Development News for Virginia Beach, Virginia

Virginia Beach Council Debates eBike Regulations, Prioritizes Education and State Advocacy

The City Council discussed recommendations from an eBike task force regarding the use and regulation of electric bikes. Key recommendations included advocating for state regulation, implementing a targeted communication strategy to educate users, increasing signage, and restricting operations in high-density areas. There was a split decision on allowing ebikes on the resort area bike path, with some members supporting it and others expressing safety concerns due to speed and pedestrian interaction. The council also considered various safety measures, including age restrictions, speed management, and helmet requirements, which would likely require state action. The task force recommended maintaining the ban on ebikes on sidewalks in town center and the resort area, and on the resort area boardwalk. Council members debated the potential risks and benefits, with some emphasizing the need for data-driven decisions and others highlighting safety concerns, particularly regarding speed and the interaction with pedestrians. The consensus was to focus on education, signage, and advocating for state-level regulations, while deferring immediate decisions on changing location restrictions like the resort bike path until further safety measures are in place.

Virginia Beach Proclaims June Pride Month, Highlights Community Inclusivity and Support Initiatives

City council members shared updates on various community initiatives and events. Councilman Michael Baluchcci presented a proclamation declaring June 2026 as Pride Month in Virginia Beach, highlighting the city's commitment to inclusion and the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. He also noted the city's perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign's Municipal Equality Index. Representatives from Hampton Roads Pride and The Kais Coalition spoke about the significance of Pride Month and the ongoing work to support the LGBTQ+ community, including a focus on transgender empowerment and youth support. Lieutenant Vano and Sergeant Chrisman, the city's LGBT liaisons from the police department, discussed their efforts to build bridges between law enforcement and the LGBTQ+ community, including support for at-risk youth through programs like Stand Up for Kids. Becca Diggs from Stand Up for Kids elaborated on their work supporting homeless LGBTQ+ youth. Council members also shared personal observations about community events, including the 4H livestock show, the Jackaloupe Festival, and the opening of a new pickleball facility. Additionally, a letter from a senior student about a year-long assignment praying for government officials was read, emphasizing positive community engagement. Discussions also touched upon the need for safe, accessible public spaces for various age groups, especially youth.

Virginia Beach Council Unanimously Agrees to Ban New Data Centers and Hyperscalers, Citing Resource Limitations

City staff presented information regarding data centers, differentiating between various types such as subsea cable landing sites, colocation facilities, data centers, and hyperscalers. The presentation clarified that while subsea cable landing sites and colocation facilities have minimal impact, larger data centers and especially hyperscalers have significant power and water consumption needs. Currently, Virginia Beach has two colocation facilities. Data centers are not specifically listed in the zoning code but are categorized under wholesaling, warehousing, storage, or distribution establishments, permitted by right only in industrial districts. Concerns were raised by the planning commission regarding infrastructure needs, high utility usage, land use impacts, and sound. Staff recommended amending the code to include data centers as a specific use with a conditional use permit (CUP) process for industrial zones. Council members expressed strong support for banning hyperscale and large data centers due to land, power, and water limitations, while potentially allowing colocation facilities and subsea cable landing sites as conditional uses. A resolution will be drafted to direct the planning commission to amend use tables in I1 and I2 zoning to make data centers and hyperscalers non-permitted uses and subsea cable landing sites and colocation facilities conditional uses. The city's economic development team confirmed they are not actively recruiting data centers or hyperscalers, and these uses are not considered a good fit or highest and best use for the city's available land.