

10-05 Christopher 328.9 20.0 18.03 15.0 Farm

10-08 Buryn Farm 57.0 10.0 2.53 34.0 North

Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area 177

10-09 Lake Placid 33.0 17.5 2.26 14.0 #3 7.0 10-10 Aldo Farm 3.0 0.41 18.0 369.0 10-11 Landstown 50.0 23.29 21.0 Meadows #1-3 89.82 10-16 Piney Grove 12.5 2.29 34.0 33.0 10-17 Lake Placid 2.3 1.23 30.0 #2

10-18 Hartford 62.0 7.5 3.94 29.0 Glen Townhomes Source: City of Virginia Beach Public Works Department

A map providing the general locations of stormwater management facilities and major and minor outfalls in the City is found on Figure 9 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

WETLANDS

The Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area includes extensive wind tidal swamps and marshes associated with the Back Bay and the North Landing River systems, as well as isolated nontidal wetlands areas. Due to the extensive amount of area involved and the complexities associated with determining the limits of vegetated and nonvegetated wind tidal wetlands and nontidal wetlands, these areas are delineated on a case-by-case basis. A map providing general locations of tidal and nontidal wetlands areas in the City is found on Figure 10 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

FOREST RESOURCES

Former farming and timbering activities and more recent development activity have eliminated much of the original natural forest canopy, but second growth forest is reclaiming much of the area where land use is not undergoing rapid transition to urban uses, and an urban forest canopy has developed over many of the residential areas in the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area. Maritime forests which once were extensive along the Atlantic Ocean shoreline have largely disappeared from the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area. A map providing the general location of champion trees in the City is found on Figure 11 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area 178

NATURAL HERITAGE AREAS

Based upon information provided by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage (DNH), eleven conservation sites have been identified within or adjoining the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area. These sites are identified as the North Landing River: West Neck Creek, North Landing River: Gum Swamp, Muddy Creek, North Bay Marshes, Black Gut, Dam Neck Middle Beach Dunes, Dam Neck Interdunal Swale, Upper Redwing Lake, Lovetts Marsh, Camp Pendleton Dune and Swale, and Dam Neck Northern Dune and Swale Conservation Sites. These sites contain many exemplary plant and animal species, and natural communities. This level of diversity is attributed to the variety of habitat types within this area. These unique habitats include deciduous swamp forests, pocosins, wind tidal marshes, maritime forests, cypress swamps, and vernal pools.

Refer to the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report for a list of Natural Heritage Resources documented within these sites. A map providing the general location of Natural Heritage conservation sites in the City is found on Figure12 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

A list of Natural Heritage Resources documented in the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area but not assigned to a specific conservation site follows:

Natural Heritage Resources Not Assigned to a Conservation Site in the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area

SCIENTIFIC COMMON GLOBAL STATE FEDERAL STATE SEEN NAME NAME RANK RANK STATUS STATUS SINCE 1980 Invertebrates

Calephelis Little G4 S1 NF NS N virginiensis Metalmark

Euphyes Duke’s G3 S2 NF NS Y dukesi Skipper

Pseudopolydes A millipede G3? S2 NF NS N mus paludicolous

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Plants

Carex Epiphytic G3 S2 NF NS Y decomposita Sedge

Cladium Sawgrass G5 T5 S2 NF NS Y jamaicense

Cuscuta Smartweed G5 S2? NF NS N polygonorum Dodder

Erigeron White-Top G5 S2 NF NS Y vernus Fleabane

Hottonia Featherfoil G4 S2 S3 NF NS N inflata

Hydrocotyle Coastal- G5 S1? SOC NS Y Bonariensis Plain Penny-Wort

Ludwigia alata Winged G3 G5 S1 NF NS Y Seedbox

Ludwigia Long Beach G2 G3 S2 SOC NS Y brevipes Seedbox

Ranunculus Long- G5 SH NF NS N hederaceus Stalked Crowfoot

Solidago A G4 G5 S1 NF NS N tortifolia Goldenrod

Tillandsia Spanish G5 S2 NF NS Y usneoides Moss Source: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage Key: See Appendix for Definitions of Rankings and Status Key Note: Rankings with a question mark denote where only an inexact numeric rank is available, given existing data and research.

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FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES

The portion of the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area located north of the Green Line has been designated by the City as a Bird Sanctuary. A map providing general locations of bird sanctuary areas in the City is found on Figure 14 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

OPEN SPACE, GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC LANDS MANAGEMENT

The Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area contains extensive public open space lands. Significant open space lands in the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area include Princess Anne Park, Redwing Park and Golf Course, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, West Neck Creek Natural Area Park, Hells Point Golf Club, Herons Ridge Golf Course, Virginia Beach National, West Neck Creek Golf Course, and Little Island Park. These lands, along with privately-owned forest, swamp, marsh and agricultural lands, constitute a significant amount of the undeveloped open space in the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area and the City. The entire North Landing River and Back Bay watersheds have been designated as components of the City’s Scenic Waterway System. The North Landing River has additionally been designated as a State Scenic River.

Maps providing general locations of major federal, state and private open space lands, and golf courses, City metro parks, City signature parks, City community parks and City natural areas in the City are found on Figures 17, and 18, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Significant environmental education opportunities exist in and adjoining the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area, particularly in connection with Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park. A number of habitat restoration projects have been undertaken in and adjoining the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area, most notably at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, involving wind tidal wetlands and dune restoration, urban forestry, shoreline stabilization, and riparian vegetation buffer establishment. A map providing the general locations of habitat restoration project sites in the City is found on Figure 19 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

HAZARD MANAGEMENT AND MITIGATION

Due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, a portion of the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area is subject to coastal flooding and shoreline erosion. Similarly, due to its proximity to the North Landing River and Back Bay systems and extensive wind tidal tributaries, a significant portion of the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area is subject to coastal flooding. A significant portion of the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area is located within the 100-year floodplain. Properties adjoining the Atlantic Ocean shoreline in the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area are located in coastal high hazard areas subject to storm surge during major storm events. Maps

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providing general locations of hurricane evacuation routes and hurricane evacuation zones, and 100 year floodplains and coastal high hazard areas in the City are found on Figures 22 and 23, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORY PROGRAMS

Development activities within the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area are regulated by the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Ordinance, Southern Watersheds Management Ordinance, Floodplain Regulations, Stormwater Management Ordinance, and Tidal Wetlands Ordinance. A general description of these programs is found in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

Approximately five percent of the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area is designated as a Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area (CBPA). Approximately ninety percent of the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area is designated as a Southern Watersheds Management Area. The remaining five percent of the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area is located within the Owls Creek watershed. For most of the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area, development is not allowed within the 100 year floodplain. Where development is allowed within the 100 year floodplain, the Floodplain Regulations require that habitable spaces for all new development must be located a minimum of 1 foot above the 100 year flood level. All new development in the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area must meet requirements in the Stormwater Management Ordinance. Wind tidal shorelines comprising both vegetated and nonvegetated tidal wetlands areas are regulated under the Tidal Wetlands Ordinance.

A general description of these programs and areas regulated is found in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report. Maps providing the general locations of CBPA areas, southern watersheds buffer areas, 100 year floodplains, and tidal wetlands in the City are found on Figures 10, 22, and 24 respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

TRANSPORTATION

EXISTING SYSTEM

Key roads serving the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area, both north and south of the Green Line include: Holland, Princess Anne, North Landing, Dam Neck, London Bridge and Indian River Roads; and General Booth Boulevard.

Access for the Courthouse-Sandbridge Planning Area will be greatly enhanced by the proposed Southeastern Parkway and Greenbelt and the completion of Nimmo Parkway.

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PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS

Road projects proposed in the current CIP FY 2009-2010 (with FY 2010 update) include:

• Princess Anne Road, Phase IV (CIP# 2-305) – This project will provide a 4 lane parkway from Dam Neck Road to the Virginia Beach Municipal Center & extending east to Holland Road;

• Nimmo Parkway, Phase V-A (CIP# 2-121) – This project will provide a 4 lane divided road with a shared-use path from Holland Road to General Booth Boulevard;

• Princess Anne Road Phase VII (CIP# 2-195) – This project will provide a 4-lane divided road with a shared use path from Holland Road to General Booth Boulevard.

• Seaboard Road (CIP# 2-107) – this project will provide a 3-lane undivided road connecting Princess Anne Road to Nimmo Parkway;

• Southeastern Parkway and Greenbelt (CIP# 2-089) - This project will provide a 4-lane divided parkway from I-264 to Chesapeake City Line. Funding to date has been for right-of-way acquisition, corridor studies, and preliminary environmental work;

• West Neck Road Interim Safety Improvements (CIP# 2-502) –This project will construct three safety improvement projects including intersection improvements at Indian River Road and West Neck Road, the elimination of some roadside ditches and drainage improvements between North Landing Road and Signature Drive , and minor curve realignments between Signature Drive and Indian River Road.

• Holland Road – Phase VI (CIP# 2-158) – This project will provide a 4-lane divided road from Dam Neck Rd. to the future Nimmo Parkway;

The following table provides a comparison of current and future traffic volumes on the primary roads in this planning area.

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Current and Future Traffic Volumes by the Year 2030 Courthouse / Sandbridge Planning Area 2003 2030 STREET FROM TO DAILY DAILY TRIPS TRIPS Dam Neck Rd. Holland Rd. Drakesmile Rd. 43,000 44,000 Dam Neck Rd. Drakesmile Rd. London Bridge Rd. 46,000 38,000 Dam Neck Rd. London Bridge Rd. SE Parkway 30,000 22,000 Dam Neck Rd. SE Parkway Gen. Booth Blvd. 24,000 35,000 Dam Neck Rd. Gen. Booth Blvd. Upton Dr. 34,000 37,000 Gen Booth Blvd. London Bridge Rd. Nimmo Pwky 30,000 50,000 Gen Booth Blvd. Dam Neck Rd. Oceana Blvd. 60,000 60,000 Gen Booth Blvd. Dam Neck Rd. London Bridge Rd. 30,000 50,000 Holland Rd. Dam Neck Rd. Lynnhaven Pkwy 30,000 47,000 Princess Anne Rd. Seaboard Rd. Indian River Rd. 8,000 13,000 Princess Anne Rd. Sandbridge Rd. Gen. Booth Blvd. 14,000 14,000 Princess Anne Rd. Independence Blvd. Dam Neck Rd. 44,000 46,000 Southeastern Parkway Princess Anne Rd. Indian River Rd. NA 25,000 Southeastern Parkway Dam Neck Rd. Princess Anne Rd. NA 25,000 Source: Hampton Roads Planning District Commission 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan (December 2007).

PUBLIC FACILITIES

Public facilities comprise all the public services and facilities provided by the City to all its residents and visitor alike. Those services include education, public safety and emergency medical, libraries, recreation, public water and sewer and solid waste management.

SCHOOLS The following schools are located in the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area:

Elementary Schools (Grades K-5) • Birdneck • Christopher Farms • Corporate Landing • Landstown • North Landing • Ocean Lakes • Princess Anne

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Elementary Schools (Grades K-5) • Red Mill • Strawbridge • Three Oaks

Middle Schools (Grades 6-8) • Corporate Landing • Landstown • Princess Anne

High Schools (Grades 9-12) • Kellam • Ocean Lakes • Landstown

Others • Technical and Career Education Center • Advanced Technology Center

LIBRARIES

The Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area has one branch library, the Princess Anne Area Library. Additionally, two “Special Libraries” are located in this planning area:

• Municipal Reference Library (Virginia Beach Municipal Center) • Law Library (Virginia Beach Judicial Center)

POLICE

The following Police Precinct is located in the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area:

• The First Police Precinct (Headquarters) at 2509 Princess Anne Road

FIRE

The following fire stations are located in the Courthouse/ Sandbridge Planning Area:

• Fire Training Center at 927 S. Birdneck Road • Princess Anne Fire Station (Station #5) at 2461 Princess Anne Road • Seatack Fire Station (Station #12) at 949 S. Birdneck Road • Sandbridge Fire Station (Station #17) at 305 Sandbridge Road

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EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

The following Volunteer Rescue Squads are located in the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area:

• Princess Anne EMS Station (Station #5) at 2461 Princess Anne Road • Sandbridge EMS Station (Station #17) at 305 Sandbridge Road

MISCELLANEOUS

• The Virginia Beach Municipal Center • The Virginia Beach City Garage (Leroy Drive)

PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM AND SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM

In the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area, the area south of Indian River Road is served by wells and septic systems. The Hampton Roads Sanitation District Atlantic sewage treatment plant is located in the eastern section of the planning area.

PARKS / PUBLIC OPEN SPACE / RECREATION FACILITIES

As part of the Department of Parks and Recreation’s development of its Strategic Plan, the Department recently reclassified and updated its parks and recreation land and facilities site inventory and developed corresponding Design Standards. The park and recreation classifications were revamped in order to align the City’s parks and recreation land and facilities with similar sites in comparable size localities nationwide.

The new park and recreation classifications include: Signature Parks; Metro Parks; Community Parks; Neighborhood Parks; Natural Resource Areas; General Open Space; Linkages; and Special Use Facilities for Recreation Centers, Golf Courses, Athletic Complexes, and Water Access Sites.

For a detailed description of each of the new classifications and their accompanying amenities, please refer to the Department of Parks and Recreation Design Standards Manual, or the 2008 Virginia Beach Outdoor Plan.

Figure 42 provides the general locations of neighborhood parks, general open space area and linkages located within the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area. Refer to Figure 33 in the Citywide Section of the Technical Report for the general locations of signatures parks, metro parks, community parks, special use areas and natural areas located within the City.

Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area 186

Figure 42

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Parks, Public Open Space and Recreational Facilities

Site Parcel Developed Undeveloped Site Name Site Address Type Acreage Acreage Acreage Dunwoody 1201 Hubbel CP 25.4 25.38 0 Park Dr. Ocean Lakes CP Firefall Dr. 24.6 24.61 0 Park 1900 Red Mill CP Sandbridge 18.28 18.28 0 Farms Park Rd. Three Oaks 2077 Princess CP 36.8 0 36.82 Park Anne Rd. Fox Fire Renaissance GOS 10.03 0 10.03 Parcel 1 Way Holland Pines Chestwood GOS 59.6 0 59.55 Park Dr. Indian River Indian River GOS 49.2 0 49.19 Rd. Parcel A Rd. Indian River Indian River GOS 29.9 0 29.86 Rd. Parcel B Rd. Lotus Garden 1269 Lotus GOS 23.6 0 23.6 Park Dr. New Bridge 3180 New GOS 45.8 0 45.8 Park Bridge Rd. Princess Anne GOS Woods Parcel Childeric Rd. 0.41 0 0.41 A Princess Anne

GOS Woods Park Childeric Rd. 52.3 0 52.28 Sec.-2 Prosperity Prosperity GOS 132 0 131.9 Park Rd. Red Wing 1398 General MP 96.5 63.01 33.5 Park Booth Blvd. Box Elder NP Box Elder Ct. 0.47 0.47 0 Park Buyrn Farms NP Buyrn Cir. 15.5 0.5 15 Park

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2400 NP Fox Fire Park Esplanade 8.56 8.56 0 Dr. Holland Oaks 2962 Sugar NP 0.63 0.63 0 Park Maple Dr. 1660 Holland Pines NP Chestwood 3.73 0 3.73 West Park Dr. Holland Creekstone NP 16.26 0.8 16.18 Woods Park Ct. Hunt Club 2400 Hunts NP 2.3 2.3 0 Forest Park Neck Tr. Hunt Club 2100 Grey NP 1.5 1.5 0 Park Fox La. Hunter's Run 2500 Hunter's NP (Southgate) 1.85 1.85 0 Run Tr. Park Lagomar At Casa Verde NP 3.56 3.56 0 Back Bay Park Way Lagomar NP Artesia Way 2.26 2 0.26 North Park 2700 NP Lagomar Park Atwoodtown 1.79 1.79 0 Rd. Lake Placid 2420 Mirror NP 4.97 4.97 0 Park Lake Dr. Landstown 3180 Monet NP 5.01 5.01 0 Lakes Park Dr. Landstown 1910 Winter NP 4.89 4.89 0 Meadows Park Forest Ct. Landstown 3370 NP Meadows 3.13 3.13 0 Barberry La. Sec.-1 Park 2317 Litchfield NP Litchfield 16.5 0.54 16 Manor Park Way Lotus Garden Sandbridge NP 2.09 2.09 0 Park Rd. Malbon Acres 1900 Rossini NP 0.67 0.67 0 Park Dr. Middle Oaks 2368 Breezy NP Plantation 1.85 1.85 0 Pines La. Park

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Ocean Lakes 1200 NP 2 2 0 East Park Tennyson Rd. Ocean Lakes 1200 Brahms NP 2 2 0 North Park Dr. 1000 Pine Meadows NP Wasserman 4.91 4.91 0 Park Dr. Pine Meadows NP Galvanti Dr. 2.2 2.2 0 Place Park Pine Meadows 1500 Bunsen NP 2.85 2.85 0 Sec. 3 Park Dr. Pine Ridge 1900 Piney NP 4.13 4.13 0 Park Woods La. Princess Anne 2561 NP 1.1 1.1 0 Crossing Park Cantwell Rd. Princess Anne 3475 Princess NP 13.9 13.9 0 Park Anne Rd. Princess Anne NP Fenwick Way 6.46 2.83 3.63 Quarter Red Mill Red Mill NP Farms Park 0.97 0.97 0 Blvd. Sec-2 1215 Red Wing on NP Eaglewood 7.29 7.29 0 the Park Dr. Rolling Woods NP Prodan La. 58.8 0 58.78 Park 100 Sandbridge NP Sandbridge 0.97 0.97 0 Beach Park Rd. Sawyer Lakes NP Gideon Rd. 1.28 1.28 0 Estates Park 2200 NP Southgate Park Huckleberry 1.97 1.97 0 Tr. Southgate Park 2400 NP 2.54 2.54 0 Sec-2 Lillipond Tr. Strawbridge Lewisham NP 2.41 2.41 0 Park Sec. -3 Way 2100 Strawbridge NP Weybridge 5.42 0 5.42 Park Sec.-1 Ct. Strawbridge 2301 Hunts NP 6.19 6.19 0 Park Sec.-2 Neck Tr. Upton Estates 1100 NP 1.69 1.69 0 North Park Crossway Dr. Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area 190

Upton Estates 1900 NP 3.11 3.11 0 Park Sec.-2 Eastborne Dr. Wood Of 3000 NP Piney Grove 1.84 1.84 0 Damascus Tr. Park West Neck West Neck NRA 217.3 18.37 198.9 Creek Park Rd. 3820 Little Island SP Sandpiper 123 123.5 0 Park Rd. Princess Anne 2188 SUAC Athletic Landstown 260 97 163 Complex Rd. 2181 Soccer SUAC Recreation 65 65 0 Complex Dr. 2181 SUAC Sportsplex Landstown 92.9 92.87 0 Rd. U.S. Field 2257 SUAC Hockey Landstown 33 33 0 Complex Rd. Red Wing 1144 SUGC Lake Golf Prosperity 424 292.6 0 Course Rd. Virginia Beach 2400 SUGC National Golf Tournament 439 439.2 0 Course Dr. Princess Anne 1400 Ferrell SURC Recreation 15.8 15.79 0 Pkwy. Center Dozier Bridge Princess SUWA 1.3 1.3 0 Canoe Launch Anne Rd.

Total Acreage 2509.27 1423.20 953.84

Key: Site Types: (SP)= Signature Park, (MP)= Metro Park, (CP)= Community Park, (NP)= Neighborhood Park, (SUGC)= Special Use Golf Course, (SURC)= Special Use Recreation Center, (SUAC)= Special Use Athletic Complexes, (SUWA)= Special Use Water Access, (GOS)= General Open Space, (NRA)= Natural Resource Areas, (LINK)= Linkages

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Bikeways and Trails System

According to the City’s adopted Bikeways and Trails Plan, the following bikeways and trails system initiatives either exist or are recommended for implementation:

• Princess Anne Commons – A one mile racing criterion track open to clubs for training is located at the Sportsplex. Numerous asphalt trails wind throughout the complex. A proposed 5 kilometer looped shared use pathway for every day use and special events is under consideration for development.

• Princess Anne Road/Nimmo Parkway – New shared use pathways will be constructed with roadway project.

• Transition Area – Extensive trail network connecting new subdivisions is under development.

• Dam Neck Road – An existing shared use pathway parallels the north side of Dam Neck Road between Holland Road and General Booth Boulevard.

• General Booth Boulevard – This is an existing shared use pathway parallel to the west side of General Booth Boulevard between Dam Neck Road and Rudee Inlet Bridge.

Beaches and Scenic Waterways

Public beaches located in this planning area include:

• Sandbridge Beach

Canoe access located in the planning area includes:

• West Neck Creek (designated scenic waterway)

HOUSING

PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR RENTERS AND HOMEOWNERS

The Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation administers a variety of programs that are available to improve both the condition of the residential dwellings and housing opportunities in the City.

Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area 192

Federally assisted rental housing developments are located around the City that provides several hundred reduced rental units for income-eligible households, low-income families, seniors and/or disabled persons. The only federally assisted housing developments located in the Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area as of October 2007 is Sullivan House (housing for seniors facility).

HOUSING FOR SENIORS

Senior housing facilities currently located or proposed in the Courthouse Planning Area are listed in the following table. Senior Housing Facilities

Number Existing Facilities Independent Care Assisted Nursing Care Care 12 Hope Haven X 25 Atlantic Shores X X X 34 Sullivan House X Sources: City of Virginia Beach Department of Planning; Virginia Beach Senior Housing Guide, Mayor’s Commission on Aging, City of Virginia Beach, October 2007

HISTORICAL/CULTURAL

HISTORICAL RESOURCES

The City of Virginia Beach employs several approaches to encourage desired physical design. A few of the more visible initiatives are: Planning Commission Design Award Program, the Historic and Cultural Zoning Overlay Districts, the National Register of Historical Places/Virginia Landmarks Register, the National Historic Landmarks programs, and the Virginia Beach Historical Register.

The following table identifies those properties located in the Courthouse / Sandbridge Planning Area that are listed on one of these Registers and/or is designated by the City of Virginia Beach as historical and cultural zoning overlay districts.

Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area 193

Designated Historic Places September 1, 2007 Courthouse / Sandbridge Planning Area

National City Map # Of Well Name State City H/C Zoning Known Places Register Overlay District 24 Former Princess Anne --- Yes County Courthouse 25 Civil War Statue --- Yes 26 Whitehurst House --- Yes 27 Nimmo UM Church --- Yes 12 Lancaster Lovett House --- Yes 30 Little Island Life Saving City Register No Station --- Chaplin House City Register No --- Tabernacle UM Church City Register No --- St. Johns Baptist Church City Register No --- Woodhouse (Simmons) City Register No --- William (Johnathan) City Register No Woodhouse Key: N – National, S – State of Virginia, C - City of Virginia Beach Bold – On List of 50 Most Historic Structures in Virginia Beach Source: City of Virginia Beach

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GGRREEAATT NNEECCKK

TTEECCHHNNIICCAALL RREEPPOORRTT BACKGROUND

The Great Neck Planning Area is located in the northeastern section of the City. The planning area is bounded by the Lynnhaven Bay, the Eastern Branch of the Lynnhaven River and London Bridge Creek to the west, Broad Bay and Linkhorn Bay to the north and east, and the Norfolk and Southern Railroad line to the south.

LAND USE

The Great Neck Planning Area is comprised of many well-defined and established residential neighborhoods of low to medium densities. More than 50 percent of all the housing in this planning area is single family detached. The highest residential densities of multi-family and townhouse dwellings are generally located adjacent to I-264.

Commercial and retail business land uses are concentrated in the Hilltop and London Bridge areas, and along Virginia Beach Boulevard and Laskin Road.

The following table refers to land and water area for the Great Neck Planning area. See Citywide section for land and water areas table citywide.

Great Neck Planning Area 195

Land and Water Area Table Total Land Area 8,392 acres (13.1 square miles) Total Water Area 2,097 acres (3.3 square miles) Total Area 10,489 acres (16.4 square miles) Source: City of Virginia Beach Planning Department

The population figures in the Great Neck Planning Area, between 1990 and 2000 are summarized below. Between 1990 and 2000 the population decreased by an average of .6 % per year.

Population Table YEAR POPULATION PERCENT CHANGE 1990 37,306 2000 35,075 -6% Source: City of Virginia Beach Planning Department based on U.S. 2000 Census.

ENVIRONMENT

The Great Neck Planning Area is bounded by Broad Bay to the north, the Eastern Branch of the Lynnhaven River to the west, and Linkhorn Bay and Little Neck Creek to the east. The Great Neck Planning Area is characterized by the flat coastal plain topography of the Tidewater area of Virginia, and is surrounded by the coastal environment of the Lynnhaven River system. The most notable natural resources within the Great Neck Planning Area include the shoreline of the Lynnhaven River system, and the significant wetlands areas which cut into the center of the area from Wolfsnare Creek to the west, Overstreet Cove to the north, and Great Neck Creek to the east. While the majority of the shoreline has been developed, natural areas remain in some areas, most notably on lands adjoining lunar tidal tributaries headwater areas. The borders of the Great Neck Planning Area adjoin the Eastern Branch of the Lynnhaven River, Broad Bay and Linkhorn Bay, which include numerous lunar tidal tributaries and their associated vegetated wetlands areas.

