Protect the Green Line - Stop Industrial and High-Intensity Development in Southern Virginia Beach!
Virginia Beach is about to approve a new Comprehensive Plan that will shape growth for decades.
Right now, the draft plan contains unclear and inconsistent language about how land south of the Green Line is intended to be used. Without clarification now, that language could be interpreted to allow industrial or high-intensity development in areas long planned for low-impact uses — putting our natural resources, community, and taxpayer dollars at risk.
⏰ City leaders need to hear from the community by early February!
What We’re Asking City Leaders to Do
We are asking City leaders to make a small number of specific fixes to the draft Comprehensive Plan before it's finalized.
These changes close loopholes and ensure that major growth happens in places that protect our environment, support our economy, and reflect the character of our community.
Where development happens affects flooding, traffic, taxes, infrastructure costs, and growth patterns citywide — not just in one neighborhood.
1. Stop industrial and high-intensity development south of the Green Line
Land south of the Green Line should not be used for warehouses, industrial buildings, or large apartment complexes. These types of development increase flooding, require expensive new roads and utilities, and permanently change areas that were planned for low-impact uses.
Specific Asks: The Planning Department must remove industrial zoning (I-1 Light Industrial and I-2 Heavy Industrial) and high-density apartment categories (A18, A24 and A36) from the Green Line Context Area in Appendix A of the Comprehensive Plan (page 213).
2. Clearly state the goals for the land south of the Green Line
Clear language now prevents future decisions from quietly changing how this land is used. The plan should remove references to industrial development and, instead, emphasize low-impact economic uses that fit this area, such as:
- Recreation and sports tourism
- Education and research
- Agriculture and conservation
- Other low-impact growth doesn't require major new roads, utilities, or drainage
Specific Asks: The Planning Department must remove any references to "light industrial" in the Green Line Context Area Goals and Objectives section of the Comprehensive Plan (pages 129-131).
3. Protect the Green Line by name
The Green Line was created decades ago to protect this area. The plan should keep calling it what it is. Changing the name makes it easier to weaken the rules later.
Specific Asks: The Planning Department must prevent changes to the name of the Green Line Context Area that do not specifically reference the Green Line or the Transition Area.
Why Your Voice Matters Right Now
- The Planning Department is expected to finalize the Plan by February 11th
- The Planning Commission is expected to vote in March
- City Council is expected to vote in April
- Right now is the window when public input can still change the plan!
Speaking up now makes a real difference. Once the plan is approved, it becomes much harder to fix these issues later.
What Happens If the Plan Isn’t Fixed?
Approving the Comprehensive Plan with vague or inconsistent language, creates a path for industrial development south of the Green Line - even if that’s not what most residents support. That puts Virginia Beach at risk of:
- Costly Infrastructure Commitments
- Industrial and high-intensity development south of the Green Line requires new roads, utilities, drainage, and flood-mitigation projects. These projects are most often funded by your taxpayer dollars.
- Industrial and high-intensity development south of the Green Line requires new roads, utilities, drainage, and flood-mitigation projects. These projects are most often funded by your taxpayer dollars.
- Project-by-Project Interpretations Shift More Influence to Developers
- Without clear standards, future projects can be approved on a case-by-case basis. This favors well-resourced developers and makes it harder for residents to meaningfully participate or push back.
- Without clear standards, future projects can be approved on a case-by-case basis. This favors well-resourced developers and makes it harder for residents to meaningfully participate or push back.
- Erosion of Long-Standing Land Protections
- The Green Line, Transition Area, and ITA were created to protect sensitive land and guide responsible growth. If the plan weakens these protections now, they can slowly disappear through reinterpretation.
Once land is developed, it’s usually gone forever.
What Is the Green Line and Why Does It Matter?
The Green Line is a long-standing boundary that has guided smart growth in Virginia Beach since 1979. It separates areas intended for higher-intensity development from environmentally sensitive areas meant to remain lower-density and fiscally sustainable.
For decades, city leaders have recognized that development south of the Green Line is more expensive, more environmentally risky, and less fiscally sustainable than growth in already-developed areas where infrastructure is in place.
That’s why land south of the Green Line was planned for low-impact uses — such as agriculture, recreation, conservation, education, and public facilities — not industrial development that would require significant new infrastructure and increase flood risk.
The Green Line exists for a reason. It helps the city:
- Reduce flooding risk by limiting large-scale development in low-lying, wet, and flood-prone areas
- Protect wildlife, farmland, and natural resources that support the region’s ecology and economy
- Save taxpayers money by avoiding costly extensions of roads, sewer, water, and emergency services
- Limit traffic, pollution, and truck congestion in areas not designed to handle it
- Preserve quality of life for neighborhoods, rural communities, and future generations
- Stay aligned with the long-term vision for southern Virginia Beach
Take Action Now (In 2 Minutes or Less)
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Your voice matters!
Want to stay informed about the Comprehensive Plan or threats to the Green Line?
Planning decisions often happen quietly — and by the time most people hear about them, it’s too late to weigh in.
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Want to learn more?
- Virginia Beach Comprehensive Plan - December 2025 Draft - The city’s long-term guide for growth, land use, infrastructure, and economic development.
- Comprehensive Plan Draft Comparison and Policy Analysis Regarding the Green Line - A side-by-side review of changes between Comprehensive Plan drafts, prepared by community volunteers to identify material policy shifts related to land use, infrastructure, and the Green Line.
- ITA Master Plan Follow Up (2024)
- Interfacility Traffic Area (ITA) & Vicinity Master Plan (2017) - A detailed planning document outlining land-use, transportation, recreation, and environmental priorities south of the Green Line.
- Transition Area Design Guidelines (2015) - Planning standards intended to limit density and protect environmentally sensitive areas near the Green Line.
- Article 10 of the Virginia Beach Municipal Code of Ordinances - contains the enforceable zoning rules that determine what development is allowed where, including the current definition of “light industrial.”
- Definitions of “Light Industrial” in VB v. Nationally - This article summarizes research conducted by community volunteers and is intended to provide non-technical, public-facing context for ongoing land-use discussions.
- The Ripple Effect - Exploring the Southern Rivers Watershed
- Local News Articles
- Recent commentary highlights how current land-use decisions may conflict with Virginia Beach’s stated tourism, resilience, and economic goals. Column: Time running out to protect Virginia Beach’s future