The proposed project would include 52 condominiums and commercial space. (Image via the city of Virginia Beach)
Virginia Beach Planning Commission recommends Shore Drive condo project
John-Henry Doucette
General Assignment Reporter
Virginia Beach planning commissioners recently voted 9-1 to recommend approval for a proposed mixed-use development featuring 52 condos and commercial space at Shore and Marlin Bay drives.
To address public pushback, the developer met with community groups over two years and reduced the building density from 62 to 52 units, pivoting the focus to home ownership rather than rentals.
Despite these adjustments, the proposal faces ongoing opposition from residents and civic leagues who express concerns over traffic, stormwater and the five-story building's unprecedented scale.
The Virginia Zoo at 125: No longer a mere park 'with a few animals'
The Norfolk-based facility has been commemorating with highlights from its past, including stories of orangutans Chuck and Judy. (Photo courtesy of the Virginia Zoo)
Celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk has transformed from a basic wildlife collector into a modern conservation and education hub that attracts more than 500,000 visitors annually.
Over the decades, the 53-acre attraction transitioned away from cramped cages to focus heavily on animal well-being and natural habitats.
Today, the zoo's most popular residents include red pandas, sloths and a family of Bornean orangutans who live in expansive environments such as "Asia: Trail of the Tiger."
Chesapeake Planning Commission recommends denying proposed Hickory battery energy center
Members of the Chesapeake Planning Commission. (Photo by Natalia Nelson)
The Chesapeake Planning Commission voted 7-1 on Wednesday to recommend that the city council deny a conditional use permit for a proposed battery energy storage system in Hickory.
East Point Energy sought the permit to build on 31 acres of a larger parcel off Centerville Turnpike South to store renewable energy for peak demand and emergencies.
While supporters argued the facility would lower energy bills and strengthen the electric grid, numerous residents countered that the project threatened the area's rural and residential character.
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