SOILS

Soils in the Great Neck Planning Area are generally clays and silt loams and fair to well drained. Maps providing the general locations of soil types and poorly drained soils in the City are found on Figures 3 and 4, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

Great Neck Planning Area 196

WATER RESOURCES

Groundwater The Yorktown Aquifer is the major potable aquifer in the Great Neck Planning Area and the City as a whole. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) permitted groundwater withdrawals within the Great Neck Planning Area include the Broad Bay Point Greens Country Club and the Cavalier Golf and Yacht Club. A map providing the general location of DEQ permitted groundwater withdrawal sites in the City is found on Figure 6 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

Surface Water

Notable surface water features include manmade freshwater lakes and lunar tidal tributaries. Surface waters are classified as being located within a hierarchy of primary, secondary, and tertiary watersheds. The Great Neck Planning Area is located within the Chesapeake Bay primary watershed and the Lynnhaven River secondary watershed. A map providing the general locations of primary and secondary watersheds in the City is found on Figure 8 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

The Great Neck Planning Area includes portions of the tertiary watersheds found in the following table, as described in the City’s Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) Municipal Stormwater Permit. A map providing the general locations of tertiary watersheds and stormwater outfalls in the Great Neck Planning Area is found on Figure 43 in this section of the Technical Report.

Tertiary Watersheds in the Great Neck Planning Area

NUMBER SUBWATERSHED DRAINAGE AREA (SQ MI)

5 Main Stem / Eastern Branch 6.53 Lynnhaven River

6 London Bridge Creek 13.21

7 Wolfsnare Creek 4.91

8 Great Neck Creek 3.02

30 First Landing / Seashore 19.60 Source: City of Virginia Beach Public Works Department

Manmade freshwater lakes adjoining or within the Great Neck Planning Area include Great Neck Lake, Lake Trant, Lake Wolfsnare, and Sylvan Lake. Lunar tidal tributaries adjoining or within the Great Neck Planning Area include Broad Bay, Linkhorn Bay, Eastern Branch of the Lynnhaven River, Keeling Drain, Brock Cove, Brown Cove, Wolfsnare Creek, London Bridge Creek, Ferebee Cove, Overstreet Cove, the Narrows, Deary Cove, Little Neck Creek, Great Neck Creek, and other unnamed lunar tidal tributaries to Broad Bay, Linkhorn Bay or the Eastern Branch of the Lynnhaven River.

Great Neck Planning Area 197

A network of water quality monitoring stations is located adjoining or within the Great Neck Planning Area, as noted in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

Figure 43

Great Neck Planning Area 198

Stormwater Management

The Great Neck Planning Area includes the following waterbodies serving as stormwater management facilities with a surface area exceeding five acres:

Stormwater Management Facilities and Service Areas in the Great Neck Planning Area

NUMBER FACILITY SERVICE EXISTING REQUIRED PERCENT NAME AREA STORAGE STORAGE IMPERVIOUS (ACRES) (ACRE (ACRE FEET) FEET)

05-05 Great Neck 216.0 238.0 17.49 39.0 Road

05-06 Lake (Great 52.0 36.0 3.98 34.0 Neck) #3 and #4

05-08 Lake (Great 32.0 55.0 2.19 25.0 Neck) #5 359.8 05-09 Lake Trant 112.0 22.65 40.0

07-03 Dodd Drive 7.0 5.0 0.62 47.0 Lake

07-07 Lake 233.0 87.5 18.04 35.0 Wolfsnare

07-08 Five Point 61.0 25.0 4.51 31.0 Road Lake 32.0 08-03 Spring Lake 20.0 3.31 62.0

30-05 John B. Dey 87.0 5.0 5.62 40.0 Lake

30-09 Pleasure 41.0 17.5 4.71 37.0 House Road Lake Source: City of Virginia Beach Public Works Department

A map providing the general locations of major stormwater management facilities and their service areas in the City is found on Figure 9 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

Great Neck Planning Area 199

WETLANDS

The Great Neck Planning Area includes considerable lunar tidal wetland fringes along tributary creeks and coves associated with the Lynnhaven River system, as well as isolated nontidal wetlands areas. Due to the extensive amount of area involved and the complexities associated with determining the limits of vegetated and nonvegetated lunar tidal wetlands and nontidal wetlands, these areas are delineated on a case-by-case basis. A map providing general locations of tidal and nontidal wetlands areas in the City is found on Figure 10 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

FOREST RESOURCES

Former farming and more recent development activity have eliminated much of the original natural forest canopy, but an urban forest canopy has developed over many of the residential areas in the Great Neck Planning Area. A map providing the general location of champion trees in the City is found on Figure 11 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

NATURAL HERITAGE AREAS

Based upon information provided by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage (DNH), four conservation sites have been identified adjoining the Great Neck Planning Area, though none have been identified within the Great Neck Planning Area. These sites contain many exemplary plant and animal species, and natural communities. This level of diversity is attributed to the variety of habitat types within these adjoining areas. These unique habitats include sandy beaches, maritime forest, bald cypress swamps, and interdunal ponds.

Refer to the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report for a list of Natural Heritage Resources documented within these sites. A map providing the general location of Natural Heritage conservation sites in the City is found on Figure 12 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

A list of Natural Heritage Resources documented in the Great Neck Planning Area but not assigned to a specific conservation site follows:

Great Neck Planning Area 200

Natural Heritage Resources Not Assigned to a Conservation Site in the Great Neck Planning Area

SCIENTIFIC COMMON GLOBAL STATE FEDERAL STATE SEEN NAME NAME RANK RANK STATUS STATUS SINCE 1980

Invertebrates

Calephelis Little G4 S1 NF NS N virginiensis Metalmark

Cincindela A Tiger G5 S1 NF NS Y trifas-ciata Beetle

Plants

Arenaria A Sandwort G5 T5 SH NF NS N lanuginosa ssp. lanuginosa

Eleocharis Baldwin G4 G5 S1 NF NS N baldwinii Spikerush

Erigeron White-Top G5 S2 NF NS N vernus Fleabane

Honckenya Sea-Beach G5 T4 SH NF NS N peploides ssp. Sandwort robusta

Juncus elliotii Bog Rush G4 G5 S1 S2 NF NS N

Osmanthus Wild Olive G5 T5 S1 NF NS N americanus var. americanus

Physalis Sticky G4 S2 NF NS Y walteri Ground- Cherry

Solidago A G4 G5 S1 NF NS N tortifolia Goldenrod

Spartina Freshwater G5 S2 NF NS N pectinata Cordgrass

Great Neck Planning Area 201

Sphagnum Soft G4 S2 NF NS N molle Peatmoss

Tillandsia Spanish G5 S2 NF NS N usneoides Moss

Wisteria American G5 S2 NF NS NO frutescens Wisteria DATE Source: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage Key: See Appendix for Definitions of Rankings and Status Key

FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES

Due to its location adjoining the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, the Great Neck Planning Area is home to a wide array of unique plant and animal species. Its location at the southern mouth of the Chesapeake Bay makes the City an important stopover for many migratory bird species utilizing the Atlantic Flyway, most notably for shorebirds and neo-tropical songbirds. The entire Great Neck Planning Area has been designated by the City as a Bird Sanctuary. Portions of Lynnhaven Inlet are currently open for the direct marketing of shellfish, and many areas are leased or reserved as sanctuary areas for shellfish by the Commonwealth. Maps providing general locations of bird sanctuary areas, and shellfish lease and sanctuary areas in the City are found on Figures 14, and 15, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

OPEN SPACE, GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC LANDS MANAGEMENT

The Great Neck Planning Area contains open space lands adjoining the Eastern Branch of the Lynnhaven River, Wolfsnare Creek, and Mill Dam Creek. Other significant open space lands in the Great Neck Planning Area include the Addington Farm. These lands constitute the most significant developed and undeveloped open space in the Great Neck Planning Area. The entire Lynnhaven River watershed has been designated as a component of the City’s Scenic Waterway System. A more complete description of open space lands located within the Great Neck Planning Area is found in the Great Neck Public Facilities Section of the Technical Report. Maps providing general locations of major federal, state and private open space lands, and golf courses, City metro parks, City signature parks, City community parks and City natural areas in the City are found on Figures 17, and 18, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

A number of habitat restoration projects have been undertaken in and adjoining the Great Neck Planning Area, most notably at City Public School and Park sites, involving urban forestry, shoreline stabilization, riparian vegetation buffer establishment, and oyster reef establishment. A map providing the general locations of habitat restoration project sites in the City is found on Figure 19 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

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HAZARD MANAGEMENT AND MITIGATION

Due to its proximity to Chesapeake Bay and the Lynnhaven River system and adjoining lunar tidal tributaries, a portion of the Great Neck Planning Area is located within the 100-year floodplain. Maps providing general locations of hurricane evacuation routes and hurricane evacuation zones, and 100 year floodplains and coastal high hazard areas in the City are found on Figures 22 and 23, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORY PROGRAMS

Development activities within the Great Neck Planning Area are regulated by the City under the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Ordinance, Coastal Primary Sand Dune Ordinance, Floodplain Regulations, Stormwater Management Ordinance, and Tidal Wetlands Ordinance. A general description of these programs is found in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

The entire Great Neck Planning Area is designated as a Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area (CBPA). While development is allowed within the 100 year floodplain in the Great Neck Planning Area, the Floodplain Regulations require that habitable spaces for all new development must be located a minimum of 1 foot above the 100 year flood level. All new development must meet requirements in the Stormwater Management Ordinance. Tidal shorelines comprising both vegetated and nonvegetated tidal wetlands areas are regulated under the Tidal Wetlands Ordinance.

A general description of these programs and areas regulated is found in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report. Maps providing the general locations of CBPA areas, 100 year floodplains, and tidal wetlands in the City are found on Figures 10, 22 and 24 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

TRANSPORTATION

EXISTING SYSTEM

Key roads serving the Great Neck Planning Area include: Virginia Beach Boulevard; Great Neck, Laskin and First Colonial Roads; and I-264.

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PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS

Road improvements programmed in the current CIP FY 2009-2010 (with FY 2010 update) for this planning area include:

• First Colonial Road/Virginia Beach Boulevard Intersection(CIP# 2-072) – This project will provide additional turn lanes and traffic signal improvements;

• Laskin Road, Phase I (CIP# 2-156) – This project will provide an 8 lane divided road from Republic Road to Winwood Drive and 6 lane divided road from Winwood Drive to Oriole Drive.

The following table provides a comparison of current and future traffic volumes on the primary roads in this planning area.

Current and Future Traffic Volumes by the Year 2030 Great Neck Planning Area 2003 2030 STREET FROM TO DAILY DAILY TRIPS TRIPS Great Neck Rd. Va. Beach Blvd. First Colonial Rd. 42,000 45,000 Great Neck Rd. First Colonial Rd. Shorehaven Rd. 41,000 50,000 Great Neck Rd. Shorehaven Rd. Shore Dr. 36,000 40,000 Shore Dr. Great Neck Rd. Atlantic Ave. 14,000 17,000 Source: Hampton Roads Planning District Commission 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan (December 2007).

PUBLIC FACILITIES

Public facilities comprise all the public services and facilities provided by the City to all residents. Those services include education, public safety and emergency medical, libraries, recreation, public water and sewer and solid waste management.

SCHOOLS

The following schools are located in the Great Neck Planning Area:

Elementary Schools (Grades K-5) • Alanton • Dey

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• Linkhorn Park • Trantwood

Middle Schools (Grades 6-8) • Great Neck • Lynnhaven

High Schools (Grades 9-12) • Cox • First Colonial

LIBRARIES

The Great Neck Area Library is located in this planning area.

POLICE

The Second Police Precinct (Oceanfront Planning Area) provides public safety services to the Great Neck Planning Area.

FIRE

Old Donation Fire Station (Station #8) is located at 1201 Bayne Drive.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

Old Donation EMS Station (Station #8) is located at 1201 Bayne Drive.

PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM AND SANITARY SEWER SYTEM

City water and sewer serve most of the Great Neck Planning Area. However, it is the long-term objective of the City to bring all areas not served by City water and sewer services on line via capital improvement projects.

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

An existing Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA) transfer station is located at 2025 Virginia Beach Boulevard.

PARKS / PUBLIC OPEN SPACE / RECREATION FACILITIES

As part of the development of its Strategic Plan, the Department of Parks and Recreation recently reclassified and updated its parks and recreation land and facilities site inventory and developed

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corresponding Design Standards. The park and recreation classifications were revamped in order to align our land and facilities with similar sites in comparable localities nationwide.

The new park and recreation classifications include: Signature Parks, Metro Parks, Community Parks, Neighborhood Parks, Natural Resource Areas, General Open Space, Linkages, and Special Use Facilities for Recreation Centers, Golf Courses, Athletic Complexes, and Water Access Sites.

For a detailed description of each of the new classifications and their accompanying amenities, please refer to the Department of Parks and Recreation Design Standards, or the 2008 Virginia Beach Outdoors Plan.

Figure 44 provides the general locations of neighborhood parks, general open space areas and linkages located within the Great Neck Planning area. Refer to Figure 33 in the Citywide Section of the Technical Report for the general locations of signature parks, metro parks, community parks, special use areas and natural areas located within the City.

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Figure 44

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Parks, Public Open Sp ace and Re creational Fa cilities Site Parcel Developed Undeveloped Site Name Site Address Type Acreage Acreage Acreage CP Lynnhaven Park 1246 Bayne Dr. 15.1 15.13 0 First Colonial GOS Mill Dam Park 11.2 0 11.17 Rd. Trant Berkshire North GOS 2.73 0 2.73 Park Sec. - A Inlynnview Rd. Trant Berkshire North GOS 2.12 0 2.12 Sec. - B Inlynnview Rd. 2513 Shorehaven MP Great Neck Park 70.2 70.18 0 Dr. Brighton On The NP Bay/Linkhorn 1868 Eden Way 4.59 4.59 0 Cove Park Chelsea/Gre enhill NP Queens Elm Pl. 2.54 2.54 0 Park Colonial Oaks 1254 Parkside NP 5.85 5.85 0 Park Pl. Deerwood Trace 2415 Reag an NP 2.83 0 2.83 Park Ave. 1910 Long NP Gloucester Park 1.24 0 1.24 Bridge La. Great Neck 1210 Moorefield NP 2.23 2.23 0 Farms Park Ct. Great Neck 781 Old Cutler NP 3.68 3.68 0 Meadows Park Rd. Great Neck 2551 Falc on NP Neighborhood 3 3 0 Cres. Park Holy Family 1279 North NP Church Ballfield 3.82 3.82 0 Great Neck Rd. Park NP Kenstock Park 2521 Peritan Rd. 0.72 0.72 0 1315 Parkside NP Laurel Cove Park 2.1 2.1 0 Pl. London Br idge 520 Old Great NP 6.19 6.19 0 Park Neck Rd. Meadow Ridge Thomas Bi shop NP 1.09 1.09 0 Park La. Oceana (Ath letic) 231 First NP 5.37 5.37 0 Park Colonial Rd. Oceana Garde ns 213 N. Oceana NP 0.57 0.57 0 East Park Blvd. Oceana Village NP Streamline Dr. 1.67 0 1.67 Gardens Park

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Site Parcel Developed Undeveloped Site Name Site Address Type Acreage Acreage Acreage Point O'Woods 2128 Chicken NP 7.71 7.71 0 Park Valley Rd. Southall Quarter Colonial & NP 1.25 1.25 0 Park Southall Dr. 2389 South NP Wolfsnare Park 0.78 0.78 0 Wolfsnare Rd. Great Neck 2521 Shorhaven SURC 7.5 7.5 0 Recreation Center Dr. Hutton Cir. SUWA Hutton Cir. 0.83 0.83 0 Canoe Launch Total Acreage 166.91 145.13 21.76 Key: Site Types: (SP)= Signature Park, (MP)= Metro Park, (CP)= Community Park, (NP)= Neighborhood Park, (SUGC)= Special Use Golf Course, (SURC)= Special Use Recreation Center, (SUAC)= Special Use Athletic Complexes, (SUWA)= Special Use Water Access, (GOS)= General Open Space, (NRA)= Natural Resource Areas, (LINK)= Linkages

Bikeways and Trails System

According to the City’s adopted Bikeways and Trails Plan, the following bikeways and trails system initiatives either exist or are recommended for implementation:

• Birdneck Road Shared Use Path – This is a proposed pathway along the east side of the roadway between General Booth Boulevard and Norfolk Avenue.

• Norfolk Avenue Trail – This is an existing shared use path that runs west to east parallel to Norfolk Avenue from Birdneck Road to Pacific Avenue.

• Norfolk Southern Railroad Right of Way/Southern Boulevard –This corridor is identified for mass transit. There is potential to incorporate a parallel shared use path along this corridor within the Great Neck Planning Area.

HOUSING

PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR RENTERS AND HOMEOWNERS

The Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation administers a variety of programs that are available to improve both the condition of the residential dwellings and housing opportunities in the City. Many of these programs have multiple sources of funding that could include:

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Federally assisted rental housing developments are located around the City that provide several hundred reduced rental units for income-eligible households, low-income families, seniors and/or disabled persons. The only federally assisted housing development located in the Great Neck Planning Area as of October 2007 is Russell House (housing for seniors facility).

HOUSING FOR SENIORS

The following table lists the existing senior housing care facilities located in Great Neck Planning Area. Senior Housing Facilitie s MAP EXISTING FACILITIES INDEPENDE NT ASSISTED NURSING NUMBER CARE CARE CARE 13 Virginia Beach Health Center X 29 Atria Virginia Beach X 21 Silver Hill at Mill Dam X 14 Bay Pointe Medical Center X 22 Windermere at Virginia X Beach 7 First Colonial Inn X X 6 Russell House X Source: City of Virginia Beach Department of Planning; Virginia Beach Senior Housing Guide, Mayor’s Commission on Aging, City of Virginia Beach, October 2007

HISTORICAL/CULTURAL

The City of Virginia Beach employs several approaches to encourage desired physical design. A few of the more visible initiatives are: Planning Commission Design Award Program, the Historic and Cultural Zoning Overlay Districts, the National Register of Historical Places/Virginia Landmarks Register, the National Historic Landmarks programs, and the Virginia Beach Historical Register.

The following table identifies those properties located in the Great Neck Planning Area and are listed on one of the Registers and/or designated by the City of Virginia Beach as historical and cultural zoning overlay districts.

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Designated Historic Places September 2007 Great Neck Planning Area Map City H/C Number# National/ State/ Zoning Of Well Name Owner City Overlay Known Register District Places 22 Adam Keeling Private N/S/C Register Yes House 28 Upper Wolfsnare PAC/VB HS N/S/C Register Yes Manor --- Old Comfort Private City Register No

Notes: N-National, S- State of Virginia, C: City of Virginia Beach PAC\VB HS – Princess Anne\Virginia Beach Historical Society Bold – On List of 50 Most Historic Structures in Virginia Beach Source: City of Virginia Beach

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HHOOLLLLAANNDD

TTEECCHHNNIICCAALL RREEPPOORRTT BACKGROUND

The Holland Planning Area is located in the central portion of the City. The planning area is bounded by I-264 to the north, Oceana Naval Air Station to the east, Shipps Corner Road, Landstown Road, Princess Anne Road, the Kempsville and Princess Anne Borough line to the south, and the City of Chesapeake, Elbow Road, Salem Road, Old Princess Anne Road, the boundary between the Larkspur and Larkspur Meadows subdivisions, Dominion Virginia Power right of way, and Baxter Road to the west.

LAND USE

The Holland Planning Area has been at the forefront of growth in the City for many years. The land use pattern that has evolved in this planning area is characterized by large concentrations of single-family development separated by intensely developed areas of multi-family and commercial development, located primarily along Holland Road, Independence Boulevard, and Lynnhaven Parkway.

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The largest commercial development in the planning area is Lynnhaven Mall, a regional shopping destination. Community shopping centers are located adjacent to the mall and along Lynnhaven Parkway. Various neighborhood shopping centers are located at the major road intersections in this area, South Plaza Trail, Rosemont Road, Lynnhaven Parkway, and Shipps Corner Road. Two large community retail commercial establishments opened in the mid-1990's - Lowes Building Supply and Super Kmart.

Office and industrial centers are interspersed with commercial uses and are primarily concentrated in and around Oceana West Industrial Park, and along Independence Boulevard.

The following table refers to land and water areas for the Holland Planning Area. See Citywide section for land and water areas table citywide.

Land and Water Area Table Total Land Area 11,541 acres (18.0 square miles) Total Water Area 103 acres (0.2 square miles) Total Area 11,644 acres (18.2 square miles) Source: City of Virginia Beach Planning Department

The population figures in the Holland Planning Area, between 1990 and 2000, are summarized below. The average annual increase was .1 % compared to the citywide annual average of approximately .8 %.

Population Table YEAR POPULATION PERCENT CHANGE 1990 79,116 2000 79,599 1% Source: City of Virginia Beach Planning Department based on U.S. 2000 Census

ENVIRONMENT

The Holland Planning Area adjoins the headwaters of the Western and Eastern Branches of the Lynnhaven River, includes portions of the upper reaches of the North Landing River system, and is bisected by the divide between the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the Albemarle-Pamlico watershed, known locally as the Southern Rivers watershed. The Holland Planning Area is characterized by the flat coastal plain topography of the Tidewater area of Virginia, and is bounded to the north by the coastal environment of the Lynnhaven River system and to the south by the headwater swamps of the North Landing River system. The most notable natural resources within the Holland Planning Area include the headwater shorelines of the Lynnhaven River system, and the headwater swamps of the North Landing River system. While the majority of the shoreline has been developed, natural areas remain in some areas, most notably on lands adjoining lunar tidal tributaries headwaters areas and wind tidal tributaries headwaters

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areas. The eastern border of the Holland Planning Area adjoins London Bridge Creek, which includes several minor lunar tidal tributaries and their associated vegetated wetlands areas. The southern border of the Holland Planning Area adjoins the Salem Canal and Gum Swamp headwaters of the North Landing River, which includes numerous wind tidal tributaries and their associated vegetated wetlands areas.

SOILS

Soils in the Holland Planning Area are generally clays and silt loams and fair to moderately well drained. Maps providing the general locations of soil types and poorly drained soils in the City are found on Figures 3 and 4, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

WATER RESOURCES

Groundwater

The Yorktown Aquifer is the major potable aquifer in the Holland Planning Area and the City as a whole. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) permitted groundwater withdrawals within the Holland Planning Area include the Bow Creek Golf Course. A map providing the general location of DEQ permitted groundwater withdrawal sites in the City is found on Figure 6 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

Surface Water

Notable surface water features include lunar tidal tributaries and wind tidal tributaries. Surface waters are classified as being located within a hierarchy of primary, secondary, and tertiary watersheds. The Holland Planning Area is located within the Chesapeake Bay and Southern Rivers primary watersheds. The Lynnhaven River secondary watershed encompasses approximately seventy five percent of the Holland Planning Area, and the North Landing River secondary watershed encompasses the remaining twenty five percent of the Holland Planning Area. A map providing the general locations of primary and secondary watersheds in the City is found on figure 8 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

The Holland Planning Area includes portions of the tertiary watersheds found in the following table, as described in the City’s Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) Municipal Stormwater Permit. A map providing the general locations of tertiary watersheds and stormwater outfalls in the Holland Planning Area is found on Figure 45 in this section of the Technical Report.

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Tertiary Watersheds in the Holland Planning Area

NUMBER TERTIARY WATERSHED DRAINAGE AREA (SQ MI)

4 Thalia Creek/Thurston Branch/Buchanan Creek 12.66

6 London Bridge Creek 13.21

10 Upper West Neck Creek 18.99

13 Upper Canal #3 South (North Landing River) 6.28

14 Lower Canal #3 South (North Landing River) 10.50

15 Canal #4 (North Landing River) 3.10 Source: City of Virginia Beach Public Works Department

Manmade freshwater lakes adjoining or within the Holland Planning Area include Shoreline Lake. Lunar tidal tributaries adjoining or within the Holland Planning Area include London Bridge Creek, Canal #2, Thalia Creek, Lake Windsor, and other unnamed lunar tidal tributaries to the Eastern Branch of the Lynnhaven River. Wind tidal tributaries adjoining or within the Holland Planning Area include Salem Canal, Gum Swamp, West Neck Creek, and other unnamed wind tidal tributaries to the North Landing River.

