Highland Parish Rezoning

This re-zoning, proposed by a Virginia Beach developer, goes to the City Council on July 3, 2012. If the Council approves the request to re-zone the 43.5 acres, which would join Highland Parish via Border Way, from R-15 to R-7.5, it will:

-INCREASE the population density by 100%-from R-15 to R 7.5. THIS DOES NOT CONVEY with adjoining properties. It is SPOT ZONING.

-increase the density in an increased AICUZ zone-DIRECTLY IN VIOLATION of the wishes of the Navy in an effort to save Oceana. There has been a significant financial commitment on behalf of city council to appease the Navy by purchasing land to help reduce encroachment and this would contradict those efforts.

-allow for 27 single family homes to be built when the city reports that Salem Road CANNOT handle any more than 19 without widening the road. There is NO funding for that project in the foreseeable future and the approval of this rezoning will place unneeded risk on the drivers on Salem Road. Council cannot knowingly approve a project that will endanger the lives of its residents.

-make no guaranteed provisions to maintain the style and size of the homes that have already been built thus lowering the property values of the current homeowners. The current proposal is for 1800 square foot homes with a one car garage which does not match ANY of the existing homes.

-allows for no protection of the trees which border many of the homes. A 40 foot tree border is sought by the HOA to help retain the identity of the "open space" provided by the current neighborhood.

-make NO provisions for the new homes to join the current HOA although they will be physically connected and utilize our open space, park and recreational areas.
Joining the HOA would help sustain the neighborhood-both current and future homes.

This rezoning poses many risks to the homeowners in Highland Parish and the city of Virginia Beach, offering nothing in return, and therefore we REJECT the rezoning from R-15 to R-7.5.