The Planning Commission will be voting at their Wed. March 10th meeting to adopt a proposed ordinance change to Short Term Rentals.  The meeting will be held at Noon Wednesday in the VB Convention Center.  The Commission will recommend that Short Term Rentals(STR) be allowed in a Cape Story by the Sea overlay district that includes a section of the Cape Story neighborhood north of Shore Drive between First Landing State Park and the Food Lion shopping Center.  See the image below for the supported overlay district.

All STRs outside of overlay districts will be prohibited in the future if this ordinance is approved.  So that will make Cape Story’s overlay one of only 3 areas in the City that will continue to allow STRs for the future.  The Bayfront Advisory Commission, Shore Drive Community Coalition and Cape Story by the Sea Civic Association have all voted to oppose STR overlays.  So it appears that the Planning Commission and City Council are ignoring the residents and attempting to set up a process that will be detrimental to neighborhood communities.

Anyone opposed to the proposed STR overlay district in the Shore Drive neighborhood is asked to register to speak against the ordinance at the Wednesday meeting.  You can register to speak in person or virtually at the following link.  In-person set up will be limited and socially distanced, so virtual is probably the best option if you plan to speak.

More information regarding the proposed ordinance change and the Planning Commission and City Staff review can be found here Microsoft Word – 20210310PLN-CUR-02-Short Term Rental Ordinance (vbgov.com)

To sign up to speak virtually or in-person, click here Planning Commission :: VBgov.com – City of Virginia Beach