A network of water quality monitoring stations are located adjoining or within the Holland Planning Area, and described in more detail in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

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Figure 45

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Stormwater Management

The Holland Planning Area includes the following water bodies serving as stormwater management facilities with a surface area exceeding five acres:

Stormwater Management Facilities and Service Areas in the Holland Planning Area

NUMBER FACILITY SERVICE EXISTING REQUIRED PERCENT NAME AREA STORAGE STORAGE IMPERVIOUS (ACRES) (ACRE (ACRE FEET) FEET)

04-02 Green 1094.18 52.5 60.53 29.0 Meadows/ Timberlake Chain

04-04 Lake 118.00 137.5 11.91 81.0 Trashmore South

04-07 Shoreline 252.00 25.0 22.95 47.0 Lake

06-06 The Lakes 239.00 50.0 23.95 58.0 #1,#2,#3

06-08 Green Run 924.00 87.0 72.84 38.0 #1,#2,#3,#4, #5

06-09 No Name #1, 240.00 20.0 16.73 42.0 #2

15-01 Tidewater 3.00 12.5 3.0 69.0 Community College Source: City of Virginia Beach Public Works Department

A map providing the general locations of stormwater management facilities and major and minor outfalls in the City is found on Figure 9 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

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WETLANDS

The Holland Planning Area includes several lunar tidal wetland fringes along tributary creeks and coves associated with the Lynnhaven River system, extensive wind tidal swamps along tributary creeks associated with the North Landing River system, as well as isolated nontidal wetlands areas. Due to the extensive amount of area involved and the complexities associated with determining the limits of vegetated and nonvegetated lunar tidal wetlands, wind tidal wetlands and nontidal wetlands, these areas are delineated on a case-by-case basis. A map providing general locations of tidal and nontidal wetlands areas in the City is found on Figure 10 respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

FOREST RESOURCES

Former farming and more recent development activity have eliminated much of the original natural forest canopy, but an urban forest canopy has developed over many of the residential areas in the Holland Planning Area. A map providing the general location of champion trees in the City is found on Figure 11 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

NATURAL HERITAGE AREAS

Based upon information provided by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage (DNH), one conservation site has been identified within the Holland Planning Area. These sites contain many exemplary plant and animal species, and natural communities. This level of diversity is attributed to the variety of habitat types within these adjoining areas. These unique habitats include bald cypress swamps, and diurnal ponds. Refer to the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report for a list of Natural Heritage Resources documented within these sites. A map providing the general location of Natural Heritage conservation sites in the City is found on Figure 12 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

A list of Natural Heritage Resources documented in the Holland Planning Area but not assigned to a specific conservation site follows:

Natural Heritage Resources Not Assigned to a Conservation Site in the Holland Planning Area

SCIENTIFIC COMMON GLOBAL STATE FEDERAL STATE SEEN NAME NAME RANK RANK STATUS STATUS SINCE 1980

Invertebrates

Calephelis Little G4 S1 S2 NF NS N virginiensis Metalmark

Cincindela Tiger Beetle G5 S1 NF NS Y trifasciata

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SCIENTIFIC COMMON GLOBAL STATE FEDERAL STATE SEEN NAME NAME RANK RANK STATUS STATUS SINCE 1980

Vertebrates

Arenaria A Sandwort G5 T5 SH NF NS N lanuginosa ssp. lanuginosa

Euphyes Duke’s G3 S2 NF NS Y dukesi Skipper

Plants

Erigeron White-Top G5 S2 NF NS Y vernus Fleabane

Ranunculus Long- G5 SH NF NS N hederaceus Stalked Crowfoot

Solidago G4 G5 S1 NF NS N tortifolia A Goldenrod

Tillandsia Spanish G5 S2 NF NS Y usneoides Moss Source: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage Key: See Appendix for Definitions of Rankings and Status Key

FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES

The entire Holland Planning Area has been designated by the City as a Bird Sanctuary. A map providing general locations of bird sanctuary areas in the City is found on Figure 14 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

OPEN SPACE, GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC LANDS MANAGEMENT

The Holland Planning Area contains open space lands adjoining Thalia Creek, London Bridge Creek, Canal #2, Salem Canal, and Gum Swamp. Other significant open space lands in the Holland Planning Area include the Mount Trashmore District Park, and Bow Creek Golf Course. These lands constitute the most significant developed and undeveloped open space in the Holland Planning Area. The entire Lynnhaven River and North Landing River watersheds have been designated as components of the City’s Scenic Waterway System. A more complete description of open space lands located within the Holland Planning Area is found in the Holland Public Facilities Section of the Technical Report.

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Maps providing general locations of major federal, state and private open space lands, and golf courses, City metro parks, City signature parks, City community parks and City natural areas in the City are found on Figures 17, and 18, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

A number of habitat restoration projects have been undertaken in and adjoining the Holland Planning Area, most notably at City Public School and Park sites, involving lunar tidal wetlands restoration, urban forestry, shoreline stabilization, and riparian vegetation buffer establishment. A map providing the general locations of habitat restoration project sites in the City is found on Figure 19 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

HAZARD MANAGEMENT AND MITIGATION

Due to its proximity to the Lynnhaven River system and extensive lunar tidal tributaries, a portion of the Holland Planning Area is subject to coastal flooding and shoreline erosion. Similarly, due to its proximity to the North Landing River system and extensive wind tidal tributaries, a portion of the Holland Planning Area is subject to coastal flooding. A portion of the Holland Planning Area is located within the 100-year floodplain. Maps providing general locations of hurricane evacuation routes and hurricane evacuation zones, and 100 year floodplains in the City are found on Figures 22 and 23, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORY PROGRAMS

Development activities within the Holland Planning Area are regulated by the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Ordinance, Southern Watersheds Management Ordinance, Floodplain Regulations, Stormwater Management Ordinance, and Tidal Wetlands Ordinance. A general description of these programs is found in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

Approximately seventy five percent of the Holland Planning Area is designated as a Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area (CBPA). The remaining twenty five percent of the Holland Planning Area is designated as a Southern Watersheds Management Area. For most of the Holland Planning Area, development is not allowed within the 100 year floodplain. Where development is allowed within the 100 year floodplain, the Floodplain Regulations require that habitable spaces for all new development must be located a minimum of 1 foot above the 100 year flood level. All new development in the Holland Planning Area must meet requirements in the Stormwater Management Ordinance. Tidal shorelines comprising both vegetated and nonvegetated tidal wetlands areas are regulated under the Tidal Wetlands Ordinance. A general description of these programs and areas regulated is found in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report. Maps providing the general locations of CBPA areas, southern watersheds buffer areas, 100 year floodplains, and tidal wetlands in the City are also found on Figures 22 and 24, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

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TRANSPORTATION

EXISTING SYSTEM

Major roads serving the Holland Planning Area include: I-264, Independence Boulevard, Holland Road, Rosemont Road, London Bridge Road, and Lynnhaven Parkway.

Other transportation facilities include the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Park and Ride Facility and HRT Direct Bus Transfer Center on Silverleaf Drive near the intersection of Holland Road and South Independence Blvd., near the I-264/Independence interchange.

PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS

Road projects programmed in the current CIP FY 2009-2010 (with FY 2010 update) include:

• Buckner Road Extended (CIP# 2-073) – This project will extend Buckner Boulevard to Holland Road as a 2-lane road; Project to be completed in spring 2010.

• Holland Road, Phase VI (CIP# 2-158)- This project will widen the existing road to provide a 4 lane divided road from Dam Neck Road to the future Nimmo Parkway;

• Lynnhaven Parkway Phase IX (CIP# 2-157)- This project will widen the exist road to provide a 6 lane road between Holland Road and Lishelle Place; Project to be completed in spring 2010.

• Indian River Road, Phase VII (Partial)(CIP# 2-256) – This project will widen the existing road to provide a 4 lane divided road from Lynnhaven Parkway to Elbow Road Extended;

• Elbow Road Extended –Phase II (CIP# 2-156)- This project will widen the existing road to provide a 4 lane divided road, including bridge reconstruction, from Indian River Road to Dam Neck Road;

• Princess Anne Road Phase IV (CIP# 2-305) – This project will widen the existing road to provide a 4-lane divided parkway from Dam Neck Rd. to Nimmo Parkway;

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The following table provides a comparison of current and future traffic volumes on the primary roads in this planning area.

Current and Future Traffic Volumes by the Year 2030 Holland Planning Area 2003 2030 STREET FROM TO DAILY DAILY TRIPS TRIPS Dam Neck Rd. Holland Rd. Drakesmile Rd. 43,000 44,000 Dam Neck Rd. Drakesmile Rd. London Bridge Rd 46,000 38,000 Holland Rd. Independence Blvd. South Plaza Trail 43,000 47,000 Holland Rd. Lynnhaven Pwky. Rosemont Rd. 38,000 49,000 Holland Rd. South Plaza Trail Rosemont Rd. 39,000 53,000 Holland Rd. Lynnhaven Pkwy. Dam Neck Rd. 30,000 47,000 I-264 Lynnhaven Pwky. Rosemont Rd. 145,000 156,000 Independence Blvd. I-264 Baxter Rd. N/A 85,000 Independence Blvd. Holland Rd. South Plaza Trail 40,000 39,000 Independence Blvd. VA Beach Blvd. I-264 85,000 98,000 Independence Blvd. Baxter Rd. Holland Rd. 77,000 82,000 Independence Blvd. Lynnhaven Pkwy. Princess Anne Rd. 27,000 30,000 Independence Blvd. South Plaza Trail Lynnhaven Pkwy. 34,000 36,000 Lynnhaven Pkwy. Princess Anne Rd. Salem Rd. 25,000 28,000 Lynnhaven Pkwy. Lynnhaven Rd. Holland Rd. 36,000 50,000 Lynnhaven Pkwy. Rosemont Rd. Independence Blvd. 37,000 41,000 Lynnhaven Pkwy. I-264 International Pkwy. 51,000 53,000 Princess Anne Rd. Providence Rd. Ferrell Pwky. 36,000 39,000 Princess Anne Rd. Independence Blvd. Dam Neck Rd. 44,000 46,000 Rosemont Rd. I-264 South Plaza Trail 34,000 52,000 Salem Rd. Independence Blvd. Elbow Rd. 9,000 15,000 Source: Hampton Roads Planning District Commission 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan (December 2007).

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PUBLIC FACILITIES

Public facilities comprise all the public services and facilities provided by the City to all residents. Those services include education, public safety and emergency medical, libraries, recreation, public water and sewer and solid waste management.

SCHOOLS

The following schools are located in the Holland Planning Area:

Elementary Schools (Grades K-5) • Brookwood • Green Run • Holland • Lynnhaven • New Castle • Parkway • Plaza • Rosemont • Salem • White Oaks • Windsor Oaks • Windsor Woods

Middle School (Grades 6-8) • Plaza

High School (Grades 9-12) • Green Run

Higher Education • Advanced Technology Center • Tidewater Community College • Virginia Beach Higher Education Center

LIBRARIES

The Windsor Woods Area Library is located in the Holland Planning Area

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POLICE

The First Police Precinct (Headquarters) at 2509 Princess Anne Road provides public safety services to the Holland Planning Area.

FIRE

The following fire stations are located in the Holland Planning Area:

• London Bridge Fire Station (Station #3) at 600 Central Drive • Plaza Fire Station (Station #16) at 3608 S. Plaza Trail • Green Run Fire (Station #18) at 1601 S. Lynnhaven Parkway

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

The following Volunteer Rescue Squad is located in the Holland Planning Area:

• Plaza EMS Station (Station #16) at 3608 S. Plaza Trail . MISCELLANEOUS

• The Virginia Beach Farmers Market • City Highways and Utilities Maintenance Yard

PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM AND SANTARY SEWER SYSTEM

Most of Holland Planning Area is connected to City water and sewer. However, it is the long- term objective of the City to bring all areas not served by City water and sewer services on line via capital improvement projects.

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

An existing Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA) transfer station is located at 1825 Concert Drive.

PARKS / PUBLIC OPEN SPACE / RECREATION FACILITIES

As part of the development of its Strategic Plan, the Department of Parks and Recreation recently reclassified and updated its parks and recreation land and facilities site inventory and developed corresponding Design Standards. The park and recreation classifications were revamped in order to align our land and facilities with similar sites in comparable localities nationwide.

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The new park and recreation classifications include: Signature Parks, Metro Parks, Community Parks, Neighborhood Parks, Natural Resource Areas, General Open Space, Linkages, and Special Use Facilities for Recreation Centers, Golf Courses, Athletic Complexes, and Water Access Sites.

For a detailed description of each of the new classifications and their accompanying amenities, please refer to the Department of Parks and Recreation Design Standards, or the 2008 Virginia each Outdoor Plan, or the 2008 Virginia Beach Outdoors Plan.

Figure 46 provides the general locations of neighborhood parks, general open space areas and linkages located within the Holland Planning Area. Refer to Figure 33 in the Citywide Section of the Technical Report for the general locations of signature parks, metro parks, community parks, special use areas and natural areas located within the city.

Holland Planning Area 225

Figure 46

H olland Planning Area 226

Parks, Public Open Space and Recreational Facilities

Parcel Developed Undeveloped Site Type Site Name Site Address Acreage Acreage Acreage Plaza Park 3332 CP 30.71 30.71 0 (Northgate) Northgate Dr. Dewberry Dewberry GOS 10.37 0 10.37 Farms Parcel Lane Highland Highland GOS 17.46 0 17.46 Parish Cape Way Hillcrest Eagles Lake GOS 36.24 0 36.24 Farms Parcel Rd Hillcrest 2400 Orchard GOS Landing Parcel 1.28 0 1.28 Hill Lane 1 Hillcrest 2400 Orchard GOS Landing Parcel 0.33 0 0.33 Hill Lane 2 Indian River Indian River GOS Farms 40.97 0 40.97 Farms Park Subdivision London Bridge GOS Potters Rd. 10.67 0 10.67 Creek Park River Oaks Indian River GOS 71.72 0 71.72 Park Rd. South Sunstream GOS Independence 0.09 0 0.09 Park South Row The Lakes River Bend GOS 0.82 0 0.82 Parcel 1 Rd Bellwood 2100 Brush NP 1.88 1.88 0 Estates Park Hill La. Bow Creek Clubhouse NP Neighborhood 3.6 3.6 0 Rd. Park Brigand's Brigands NP 0.59 0.59 0 Quay Park Way Buckner Competitor NP 4.6 4.6 0 Farms Park Ct. 1324 Old Cardinal NP Clubhouse 1.75 1.75 0 Estates Park Rd.

Holland Planning Area 227

1900 Champion NP Stillmeadow 0.24 0.24 0 Oaks Park Ct. Doyle Way 200 Doyle NP 0.5 0.5 0 Park Way 1500 Green Run NP Lynnhaven 5.76 5.76 0 Park Parkway Highland Highland NP Meadows 4.34 0 4.34 Meadows Park Way Hillcrest Savannah NP 3.96 3.96 0 Farms Park Trail Holly Green 3420 NP 0.44 0.44 0 Park Waltham Cir. Lamplight 2933 Augusta NP 2.26 2.26 0 Manor Park Cir. 618 Larkspur NP Pinebrook 4.14 4.14 0 Greens Park Dr. Liberty Ridge 3759 NP 4.91 4.91 0 Park Chancery La. 3625 Kings NP Lineberry Park 2.34 2.34 0 Point Rd. Lynnhaven 156 Golden NP 4.48 4.48 0 Woods Park Maple Dr. Newcastle Southcross NP 1.23 1.23 0 Park Dr. 880 Oak Springs NP Northwood 8 8 0 Park Dr. Pecan Gardens NP Hayes Ave. 1.5 1.5 0 Park Plaza Com. 2005 South NP (Methodist) 1.2 1.2 0 Plaza Tr. Park Salem Lakes Salem Lakes NP 3.18 3.18 0 Park Blvd. Salem Lakes 1900 NP 2.76 2.76 0 South Park Stillwood La.

H olland Planning Area 228

Centennial NP Salem Park 2.02 2.02 0 Cir. 1700 Salem Village NP Moonstone 1.9 1.9 0 Park Dr. Scarborough 1225 NP 1.61 1.61 0 Square Park Warwick Dr.

Scarborough NP Square Sec -3 Skylark Dr. 3.58 0 3.58 Park Scarborough 1200 Club NP Square Sec. - 0.72 0 0.72 House Rd. 4b Park Sunstream 4000 NP 4.93 4.93 0 Park Rainbow Dr. The Lakes Pocasset NP 1.58 0 1.58 East Court The Lakes NP Boynton Ct. 2.03 2.03 Park South Plaza Windsor Oaks Tr. & NP 2.06 2.06 0 West Park Windsor Oaks Blvd. Mt. Trashmore 300 Edwin SP 164.9 164.9 0 Park Dr.

3425 Bow Creek SUGC Clubhouse 110 110 0 Golf Course Rd. Bow Creek 3427 SURC Recreation Clubhouse 8.24 8.24 0 Center Rd. 587.88 387.71 Totals: 200.17 Acres Acres Acres

Key: Site Types: (SP)= Signature Park, (MP)= Metro Park, (CP)= Community Park, (NP)= Neighborhood Park, (SUGC)= Special Use Golf Course, (SURC)= Special Use Recreation Center, (SUAC)= Special Use Athletic Complexes, (SUWA)= Special Use Water Access, (GOS)= General Open Space, (NRA)=Natural Resource Areas, (LINK)= Linkages

Holland Planning Area 229

Bikeways and Trails System

According to the City’s adopted Bikeways and Trails Plan, the following bikeways and trails system initiatives either exist or are recommended for implementation:

• London Bridge Road – Existing shared use pathway parallel to the east side of London Bridge Road between Dam Neck Road and Virginia Beach Boulevard.

• Rosemont Road – Existing shared use pathway parallel to the east side of Rosemont Road between Dam Neck Road and Buckner Boulevard.

• South Independence Boulevard – Existing shared use pathway parallel to the east side of South Independence Boulevard between Holland Road and Lynnhaven Parkway

HOUSING

PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR RENTERS AND HOMEOWNERS

The Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation administers a variety of programs that are available to improve both the condition of the residential dwellings and housing opportunities in the City. Many of these programs have multiple sources of funding that could include: • Grants and low interest loans provided by the City’s Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation utilizing HUD and other sources of funding for emergency repairs and rehabilitation of deteriorated structures • Section 8 Rent Subsidy Program and federal funding for security deposits for qualified renters • Virginia Beach Community Development Corporation, a city assisted non-profit housing development organization that operates programs to increase housing opportunities for renters and homeowners citywide • Low income housing tax credits • Tax exempt bonds • Funding from VHDA for homeownership and rehabilitation • Workforce Housing as developed on a voluntary basis by private developers

Federally subsidized apartment complexes that provide several hundred reduced-rent units for eligible households, low-income families, the elderly and/or disabled persons are located around the City. The only federally subsidized developments located in the Holland Planning Area as of October 2007 is Twin Canal Village.

H olland Planning Area 230

HOUSING FOR SENIORS

Several housing developments for seniors exist in the City (see Figure 24 for locations). The three main categories of housing for seniors include:

• Independent Living Facilities - provide housing for senior residents that require little or no assistance with daily living activities.

• Assisted Living Facilities - provide housing for senior residents that are functionally impaired and require complete assistance with daily living activities.

• Nursing Facilities - provide housing for senior residents that are severely impaired and require 24 hour nursing care.

For purposes of this planning document, the term “Housing for Seniors” is limited to those facilities that were granted a conditional use permit by City Council and are age-restricted by definition of the City Zoning Ordinance. With the exception of the facility known as Silver Hill at Thalia, the age restriction or occupancy criteria is age sixty-two (62) for independent and assisted living facilities for those who are not disabled or ill.

The following table lists the senior housing facilities citywide that require a conditional use permit. Not listed are those facilities in the City that cater to seniors but did not apply for this special permitting process and therefore may have different age-restrictions.

The following tables list the existing senior housing facilities located in the Holland Planning Area.

Senior Housing Facilities Map Existing Facilities Independent Assisted Nursing Number Care Care Care 10 Assisted Living At Pritchard X Road 28 Holland House X 23 Sentara Village X 24 Sentara Nursing Center X X 28 Our Lady of Perpetual Help X X Health Center Sources: City of Virginia Beach Department of Planning; Virginia Beach Senior Housing Guide, Mayor’s Commission on Aging, City of Virginia Beach, October 2007

Holland Planning Area 231

HISTORICAL/CULTURAL

The City of Virginia Beach employs several approaches to encourage desired physical design. A few of the more visible initiatives are: Planning Commission Design Award Program, the Historic and Cultural Zoning Overlay Districts, the National Register of Historical Places, the National Historic Landmarks program, Virginia Landmarks Register, and the Virginia Beach Historical Register.

H olland Planning Area 232

KKEEMMPPSSVVIILLLLEE

T TEECCHHNNIICCAALL RREEPPOORRTT

BACKGROUND

The Kempsville Planning Area is located in the west-central portion of the City. Its boundaries include I-264 to the north; Salem and Old Princess Anne Roads, the Larkspur Meadows boundary, and the Dominion Virginia Power easement that runs through the Larkspur subdivision and along Independence Boulevard to the east; Elbow Road and the City of Chesapeake to the south; and the cities of Chesapeake and Norfolk to the west.

LAND USE

Kempsville is currently the most populous of the nine (9) planning areas. The primary land use pattern consists of large uninterrupted areas of medium density single-family residential development. Commercial and multi-family land uses are scattered throughout the planning area, mainly at or near major arterial roads. Major strip development does not exist in the planning area except along Military Highway where there is a mixture of commercial and industrial uses.

Kempsville Planning Area 233

Concentrations of townhouse and condominium developments are located in the northeast corner of the planning area near Baxter Road and Independence Boulevard and to the west near Indian River Road and I-64. Very little apartment development is located in Kempsville. Less than 11% of all the residential units are multi-family.

Small stand-alone and strip office developments are scattered throughout the area. Larger office park developments are concentrated in two locations: Greenwich Road, a mixture of office, hotel, and light industrial uses; and Grayson Road, where Corporate Woods Office Park has evolved.

The following table refers to land and water areas for the Kempsville Planning Area. See Citywide section for land and water areas table citywide.

Land and Water Area Table Total Land Area 14,457 acres (22.6 square miles) Total Water Area 667 acres (1.0 square miles) Total Area 15,124 acres (23.6 square miles) Source: City of Virginia Beach Planning Department

The population figures in the Kempsville Planning between 1990 and 2000 are summarized in the following table. The average annual increase was approximately 1 % per year from 1991 to 2000, comparable to the citywide rate of .8 % per year.

Population Table YEAR POPULATION PERCENT CHANGE 1990 91,618 2000 101,301 11 % Source: City of Virginia Beach Planning Department based on U.S. 2000 Census

ENVIRONMENT

The Kempsville Planning Area surrounds the headwaters of the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River, includes a minor portion of the headwaters of the Lynnhaven River, and is bisected by the westernmost portion of the divide between the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the Albemarle- Pamlico watershed, known locally as the Southern Rivers watershed. The Kempsville Planning Area is characterized by the flat coastal plain topography of the Tidewater area of Virginia, and is bounded to the northwest by the coastal environment of the Elizabeth River system and to the northeast by the coastal environment of the Lynnhaven River system. The most notable natural resources within the Kempsville Planning Area include the headwater shoreline of the Elizabeth River system, and the headwater swamps of the North Landing River system. While the majority of the shoreline has been developed, natural areas remain in some areas, most notably on lands adjoining lunar tidal tributaries headwaters areas and wind tidal tributaries headwaters areas. The

Kempsville Planning Area 234 northwestern border of the Kempsville Planning Area adjoins the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River, which includes numerous lunar tidal tributaries and their associated vegetated wetlands areas. The southeastern border of the Kempsville Planning Area adjoins the Salem Canal and Stumpy Lake headwaters of the North Landing River, which includes numerous wind tidal tributaries and their associated vegetated wetlands areas.

SOILS

Soils in the Kempsville Planning Area are generally clays and silt loams and fair to moderately drained. Maps providing the general locations of soil types and poorly drained soils in the City are found on Figures 3 and 4, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

WATER RESOURCES

Groundwater

The Yorktown Aquifer is the major potable aquifer in the Kempsville Planning Area and the City as a whole. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) permitted groundwater withdrawals within the Kempsville Planning Area include the Kempsville Greens Golf Course, the Stumpy Lake Golf Course, and the Honey Bee Golf Course. A map providing the general location of DEQ permitted groundwater withdrawal sites in the City is found on Figure 6 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

Surface Water

Notable water features include water supply reservoirs, manmade freshwater lakes, lunar tidal tributaries, and wind tidal tributaries. Surface waters are classified as being located within a hierarchy of primary, secondary, and tertiary watersheds. The Kempsville Planning Area is located within the Chesapeake Bay primary watershed and the Southern Rivers primary watershed. The Elizabeth River secondary watershed and the North Landing River secondary watershed encompass approximately equal portions of the Kempsville Planning Area.

The Kempsville Planning Area includes portions of the following tertiary watersheds found in the following table, as described in the City’s Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) Municipal Stormwater Permit. A map providing the general locations of tertiary watersheds and stormwater outfalls in the Kempsville Planning Area is found on Figure 47 in this section of the Technical Report.

Kempsville Planning Area 235

Tertiary Watersheds in the Kempsville Planning Area

NUMBER TERTIARY WATERSHED DRAINAGE AREA (SQ MI)

4 Thalia Creek/Thurston Branch/Buchanan 12.66 Creek

12 Stumpy Lake 9.61

13 Upper Canal #3 South (North Landing River) 6.28

17 Kempsville Basin 2.84

18 Kings Creek 1.68

19 Other Basins South of Eastern Branch of 1.62 Elizabeth River

20 Arrowhead Basin North of E. Branch of 0.60 Elizabeth River

21 Huntington Basin, N. of E. Branch of 2.66 Elizabeth River

22 Indian River 3.94 Source: City of Virginia Beach Public Works Department

Kempsville Planning Area 236

Figure 47

Kempsville Planning Area 237

Manmade freshwater lakes adjoining or within the Kempsville Planning Area include Kemps Lake and Lake James. Lunar tidal tributaries adjoining or within the Kempsville Planning Area include Kings Creek, Cedar Hill Canal, and other unnamed lunar tidal tributaries to the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River. Wind tidal tributaries adjoining or within the Kempsville Planning Area include Salem Canal, and other unnamed wind tidal tributaries to the North Landing River.

