Planning Commission Public Hearing, 4/8/2026

The City of Virginia Beach Planning Commission held a public hearing on April 8, 2026, addressing a variety of land use and zoning matters. Key procurement-related discussions included multiple subdivision variances, street and alley closures, conditional use permits for short-term rentals, a home-based wildlife rehabilitation facility, and commercial developments such as a coffee shop and a mixed-use building redevelopment. The commission approved several items on the consent agenda, including variances and conditional use permits, and deferred others for further review. A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to a detailed briefing and discussion on data centers, their zoning classification as industrial uses, and the associated secondary impacts such as noise, energy consumption, and environmental concerns. Commissioners expressed interest in exploring updated zoning regulations and mitigation measures for data centers, with a motion passed to have the chair work with staff to draft a formal letter to City Council outlining these concerns and recommendations. Other notable topics included a modification of conditions for a craft brewery expansion, a conditional use permit for an electric bike rental business with community safety concerns raised, and a conditional use permit for a 24/7 gym facing parking challenges, which was deferred indefinitely pending further study. The meeting also touched on upcoming cannabis zoning considerations and the need for ongoing legislative updates related to emerging land uses.