A network of water quality monitoring stations is located adjoining or within the Kempsville Planning Area, as noted in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

Stormwater Management

The Kempsville Planning Area includes the following water bodies serving as stormwater management facilities with a surface area exceeding five acres:

Stormwater Management Facilities and Service Areas in the Kempsville Planning Area

NUMBER FACILITY SERVICE EXISTING REQUIRED PERCENT NAME AREA STORAGE STORAGE IMPERVIOUS (ACRES) (ACRE (ACRE FEET) FEET) 04-02 Green 1,075.32 52.2 60.53 29.0 Meadows/ Timberlake Chain 12-02 Alexandria 386.08 123.0 22.10 20.0 12-04 Rosemont 325.00 110.0 Not Not Forrest #1, Available Available #2, #3,#4,#5, #6 12-06 Indian Lakes 1,179.30 110.0 76.33 26.0 #1,#2, #3,#4,#5 12-11 Brigadoon 133.00 7.5 9.42 30.0 (Lake) #1,#2,#3 12-15 Charlestown 243.90 65.0 16.42 25.0 Lakes South #1,#2 12-16 Rosemont 172.00 78.0 18.35 29.0 Forest South #1, North

Kempsville Planning Area 238 12-18 Christopher 232.00 495.0 19.39 42.0 Lake 13-01 Glenwood 826.28 55.0 31.97 13.0 Lake #1,#2 13-07 Bellwood 45.00 12.5 3.42 33.0 Estates Pond 13-10 Bellamy 42.00 2.0 2.64 20.0 Plantation 13-13 Salem 58.00 4.5 4.25 30.0 Woods Lake 17-01 Kempsville 66.00 30.0 6.88 63.0 Lake #1 17-02 Kempsville 29.00 10.0 2.27 36 Lake #2 17-03 Chatam Hall 179.00 135.0 13.59 32 18-02 Kings Lake 17.00 27.0 1.98 62 South/North 18-04 Banbury 560.26 96.4 43.05 39 Lake/Level Green Ponds 19-01 Gammon 98.0 18.0 7.81 34 Road Pond 19-03 Sunnyside 84.00 77.4 8.46 54 Drive Pond 21-02 Carolanne 42.00 13.0 3.18 33 Farm (Lake) 21-04 Toll Road 109.00 195.0 9.58 71 Borrow Pit #2 22-02 Homestead 96.97 40.0 6.23 41 13-07 Bellwood 45.00 12.5 3.42 33 Estates Pond Source: City of Virginia Beach Public Works Department

A map providing the general locations of stormwater management facilities and their service areas in the City is found on Figure 9 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

WETLANDS

The Kempsville Planning Area includes considerable lunar tidal wetland fringe marshes along tributary creeks and coves associated with the Elizabeth River system, as well as extensive wind tidal swamps along tributary creeks associated with the North Landing River system. Due to the extensive amount of area involved and the complexities associated with determining the limits of

Kempsville Planning Area 239

vegetated and nonvegetated lunar wetlands, wind tidal wetlands, and isolated nontidal wetlands, these areas are delineated on a case-by-case basis. A map providing general locations of tidal and nontidal wetlands areas in the City is found on Figure 10 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

FOREST RESOURCES

Former farming and more recent development activity have eliminated much of the original natural forest canopy, but an urban forest canopy has developed over many of the residential areas in the Kempsville Planning Area. A map providing the general location of champion trees in the City is found on Figure 11 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

NATURAL HERITAGE AREAS

Based upon information provided by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage (DNH), one conservation site has been identified adjoining the Kempsville Planning Area. This site contains many exemplary plant and animal species, and natural communities. This level of diversity is attributed to the variety of habitat types within adjoining areas. This unique habitat includes bald cypress swamps and isolated ponds.

Refer to the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report for a list of Natural Heritage Resources documented within the site. A map providing the general location of Natural Heritage conservation sites in the City is found on Figure 12 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

A list of Natural Heritage Resources documented in the Kempsville Planning Area but not assigned to a specific conservation site follows:

Natural Heritage Resources Not Assigned to a Conservation Site in the SCIENTIFIC COMMON GLOBAL STATE FEDERAL STATE SEEN NAME NAME RANK RANK STATUS STATUS SINCE 1980 Invertebrates Cincin-dela A Tiger trifasciata Beetle G5 S1 NF NS Y Euphyes Duke’s dukesi Skipper G3 S2 NF NS Y Cuscuta Pretty indecora Dodder G5 S2? NF NS Y Erigeron White-Top vernus Fleabane G5 S2 NF NS Y Source: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage Key: See Appendix for Definitions of Rankings and Status Key Note: Rankings with a questions mark denote where only an inexact numeric rank is available, given existing data and research.

Kempsville Planning Area 240

FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES

The entire Kempsville Planning Area has been designated a Bird Sanctuary by the City. A map providing general locations of bird sanctuary areas in the City is found on Figure 14 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

OPEN SPACE, GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC LANDS MANAGEMENT

The Kempsville Planning Area contains open space lands adjoining the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River, Stumpy Lake and Salem Canal. Other significant open space lands in the Kempsville Planning Area include the Stumpy Lake Natural Area Park, Woodstock Community Park, Carolanne Farms Neighborhood Park, City View Park, Kempsville Greens Golf Course, Honeybee Golf Course, Stumpy Lake Golf Course, and Regent University. These lands constitute the most significant developed and undeveloped open space in the Kempsville Planning Area. The entire Elizabeth River and North Landing River watersheds have been designated as components of the City’s Scenic Waterway System. A more complete description of open space lands located within the Kempsville Planning Area is found in the Kempsville Public Facilities Section of the Technical Report. Maps providing general locations of major federal, state and private open space lands, and golf courses, City metro parks, City signature parks, City community parks and City natural areas in the City are found on Figures 17, and 18, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

A number of habitat restoration projects have been undertaken in and adjoining the Kempsville Planning Area, most notably at City Public School and Park sites, involving urban forestry, shoreline stabilization, lunar tidal wetlands restoration, and riparian vegetation buffer establishment. A map providing the general locations of habitat restoration project sites in the City is found on Figure 19 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

HAZARD MANAGEMENT AND MITIGATION

Due to its proximity to the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River and North Landing River, portions of the Kempsville Planning Area are subject to shoreline erosion and coastal flooding. A portion of the Kempsville Planning Area is located within the 100 year floodplain. Maps providing general locations of hurricane evacuation routes and hurricane evacuation zones, and 100 year floodplains in the City are found on Figures 22 and 23, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

Kempsville Planning Area 241

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORY PROGRAMS

Development activities within the Kempsville Planning Area are regulated by the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Ordinance, Southern Watersheds Management Ordinance, Tidal Wetlands Ordinance, Stormwater Management Ordinance, and Floodplain Regulations. A general description of these programs is found in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

Approximately half of the Kempsville Planning Area is designated as a Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area (CBPA). The remaining half of the Kempsville Planning Area is designated as a Southern Watersheds Management Area. For most of the Kempsville Planning Area, development is allowed within the 100 year floodplain, the Floodplain Regulations require that habitable spaces for all new development must be located a minimum of 1 foot above the 100 year flood level. For the remainder of the Kempsville Planning Area, development is not allowed within the 100 year floodplain. All new development in the Kempsville Planning Area must meet requirements in the Stormwater Management Ordinance. Tidal shorelines comprising both vegetated and nonvegetated tidal wetlands areas are regulated under the Tidal Wetlands Ordinance.

A general description of these programs and areas regulated is found in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report. Maps providing the general locations of CBPA areas, southern watersheds buffer areas, 100 year floodplains and tidal wetlands in the City are also found on Figures 10, 22 and 24, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

TRANSPORTATION

EXISTING SYSTEM

Key roads serving the Kempsville Planning include: Princess Anne, Indian River, Salem and Providence Roads; Ferrell and Lynnhaven Parkways; Centerville Turnpike, Military Highway, and Interstate 64.

Other transportation facilities include the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Smart Traffic Center / Park and Ride Facility and HRT Direct Bus Transfer Center on Reon Drive, near the I-64/Indian River Road interchange.

PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS

Road projects programmed in the current CIP FY 2009-2010 (with FY 2010 update) include:

Kempsville Planning Area 242

• Avalon Avenue (CIP# 2-035) – This project will provide safety improvements, including a sidewalk and road widening, from Providence Road to Normandy Avenue;

• Elbow Road Extended, Phase II (CIP# 2-252) – This project will widen and re-align the existing road to provide a 4 lane divided road from Indian River Road to Dam Neck Road;

• Indian River Road, Phase VII (CIP# 2-256) - This project will widen and re-align the existing road to provide a 4 lane divided road from Lynnhaven Parkway to Elbow Road Extended;

• Lynnhaven Parkway, Phase XI (CIP# 2-167) – This project will widen the existing road to provide a continuous 4 lane divided road from Indian River Road to Centerville Turnpike;

• Princess Anne Road/Kempsville Road Intersection Improvements (CIP# 2-048) – This project will provide improvements to raise the capacity level of this congested intersection;

• Witchduck Road, Phase I (Partial)& II (Partial) (CIP# 2-931 and CIP# 2-025) – These projects will provide a 6 lane divided road from Princess Anne Road to I-264 (Phase I) and also from I-264 to Virginia Beach Boulevard (Phase II).

The following table provides a comparison of current and future traffic volumes on the primary roads in this planning area.

Current and Future Traffic Volumes by the Year 2030 Kempsville Planning Area 2003 2030 STREET FROM TO DAILY DAILY TRIPS TRIPS Centerville Tnpk. Indian River Rd. Jake Sears Rd. 19,000 40,000 Ferrell Pkwy. Princess Anne Rd. Indian River Rd. 51,000 33,000 I-264 Witchduck Rd. Newtown Rd. 194,000 230,000 I-264 Independence Blvd. Witchduck Rd. 213,000 223,000 I-64 Indian River Rd. Ches./VB City Line 136,000 147,000 I-64 Norfolk/VB City Line Indian River Rd. 149,000 157,000 Indian River Rd. Military Hwy. Providence Rd. 35,000 38,000 Indian River Rd. I-64 Centerville Tpk. 80,000 91,000 Indian River Rd. Centerville Tpk. Kempsville Rd. 66,000 71,000 Kempsville Rd. Princess Anne Rd. Providence Rd. 33,000 35,000 Kempsville Rd. Centerville Tpk. Indian River Rd. 36,000 37,000

Kempsville Planning Area 243

2003 2030 STREET FROM TO DAILY DAILY TRIPS TRIPS Military Hwy. Norfolk/VB City Line Indian River Rd. 48,000 54,000 Military Hwy. Indian River Rd. Providence Rd. 30,000 33,000 Princess Anne Rd. Providence Rd. Ferrell Pkwy. 36,000 39,000 Princess Anne Rd. Newtown Rd. Kempsville Rd. 29,000 31,000 Princess Anne Rd. Kempsville Rd. Baxter Rd. 30,000 31,000 Princess Anne Rd. Baxter Rd. Providence Rd. 26,000 24,000 Salem Rd. Princess Anne Rd. Lynnhaven Pkwy. 16,000 19,000 Salem Rd. Independence Blvd. Elbow Rd. 9,000 15,000 Witchduck Rd. I-264 VA Beach Blvd. 44,000 61,000 Witchduck Rd. I-264 Princess Anne Rd. 28,000 45,000 Source: Hampton Roads Planning District commission 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan (December 2007).

PUBLIC FACILITIES

Public facilities comprise all the public services and facilities provided by the City to all residents. Those services include education, public safety and emergency medical, libraries, recreation, public water and sewer and solid waste management.

SCHOOLS

The following schools are located in the Kempsville Planning Area:

Elementary Schools (Grades K-5)

Arrowhead Centerville College Park Fairfield Glenwood Indian Lakes Kempsville Kempsville Meadows Point O’View Providence Rosemont Forest Tallwood Woodstock

Kempsville Planning Area 244 Middle Schools (Grades 6-8)

Brandon Kempsville Larkspur Salem

High Schools (Grades 9-12)

Kempsville Salem Tallwood

LIBRARIES

The Kempsville Area Library is located in the Kempsville Planning Area.

POLICE

The Fourth Police Precinct is located in the Kempsville Planning Area at 840 Kempsville Road.

FIRE

The following fire stations are located in the Kempsville Planning Area:

• Kempsville Fire Station (Station #9) at 5145 Ruritan Court • Woodstock Fire Station (Station #10) at 5656 Providence Road • Stumpy Lake Fire Station (Station #19) at 4196 Pleasant Valley Road

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

The following Volunteer Rescue Squads are located in the Kempsville Planning Area:

• Kempsville EMS Station (Station #9) at 5145 Ruritan Court • Stumpy Lake EMS Station (Station #19) at 4196 Pleasant Valley Road

PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM AND SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM

City water and sewer serve most of the Kempsville Planning Area. However, it is the long-term objective of the City to bring all areas not served by City water and sewer services on line via capital improvement projects.

Kempsville Planning Area 245

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

The City of Virginia Beach Landfill is located at 1989 Jake Sears Road, off Centerville Turnpike.

PARKS / PUBLIC OPEN SPACE / RECREATION FACILITIES

As part of the Department of Parks and Recreation’s development of its Strategic Plan, the Department recently reclassified and updated its parks and recreation land and facilities site inventory and developed corresponding Design Standards. The park and recreation classifications were revamped in order to align the City’s parks and recreation land and facilities with similar sites in comparable size localities nationwide.

The new park and recreation classifications include: Signature Parks; Metro Parks; Community Parks; Neighborhood Parks; Natural Resource Areas; General Open Space; Linkages; and Special Use Facilities for Recreation Centers, Golf Courses, Athletic Complexes, and Water Access Sites.

For a detailed description of each of the new classifications and their accompanying amenities, please refer to the Department of Parks and Recreation Design Standards Manual, or the 2008 Virginia Beach Outdoor Plan.

Figure 48 provides the general locations of neighborhood parks, general open space areas and linkages located within the Kempsville Planning Area. Refer to Figure 33 in the Citywide Section of the Technical Report for the general locations of signature parks, metro parks, community parks, special use areas and natural areas located within the City.

Kempsville Planning Area 246

Figure 48

Kempsville Planning Area 247

Parks, Public Open Space and Recreational Facilities Site Parcel Developed Undeveloped Site Name Site Address Type Acreage Acreage Acreage Carolanne Farms CP 375 Gainsborough Dr. 22.3 7.2 15.12 Park CP Providence Park 5857 Providence Rd. 18 18 0 CP Salem Woods Park 1503 Salem Rd. 21.6 21.61 0 CP Woodbridge Park Lynnhaven Pkwy. 24.1 0 24.07 CP Woodstock Park 5709 Providence Rd. 30.4 19.17 11.24 Bentley Gate GOS Brannon Dr. 44.59 0 44.59 Parcel Centerville Tpk. GOS Centerville Tnpk. 6.5 0 6.5 Parcel A Hillcrest Landing GOS 4101 Elbow Rd. 18.79 0 18.79 Parcel 3 Level Green Parcel GOS Level Green Blvd. 1.89 0 1.89 R-1 Level Green Parcel GOS Level Green Blvd. 0.81 0 0.81 R-2 MP City View Park 2073 Kempsville Rd. 43.5 43.45 0 Alexandria Sec. 1- NP 5575 Glen View Dr. 1.93 1.93 0 B Park Bellamy Plantation NP Burwillow Dr. 0.53 0.53 0 East Park Bellamy Plantation 1600 Grey Friars NP 2.52 2.52 0 Park Chase Bellamy Woods NP 4629 Berrywood Dr. 2.95 2.95 0 Park NP Bentley Gate Park 2441 Round Hill Dr. 1.01 1.01 0 NP Brigadoon Park Lynnhaven Pkwy. 4.52 4.52 0 Brigadoon Pines NP 5206 Albright Dr. 4.26 4.26 0 Park Brigadoon Woods NP 1701 Ashton Dr. 7.5 7.5 0 Park NP Carolanne Park 5300 Challedon Dr. 0.48 0.48 0 NP Cedar Hill Park 924 Parkland La. 3.26 3.26 0 NP Centerville Park 1960 John Brown La. 2.47 1.65 0.82 Charlestown Ath. NP Lynnhaven Pkwy. 7.16 7.16 0 Com.(S) Park Charlestown East NP 1760 Legare La. 0.64 0.64 0 Park Charlestown Lake NP 1025 Kinderly La. 8.75 8.75 0 South Sec.-A Charlestown Lakes NP 1027 Kinderly La. 2.07 0 2.07 South Sec.-B 5364 Chatham Hall NP Chatham Hall Park 11.4 11.42 0 Dr. NP Coventry Park 4700ardmore La. 1.05 1.05 0

Kempsville Planning Area 248 NP Dunbarton Park 4468 Paddock La. 3.04 3.04 0 Fairfield Forest NP 5400 Hargrove Blvd. 1.65 1.65 0 Park NP Fairfield Park 714 Rosaer Cir. 6.37 6.37 0 NP Hunt's Pointe Park Cardamon Dr. 3.55 2.2 1.35 NP Kempsville Park 832 Lobaugh Dr. 8 8 0 NP Lark Downs Park 800 Monmouth La. 13.1 13.1 0 NP Lecove Park 900 Lecove Dr. 0.58 0.58 0 1100 Level Green NP Level Green Park 11 10.44 0 Blvd. NP Newlight Park 1115 Thompkins La. 4.9 4.9 0 Parliament Village NP 5310 Leesburg Dr. 2.83 2.83 0 Park NP Queen City Park 1025 Tamer La. 0.5 0.5 0 Rosemont Forest NP 1845 Gravenhurst Dr. 12.9 12.94 0 #3 Park Rosemont Forest 2300 Lynnhaven NP 6.87 6.87 0 Ballfields Pkwy. Rosemont Forest NP Pleasant Valley Rd. 3.63 3.63 0 Park St. Matthews NP Catholic Church 3313 Sandra La. 6 6 0 Park NP Stoneybrook Park 5600 New Colony 1.22 1.22 0 Stratford Chase NP 900 Minden Rd. 5.56 5.56 0 Park Whitehurst Grove NP Taylor Rd. 1.61 1.61 0 Park NP Woods of Avalon 5720 Normandy Ave. 13 0 0 Woodstock Cove NP 600 Woodstock Rd. 8.54 8.54 0 Park Woodstock School NP 6016 Providence Rd. 8 8 0 Park NP Wyndamere Park 4100 Ware Neck Dr. 17.4 17.35 0 NRA Stumpy Lake Park 4797 Indian River Rd. 1119 0 1119 Kempsville Greens 4840 Princess Anne SUGC 115 114.6 0 Golf Course Rd. Stumpy Lake Golf SUGC 4797 Indian River Rd. 301 301 0 Course Kempsville SURC 800 Monmouth La. 10 10 0 Recreation Center

Total Acreage 1980.23 719.99 1246.25 Key: Site Types: (SP)= Signature Park, (MP)= Metro Park, (CP)= Community Park, (NP)= Neighborhood Park, (SUGC)= Special Use Golf Course, (SURC)= Special Use Recreation Center, (SUAC)= Special Use Athletic Complexes, (SUWA)= Special Use Water Access, (GOS)= General Open Space, (NRA)= Natural Resource Areas, (LINK)= Linkages

Kempsville Planning Area 249

Bikeways and Trails System

According to the City’s adopted Bikeways and Trails Plan, the following bikeways and trails system initiatives either exist or are recommended for implementation:

• The Elizabeth River Trail is located in the Carolanne Farm Neighborhood Park.

• Norfolk Southern Railroad Right of Way/Southern Boulevard – This corridor is identified for mass transit. The potential exists to incorporate a parallel shared use path along this corridor within the Kempsville Planning Area.

HOUSING

PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR RENTERS AND HOMEOWNERS

The Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation administers a variety of programs that are available to improve both the condition of the residential dwellings and housing opportunities in the City.

Federally subsidized apartment complexes that provide several hundred reduced-rent units for eligible households, low-income families, the elderly and/or disabled persons are located around the City. The only federally assisted developments located in the Kempsville Planning Area as of September 2007 is Beth Shalom Sands (a housing for seniors facility).

HOUSING FOR SENIORS

The following table lists the senior housing facilities located in the Kempsville Planning Area.

Senior Housing Facilities EXISTING FACILITIES INDEPENDENT ASSISTED NURSING CARE CARE CARE Beth Shalom Nursing Home X Beth Shalom Sands X Oakwood Nursing Home X The Commons at Princess X Anne Marion Manor X X X

Kempsville Planning Area 250 EXISTING FACILITIES INDEPENDENT ASSISTED NURSING CARE CARE CARE Beth Shalom Terrace X Lynnhaven Cove X Sources: City of Virginia Beach Department of Planning; and the City of Virginia Beach Senior Housing Guide, Mayor’s Commission on Aging, October 2007

HISTORICAL/CULTURAL

The City of Virginia Beach employs several approaches to encourage desired physical design. A few of the more visible initiatives are: Planning Commission Design Award Program, the Historic and Cultural Zoning Overlay Districts, the National Register of Historical Places/Virginia Landmarks Register, the National Historic Landmarks programs, and the Virginia Beach Historical Register.

The following table identifies those properties located in the Kempsville Planning Area that are listed either on one of the Registers and/or is designated by the City of Virginia Beach as a historical and cultural zoning overlay district.

Designated Historic Places September 2007 Name Owner National/ State/ City H/C Zoning City Register Overlay District Thomas Murray House Private N/S/C Register Yes Carraway House Private --- Yes Pleasant Hall Private N/S/C Register No Gettel House Private City Register No Richard Murray Private City Register No Salem UM Church Private City Register No Key: N – National, S – State of Virginia, C - City of Virginia Beach Bold – On List of 50 Most Historic Structures in Virginia Beach Source: City of Virginia Beach

CULTURAL RESOURCE

A prominent and recognizable cultural resource that has had a long presence in the Kempsville Planning Area is the Christian Broadcasting Network/Regent University.

Kempsville Planning Area 251

LLIITTTTLLEE NNEECCKK

BACKGROUND TTEECCHHNNBACKGROUNDIICCAALL RR EEPPOORRTT

The Little Neck Planning Area is located in the north central portion of the City. The planning area is bounded by the Lynnhaven Bay to the north; the Eastern Branch of the Lynnhaven River to the east; I-264 to the south; and Independence Boulevard, Thalia Creek, and the Western Branch of the Lynnhaven River to the west.

LAND USE

The Little Neck Planning Area has experienced relatively little growth during the last ten years, primarily due to the scarcity of available undeveloped land. The planning area has a uniform pattern of land development north of Virginia Beach Boulevard the vast majority of which is comprised of single-family detached residential units. The southernmost portion of the planning area, between Virginia Beach Boulevard and I-264, comprises an intense mixture of commercial, multifamily, and industrial land uses.

The following table refers to land and water areas for the Little Neck Planning Area. See Citywide section for land and water areas table citywide.

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Land and Water Area Table Total Land Area 5,999 acres (9.3 square miles) Total Water Area 1,012 acres (1.6 square miles) Total Area 7,011 acres (10.9 square miles) Source: City of Virginia Beach Planning Department

The population figures in the Little Neck Planning Area between 1990 and 2000 are summarized below. Since 1990 there has been a decrease in population of 1 %.

Population Table YEAR POPULATION PERCENT CHANGE 1990 29,712 2000 29,429 -1 % Source: City of Virginia Beach Planning Department based on U.S. 2000 Census

ENVIRONMENT

The Little Neck Planning Area is bounded by Lynnhaven Bay to the north, the Eastern Branch of the Lynnhaven River to the east, and the Western Branch of the Lynnhaven River to the west. The Little Neck Planning Area is characterized by the flat coastal plain topography of the Tidewater area of Virginia, and is bounded to the east, north and west by the coastal environment of the Lynnhaven River system. The most notable natural resources within the Little Neck Planning Area include the shoreline of the Lynnhaven River system. While the majority of the shoreline has been developed, natural areas remain in some areas, most notably in the upper reaches of London Bridge Creek, Pinetree Branch and Thalia Creek. The eastern, northern and western borders of the Little Neck Planning Area adjoin Lynnhaven Bay and the Eastern and Western Branches of the Lynnhaven River, respectively, which include numerous lunar tidal tributaries and their associated vegetated wetlands areas.

SOILS

Soils in the Little Neck Planning Area are generally clays and silt loams and fair to moderately drained. Maps providing the general locations of soil types and poorly drained soils in the City are found on Figures 3 and 4, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

Little Neck Planning Area 253

WATER RESOURCES

Groundwater

The Yorktown Aquifer is the major potable aquifer in the Little Neck Planning Area and the City as a whole. There are no Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) permitted groundwater withdrawals within the Little Neck Planning Area. A map providing the general location of DEQ permitted groundwater withdrawal sites in the City is found on Figure 6 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

Surface Water

Notable water features include lunar tidal tributaries and manmade freshwater lakes. Surface waters are classified as being located within a hierarchy of primary, secondary, and tertiary watersheds. The entire Little Neck Planning Area is located within the Chesapeake Bay primary watershed and the Lynnhaven River secondary watershed encompasses the entirety of the area. A map providing the general locations of primary and secondary watersheds in the City is found on Figure 8 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

The Little Neck Planning Area includes portions of the following tertiary watersheds, as described in the City’s Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) Municipal Stormwater Permit. A map providing the general locations of tertiary watersheds and stormwater outfalls in the Little Neck Planning Area is found on Figure 49 in this section of the Technical Report.

Tertiary Watersheds in the Little Neck Planning Area

NUMBER TERTIARY WATERSHED DRAINAGE AREA (SQ MI)

3 Western Branch: Lynnhaven River 8.21

4 Thalia Creek / Thurston Branch / Buchanan Creek 12.66

5 Main Stem / Eastern Branch Lynnhaven River 6.53

6 London Bridge Creek 13.21 Source: City of Virginia Beach Public Works Department

Manmade and freshwater lakes adjoining or within the Little Neck Planning Area include Kings Grant Lake. Lunar tidal tributaries adjoining or within the Little Neck Planning Area include Keeling Cove, Dix Creek, Poor House Cove, Old House Cove, Thurston Branch, Buchanan Creek, Thalia Creek, Pinetree Branch, London Bridge Creek, and other unnamed lunar tidal tributaries to the Eastern or Western Branches of the Lynnhaven River.

A network of water quality monitoring stations is located adjoining or within the Little Neck

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Planning Area, as noted in the Citywide Natural Resources Section of the Technical Report.

Figure 49

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Stormwater Management

The Little Neck Planning Area includes the following water bodies serving as stormwater management facilities with a surface area exceeding five acres:

Stormwater Management Facilities and Service Areas in the Little Neck Planning Area

NUMBER FACILITY SERVICE EXISTING REQUIRED PERCENT NAME AREA STORAGE STORAGE IMPERVIOUS (ACRES) (ACRE (ACRE FEET) FEET)

03-04 Kingston 81.00 70.0 5.43 0.80 Lake 17.00 03-09 Queens Lake 16.5 1.38 39.00

04-06 Kings Grant 21.00 2.5 1.51 29.0 Lake #1

04-10 Birchwood 6.00 7.5 0.55 53.0 Garden

05-01 Great Neck 222.41 37.5 9.28 41.0 #1, #7

05-02 Great Neck 238.10 37.5 17.52 34.0 #2, #6 Source: City of Virginia Beach Public Works Department

A map providing the general locations of stormwater management facilities and their service areas in the Little Neck Planning Area is found on Figure 9 in this section of the Technical Report.

WETLANDS

The Little Neck Planning Area includes considerable lunar tidal wetland fringes along tributary creeks and coves associated with the Lynnhaven River system, as well as isolated nontidal wetlands areas. Due to the extensive amount of area involved and the complexities associated with determining the limits of vegetated and nonvegetated lunar tidal wetlands and nontidal wetlands, these areas are delineated on a case-by-case basis. A map providing general locations of tidal and nontidal wetlands areas in the City is found on Figure 10 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

L ittle Neck Planning Area 256

FOREST RESOURCES

As former farming activity was limited in the area, more recent development activity has resulted in retention of a significant amount of the original natural forest canopy in the Little Neck Planning Area. A map providing the general location of champion trees in the City is found on Figure 11 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

NATURAL HERITAGE AREAS

Based upon information provided by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage (DNH), no conservation sites have been identified in or adjoining the Little Neck Planning Area. A map providing the general location of Natural Heritage conservation sites in the City is found on Figure 12 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

A list of Natural Heritage Resources documented in the Little Neck Planning Area but not assigned to a specific conservation site follows:

Natural Heritage Resources Not Assigned to a Conservation Site in the Little Neck Planning Area

SCIENTIFIC COMMON GLOBAL STATE FEDERAL STATE SEEN NAME NAME RANK RANK STATUS STATUS SINCE 1980

Invertebrates

Calephelis Little G4 S1 NF NS N virginiensis Metalmark

Cincindela A Tiger G5 S1 NF NS Y trifasciata Beetle

Plants

Arenaria Sandwort G5 T5 SH NF NS N lanuginosa ssp. Lanuginosa

Eleocharis Baldwin G4 G5 S1 NF NS Y baldwinii Spikerush

Erigeron White-Top G5 S2 NF NS Y vernus Fleabane

Little Neck Planning Area 257

SCIENTIFIC COMMON GLOBAL STATE FEDERAL STATE SEEN NAME NAME RANK RANK STATUS STATUS SINCE 1980

Honckenya Sea-Beach G5 T4 SH NF NS N peploides ssp. Sandwort robusta

Ludwigia Long Beach G4 G5 S2 NF NS Y brevipes Seedbox

Osmanthus Wild Olive G5 T5 S1 NF NS Y americanus var. americanus

Physalis Sticky G4 S2 NF NS Y walteri Ground- Cherry

Solidago A G4 G5 S1 NF NS N tortifolia Goldenrod

Spartina Freshwater G5 S2 NF NS N pectinata Cordgrass

Sphagnum Soft G4 S2 NF NS N molle Peatmoss

Tillandsia Spanish G5 S2 NF NS Y usneoides Moss

Wisteria American G5 S2 NF NS NO frutescens Wisteria DATE Source: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage Key: See Appendix for Definitions of Rankings and Status Key

FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES

Due to its location adjoining the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, the Little Neck Planning Area is home to a wide array of unique plant and animal species. Its location at the southern mouth of the Chesapeake Bay makes the City an important stopover for many migratory bird species utilizing the Atlantic Flyway, most notably for shorebirds and neo-tropical songbirds. The entire Little Neck Planning Area has been designated by the City as a Bird Sanctuary. Portions of Lynnhaven Inlet are currently open for the direct marketing of shellfish, and many areas are leased or reserved as sanctuary areas for shellfish by the Commonwealth. Maps providing

L ittle Neck Planning Area 258

general locations of bird sanctuary areas, and shellfish lease and sanctuary areas in the City are found on Figures 14, and 15, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

OPEN SPACE, GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC LANDS MANAGEMENT

The Little Neck Planning Area contains open space lands adjoining Pinetree Branch, Buchanan Creek and Thalia Creek. Other significant open space lands in the Little Neck Planning Area include the Francis Land House History Park and Birchwood - Malibu Park. These lands constitute the most significant developed and undeveloped open space in the Little Neck Planning Area. The entire Lynnhaven River watershed has been designated as a component of the City’s Scenic Waterway System. A more complete description of open space lands located within the Little Neck Planning Area is found in the Little Neck Public Facilities Section of the Technical Report. Maps providing general locations of major federal, state and private open space lands, and golf courses, City metro parks, City signature parks, City community parks and City natural areas in the City are found on Figures 17, and 18, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

A number of habitat restoration projects have been undertaken in and adjoining the Little Neck Planning Area, most notably at City Public School and Park sites, involving urban forestry, shoreline stabilization, riparian vegetation buffer establishment, and oyster reef establishment. A map providing the general locations of habitat restoration project sites in the City is found on Figure 19 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

HAZARD MANAGMENT AND MITIGATION

Due to its proximity to Chesapeake Bay and the Lynnhaven River system and adjoining lunar tidal tributaries, a portion of the Little Neck Planning Area is located within the 100-year floodplain. Maps providing general locations of hurricane evacuation routes and hurricane evacuation zones, and 100 year floodplains and coastal high hazard areas in the City are found on Figures 22 and 23, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORY PROGRAMS

Development activities within the Little Neck Planning Area are regulated by the City under the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Ordinance, Floodplain Regulations, Stormwater Management Ordinance, and Tidal Wetlands Ordinance. A general description of these programs is found in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

The entire Little Neck Planning Area is designated as a Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area (CBPA). While development is allowed within the 100 year floodplain in the Little Neck

Little Neck Planning Area 259

Planning Area, the Floodplain Regulations require that habitable spaces for all new development must be located a minimum of 1 foot above the 100 year flood level. All new development must meet requirements in the Stormwater Management Ordinance. Tidal shorelines comprising both vegetated and nonvegetated tidal wetlands areas are regulated under the Tidal Wetlands Ordinance.

TRANSPORTATION

EXISTING SYSTEM

The Little Neck community is a peninsula separated from other neighboring communities by water tributaries to the north, east and west. Virginia Beach Boulevard and I-264 are the primary arterials that connect Little Neck with the nearby communities of Bayside, the Town Center/Pembroke area, and Great Neck.

Key roads serving the Little Neck Planning Area include: Virginia Beach and Independence Boulevards; Little Neck, Kings Grant, Bonney and Lynnhaven Roads; Lynnhaven Parkway; Edinburgh Drive; and I-264.

PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS

Road projects programmed in the current CIP FY 2009-2010 (with FY 2010 update) include:

No Projects

The following table provides a comparison of current and future traffic volumes on the primary roads. Current and Future Traffic Volumes by the Year 2030 Little Neck Planning Area 2003 2030 STREET FROM TO DAILY DAILY TRIPS TRIPS I-264 Lynnhaven Pwky. Rosemont Rd. 144,000 156,000 Independence Blvd. VA Beach Blvd. I-264 85,000 98,000 Lynnhaven Pkwy. VA Beach Blvd. I-264 31,000 24,000 Lynnhaven Pkwy. I-264 International Pkwy. 51,000 53,000 Rosemont Rd. VA Beach Blvd. I-264 n.a. 80,000 Rosemont Rd. S. Plaza Trail I-264 34,000 52,000 VA Beach Blvd. Independence Blvd.Rosemont Rd. 43,000 66,000 Source: Hampton Roads Planning District Commission 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan (December 2007).

L ittle Neck Planning Area 260

PUBLIC FACILITIES

Public facilities comprise all the public services and facilities provided by the City to all residents. Those services include education, public safety and emergency medical, libraries, recreation, public water and sewer, and solid waste management.

SCHOOLS

Elementary Schools (Grades K-5)

Kings Grant Kingston Malibu Thalia

Middle and High Schools

No middle or high schools are located in the Little Neck Planning Area. Those educational services are provided by the middle and high schools located in the adjacent planning areas.

LIBRARIES

The Central Library is located in the Little Neck Planning Area.

POLICE

The Third Police Precinct provides public safety services to the Little Neck Planning Area.

FIRE

Fires stations located in the Little Neck Planning Area include:

• Thalia Fire Station (Station #7, volunteer-owned) at 407 Thalia Drive • Little Neck Fire Station (Station #20) at 885 Little Neck Road

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

The following Volunteer Rescue Squads provide emergency medical services to the Little Neck Planning Area:

• Plaza Volunteer EMS Station (Station #16) located at 3608 S. Plaza Trail • Haygood Volunteer EMS Station (Station #2) located at 4672 Haygood Road

Little Neck Planning Area 261

PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM AND SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM

City water and sewer serve most of the Little Neck Planning Area. However, it is the long-term objective of the City to bring all areas not served by City water and sewer services on line via capital improvement projects.

PARKS / PUBLIC OPEN SPACE / RECREATION FACILITIES

As part of the Department of Parks and Recreation’s development of its Strategic Plan, the Department recently reclassified and updated its parks and recreation land and facilities site inventory and developed corresponding Design Standards. The park and recreation classifications were revamped in order to align the City’s parks and recreation land and facilities with similar sites in comparable size localities nationwide.

The new park and recreation classifications include: Signature Parks, Metro Parks, Community Parks, Neighborhood Parks, Natural Resource Areas, General Open Space, Linkages, and Special Use Facilities for Recreation Centers, Golf Courses, Athletic Complexes, and Water Access Sites.

For a detailed description of each of the new classifications and their accompanying amenities, please refer to the Department of Parks and Recreation Design Standards, or the 2008 Virginia Beach Outdoors Plan.

Figure 50 provides the general locations of neighborhood parks, general open space areas and linkages located within the Little Neck Planning Area. Refer to Figure 33 in the Citywide Section of the Technical Report for the general locations of signature parks, metro parks, community parks, special use areas and natural areas located within the City.

L ittle Neck Planning Area 262

Figure 50

Little Neck Planning Area 263

Parks, Public Open Space and Recreational Facilities Site Parcel Developed Undeveloped Site Name Site Address Type Acreage Acreage Acreage GOS Kings Grant Parcel 1 Kings Grant Rd. 2.6 0 2.6 Little Neck Rd. Park Sec. GOS Little Neck Rd. 2.27 0 2.27 1 Little Neck Rd. Park Sec. GOS Little Neck Rd. 2.28 0 2.28 2 Little Neck Rd. Park Sec. GOS Little Neck Rd. 2.36 0 2.36 3 GOS Thalia Trace Oaks Park Pollypine Dr. 1.28 0 1.28 NP Birchwood South Park Lampl Ave. 1.4 1.4 0 NP Birchwood-Malibu Park Royal Palm Arch 16.1 16.09 0 3350 Kings Grant NP Brill Field Park 9.09 9.09 0 Rd. NP Eureka Park 2600 Southern Blvd. 1.4 1.4 0 409 North NP Groveland Park 0.94 0.94 0 Lynnhaven Rd. NP Kings Grant West Park Kings Grant Rd. 7.22 7.22 0

NP Little Neck Park 1335 Little Neck Rd. 6.82 6.82 0 Middle Plantation / Little Haven Rd. & NP 9.8 9.8 0 Bishop's Gate Park Little Neck NP Pinewood Gardens Park 2800 Ansol La. 2.87 2.87 0 NP Thalia Park 420 Thalia Rd. 3.08 3.08 0 NP Thalia Trace Park Thalia Trace Dr. 0.57 0.57 0

NRA Francis Land Park Francis Land La. 3.42 0.55 2.87

Total Acreage 73.49 59.83 13.66 Key: Site Types: (SP) = Signature Park, (MP)= Metro Park, (CP)= Community Park, (NP)= Neighborhood Park, (SUGC)= Special Use Golf Course, (SURC)= Special Use Recreation Center, (SUAC)= Special Use Athletic Complexes, (SUWA)= Special Use Water Access, (GOS)= General Open Space, (NRA)= Natural Resource Areas, (LINK)= Linkages

L ittle Neck Planning Area 264

Bikeways and Trails System

According to the City’s adopted Bikeways and Trails Plan, the following bikeways and trails system initiatives either exist or are recommended for implementation:

• Little Neck Trail – This is an existing shared use path along the east side of Little Neck Road from Virginia Beach Boulevard to West Little Neck Road.

• Thalia Creek Greenway – This proposed greenway project runs along Thalia Creek in the area around Town Center. The master plan document was completed in April 2007. The master plan includes a pedestrian crossing at I-264 to link Town Center and Mount Trashmore.

• Norfolk Southern Railroad Right of Way/Southern Boulevard – This corridor is identified for mass transit. There is potential to incorporate a parallel shared use path along this corridor within the Little Neck Planning Area.

HOUSING

PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR RENTERS AND HOMEOWNERS

The Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation administers a variety of programs that are available to improve both the condition of the residential dwellings and housing opportunities in the City.

Federally subsidized apartment complexes that provide several hundred reduced-rent units for eligible households, low-income families, the elderly and/or disabled persons are located around the City. One federally assisted rental housing development is located in the Little Neck Planning Area: Luther Manor, which accommodates senior and disabled residents.

HOUSING FOR SENIORS

Several housing developments for seniors are located in the Little Neck Planning Area. The following table lists the existing senior care facilities in the Little Neck Planning Area.

Little Neck Planning Area 265

Senior Housing Facilities September 2007 Map Existing Facilities Independent Assisted Nursing Number Care Care Care 15 River Pointe X Rehabilitation Center 3 Luther Manor X 4 Lynn Shores Chateau X 5 Lynn Shore Manor X 19 Kings Grant X Retirement Home 33 Silver Hill at Thalia X

HISTORICAL/CULTURAL

The City of Virginia Beach employs several approaches to encourage desired physical design. A few of the more visible initiatives are: Planning Commission Design Award Program, the Historic and Cultural Overlay Zoning District, the National Register of Historical Places, the National Historic Landmarks program, Virginia Landmarks Register, and the Virginia Beach Historical Register.

The following table identifies the properties located in the Little Neck Planning Area that are listed on one of the Registers, and/or is designated by the City of Virginia Beach as historical and cultural zoning overlay districts.

DESIGNATED HISTORIC PLACES September 2007 - Little Neck Planning Area Map # National / City H/C Of Well Known Name Owner State / City Zoning Overlay Places Register District 17 Francis City N/S Register Yes Land House - Thalia Vol. Private City Register No Fire Station Key: N – National, S – State of Virginia, C - City of Virginia Beach Bold – On List of 50 Most Historic Structures in Virginia Beach Source: City of Virginia Beach

L ittle Neck Planning Area 266

OCEANFRONT OCEANFRONT

TTEECCHHNNIICCAALL RREEPPOORRTT

BACKGROUND

The Oceanfront Planning Area is located in the northeast portion of the City. This planning area is bounded by Fort Story and First Landing State Park to the north, Linkhorn Bay, Little Neck and Great Neck Creeks and Laskin Road to the west, State Military Reservation (Camp Pendleton) and Oceana Naval Air Station to the south and 6.6 miles of the Atlantic Ocean on its eastern border. This oceanfront stretch is a major asset that serves as a main attraction of visitors to the hotels, restaurants, shop, and amusements that are located along Atlantic and Pacific Avenues, for approximately forty blocks.

Oceanfront Planning Area 267

The Oceanfront Planning Area is the second smallest of the nine planning areas in land area. It is seventh in population and comprises a low growth rate due to the scarcity of undeveloped land not constrained by environmental and AICUZ restrictions.

LAND USE

Residential development occupies 75% of all the developed land in the Oceanfront area. Single family detached residential comprises 36% of the Oceanfront housing stock. Almost half of all dwelling units (47%) consist of multi-family units, and 17% are townhouses and duplexes.

Commercial development is concentrated along the Oceanfront’s major transportation corridors. The Atlantic and Pacific avenues are the most intensely developed and are the focus for resort commercial activity, while Laskin Road and the 17th Street to 22nd Street corridors provide more generalized services for tourists and local residents.

Office development is confined primarily to two locations in the Oceanfront area, north of Laskin Road along Pacific Avenue and along Laskin Road near Birdneck Road. Industrial development is limited to a few uses located in the southwestern portion of the planning area between Birdneck Road and Oceana Boulevard.

The following table refers to land and water areas for the Oceanfront Planning Area. See Citywide section for land and water areas table citywide.

Land and Water Area Table Total Land Area 4,958 acres (7.9 square miles) Total Water Area 548 acres (0.9 square miles) Total Area 5,506 acres (8.8 square miles) Source: City of Virginia Beach Planning Department

The population figures that have occurred in the Oceanfront Planning Area between 1990 and 2000 are summarized below. The average annual increase was approximately 5 % per year from 1990 to 2000, comparable to the citywide rate of 8 % per year.

Population Table YEAR POPULATION PERCENT CHANGE 1990 25,843 2000 27,046 5 % Source: City of Virginia Beach Planning Department based on U. S. 2000 Census

Oceanfront Planning Area 268

ENVIRONMENT

The Oceanfront Planning Area is bounded to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the west by Great Neck Creek and Little Neck Creek, and to the south by Lake Rudee, Lake Wesley, Lake Christine and Owls Creek. The Oceanfront Planning Area includes portions of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the Owls Creek watershed. The Oceanfront Planning Area is characterized by the flat coastal plain topography of the Tidewater area of Virginia, and is characterized by the coastal environment of the Lynnhaven River and Owls Creek systems. The most notable natural resources within the Oceanfront Planning Area include the open Atlantic Ocean h and dune shoreline, the headwater shoreline of the Lynnhaven River system, and the high salinity shoreline of the Owls Creek system. While the majority of the shoreline has been developed, natural areas remain in some areas, most notably on lands adjoining lunar tidal tributaries headwaters areas. The western border of the Oceanfront Planning Area adjoins Great Neck Creek and Little Neck Creek, which include several minor lunar tidal tributaries headwaters and their associated vegetated wetlands. The southern border of the Oceanfront Planning Area adjoins the Owls Creek system which includes the several lunar tidal tributaries and their associated vegetated wetlands.

SOILS

Soils in the Oceanfront Planning Area are generally sandy and well drained. Maps providing the general locations of soil types and poorly drained soils in the City are found on Figures 3 and 4, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

WATER RESOURCES

Groundwater

The Yorktown Aquifer is the major potable aquifer in the Oceanfront Planning Area and the City as a whole. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) permitted groundwater withdrawals within the Oceanfront Planning Area include the Princess Anne Country Club, the Owls Creek Golf Course, and the Tarmac Oceana Concrete Plant. In addition, the Cavalier Golf and Country Club and the Red Wing Golf Course, located to the east and south of the Oceanfront Planning Area, respectively, hold DEQ groundwater withdrawal permits. A map providing the general location of DEQ permitted groundwater withdrawal sites in the City is found on Figure 6 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

Surface Water

Notable water features include lunar tidal tributaries and manmade freshwater lakes. Surface waters are classified as being located within a hierarchy of primary, secondary, and tertiary

Oceanfront Planning Area 269 watersheds. The Oceanfront Planning Area is located within the Chesapeake Bay primary watershed and the Owls Creek primary watershed. The Lynnhaven River secondary watershed encompasses approximately seventy five percent of the Oceanfront Planning Area, and the Owls Creek secondary watershed encompasses the remaining twenty five percent of the Oceanfront Planning Area.

The Oceanfront Planning Area includes portions of the following tertiary watersheds found in the following table, as described in the City’s Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) Municipal Stormwater Permit. A map providing the general locations of tertiary watersheds and stormwater outfalls in the Oceanfront Planning Area is found on Figure 51 in this section of the Technical Report.

Tertiary Watersheds in the Oceanfront Planning Area

NUMBER TERTIARY WATERSHED DRAINAGE AREA (SQ MI)

8 Great Neck Creek 3.02

29 Owls Creek 4.60

30 First Landing 19.60 Source: City of Virginia Beach Public Works Department

Manmade and freshwater lakes adjoining or within the Oceanfront Planning Area include Lake Christine, Lake Holly, Red Wing Golf Course Lake, and Spring Lake. Lunar tidal tributaries adjoining or within the Oceanfront Planning Area include Rainey Gut, Crystal Lake, Linkhorn Bay, Little Neck Creek, Wye Cove, Great Neck Creek, and other unnamed lunar tidal tributaries to the Lynnhaven River. Other lunar tidal tributaries adjoining or within the Oceanfront Planning Area include Lake Rudee, Lake Wesley, Owls Creek, and other unnamed lunar tidal tributaries to Owls Creek.

A network of water quality monitoring stations is located in the Oceanfront Planning Area, as noted in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

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Figure 51

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Stormwater Management

The Oceanfront Planning area includes the following water bodies serving as stormwater management facilities with a surface area exceeding five acres:

Stormwater Management Facilities and Service Areas in the Oceanfront Planning Area

NUMBER FACILITY SERVICE EXISTING REQUIRED PERCENT NAME AREA STORAGE STORAGE IMPERVIOUS (ACRES) (ACRE (ACRE FEET) FEET)

08-03 Spring Lake 32.0 20.0 3.31 62.0

09-09 Red Wing 178.0 30.0 9.76 12.0 Golf Course Lake #1-4

29-03 Lake Holly 336.0 90.0 32.72 52.0 North #1-3, and South Source: City of Virginia Beach Public Works Department

A map providing the general locations of stormwater management facilities and their service areas in the Oceanfront Planning Area is found on Figure 45 in this section of the Technical Report.

WETLANDS

The Oceanfront Planning Area includes extensive lunar tidal wetland fringes along tributary creeks and coves associated with the Lynnhaven River and the Owls Creek systems, as well as isolated nontidal wetlands areas. Due to the extensive amount of area involved and the complexities associated with determining the limits of vegetated and nonvegetated lunar tidal wetlands and nontidal wetlands, these areas are delineated on a case-by-case basis. A map providing general locations of tidal and nontidal wetlands areas in the City is found on Figure 10 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

FOREST RESOURCES

Former and more recent development activity has eliminated much of the original natural forest canopy, but an urban forest canopy has developed over many of the residential areas in the Oceanfront Planning Area. Maritime forests which once were extensive along the Atlantic Ocean shoreline have largely disappeared from the Oceanfront Planning Area. A map providing the general location of champion trees in the City is found on Figure 11 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

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NATURAL HERITAGE AREAS

Based upon information provided by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage (DNH), five conservation sites have been identified adjoining the Oceanfront Planning Area. These sites contain many exemplary plant and animal species, and natural communities. This level of diversity is attributed to the variety of habitat types within the Oceanfront Planning Area. These unique habitats include sandy beaches, maritime forest, bald cypress swamps, and interdunal ponds.

Refer to the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report for a list of Natural Heritage Resources documented within these sites. A map providing the general location of Natural Heritage conservation sites in the City is found on Figure 12 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

A list of Natural Heritage Resources documented in the Oceanfront Planning Area but not assigned to a specific conservation site follows:

Natural Heritage Resources Not Assigned to a Conservation Site in the Oceanfront Planning Area

SCIENTIFIC COMMON GLOBAL STATE FEDERAL STATE SEEN NAME NAME RANK RANK STATUS STATUS SINCE 1980

Invertebrates

Pseudopolydes A Millipede G3? S2 NF NS N mus. paludicolous

Plants

Arenaria A Sandwort G5 T5 SH NF NS N lanuginosa ssp. Lanuginosa

Eleocharis Baldwin G4 G5 S1 NF NS Y baldwinii Spikerush

Erigeron White-Top G5 S2 NF NS Y vernus Fleabane

Honckenya Sea-Beach G5 T4 SH NF NS N peploides ssp. Sandwort robusta

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Ranunculus Long- G5 SH NF NS N hederaceus Stalked Crowfoot

Spartina Freshwater G5 S2 NF NS N pectinata Cordgrass

Sphagnum Soft G4 S2 NF NS N molle Peatmoss

Tillandsia Spanish G5 S2 NF NS Y usneoides Moss

Wisteria American G5 S2 NF NS NO frutescens Wisteria DATE Source: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage Key: See Appendix for Definitions of Rankings and Status Key Note: Rankings with a question mark denote where only an inexact numeric rank is available, given existing data and research.

FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES

Due to its location adjoining the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, the Oceanfront Planning Area is home to a wide array of unique plant and animal species. Its location at the southern mouth of the Chesapeake Bay makes the area an important stopover for many migratory bird species utilizing the Atlantic Flyway, most notably for shorebirds and neotropical songbirds. The entire Oceanfront Planning Area has been designated by the City as a Bird Sanctuary. A map providing general locations of bird sanctuary areas in the City is found on Figure 14 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

OPEN SPACE, GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC LANDS MANAGEMENT

The Oceanfront Planning Area contains somewhat limited public open space lands. Open space lands in the Oceanfront Planning Area include the Atlantic Ocean beaches, the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center grounds, and lands owned by the U.S. Navy between South Birdneck Road and Owls Creek. These lands constitute the most significant undeveloped open space in the Oceanfront Planning Area. The Oceanfront Planning Area adjoins First Landing State Park to the west, which constitutes one of the largest open space areas located in the City. First Landing State Park has been designated as a ‘National Natural Landmark’ by the Federal government and the Commonwealth, due to the unique resources contained in the park. The entire Lynnhaven River watershed has been designated as a component of the City’s Scenic Waterway System. Maps providing general locations of major federal, state and private open space lands, and golf courses, City metro parks, City signature parks, City community parks and City natural areas in the City are found on Figures 17, and 18, respectively, in the Citywide

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Environment Section of the Technical Report.

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Significant environmental education opportunities exist in and adjoining the Oceanfront Planning Area, particularly in connection with First Landing State Park and the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center. First Landing State Park has been designated as a Chesapeake Bay Gateway Regional Information Center by the National Park Service as part of the overall Chesapeake Bay Program. A number of habitat restoration projects have been undertaken in and adjoining the Oceanfront Planning Area, most notably at First Landing State Park, involving lunar tidal wetlands and dune restoration, urban forestry, shoreline stabilization, riparian vegetation buffer establishment, and oyster reef establishment. Similarly, a number of habitat restoration projects have been undertaken in and adjoining the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, involving lunar tidal wetlands restoration, urban forestry, shoreline stabilization, and riparian vegetation buffer establishment. A map providing the general locations of habitat restoration project sites in the City is found on Figure 19 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

HAZARD MANAGEMENT AND MITIGATION

Due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the Lynnhaven River and Owls Creek systems and their adjoining lunar tidal tributaries, a significant portion of the Oceanfront Planning Area is subject to extensive shoreline erosion and coastal flooding. Interstate Route 264 as it traverses the Oceanfront Planning Area has been designated a Hurricane Evaluation Route. A significant portion of the Oceanfront Planning Area is located within the 100-year floodplain. Properties adjoining the Atlantic Ocean shoreline in the Oceanfront Planning Area are located in coastal high hazard areas subject to storm surge during major storm events. Maps providing general locations of hurricane evacuation routes and hurricane evacuation zones, and 100 year floodplains and coastal high hazard areas in the City are found on Figures 22 and 23, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORY PROGRAMS

Development activities within the Oceanfront Planning Area are regulated by the City under the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Ordinance, Coastal Primary Sand Dune Zoning Ordinance, Floodplain Regulations, Stormwater Management Ordinance, and Tidal Wetlands Zoning Ordinance. A general description of these programs is found in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

Approximately seventy five percent of the Oceanfront Planning Area is designated as a Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area (CBPA). The remaining twenty five percent of the Oceanfront Planning Area is within the Owls Creek watershed and is not designated as a special watershed management area. Dunes along the Atlantic Ocean shoreline are regulated under the

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Coastal Primary Sand Dune Ordinance. While development is allowed within the 100 year floodplain in the Oceanfront Planning Area, the Floodplain Regulations require that habitable spaces for all new development must be located a minimum of 1 foot above the 100 year flood level. All new development must meet requirements in the Stormwater Management Ordinance. Tidal shorelines comprising both vegetated and nonvegetated tidal wetlands areas are regulated under the Tidal Wetlands Ordinance.

A general description of these programs and areas regulated is found in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report. Maps providing the general locations of CBPA areas, 100 year floodplains, and tidal wetlands in the City are also found on Figures 22 and 24, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

TRANSPORTATION

Key roads serving the Oceanfront Planning Area include: Atlantic and Pacific Avenues; Laskin and Birdneck Roads; Virginia Beach, General Booth and Oceana Boulevards; and I-264.

PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS

Road improvements programmed in the current CIP FY 2009-2010 (with FY 2010 update) include:

• Birdneck Road, Phase II (CIP# 2-149) – This project will widen the existing road to provide a 4 lane divided road with bikeway from Southern Boulevard to General Booth Boulevard;

• Laskin Road Gateway, Phase 1A (CIP# 2-076) – This project will initially provide streetscape and other improvements in support of Economic Vitality along Laskin Road in the area between the split at 30th street and Pacific Avenue. Subsequent phases will provide related improvements along 32nd Street with a tie of 32nd Street to 31st Street;

• Laskin Road, Phase I (CIP# 2-156) – This project will widen the existing road to an 8 lane divided road from Republic Road to Winwood Drive and a 6 lane divided road from Winwood Drive to Oriole Drive. The project also includes replacement of the bridge at Linkhorn Bay and the widening of First Colonial Road to a 6 lane divided road from Laurel Lane to I-264;

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• Laskin Road, Phase II (CIP# 2-165) – This project will widen the existing road to a 6 lane divided road with bikeway from Oriole Drive to the proposed split of Laskin Road at 30th and 31st Streets;

The following table provides a comparison of current and future traffic volumes on the primary roads in this planning area.

Current and Future Traffic Volumes by the Year 2030 Oceanfront Planning Area 2003 2030 STREET FROM TO DAILY DAILY TRIPS TRIPS 21St. St. Parks Ave. Pacific Ave. 12,000 18,000 22nd St. Parks Ave. Pacific Ave. 12,000 18,000 Atlantic Ave. Shore Dr. Pacific Ave. 22,000 31,000 Atlantic Ave. Laskin Ave. 25th St. 7,000 8,000 Birdneck Rd. Norfolk Ave. Va. Beach Blvd. 17,000 25,000 Birdneck Rd. Va. Beach Blvd. I-264 34,000 27,000 I-264 Birdneck Rd. Parks Ave. n.a. 36,000 Laskin Rd. Pacific Ave. Birdneck Rd. 30,000 31,000 Pacific Ave. Va. Beach Blvd. 5th St. 19,000 19,000 Pacific Ave. Laskin Rd. 22nd St. 21,.000 26,000 VA Beach Blvd. Birdneck Rd. Pacific Ave. 12,000 14,000 Source: Hampton Roads Planning District Commission 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan (December 2007).

BEACH PARKING

Multi-level garages will accommodate parking. Increased hotel densities, expanded convention facilities and new entertainment complexes will add to the summer traffic demand. Congestion along Atlantic and Pacific Avenues will present a challenge as activity in the resort area increases. It is anticipated, over the longer term, that the trolley service and other transit operations (such as shuttle service and inter-modal connection centers) will need to be developed and expanded to accommodate the greater parking demands.

PUBLIC FACILITIES

Public facilities comprise all the public services and facilities provided by the City to all residents. Those services include education, public safety and emergency medical, libraries, recreation, and public water and sewer, and solid waste management.

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SCHOOLS

The following schools are located in the Oceanfront Planning Area:

Elementary Schools (Grades K-5)

Cooke Seatack

Middle School (Grades 6-8)

Virginia Beach

High School (Grades 9-12)

No high schools are located in the Oceanfront Planning Area. High schools located in the adjacent Planning Areas serve this planning area.

LIBRARIES

The Oceanfront Area Library is located in this planning area.

POLICE

• The Second Police Precinct is located in the Oceanfront Planning Area at 820 Virginia Beach Boulevard.

• Police substation operates in conjunction with the 7-11 store located in the 2400 block of Pacific Avenue. This substation evolved from a partnership between the City’s Police Department and the Southland Corporation.

FIRE

• Beach Borough Fire Station (Station #11) at 800 Virginia Beach Boulevard.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

The following Volunteer Rescue Squad is located in the Oceanfront Planning Area:

• Virginia Beach EMS Station (Station #14 ) at 740 Virginia Beach Boulevard (solely a Rescue Squad /First Aid Crew that provides pre-hospital emergency medical care 24 hours a day at no cost to citizens and visitors).

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MISCELLANEOUS

Other noteworthy public buildings located in the Oceanfront Planning Area include:

• Virginia Beach Visitor Information Center • Virginia Beach Convention Center • Virginia Center for Contemporary Arts • Virginia Aquarium

PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM AND SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM

City water and sewer serve the majority of the Oceanfront Planning Area. However, it is the long-term objective of the City to bring all areas not served by City water and sewer services on line via capital improvement projects.

PARKS / PUBLIC OPEN SPACE / RECREATION FACILITIES

As part of the Department of Parks and Recreation’s development of its Strategic Plan, the Department recently reclassified and updated its parks and recreation land and facilities site inventory and developed corresponding Design Standards. The park and recreation classifications were revamped in order to align the City’s parks and recreation land and facilities with similar sites in comparable size localities nationwide.

The new park and recreation classifications include: Signature Parks; Metro Parks; Community Parks; Neighborhood Parks; Natural Resource Areas; General Open Space; Linkages; and Special Use Facilities for Recreation Centers, Golf Courses, Athletic Complexes, and Water Access Sites.

For a detailed description of each of the new classifications and their accompanying amenities, please refer to the Department of Parks and Recreation Design Standards Manual, or the 2008 Virginia Beach Outdoors Plan.

Figure 52 provides the general locations of neighborhood parks, general open space areas and linkages located within the Oceanfront Planning Area. Refer to Figure 33 in the Citywide Section of the Technical Report for the general locations of signature parks, metro parks, community parks, special use areas and natural areas located within the City.

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Figure 52

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Parks, Public Open Space and Pedestrian Linkages Site Parcel Developed Undeveloped Site Name Site Address Type Acreage Acreage Acreage CP Beach Garden Park 2838 Holly La. 18 18.02 0 Owl Creek GOS Birdneck Rd. 38.6 0 38.6 Preservation Area LINK Norfolk Ave. Trail Norfolk Ave. 9.85 8.64 1.2 900 Bay Colony NP Bay Colony Park 1.47 1.47 0 Dr. 500 South NP Croatan Beach Park 11 0.5 10.5 Atlantic Ave. 141 Marsh View NP Salt Marsh Point Park 1.4 1.4 0 Dr. NP Seabridge Square Park Coastaway Dr. 0.25 0.25 0 340 South NP Seatack Comm. Park 5.06 5.06 0 Birdneck Rd. NP Seatack Park 411 Birdneck Cir. 11.6 11.59 0 2500 Cypress NP Va. Beach Park #2 0.7 0.7 0 Ave. Owl Creek Tennis 928 S. Birdneck SUAC 12.4 12.4 0 Center Rd. Seatack Recreation 141 South SURC 14.2 7.87 6.31 Center Birdneck Rd. Owls Creek Boat 717 General SUWA 6.89 6.89 0 Ramp Booth Blvd.

Total Acreage 131.40 74.79 56.61 Key: Site Types: (SP)= Signature Park, (MP)= Metro Park, (CP)= Community Park, (NP)= Neighborhood Park, (SUGC)= Special Use Golf Course, (SURC)= Special Use Recreation Center, (SUAC)= Special Use Athletic Complexes, (SUWA)= Special Use Water Access, (GOS)= General Open Space, (NRA)= Natural Resource Areas, (LINK)= Linkages

BIKEWAYS AND TRAILS SYSTEM

According to the City’s adopted Bikeways and Trails Plan, the following bikeways and trails system initiatives either exist or are recommended for implementation:

• Pacific Avenue Trail – This is a proposed boardwalk trail parallel to Pacific Avenue along South Lake Holly.

Oceanfront Planning Area 281

• Laskin Road Gateway – New shared use pathway is located along 30th Street.

• Ocean Walk Trail – This is an existing trail, portions of which are the boardwalk that links the Contemporary Art Center to Beach Garden Park to the Laskin Road Gateway.

• Norfolk Avenue Trail – An existing shared use path that runs west to east parallel to Norfolk Avenue from Birdneck Road to Pacific Avenue. This trail is heavily used by community residents.

• First Landing to Aquarium Trail – The existing nine mile bike route between First Landing State Park and the Virginia Aquarium will be signed and marked to establish this trail as a recreational activity.

HOUSING

PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR RENTERS AND HOMEOWNERS

The Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation administers a variety of programs that are available to improve both the condition of the residential dwellings and housing opportunities in the City. Many of these programs have multiple sources of funding that could include:

Federally subsidized apartment complexes that provide several hundred reduced-rent units for eligible households, low-income families, the elderly and/or disabled persons are located around the City. The federally assisted rental housing developments currently located in the Oceanfront Planning Area include: Atlantis Apartments, Friendship Village, Sea Haven Apartments and 15 ½ Street Apartments

HOUSING FOR SENIORS

No existing housing for seniors developments are located in the Oceanfront Planning Area.

HISTORICAL/CULTURAL

The City of Virginia Beach employs several approaches to encourage desired physical design. A few of the more visible initiatives are: Planning Commission Design Award Program, the Historic and Cultural Zoning Overlay District, the National Register of Historical Places, the National Historic Landmarks program, Virginia Landmarks Register, and the Virginia Beach

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Historical Register. The following table identifies those properties located in the Oceanfront Planning Area that are listed on one of the Registers and/or designated by the City of Virginia Beach as historical and cultural zoning overlay districts.

Designated Historic Places September 2007 Oceanfront Planning Area Map # City H/C National / Of Well Zoning Name Owner State / City Known Overlay Register Places District 1 First Landing Cross Federal* --- No 2 Old Cape Henry APVA N/S/C Register No Lighthouse1 3 Cape Henry Lighthouse Federal* N/S/C Register No 2nd Tower 4 Fort Story Historic District Federal* N/S/C Register No 5 First Landing State Park State N/S/C Register No 6 DeWitt Cottage City N/S/C Register No 7 Norwegian Lady Statue City --- No 8 Shirley Hall Private N/S/C Register No

9 Old Coast Guard Station City N/S/C Register No 10 Camp Pendleton State N/S/C Register No 11 James-Bell House Federal --- No --- English Cottage Private City Register No --- Ford Property Private City Register No --- Pine Hill House Private City Register No --- 167 Pinewood Road Private City Register No --- 200 78th Street Private City Register No --- Cayce Hospital Private City Register No --- Edgar Cayce Home Private City Register No

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Map # City H/C National / Of Well Zoning Name Owner State / City Known Overlay Register Places District --- 1140 Crystal Lake Drive Private City Register No --- 207 66th Street Private City Register No --- 533 Carolina Avenue Private City Register No --- 8600 Oceanfront Private City Register No --- 805 Cavalier Drive Private City Register No --- Estes/Campbell Home Private City Register No Christmas Attic at 301 & --- Private City Register No 303 20th Street 8304 & 8306 Oceanfront --- Privet City Register No Avenue Dr. John Miller-Masury --- Private N/S/C Register No House (Greystone Manor) --- Simons Residence Private City Register No --- Spruance Cottage Private City Register No --- Howell Residence Private City Register No --- Towne-Johnson Home Private City Register No --- 411 16th Street Private City Register No --- Holly House Private City Register No --- Darden House Private City Register No --- Faulkner House Private City Register No Notes: N - National, S - State of Virginia; C - City of Virginia Beach; * Not a City Planning Area; U.S. Military property; APVA – Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities; (1) Recognized as a National Historic Landmark; Bold – On List of 50 Most Historic Structures in Virginia Beach. Source: City of Virginia Beach

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PPUU NNGGOO//BBLLAACCKKWWAATTEERR

TTEECCHHNNIICCAALL RREEPPOORRTT BACKGROUND

The Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area is located in the southernmost portion of the City. Boundaries consist of Pocaty River, West Neck Creek, Indian River Road and Muddy Creek to the north; Atlantic Ocean to the east; the North Carolina State line to the south; and the City of Chesapeake to the west. The northern tip of Knotts Island is included in this planning area.

The Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area is the largest of the nine planning areas in land area and the smallest in population. The planning area contains an abundance of important natural resources, substantially more than any of the others. Valuable existing ecological systems and natural habitats exist to accommodate a variety of plant and wildlife species. These systems are shaped by the vast number of wetland and floodplain areas located adjacent to the shorelines of Back Bay and the North Landing River.

P ungo/Blackwater Planning Area 285

LAND USE

Land use is characterized by a mixture of agriculture and rural residential on lots averaging between one and three acres. Few nonresidential land uses, other than agricultural, have evolved in this planning area. The rural commercial uses are located at a few important rural intersections along Princess Anne and Blackwater roads.

The Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area accounts for 35% of the total land area in the City, and 73% of the total inland water areas. The following table refers to land and water areas for the Pungo / Blackwater Planning Area. See Citywide section for land and water areas table citywide.

Land and Water Area Table Total Land Area 56,668 acres (89.9 square miles) Total Water Area 23,801 acres (42.4 square miles) Total Area 80,469 acres (132.3 square miles) Source: City of Virginia Beach Planning Department

The population figures that have occurred in the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area between 1990 and 2000 are summarized below. From 1990 to 2000 the average annual increase was approximately 1 % per year, comparable to the citywide rate of 8 % per year.

Population Table YEAR POPULATION PERCENT CHANGE 1990 4,140 2000 4,525 9 % Source: City of Virginia Beach Planning Department based on U. S. 2000 Census

ENVIRONMENT

The Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean, West Neck Creek, and Pocaty River, and is divided into two major ridges separated by Back Bay and the North Landing River. The Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area is characterized by the flat coastal plain topography of the Tidewater area of Virginia, and is bounded to the north by the headwater swamps of the North Landing River system. The most notable natural resources within the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area include the headwater swamps of the North Landing River system, the expansive waters of Back Bay, and the northernmost end of the barrier island system comprising the North Carolina Outer Banks. Unlike other areas of the City, the majority of the shoreline in the area remains undeveloped, and natural resources remain prevalent in most areas, notably on lands adjoining wind tidal tributaries headwaters areas. The eastern and northern borders of the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area adjoin the Atlantic Ocean and North Landing

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River and Pocaty River, respectively, and include numerous wind tidal tributaries and their associated vegetated wetlands of marshes and swamps

SOILS

Soils in the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area are generally sandy on the two dominant ridges and are well drained, while soils adjoining the North Landing River and Back Bay are generally clays and poor to fairly drained. Maps providing the general locations of soil types and poorly drained soils in the City are found on Figures 3 and 4, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

WATER RESOURCES

Groundwater

The Yorktown Aquifer is the major potable aquifer in the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area and the City as a whole. There are no Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) permitted groundwater withdrawals within the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area. A map providing the general location of DEQ permitted groundwater withdrawal sites in the City is found on Figure 6 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

Surface Water

Notable surface water features include lunar tidal tributaries, and wind tidal tributaries. Surface waters are classified as being located within a hierarchy of primary, secondary, and tertiary watersheds. The Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area is located within the Southern Rivers primary watershed, and is apportioned among three secondary watersheds. The North Landing River secondary watershed encompasses approximately forty five percent of the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area, the Back Bay secondary watershed encompasses approximately fifty percent of the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area, and the Northwest River secondary watershed encompasses the remaining five percent of the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area.

The Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area includes portions of the following tertiary watersheds found in the following table, as described in the City’s Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) Municipal Stormwater Permit. A map providing the general locations of tertiary watersheds and stormwater outfalls in the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area is found on Figure 53 in this section of the Technical Report.

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Tertiary Watersheds in the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area

NUMBER TERTIARY DRAINAGE AREA WATERSHED (SQ MI)

11 Lower West Neck Creek 6.43

16 Lower North Landing River 10.73

23 Upper Back Bay (Muddy Creek and Beggars Bridge 11.33 Creek)

24 Middle Back Bay (Nawney Creek) 10.95

25 Lower Back Bay Basins 4.14

26 Blackwater 35.00

27 Munden Point 4.30

28 Sandbridge 58.30 Source: City of Virginia Beach Public Works Department

Wind tidal tributaries to the North Landing River include Pocaty River, Alton Creek, Blackwater Creek, Milldam Creek, Walnut Creek, Oakum Creek, West Neck Creek, and other unnamed wind tidal tributaries to the North Landing River. Wind tidal tributaries to Back Bay include Devil Creek, Nawney Creek, Landing Cove, Beggars Bridge Creek, Great Cove, Redhead Bay, Little Narrows, Shipps Bay, Great Narrows, Bonney Cove, Peters Cove, Muddy Creek, North Bay, Buck Island Bay, Bush Island Cove, South Inlet, Spratts Cove, Hammet Cove, Cowpen Cove, Tripps Cove, Deal Creek, Capsies Creek, and other unnamed wind tidal tributaries to Back Bay.

A network of water quality monitoring stations is located in the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area and described in more detail in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

Stormwater Management

The Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area includes no water bodies serving as stormwater management facilities with a surface area exceeding five acres.

Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area 288

Figure 53

P ungo/Blackwater Planning Area 289

WETLANDS

The Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area includes extensive wind tidal waterways, creeks, and swamps associated with the Back Bay and the North Landing River systems. Due to the extensive amount of area involved and the complexities associated with determining the limits of wind tidal and nontidal wetlands, these areas are delineated on a case-by-case basis. A map providing general locations of tidal and nontidal wetlands areas in the City is found on Figure 10 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

FOREST RESOURCES

Former farming and timbering activities have eliminated much of the original natural forest canopy of the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area; however, second growth forest is reclaiming much of the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area, and forested swamps are still predominant throughout the riparian areas along the North Landing River and its tributaries, as well as the headwaters of small streams which drain to Back Bay. A map providing the general location of champion trees in the City is found on Figure11 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

NATURAL HERITAGE AREAS

Based upon information provided by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage (DNH), fifteen conservation sites have been identified within or adjoining the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area. These sites are identified as the North Landing River: West Neck Creek, North Landing River: Eastern Marshes, North Landing River: Pocosins, Piney Grove Church, North Landing River: Southern Marshes, Oakum Creek, Morse Point, Sedge Island, Campbell Landing, False Cape, Nawney Creek, Wash Flats, Porpoise Point, and Muddy Creek Conservation Sites. These sites contain many exemplary plant and animal species, and natural communities. This level of diversity is attributed to the variety of habitat types within this area. These unique habitats include deciduous swamp forests, pocosins, lunar tidal marshes, cypress swamps, and vernal pools. Refer to the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report for a list of Natural Heritage Resources documented within these sites. A map providing the general location of Natural Heritage conservation sites in the City is found on Figure12 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

A list of Natural Heritage Resources documented in the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area but not assigned to a specific conservation site follows:

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Natural Heritage Resources Not Assigned to a Conservation Site in the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area

SCIENTIFIC COMMON GLOBAL STATE FEDERAL STATE SEEN NAME NAME RANK RANK STATUS STATUS SINCE 1980

Invertebrates

Euphyes Duke’s G3 S2 NF NS Y dukesi Skipper

Euphyes Palatka G3 G4 SH NF NS N Palatka Skipper

Pseudopolyde G3? S2 NF NS N smus. A Millipede paludicolous

Vertebrates

Haliaeetus Bald Eagle G5 S2S3B, LT SC Y leucocephalus S3N

Sorex Dismal G5 T4 S2 NF LT Y longirostris Swamp fisheri Southeastern Shrew

Plants

Carex Epiphytic G3 S2 NF NS Y decomposita Sedge

Cuscuta Button-Bush G5 S1? NF NS N cephalanthi Dodder

Cuscuta Pretty G5 S2? NF NS Y indecora Dodder

Cuscuta Smartweed G5 S2? NF NS N polygonorum Dodder

Ilex coriacea Bay-Gail G5 S2 NF NS Y Holly

Juncus Big-Head G4 G5 S2 NF NS NO megacephalus Rush DATE

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SCIENTIFIC COMMON GLOBAL STATE FEDERAL STATE SEEN NAME NAME RANK RANK STATUS STATUS SINCE 1980

Paspalum Joint G5 S1 NF NS Y distichum Paspalum

Tillandsia Spanish G5 S2 NF NS Y usneoides Moss

Vaccinium Large G4 S2 NF NS Y macrocarpon Cranberry Source: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage Key: See Appendix for Definitions of Rankings and Status Key Note: Rankings with a question mark denote where only an inexact numeric rank is available, given existing data and research.

FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES

The Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area is home to the northernmost end of the Outer Banks and makes the area an important stopover for many migratory bird species utilizing the Atlantic Flyway, most notably for shorebirds and neotropical songbirds. At this time, none of the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area has been designated a Bird Sanctuary by the City. A map providing the general locations of bird sanctuary areas in the City is found on Figure 14 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

OPEN SPACE, GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC LANDS MANAGEMENT

The Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area contains extensive public open space lands. Significant open space lands in the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area include the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge, the Princess Anne Waterfowl Management Area, False Cape State Park, and the North Landing River Natural Area Preserve. These lands, along with privately owned forest, swamp, marsh and agricultural lands, constitute the most significant undeveloped open space in the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area and the City. False Cape State Park has been designated as a Natural Area Landmark by the Federal government and the Commonwealth, due to the unique resources contained in the park. The entire North Landing River and Back Bay watersheds have been designated as a component of the City’s Scenic Waterway System. The North Landing River has additionally been designated as a State Scenic River. A more complete description of open space lands located within the Bayfront Planning Area is found in the Pungo/Blackwater Public Facilities Section of the Technical Report. Maps providing general locations of major federal, state and private open space lands, and golf courses, City metro parks, City signature parks, City community parks and City natural areas in the City are found on Figures 17, and 18, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

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ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

A number of habitat restoration projects have been undertaken in and adjoining the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area, most notably at False Cape State Park and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, involving wind tidal wetlands and dune restoration, urban forestry, shoreline stabilization, and riparian vegetation buffer establishment. A map providing the general locations of habitat restoration project sites in the City is found on Figure 19 in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

HAZARD MANAGEMENT AND MITIGATION

Due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the Back Bay and North Landing River systems and adjoining wind tidal tributaries, a significant portion of the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area is subject to extensive shoreline erosion and coastal flooding. A significant portion of the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area is located within the 100-year floodplain. Properties adjoining the Atlantic Ocean shoreline in the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area are located in coastal high hazard areas subject to storm surge during major storm events. Maps providing general locations of hurricane evacuation routes and hurricane evacuation zones, and 100 year floodplains and coastal high hazard areas in the City are found on Figures 22 and 23, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORY PROGRAMS

Development activities within the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area are regulated by the Southern Watersheds Management Ordinance, Tidal Wetlands Zoning Ordinance, Floodplain Regulations, Coastal Primary Sand Dune Zoning Ordinance, and Stormwater Management Ordinance.

The entire Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area is designated as a Southern Watersheds Management Area. Wind tidal vegetated marshes and nonvegetated wetlands flats in the Back Bay and North Landing River systems are regulated under the Tidal Wetlands Zoning Ordinance. Development is not allowed within the 100 year floodplain in the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area under the Floodplain Regulations. Coastal primary sand dunes along the Atlantic Ocean shoreline are regulated under the Coastal Primary Sand Dune Zoning Ordinance. All new development in the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area must meet requirements in the Stormwater Management Ordinance

A general description of these programs and areas regulated is found in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report. Maps providing the general locations of southern watersheds buffer areas, 100 year floodplains, and tidal wetlands in the City are also found on Figures 10, 22 and 24, respectively, in the Citywide Environment Section of the Technical Report.

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TRANSPORTATION

EXISTING SYSTEM

Significant roads in the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area include: Princess Anne and Blackwater Roads running north and south; and Pleasant Ridge, Gum Bridge, Nanney’s Creek and Pungo Ferry Roads running east-west.

PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS

Road improvements programmed in the current CIP FY 2009-2010 (with FY 2010 update) include:

• Rural Road Improvements (CIP# 2-021) – This project will improve safety, geometrics, or other upgrades to rural roads, including: Hungarian Road, Mill Landing Road, Princess Anne Road/Gum Bridge Road intersection and Princess Anne Road/Pleasant Ridge Road intersection, and Nanneys Creek Road.

Current and Future Traffic Volumes By the Year 2030 Pungo / Blackwater Planning Area 2003 2030 STREET FROM TO DAILY DAILY TRIPS TRIPS Blackwater Rd. Pungo Ferry Rd. Chesapeake City Line 2,000 7,000 Princess Anne Rd. Pungo Ferry Rd. N.C. State Line 3,000 3,000 Princess Anne Rd. Indian River Rd. Pungo Ferry Rd. 8,000 10,000 Pungo Ferry Rd. Blackwater Rd. Princess Anne Rd. 2,000 2,000 Source: Hampton Roads Planning District Commission 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan (December 2007).

PUBLIC FACILITIES

Public facilities comprise all the public services and facilities provided by the City to all residents. Those services include education, public safety and emergency medical, libraries, recreation, water and sewer, and solid waste management.

SCHOOLS

Creeds Elementary is the only school located in the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area. Middle school and high school needs are served by public school facilities located in the adjacent Courthouse/Sandbridge Planning Area.

Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area 294

LIBRARIES

The Creeds Branch Library is located in the Pungo / Blackwater Planning Area.

POLICE

The First Police Precinct (Headquarters) located at 2509 Princess Anne Road provides public safety services for the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area. The Creeds Police Substation is located in the 900 block of Princess Anne Road.

The Police Mounted Patrol facility is located in Pungo. This facility serves as the permanent housing and training of the Mounted Patrol operation.

FIRE

The following fire stations serve the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area:

• Blackwater Fire Station (Station #13) located at 6009 Blackwater Road • Creeds Fire Station (Station #6, volunteer-owned) located at 595 Princess Anne Road • Knotts Island Fire Station (Station #15), jurisdiction of Knotts Island, North Carolina

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

The following Volunteer Rescue Squads provide emergency medical services to the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area:

• Creeds EMS Station (Station #6) located at 595 Princess Anne Road • Blackwater EMS Station (Station #13) located at 6009 Blackwater Road • Knotts Island EMS Station (jurisdiction of Knotts Island, North Carolina)

PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM AND SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM

No public water and sewer services are available to the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area. The area is served by wells and septic facilities.

PARKS / PUBLIC OPEN SPACE / RECREATION FACILITIES

As part of the Department of Parks and Recreation’s development of its Strategic Plan, the Department recently reclassified and updated its parks and recreation land and facilities site inventory and developed corresponding Design Standards. The park and recreation

P ungo/Blackwater Planning Area 295

classifications were revamped in order to align the City’s parks and recreation land and facilities with similar sites in comparable size localities nationwide.

The new park and recreation classifications include: Signature Parks; Metro Parks; Community Parks; Neighborhood Parks; Natural Resource Areas; General Open Space; Linkages; and Special Use Facilities for Recreation Centers, Golf Courses, Athletic Complexes, and Water Access Sites.

For a detailed description of each of the new classifications and their accompanying amenities, please refer to the Department of Parks and Recreation Design Standards Manual, or the 2008 Virginia Beach Outdoors Plan.

Figure 54 provides the general locations of neighborhood parks, general open space areas and linkages located within the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area. Refer to Figure 33 in the Citywide Section of the Technical Report for the general locations of signature parks, metro parks, community parks, special use areas and natural areas located within the City.

Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area 296

Figure 54

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Parks, Public Open Space and Recreational Facilities Site Parcel Developed Undeveloped Site Name Site Address Type Acreage Acreage Acreage MP Munden Point Park 2001 Pefley La. 100.36 100.36 0 6009 Indian Creek NP Blackwater Fire Station 1 1 0 Rd 3390 Head River NP Blackwater Park 7 7 0 Rd. 540 Princess Anne NP Creeds (Wayside) Park 1.98 1.98 0 Rd. Creeds Athletic Campbells Landing NP 10 10 0 Airfield Park Rd. Nawney Creek North NP Deere Ct. 3.07 0 3.07 Park

Total Acreage 123.41 120.34 3.07 Key: Site Types: (SP)= Signature Park, (MP)= Metro Park, (CP)= Community Park, (NP)= Neighborhood Park, (SUGC)= Special Use Golf Course, (SURC)= Special Use Recreation Center, (SUAC)= Special Use Athletic Complexes, (SUWA)= Special Use Water Access, (GOS)= General Open Space, (NRA)= Natural Resource Areas, (LINK)= Linkages

PUBLIC BEACHES

Public beaches located in the planning area include:

• Little Island Beach

Bikeways and Trails System

According to the City’s adopted Bikeways and Trails Plan, the following bikeways and trails system initiatives either exist or are recommended for implementation:

• There is no existing pedestrian sidewalk or trail system in this section of the City and no “specific” accommodations for bicycles on the roadways.

• The 2004 Bikeways and Trails Plan recommend improving the rural roads with paved shoulders to accommodate bicyclists and farm equipment.

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HOUSING

PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR RENTERS AND HOMEOWNERS

No programs or opportunities for renters or homeowners are in use in Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area. HOUSING FOR SENIORS

No senior housing developments are in this Planning Area.

HISTORICAL/CULTURAL

The City of Virginia Beach employs several approaches to encourage desired physical design. A few of the more visible initiatives are: Planning Commission Design Award Program, the Historic and Cultural Zoning Overlay Districts, the National Register of Historical Places/Virginia Landmarks Register, the National Historic Landmarks programs, and the Virginia Beach Historical Register.

The following table identifies those properties located in the Pungo / Blackwater Planning Area that are listed on one of the Registers and/or designated by the City of Virginia Beach as historical and cultural zoning overlay districts.

Designated Historic Places September 2007 Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area Map # City H/C Of Well National / State / Zoning Name Owner Known City Register Overlay Places District --- Enoch Capps House Private City Register No Former Pleasant 33 Ridge Elementary Private City Register No School --- Walters Home Private City Register No Outbuildings of 1560 --- Private City Register No N. Muddy Creek Rd --- James E. Robinson Private City Register No Property Notes: Bold – On List of 50 Most Historic Structures in Virginia Beach Source: City of Virginia Beach

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AAPPPPEE NNDDIIXX

Table of Contents

Natural Heritage Definitions ...... A-1

Bibliography ...... A-3

Glossary ...... A-4

Southern Rural Area Soils ...... A-15

Planning Commission Design Awards ...... A-17

TTEECCHHNNIICCAALL RREEPPOORRTT

NATURAL HERITAGE DEFINITIONS

Natural Heritage Ranks

The following ranks are used by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation to set protection priorities for natural heritage resources. Natural Heritage Resources, or “NHRs,” are rare plant and animal species, rare and exemplary natural communities and significant geologic features. The primary criterion for ranking NHR's is the number of populations or occurrences, i.e. the number of known distinct localities. Also of great importance is the number of individuals in existence at each locality or, if a highly mobile organism (e.g., sea turtles, many birds and butterflies), the total number of individuals. Other considerations may include the quality of the occurrences, the number of protected occurrences and threats. However, the emphasis remains on the number of populations or occurrences such that ranks will be an index of known biological rarity.

S1 Extremely rare; usually 5 or fewer populations or occurrences in the state; or may be a few remaining individuals; often especially vulnerable to extirpation.

S2 Very rare; usually between 5 and 20 populations or occurrences; or with many individuals in fewer occurrences; often susceptible to becoming extirpated.

S3 Rare to uncommon; usually between 20 and 100 populations or occurrences; may have fewer occurrences, but with a large number of individuals in some populations; may be susceptible to large-scale disturbances.

S4 Common; usually > l00 populations or occurrences, but may be fewer with many large populations; may be restricted to only a portion of the state; usually not susceptible to immediate threats.

S5 Very common; demonstrably secure under present conditions.

SA Accidental in the state.

S_B Breeding status of an organism within the state.

SH Historically known from the state, but not verified for an extended period, usually > 15 years; this rank is used primarily when inventory has been attempted recently.

S_N Non-breeding status within the state. Usually applied to winter resident species.

SU Status uncertain, often because of low search effort or cryptic nature of the element.

SX Apparently extirpated from the state.

SZ Long distance migrant whose occurrences during migration are too irregular, transitory and/or dispersed to be reliably identified, mapped and protected.

? Denotes where only an inexact numeric rank is available, given existing data and research.

Global ranks are similar, but refer to a species' rarity throughout its total range. Global ranks are denoted with a "G" followed by a character. Note that GA and GN are not used and GX means apparently extinct. A "Q" in a rank indicates that a taxonomic question concerning that species exists. Ranks for subspecies are denoted with a "T". The global and state ranks combined (e.g. G2/S1) give an instant grasp of a species' known rarity. These ranks should not be interpreted as legal designations.

Appendix A-1

Federal Legal Status

The Division of Natural Heritage uses the standard abbreviations for Federal endangerment developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Endangered Species and Habitat Conservation.

LE Listed Endangered - threatened with extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range PE Proposed Endangered E(S/A) Treat as endangered because of similarity of appearance L T Listed Threatened - likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future PT Proposed Threatened T(S/A) Treat as threatened because of similarity of appearance C Candidate - enough information is available to propose for listing. but listing is precluded by other pending proposals of higher priority SOC Species of Concern - species that merit special concern (not a regulatory category) NF No federal legal status

State Legal Status

The Division of Natural Heritage uses similar abbreviations for State endangerment.

LE Listed Endangered PE Proposed Endangered L T Listed Threatened PT Proposed Threatened C Candidate SC Special Concern - animals that merit special concern according to Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (not a regulatory category) NS No state legal status

Conservation Site Ranks

B rank is a rating of the significance of the conservation site based on presence and number of natural heritage resources; on a scale of 1-5, 1 being most significant:

B1 - Outstanding significance B2 - Very high significance B3 - High significance B4 - Moderate significance B5 - Of General Biodiversity significance

Appendix A-2

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Responses from 2009 Comprehensive Plan public open houses.

2. Responses from workshops with representatives from the business community, environmental groups, military leaders and other special groups.

3. The City of Virginia Beach Comprehensive Plans, Virginia Beach Planning Department, 1979, 1986, 1991, 1997 and 2003.

4. Hampton Roads Joint Land Use Study (2005) and Oceana Land Use Conformity Program

5. School Membership Projections, September, 2007.

6. City of Virginia Beach Capital Improvement Program.

7. City of Virginia Beach 2008 Outdoor Plan, 2008.

8. The Oceanfront Resort Area Plan, 2005

9. Code of Virginia, Title 15.2

10. Southern Watershed Area Management Plans, February, July 2001

11. Virginia Beach Historic Resources Management Plan, City of Virginia Beach Departments of Museums and Planning, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, 1994.

12. Virginia Beach Resort Area – Strategic Action Plan, October 2008.

13. Burton Station/Northampton Boulevard corridor Strategic Action Plan, January 2009.

14. Implementation Manual for APZ-1 Clear Zone and Interfacility Traffic Area Use and Acquisition Plan, December 2005.

15. APZ-1 Clear Zone Master Plan, April 2008.

16. Bikeways and Trails Plan for the City of Virginia Beach, October 2004.

Appendix A-3

GLOSSARY

Acre - A measure of land area that is 43,560 square feet. By comparison, the area of a football field is a little more than one acre.

Agriculture, Prime - Land with high quality soils, topography, and drainage for agricultural purposes. Prime agricultural land produces the highest yields with minimal inputs of energy and economic resources.

AICUZ - Air Installations Compatible Use Zones is the name used to designate area recognized by the United States military services that are or may be subject to the impacts of aircraft noise or potential accident hazards.

Arterial Road: Major - An intracity or interregional roadway that conveys traffic between activity centers. Major arterials should be designed to accommodate large volumes of traffic at high speeds.

Minor - Roadway that collects and distributes traffic between collectors and major arterials. Minor arterials connect residential, retail employment and recreational activity centers at the community level.

Average Daily Traffic - A measure of traffic volume; the average number of cars that pass over a given point in a 24 hour period.

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Boundary - Boundary approved by Congressional action within which properties may be acquired from willing sellers as additions to the Refuge, pending available funding.

Berm - An earth mound that may be contoured or landscaped to shield from view unsightly items behind it or to add to the visual attractiveness of an area.

Best Management Practice (BMP) - The most effective and practical means of preventing or reducing pollution contained in stormwater runoff generated by non-point sources to a level compatible with water quality goals.

Bikeway - A facility affording safe movement and access for pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-motorized vehicles, including bike paths, lanes and routes. There are three categories of bikeways:

Bike Path - Separate trail facility or separated bikeway/walkway.

Bike Lane - Signed and striped lane along the roadway.

Bike Route - Marked route with adequate shoulder.

Bioretention Facility – A depressed, usually landscaped area, for surface and subsurface stormwater recharge back to the ground. Soils are designed to augment infiltration and vegetation is designed to facilitate nutrient uptake. These facilities are often integrated throughout project, as opposed to constructing a single centralized unit.

Blighted Areas - Areas with buildings or improvements which, by reason of dilapidation, obsolescence, overcrowding, faulty arrangement of design, lack of ventilation, light and sanitary facilities, excessive land coverage deleterious land use or obsolete layout, or any combination of these or other factors are detrimental to the safety, health, morals or welfare of the community.

Appendix A-4

Blueway - A blueway is a water feature or water trail corridor which can serve potential multiple benefits to the City, including active or passive recreational use, wildlife habitat, and natural heritage resource protection.

Build-out - A theoretical condition where all available land is used or developed as planned. In practice, for a variety of reasons, build-out is never fully achieved.

Capital Improvement Program (CIP) - A document adopted each May that identifies all of the city’s programmed capital facilities (roads, schools, police, fire, parks, libraries, stormwater management, water/sewer improvements, tourist related improvements, etc.) including existing and planned appropriations, timetable for design, land acquisition and construction among other facts.

Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area (CBPA) - Describes those areas of land that are proximate to the shorelines of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries that have an intrinsic water quality value due to the ecological and biological processes they perform. These areas are designated as such on the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Map adopted by the City Council, subject to the determination of the City Manager on a site-specific basis. A Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area consists of a resource protection area and a resource management area:

City Scenic Waterways - Waterways specifically designated by the City Council based upon their unique natural, cultural, historic or aesthetic attributes to the City.

City-Owned Open Space - Open space lands such as parks, ballfields, and natural areas that are owned by the City of Virginia Beach.

Coastal Primary Sand Dune - A mound of unconsolidated sandy soil not deposited by man that is next to mean high water.

Collector Road - A road that carries moderate traffic volumes and is classified between arterials and local streets. It also provides access to abutting property.

Conditional Use Application - Land uses that by their nature can have an undue impact upon or be incompatible with other uses of land within a given zoning district. These uses, listed in the City Zoning Ordinance, may be allowed to be within given designated districts under the controls, limitations and regulations of a conditional use permit.

Conditional Zoning - A type of rezoning where the application is accompanied by voluntary, legally binding commitments (proffers) of development improvement by the applicant and accepted by the City for the protection of the community.

Conservation/Natural Resources - Areas planned for little or no development where wetland, sensitive soils and floodplains are present

Demographics - Social and Economic indicators used to profile a defined area. (E.g., population, education, race, gender, sex, income and other indicators.)

Density: Gross - The total number of dwelling units divided by the total developable land area.

Net - The total number of dwelling units divided the developable area remaining after open space areas have been deducted.

Detention Pond - A reservoir built as part of a development for the temporary storage of stormwater runoff designed to reduce peak discharge levels and to reduce nonpoint source pollution in stormwater runoff.

Appendix A-5

Development - Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate including, but not limited to, buildings and other structures, the placement of manufactured homes: streets; paving, mining, dredging, filling, grading, excavation or drilling operations; storage of equipment or materials and the subdivision of land.

Development Plan - The drawings, data, and support material that accompany rezonings and conditional use applications.

Drainage Area - The area in which all of the surface runoff resulting from precipitation is concentrated into a particular stream.

Dwelling: Duplex - Two dwelling units, surrounded by a single shared lot.

Multi-Family - Three or more dwelling units, surrounded by a yard that is in separate or common ownership.

Single Family - A single family detached dwelling surrounded by yards.

Attached - Two or more dwelling units attached at the side or sides in a series, separated by a boundary wall and each unit having a separate lot. Townhouses are examples of attached dwellings.

Elderly Care: Independent Care - Services provided for those elderly who are fully independent or require little or no assistance to conduct activities of daily living. Independent services typically focus on social and recreational activities, as opposed to medical care.

Supervised Care or Assisted Living - Service provided in an institutional facility or at-home arrangement for the care of elderly who need moderate medical attention and occasional assistance to conduct activities of daily living.

Nursing Care - Service provided in an institutional facility for the care of elderly people who need full time medical care and assistance to conduct activities of daily living.

Environmental Conservation Areas - An area consisting of tidal and non-tidal wetlands, erodible soils, found among other environmentally valuable areas.

Environmentally Sensitive Area - An area with one or more of the following characteristics:

1. Slopes more than twenty percent; 2. Floodplain; 3. Soils classified as have a high water table; 4. Soils classified as highly erodible, subject to erosion or highly acidic; 5. Land incapable of meeting percolation requirements; 6. Land formerly used for landfill operations or hazardous industrial use; 7. Stream corridors; 8. Estuaries; 9. Mature stands of native vegetation; 10. Aquifer recharge and discharge areas.

Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance - An ordinance designed to reduce erosion and control sedimentation by regulating land-disturbing activities during the construction process.

Expressway - A major divided highway with limited access designed for high speed travel.

Appendix A-6

Federally Assisted Housing - Rental housing paid for, in whole or in part, through Federal rental housing programs.

Federally Owned Land - Lands owned by the Federal Government located within the City.

Federally Owned Open Space - Open Space areas such as National Park sites and National Wildlife Refuges owned by the Federal Government within the City.

Floodplain (100-year Storm event) - A federally defined, geographic area used for flood insurance and other purposes calculated to have a statistical probability of flooding once every 100 years.

Floodplains with Special Restrictions - Those 100-year floodplains identified in section 5.B of the Site Plan Ordinance, which prohibit filling or alteration of the floodplain.

Flood Fringe - The portion of the floodplain not within the floodway.

Floodway - A natural watercourse with defined beds and banks.

Floor Area Ratio (FAR) – A measure of non-residential development intensity achieved by calculating a ratio of the building floor area to the lot area. It is expressed as a percentage or decimal and determined by dividing the floor area by the area of that lot.

Gateway - A specially designed entryway to an area of particular interest or character.

Green Line - The boundary traditionally has indicated where expenditures for public infrastructure are borne by the City from those areas where expenditures for public infrastructure are borne by the developer. The boundary also separates the northern, more urbanized part of the City from the Transition Area.

Greenways - A greenway is a linear vegetated or open space area often bordering a water feature or trail corridor which can serve potential multiple benefits to the City, including passive recreational use, water quality buffering, wetlands mitigation, wildlife habitat, and natural heritage resource protection.

Groundwater - The supply of fresh water under the earth’s surface.

Historic and Cultural Resource - Architecture, structures, sites, or archeological characteristics, often 50 years of age or older, that represent significant events in the development of a society.

Housing Conditions: Standard - Housing unit meets housing code requirements, based on an external examination of the housing unit.

Deficient - Housing unit has minor defects that can be easily corrected, including: peeling exterior paint, torn or missing screens, broken fixtures and gutters, cracked, but intact window panes, loose or missing roof shingles, and accessory structures in disrepair.

Deteriorated - Housing unit exhibits defects or greater severity, ones that are not normally repaired through of regular maintenance, but rehabilitation is considered economically feasible such as: unsafe porches or steps, rotten window sills or frames, cracked chimneys, broken or missing window panes, broken or rotten siding, or re-shingling of roof needed.

Appendix A-7

Dilapidated - Housing unit fails to meet generally accepted minimum standards for human habitation. The structure endangers the health, safety, and welfare of its occupants. The structure contains one or more of the following defects that are infeasible to rehabilitate: walls that are not plumb or that show a definite tilt or lean, foundations that sag or contain cracks, walls or studs that are exposed to the elements due to rotten/missing siding, roofs that sag or contain open cracks, or lacks indoor plumbing facilities.

Hydric Soil - A soil that is saturated, flooded, or holds a small body of water that forms a pond long enough during the growing season to sustain wetland vegetation.

Hydrophytic Vegetation - Plant life growing in or near water that is periodically deficient in oxygen from excessive exposure to water.

Impervious Surface - A surface that does not allow the absorption of water. Typical examples include paved parking lots, streets, roofs, patios, driveways. Impervious surface is usually calculated as a ratio to total developed area and is used, in part, to decide the size of stormwater management ponds and a rough estimate of an area’s potential pollutant load.

Infill Development - Development or redevelopment that occurs on a tract of land encompassed by a larger area that is mostly developed.

Intensity - The degree, to which land is used, typically refers to the development levels of non-residential land as measured by Floor Area Ratio (FAR).

Low - Areas with a floor area ratio of less than .25.

Medium - Areas with a floor area ratio between .25 and .70.

High - Areas with a floor area ratio greater than .70.

Labor Force - The number of residents that are more than 16 years of age and are either employed or looking for employment.

Land Use - A description of how land is occupied or used.

Land Use, Change of - Refers to a change of either the actual land use (for example from residential to office) or the change from one planned land use category to another.

Land Use Compatibility - The ability of one land use to exist within or adjacent to another land use without creating a nuisance, adverse sensory impacts or conflicts of architectural design in terms of bulk, lot size, landscape amenities or setbacks.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) - Encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria.

Level of Service - A qualitative measurement of the level of traffic congestion on a roadway, based on vehicle operating speed, travel time, traffic interruptions, safety and driving comfort. Measurement is based on a scale from A to F with A indicating the best service and F indicating the worst service.

Local Road - A road that provides direct access to properties and is characterized by low traffic volumes and low speeds.

Appendix A-8

Military Installation - Area planned for military operations and support activities including naval a master fighter jet base, fleet combat training facilities, amphibious bases, communication centers and other facilities used by the armed forces of the United States.

Mixed Use - A development that contains a variety of compatibly planned residential and/or non-residential land uses that are often mixed within vertical structures and designed to encourage pedestrian mobility. (See also ‘Urban Center’)

National Register of Historic Places - The official list administered by the National Park Service of the Nation’s cultural resources worthy of preservation. The register includes properties significant to the Nation, State, or community that have been nominated by the States, Federal agencies and others.

National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) - A nationwide inventory of probable wetlands areas under Federal Government jurisdiction developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from a combination of aerial photography and field reconnaissance; used as a general guide in predicting locations of wetlands areas for natural resource protection, land use planning and economic development activities.

Nature Conservancy Property (The) - Property owned by The Nature Conservancy, a non-profit international conservation organization that strives to protect rare, threatened and unique plants, animals and natural communities.

Natural Heritage Resources - Rare, threatened or endangered species and their habitat, rare or significant (by Virginia Department of Natural Resources standards) natural communities or geologic sites, and similar features of scientific interest benefiting the welfare of the citizens of the Commonwealth.

Natural Resource - A term used to describe the existing natural elements relating to land, water, air, plant and animal life of an area or a community and the interrelationship of these elements.

Noise Attenuation - Methods and materials used to reduce loud noise generated by vehicles, aircraft and other sources. Examples include insulating building walls, erecting walls along the edge of highways and creating bermed/landscaped buffer strips of land.

Norfolk-Owned Open Space - Open Space areas such as lands adjoining Little Creek Reservoir, Lake Smith and Lake Lawson owned by the City of Norfolk within the City.

Office, General - Land use allowing places for businesses, professionals, services, and government agencies.

Office, Low Rise - An office building of one to three stories.

Office, Medium Rise - An office building of four to seven stories.

Office, High Rise - An office building of eight or more stories.

Office Park - A cluster of high quality office structures having the general design characteristics and amenities of a planned business/research center.

Open Space - Any land, water, submerged land, marshes, or similar properties that serve to provide for: 1) park or recreational purposes; 2) conservation of land or other natural resources; 3) cultural or scenic purposes; and 4) offering natural relief from the built environment. Generally included in this definition are such land uses as waterways, ocean and bay beaches, related shorelines, golf courses, public and private parks, green areas, conservation areas, and wildlife refuges.

Appendix A-9

Natural Resource Area (NRA) - A municipal preservation area whose primary purpose is to preserve the indigenous vegetation and wildlife in order to serve as green infrastructure and as a scenic environment for residents and visitors to enjoy. Natural Resource Areas include areas for the protection and management of the natural and cultural environment with recreation use as a secondary objective.

Special Use (SU) - A municipal recreational facility that serves a specific recreational purpose. Special uses include athletic complexes, golf courses, recreation centers, and water access sites.

Linkage (LINK) – Linkages are built connections or natural corridors that link community destinations together such as trails, greenways and linear parks. Linkages are typically designed and built for one or more modes of recreational travel such as walking, jogging, biking, in-line skating, hiking and horseback riding.

Other Significant Open Space - Privately owned open space areas accessible to the public, such as golf courses.

Park - A tract of land, designated and used by the public for active and passive recreation. The City’s park categories include the following:

Signature Park (SP) - A municipal outdoor recreational facility that is unique to the Virginia Beach municipal parks and recreation system. With a size of 100 acres or greater, this is the largest category of city parks. These parks are typically designed for a full-day experience and are capable of holding large scale special events with supporting amenities.

Metro Park (MP) – A municipal outdoor recreational facility that provides a high level of outdoor recreational amenities that may include those amenities found at community parks, but may also include multiple game-quality athletic fields, skate parks, and /or disc golf courses. With a size of 50 to 100 acres, these parks are typically designed and built for a three to four hour experience.

Community Park (CP) – A municipal outdoor recreational facility that provides a mid-range level of outdoor recreational amenities that serve various ages, with emphasis on organized sport group activities and the potential protection of natural areas. With a size of 15 to 50 acres, these parks are typically designed and built for a two to three hour experience.

Neighborhood Park (NP) – A municipal outdoor recreational facility that provides a basic level of outdoor recreational amenities. This park would service various age groups with emphasis on the youth. Park sizes range from .25 to 5 acres for a small neighborhood park and from 5 to 15 acres for a large neighborhood park. These parks are typically designed and built for a one to two hour experience.

Linear Park (or Linear Open Space) - Identifies open land with a linear form usually dictated by a linear geographic feature such as a stream or river.

Nature Park - A park offering a natural environment where passive recreational activities occur such as walking, bird watching, and passive water sports.

Parkland/Open Space - Areas planned for a variety of city, state, and federal parks, recreation, refuges, wildlife preserves and other similar uses.

Parkway - An expressway with full or partial control of access, designed in a “parklike” (landscaped) setting.

Peak Hour - The largest number of vehicles passing over a designated section of a road during the business one hour period of the day. This is usually broken down to A. M. and P.M. rush hour counts.

Appendix A-10

Planned Community - Areas planned that typically include relatively large tracts of land divided into neighborhoods and communities that offer a wide range of housing types and values, provide different transportation alternatives and integrate commercial, employment, cultural, recreational, open spaces and other uses into an attractive community setting.

Planning Area - Nine geographic areas of the city, excluding state and federal lands cited in the Technical Report of this Plan and used to identify and track distinct physical and demographic characteristics at the community level.

Proffer - A commitment voluntarily offered by a developer that qualifies how the property will be developed or used and what on-site or off-site improvements will be provided. Proffers are made under the terms of conditional zoning to lessen the possible negative effects that would otherwise occur as a result of the proposed development. The conditions proffered must relate to the rezoning itself and be in accord with the comprehensive plan.

Public Facilities (Also known as Infrastructure) - Roads, schools, water & sewer systems, police/fire/emergency medical service facilities, parkland & recreation centers, libraries, landfills and other publicly owned, operated or maintained facilities that support the needs of a community.

(Note: “Urban public facilities” are usually distinguished from “rural public facilities” by their ability to support greater intensity of development and significantly higher costs. Typical examples of “urban public facilities” include multi-lane highways with curb and gutter and include underground stormwater/utility systems. Public water and sewer distribution systems that serve densities above one dwelling unit per acre are another example. By contrast, rural roads are normally designed as two lane facilities with soft shoulders and stormwater ditches along the edge of right of way. Rural water and sewer service is usually provided by individual, on-site wells and septic systems.)

Quality - A degree or grade of excellence of a thing or service that helps fulfill the City’s Strategic Planning Goals and creates stronger linkages among value, beauty, function and durability of such characteristics.

Resort Area - Area located along the oceanfront that comprises a concentration of activities including lodging, entertainment, restaurant, leisure, cultural and shopping.

Rural Area Line - The boundary separating the southern extent of the Transition Area from the Rural Area of the City.

Recreation: Active - Recreation requiring mental concentration or active physical participation, such as organized sports events.

Passive - Activities requiring a limited amount of physical exertion. Passive recreation is more closely associated with relaxed enjoyment of the natural features of an area, typically found in natural areas and wildlife refuges. Examples include birdwatching and walking.

Resource Management Area (RMA) - A component of a Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area not classified as a resource protection area. Resource management areas include land types that, if improperly used or developed, have the potential for causing significant water quality degradation or for diminishing the functional value of a resource protection area.

Resource Protection Area (RPA) - A component of a Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area containing land at or near shorelines that have an intrinsic water quality value due to the ecological and biological processes they perform or are sensitive to impacts that may result in significant degradation to the quality of state waters.

Appendix A-11

Retention Pond - A pond, pool, or basin used for the temporary storage of stormwater runoff, which has a permanent water impoundment or wet pool.

Rural Service Area - The area south of the Transition Area where the city recommends only agricultural, rural residential and other comparable rural uses.

Sedimentation - The settling of solids to the bottom of a water body by gravity.

Shared Use Path – An off-road paved asphalt path with an adjoining non-paved cleared area physically separated from motorized vehicular traffic by an open space or barrier and is located either within the highway right-of –way, or within a separate area.

Site Plan - A detailed plan of development that accurately depicts how the site will be developed when completed.

Solid Waste - Unwanted or discarded refuse material.

Southern Watersheds Buffer Area - A 50-foot buffer around certain types of wet soils and waterways in the Southern Watersheds area of the City in which development is prohibited to protect water quality; regulated under the City’s Southern Watersheds Management Ordinance.

State Code - The legislative powers and duties granted to local governments by the State to provide for the administration, enforcement, and amendment of laws established for the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens.

State-Owned Open Space - Open Space areas such as State Parks, Waterfowl Management Areas, and Natural Area Preserves owned by the Commonwealth of Virginia within the City.

State Scenic Byway - The network of City roadways linking Stumpy Lake, Back Bay and the North Landing River areas designated by the Commonwealth Transportation Board due to the natural, cultural, historic and aesthetic attributes of the roadway corridors.

State Scenic River - The North Landing River and tributaries south of Indian River Road are designated by the Commonwealth of Virginia under State Law as a State Scenic River due to the natural, cultural, historic and aesthetic attributes of the waterways.

Strategic Planning Goals - Seven goals that identify the reasons for the City of Virginia Beach’s existence. These are to: • Promote economic vitality • Promote safe communities • Contribute to lifelong learning and education • Enhance the quality of our physical environment • Improve our cultural and recreational opportunities • Strengthen our family and youth opportunities • Promote a quality organization

Subsidized Housing - Rental housing paid for, in whole or in part, through public assistance.

Strip Commercial Development - Linear and continuous retail and service development typically located along arterial roadways.

Stormwater Management - A comprehensive program designed to administer, design, operate, maintain, enforce, and regulate development actions affecting flood control, drainage, water quality, and erosion and sediment control.

Appendix A-12

Subwatershed - Identifies a watershed which collectively drains with other watersheds into a larger watershed unit.

Tidal Tributary - A stream or river which is influenced by lunar tides and which flows into a larger stream or river also influence by lunar tides.

Transit Oriented Development (TOD) – A mix of uses at various densities within a half-mile radius, or walking distance, of a transit stop.

Transit System – Transportation facilities and services designed to move large numbers of commuters over designated routes. These include buses, rail transit and streetcars among other systems.

Transition Area - The area of the city between the Green Line and the Rural Service Area where conditional and limited development may occur above the recommended baseline rural level but less than densities typical of the more urban areas to the north.

Transitional Housing - Housing provided to those who are transitioning from institutional or support care to self- sufficiency.

Transitional Use - An application of land use principles where an area is characterized by a somewhat gradual and orderly change in land use. The purpose of using transitional land use is to reduce the adverse effects otherwise created when significantly different zoning classifications or uses are in close proximity of land conflict with each other.

Urban Development Area - Areas planned for mixed-use activities including office, retail, residential, cultural, entertainment and other uses, integrating a multi modal transportation system and providing pedestrian based storefront shops along wide attractive sidewalks.

Urban Service Area - The area north of the Green Line where the city provides public facilities to support urban development.

Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) - A measure of vehicle trip distance in miles multiplied by the number of vehicles making those trips. Virginia Historic Landmarks Registrar - A record of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s significant landmarks that contribute to the cultural identity and economic well-being of the Commonwealth.

Virginia Beach Outdoors Plan - This document presents the City’s plan to create a comprehensive system for outdoor recreation and natural resources. The Outdoors Plan defines the City’s philosophy regarding the protection, planning, design, financing, construction, maintenance, and management of its natural and recreational resources of an outdoor nature.

Watershed (Drainage Basin) - Refers to a defined land area drained by a river or stream or a system of connecting rivers or streams so all surface water within the area flows through a single outlet.

Waterways - Natural and manmade waterbodies within the City of Virginia Beach.

Wetlands - The term is applied to those areas where: the soil is ordinarily saturated with water; or where the dominant plant community is one or more of those species designated by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers as identifying wetlands or the transitional zone of wetlands; or there exist “vegetated wetlands” or “nonvegetated wetlands.” Wetlands can be classified as:

Tidal - An area largely composed of coastal marshes, mudflats, and mangrove swamps that are subject to periodic flooding by ocean-driven tides.

Appendix A-13

Nontidal - An area inundated or saturated by surface water or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances does support vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions.

Nonvegetated - All land located next to mean low water and mean high water not otherwise included in the term vegetated and those areas subject to flooding by normal tides including wind tides, but not including hurricanes or tropical storm tides.

Vegetated - Land located between and next to mean low water and an elevation above mean low water equal to one and half times the mean tide and has certain vegetation growing on it.

Zoning - The dividing of a local jurisdiction into districts and the establishment of regulations that govern the use, placement, spacing and size of land, buildings and accessory structures for the purpose of protecting the public health, safety and welfare.

Appendix A-14

SOUTHERN RURAL AREA SOILS

SOIL AREA #1

* Bojac fine sandy loam * Munden fine sandy loam * State loam, 0 - 2 percent slopes * Tetotum loam

This area consists of nearly level Well Drained and Moderately Well Drained soils. The seasonal high water table ranges from 1.5 to more than 4 feet. These characteristics are consistent with soil types identified in General Soil Area #1. Bojac and State soils generally are suitable for conventional septic systems on one acre lots. Munden and Tetotum soils may be suitable for septic systems on one acre lots installed using available technologies, such as elevated sand mounds and sand filters. In every case, a site specific evaluation is required by the Virginia Department of Health.

SOIL AREA #2

* Acredale silt loam * Augusta loam * Dragston fine sandy loam * Hyde silt loam * Nimmo loam * Portsmouth loam * Tomotley loam

This area is dominated by nearly level, Somewhat Poorly, Poorly and Very Poorly Drained soils. The seasonal high water table ranges from 0 to 1.5 feet. These characteristic are consistent with the soil types identified within General Soil Area #2. These soils are usually appropriate for Soil Drainage Management, sometimes called "Land Management.

SOIL AREA #3

Includes General Soil Area #2 characteristics within the 100 year floodplain and generally below the 5' mean sea level elevation. Within this area, the Virginia Department of Health requires each lot to be evaluated to determine suitability for a septic system and the size and type of system to be installed. This evaluation is conducted by a Certified Soil Scientist and conformation borings are conducted by the Virginia Department of Health.

Appendix A-15

SOIL AREA #3A

Grassed Wetlands (Back Bay's western shore)

SOIL AREA #4

Forested Wetlands (North Landing River & tributary lowlands)

Notes: 1. Assign density potential based on land area and soil quality in the following manner through the use of conditional use permits. In areas comprising high quality soils (Soil Area #1), maximum rural residential development is calculated at 1 dwelling unit for every 5 acres of land. Within areas of lesser quality soils (Soil Area #2), this density is calculated at 1 dwelling unit for every 10 acres of land. A map depicting the general location of these soil areas is available from the Department of Planning. Should site specific differences occur between the location of soils shown on this map and actual field test results, the City will recognize as valid such field test findings, when certified by a qualified soil scientist and confirmed by the Department of Health.

2. General Soil Area #3 is generally considered unacceptable for septic field use. General Soil Areas #3A & #4 are unacceptable for septic field use.

3. Broad areas of soils are shown on the general soil map and the location of each soil is shown on the detailed soil map, both of which are presented in the 1985 issue of the Virginia Beach Soil Survey. Since soils are natural bodies, a given designation may actually contain a variety of soil types. On site evaluation by a Certified Soil Scientist may be needed to determine the exact soil boundaries on a given tract of land.

Appendix A-16

PLANNING COMMISSION DESIGN AWARDS

The Planning Commission began an awards program in 1991 to recognize efforts made by members of the community, who made improvements above the minimum requirements of standard developments. The first year awards were given for one general category. Since then, other recognition categories have been added, some awarded annually, while others less frequently. The following lists by year the projects that have been recognized for a Planning Commission community design award.

1991 Design Awards

ƒ Home Quarters Corporate Center ƒ Thalia Shell Station ƒ Dragas Office Park ƒ Rainbow Gardens Nursery ƒ General Booth Veterinary Hospital ƒ Pine Meadows Subdivision ƒ St. Croix Apartments ƒ Corporate Woods Office Park

1992 Design Awards

Outstanding Residential Development ƒ Royal Court Estates Condominiums Outstanding Commercial Development ƒ Holiday Inn – 39th Street Outstanding General Development ƒ Pleasant Ridge Stables General Development -Certificate of Recognition ƒ Indian Grove Golforama Public Project -Certificate of Recognition ƒ 1900 Block of Atlantic Avenue Landscaping (Entrance) -Certificate of Recognition ƒ Broad Bay Estates Subdivision ƒ Holland Pines Subdivision Stormwater Management Facility -Certificate of Recognition ƒ Mill Dam Forest Subdivision

1993 Design Awards

Outstanding Residential Development ƒ Lesner Pointe Condominiums Exceptional Residential Development ƒ Park Place Subdivision Quality Residential Development ƒ Brenneman Farms ƒ Church Point Subdivision Outstanding Commercial Development ƒ Kellum Funeral Home Exceptional Commercial Development ƒ Checkered Flag Motor Company

Appendix A-17

Quality Commercial Development ƒ Dr. Marshall W. Morrision’s Dental Office ƒ Ruby Tuesday Restaurant – Pembroke ƒ Virginia Beach Psychiatric Center Outstanding Agricultural Operation ƒ Holly Ridge Manor

1994 Design Awards

Outstanding Residential Development ƒ Mill Dam Forest Exceptional Residential Development ƒ Parkside Greens – Prosperity Road Outstanding Commercial Development ƒ Church Point Commons Exceptional Commercial Development ƒ Wave Riding Vehicles – 19th Street Quality Commercial Development ƒ Collins Square Shopping Center – Virginia Beach Blvd. Outstanding Private Institutional Project ƒ Sentara Nursing Center and Village Outstanding Public Project ƒ 24th Street Park – Boardwalk Outstanding Agricultural Operation ƒ Barry Knight Hog Farm

1995 Design Awards

Outstanding Residential Development ƒ Woodbridge Condominiums ƒ Courthouse Estates Outstanding Commercial Development ƒ Dairy Queen – 17th Street Exceptional Commercial Development ƒ Tautogs Restaurant – 19th Street Outstanding Public Project ƒ Holiday Lights at the Beach Outstanding Agricultural Operation ƒ Winesett Nursery Outstanding Historical Development ƒ Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum – DeWitt Cottage Exceptional Historical Development ƒ Church Point Manor House Bed and Breakfast Outstanding Historical Development ƒ Hickman House – General Booth Blvd.

1996 Design Awards

Outstanding Residential Development ƒ Hidden Pointe Subdivision – Little Neck Outstanding Rural Residential Development ƒ Walter J. Moore III Residence

Appendix A-18

Outstanding Commercial Development ƒ HQ /Harris Teeter Plaza at S. Plaza Trail Exceptional Commercial Development ƒ Exxon at Newtown and Baker Roads Quality Commercial Development ƒ Brewers East Restaurant at the Municipal Center Outstanding Public / Private Development ƒ Virginia Beach Amphitheatre Outstanding Public Project ƒ Atlantic Avenue Improvements at 40th Street Outstanding Agricultural Operation ƒ Back Bay Farms Outstanding Environmental Project ƒ Columbus Station Condominiums Exceptional Environmental Project ƒ Elizabeth River Nature and Canoe trail

1997 Design Awards

Outstanding Residential Development ƒ Indian River Plantation – Indian River Road Exceptional Residential Development ƒ Buckner Farms Outstanding Rural Residential Development ƒ Helmstetter Residence – Seaboard Road Exceptional Rural Residential Development ƒ Shearin Residence – Landstown Road Outstanding Commercial Development ƒ Allsafe Self Storage – Bonney Road Exceptional Commercial Development ƒ JLM Holdings Building – Corporate Landing Executive Park ƒ Virginia Power Building – Princess Anne Road Quality Commercial Development ƒ Duck-N Food Mart / Texaco – Red Mill Outstanding Public / Private Development ƒ Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad Building Exceptional Public / Private Project ƒ 9th Street Parking Garage Outstanding Public Project ƒ Virginia Marine Science Museum Exceptional Public Project ƒ Japanese Gardens at Red Wing Park Outstanding Agricultural Operation ƒ G. L. Bright and Son Farm Outstanding Environmental Project ƒ Salt March Restoration – Owl’s Creek

Appendix A-19

1998 Design Awards

Outstanding Residential Development ƒ Castleton Exceptional Residential Development ƒ Buckner Woods Condominiums Outstanding Rural Residential Development ƒ Pungo Ridge Commons Outstanding Commercial Development ƒ Our Lady of Perpetual Help Exceptional Commercial Development ƒ Harris Teeter – Baltic Avenue ƒ Geico Building – Corporate Landing Executive Park Quality Commercial Development ƒ Pinboys at the Beach – Laskin Road ƒ Crown Central Petroleum – 4492 Shore Drive Outstanding Public / Private Development ƒ TPC of Virginia Beach (Golf Course) – Princess Anne Road Exceptional Public / Private Project ƒ Heron’s Ridge Golf Course – Seaboard Road Quality Public / Private Project ƒ Sportplex Outstanding Public Project ƒ Second Police Precinct / Fire Station No. 11 – Virginia Beach Borough Exceptional Public Project ƒ Linkhorn Park Elementary School Outstanding Agricultural Development ƒ Taylor Farms Outstanding Environmental Development ƒ Castleton – 500 year forest Exceptional Environmental Development ƒ Beach Nourishment – Sandbridge

1999 Design Awards

Outstanding Residential Development ƒ The Reserve at Great Neck Exceptional Residential Development ƒ Traditions at Cypress Point Outstanding Residential Development ƒ Magnolia Chase Apartments ƒ Ocean Shore Condominiums Outstanding Commercial Development ƒ Baylake Retirement and Assisted Living Community Exceptional Commercial Development ƒ Turtle Cay – Atlantic Avenue Quality Commercial Development ƒ Courtyard Marriott – Atlantic Avenue ƒ Holland House ƒ American Classic Mini Storage ƒ Lynnhaven Golf Park Outstanding Public / Private Project ƒ Virginia Legends Walk

Appendix A-20

Outstanding Public Project ƒ City View Park Exceptional Public Project ƒ Canoe Landing at Dozier’s Bridge Outstanding Institutional Project ƒ Virginia Beach Higher Educational Center Exceptional Institutional Project ƒ New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ Outstanding Environmental Project ƒ The Reserve at Great Neck Outstanding Historical Renovation Project ƒ Rollingwood Academy Outstanding Office Project ƒ Reflections IV Exceptional Office Project ƒ Highwoods Centre Quality Office Project ƒ Konikoff Professional Center ƒ The Pyle Realty Building

2000 Design Awards

Outstanding Residential Development ƒ Lynnhaven Dunes Exceptional Residential Development ƒ Mariner’s Mark Outstanding Residential Development ƒ Chancellor Walk Outstanding Commercial Development ƒ AAA Building ƒ Convergence Center Exceptional Commercial Development ƒ Home Depot – Princess Anne Road ƒ Rosemont Interstate Center Outstanding Industrial Development ƒ MC Minigears Outstanding Mixed Use Development ƒ Long Bay Point Marina Exceptional Mixed Use Development ƒ The Boys & Girls Club of South Hampton Roads Outstanding Public Project ƒ Cooke Elementary School Exceptional Public Project ƒ Canoe Landing at Dozier’s Bridge Outstanding Institutional Project ƒ Silverleaf Station Commuter Center Quality Institutional Project ƒ Seatack Elementary School Outstanding Renovation / Redevelopment ƒ Car Spa ƒ Long & Foster Building Exceptional Renovation / Redevelopment ƒ McDonald’ Garden Center

Appendix A-21

Quality Renovation / Redevelopment ƒ Six Columbus Center Outstanding Federal Development ƒ NAS Oceana Commissary Outstanding Sustained Quality Maintenance ƒ Regent University ƒ Christian Broadcasting Network ƒ Boardwalk Project Exceptional Sustained Quality Maintenance ƒ Hardy Building Corporation

2001 Design Awards

Residential Development – Merit Awards ƒ Lighthouse Point ƒ South Beach Apartments ƒ Tides Edge Condominiums Commercial Development – Honor Awards ƒ Beach Eye Care ƒ Glaumbeck Plastic Surgery ƒ Sabre I Commercial Development – Merit Awards ƒ The Marketplace @ Hilltop ƒ Red Mill Commons Industrial Development – Honor Awards ƒ Coastal Training Technologies Corporation ƒ S.B. Ballard Construction Company Public Facilities Project – Merit Award ƒ Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility Renovation / Redevelopment – Honor Awards ƒ RBC Centura Bank ƒ Midway Manor Renovation / Redevelopment – Merit Awards ƒ Broyles Construction ƒ Wawa, Inc.

2002 Design Awards

Residential Development – Honor Award ƒ Cypress Point Assisted Living Residential Development – Merit Awards ƒ The Commons Condominiums ƒ Southampton at Salem Springs Commercial Development – Honor Award ƒ First Colonial Professional Centre Commercial Development – Merit Awards ƒ Riversedge South ƒ Shoppes at London Bridge Road ƒ Wave Riding Vehicles Industrial Development – Merit Award ƒ Forbes Candies Mixed Use Development – Honor Award ƒ 3701 JTM Office Park

Appendix A-22

Public Facilities Project – Honor Award ƒ Advanced Technology Center Public Facilities Project – Merit Award ƒ Kempsville Greens Golf Course Clubhouse Renovation / Redevelopment – Honor Award ƒ Boardwalk Resort Hotel and Villas Renovation / Redevelopment – Merit Award ƒ Courtyard Marriott Hotel Rural Development – Honor Award ƒ Pungo Library and Creeds Elementary School Partnership

2003 Design Awards

Residential Development – Honor Award ƒ Lynnhaven Cove Senior Apartments Residential Development – Merit Awards ƒ Red Mill Village ƒ Smithfield Foods Corporate Beach House Non-Residential Development – Honor Award ƒ Town Center Non-Residential Development – Merit Awards ƒ Coastal Edge ƒ The Inlet at Lynnhaven Mall ƒ Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community ƒ UJFT Community Campus, L.L.C. Public Facilities – Honor Award ƒ Rodriguez Pavilion at the Contemporary Arts Center of Virginia Public Facilities – Merit Awards ƒ Luxford Elementary School ƒ Nimmo Parkway Phase I Redevelopment / Renovation – Honor Award ƒ Sugar Plum Bakery Redevelopment / Renovation – Merit Awards ƒ 17th Street Surf Shop ƒ Coastal Waterworks

2004 Design Awards

Residential Development – Honor Award ƒ Cromwell Park at Salem Residential Development – Merit Award ƒ The Crossings at Red Mill Non-Residential Development – Honor Awards ƒ Block 8 at The Town Center of Virginia Beach ƒ AmeriGroup Corporation Non-Residential Development – Merit Awards ƒ The Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront ƒ Ethan Allen (Town Center) ƒ Resource Bank Plaza Public Facilities – Honor Award ƒ City of Virginia Beach Oceanfront Area Library Public Facilities – Merit Awards ƒ 31st Street Parking Garage ƒ The Town Center Fountain

Appendix A-23

Redevelopment / Renovation – Merit Awards ƒ Southside Harley-Davidson ƒ Details, Ltd.

2005 Design Awards

Residential Development – Honor Award ƒ Towne Square Residential Development – Merit Awards ƒ Sandbridge Dunes Condominiums ƒ The Cosmopolitan Apartments Non-Residential Development – Honor Award ƒ LifeNet Non-Residential Development – Merit Awards ƒ Red Mill Commons, Phase III ƒ PACE Collaborative ƒ Linxx Academy of Martial Arts Public Facilities – Honor Award ƒ Virginia Beach Convention Center Public Facilities – Merit Awards ƒ Bayside Area Special Services Library ƒ Third Precinct Police Station ƒ Hermitage Elementary School Redevelopment / Renovation – Merit Awards ƒ Parkway Plaza ƒ 233 Independence Boulevard ƒ Beach Pet Hospital ƒ The Shellfish Company Rural Development - Honor Awards ƒ Land of Promise Farms (Exceptional Agricultural Operation) ƒ The Mansfield Farm (Exceptional Alternative Rural Residential Development) ƒ Pungo Commerce Center (Exceptional Rural Commercial Development)

2006 Design Awards

Residential Development – Honor Award ƒ Ridgely Manor at Lake Smith Residential Development – Merit Awards ƒ Avondale Apartments ƒ Bay Vista Non-Residential Development – Honor Award ƒ Sentara Princess Anne Health Campus Non-Residential Development – Merit Awards ƒ Yoder Diary ƒ Ogden Office Building Public Facilities – Honor Award ƒ Princess Anne Athletic Complex Public Facilities – Merit Award ƒ Woodstock Skate Park Redevelopment / Renovation – Honor Award ƒ O2 Medspa Redevelopment / Renovation – Merit Awards ƒ Haygood Shopping Center ƒ Acredale Assisted-Living Facility

Appendix A-24

Rural Development – Honor Award ƒ Virginia Beach Airport Rural Development – Merit Award ƒ Bay Breeze Farm

2007 Design Awards

Residential Development – Honor Awards ƒ Ashville Park ƒ Sajo Farms Residential Development – Merit Awards ƒ Mayberry ƒ Old Beach Flats Non-Residential Development – Honor Award ƒ CHKD Princess Anne Non-Residential Development – Merit Awards ƒ Landstown Commons ƒ Red Mill Walk Shopping Center Mixed Use Development – Honor Award ƒ The Westin Virginia Beach Town Center Mixed Use Development – Merit Awards ƒ Studio 56 ƒ Ocean Beach Club Public Facilities – Honor Award ƒ The Sandler Center for the Performing Arts Public Facilities – Merit Award ƒ Beach Garden Park Revitalization Private Institutional – Honor Award ƒ Voogt Rehabilitation Living Center Private Institutional – Merit Awards ƒ Wave Convention Center ƒ Rainbow Station Redevelopment/Renovation (Residential) – Honor Award ƒ Wellings Court Redevelopment/Renovation (Residential) – Merit Award ƒ The Mayflower Apartments Redevelopment/Renovation (Commercial) – Honor Awards ƒ Waterman’s Beechwood Grill ƒ Oceanfront Dentistry Redevelopment/Renovation (Commercial) – Merit Awards ƒ Pembroke Place ƒ Princess Anne Country Club Sustainable Development – Honor Award ƒ STIHL Green Roof Project Agricultural Operation – Honor Award H.M. Dudley and Sons Farm

Appendix A-25