Beach sets vote on land transfers for two projects

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By Aaron Applegate
The Virginian-Pilot
© October 26, 2011

VIRGINIA BEACH

It's a technical but important law: Transferring or selling city land for development requires approval of a "super majority," or three-quarters, of City Council members.

At a City Council briefing Tuesday, a vote to do just that was scheduled for Nov. 1, with the proposed land transfers paving the way for two high-profile development projects, the convention center hotel and an Oceanfront entertainment center at the old Dome site.

Even if City Council were to approve the transfers, city officials said it doesn't mean deals to build the private-partnership projects - each estimated at more than $100 million - are imminent or will definitely happen. Negotiations continue with developers.

So why the hurry on the land transfers?

City officials said it's important for the city to transfer the land to the city's economic development authority - the entity that will craft the deals - to help the developers attract investors. The hotel site is 6 acres and the Dome site is 8 acres.

"It's one less thing they have to be concerned about," said John Richardson, chairman of the development authority.

A vote to move forward on the actual projects requires only a simple majority of the 11-member council.

There's another factor at play: an election. A week after the scheduled land transfer vote, Beach voters will choose a new councilman. That person could potentially hold the key to both projects if he voted on the land transfers.

Beach Undersheriff Dennis Free and former Virginia Beach Taxpayer Alliance leader John Moss and are challenging Councilman Prescott Sherrod, who was appointed in July to fill a vacated seat.

Two sitting members, Councilmen Bill DeSteph and Bob Dyer, said Tuesday that they are against the land transfers. One more no vote would mean the City Council would lack the necessary super majority of nine supportive council members.

Mayor Will Sessoms said politics didn't play a role in the timing of the vote. He said he expects the City Council makeup to stay the same and is supporting Sherrod.

Dyer said he'd like to consider the land transfers at the same time as the projects.

DeSteph said he didn't know whether politics played a role in the timing of the vote but described the city's approach as "cram it through."

Aaron Applegate, (757) 222-5122, aaron.applegate@pilotonline.com

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any Idea...

Submitted by dannohaney1 on Fri, 10/28/2011 at 11:43 am.

Where Dennis Free stands on the issue?

John Moss is easy to guess that he's against and Presscot is a Sessoms shill so we know which way they will go.

Dome site politics

Submitted by HenryR on Wed, 10/26/2011 at 6:37 pm.

An entertainment venue at the Dome site has been the #1 priority of the Resort Area business community since late 2005. Anyone who tries to stop that project will quickly become political roadkill.

The politics of the convention center HQ hotel are more convoluted, but those same interests want to get it done.

Deputy City Manager Steve

Submitted by keithh41833 on Wed, 10/26/2011 at 5:56 pm.

Deputy City Manager Steve Herbert is in charge of the projects and says they are crucial to the city's economic future. He declined to comment on the political aspect of the timing of the vote, except to say, "We can do the math."
Wrong. They are crucial to pay back for votes from developers and to make sure their economic lively hood is maintained. It's odd that there is millions of dollars allocated for these developer Taj Mahals, but they can't find money for sewer maintenance or for trash pickup.

Virginia Beach. The best government a developer can buy. Remember to vote for John Moss and start removing special interest from city government.

SteveL, any public private

Submitted by boomerang on Wed, 10/26/2011 at 5:13 pm.

SteveL, any public private partnership that happens on these parcels MUST by approved by the City Council. The Development Authority will simply make a recommendation to the Council on the use of the land and the business deal that could make it happen. Past public private partnerships have been big things like the ampitheatre, the aquarium, Heron's Ridge golf course, and Town Center, and smaller projects like Kid's Cove, Grommet Island Park, and the Hampton Roads soccer complex. The Governor is proposing public private partnerhips to build roads in Virginia. They are useful mechanisms that have been to the benifit, both financially and culturally, to the citizens of Virginia Beach.

SELL NOW! Before the public knows what is going on!

Submitted by SteveL on Wed, 10/26/2011 at 2:59 pm.

Pretty slick! Members of the City Council are subject to the wishes of the public who ELECTED them. By transferring the two parcels to the Development Authority whose members are APPOINTED, these Public-Private deals are removed from the wishes of the citizens. No referenda or recalls or putting these projects to a vote by the populace.SELL NOW before the public votes to change the make-up of the Council. SELL the City property to a Development Authority who can do whatever it wants with it with impunity. That's not a problem when the Authority owns an industrial or office park and is selling off properties and entering partnerships with various companies, but these two projects impact thousands and taxpayers will not have a vote.

Measure once, cut twice....dot your i's and cross your t's.....

Submitted by ProtectPeoplesRights on Wed, 10/26/2011 at 9:34 am.

Seems like good old advice is overpowered by a get it done now attitude in this City. What's the hurry? Why not take a vote when the projects move forward. It's another check mark. Another crisis. Just like the 2012 budget. How about those CIP programs that weren't fully vetted? Just wait until the taxpayers get hit with those extra millions. Oh, the super majority vote is needed ....and it's an election year. hmmmmmmm and that's the real critical vote.

Squirt on one Hand, Expect in the Other, Which Fills First?

Submitted by Alfred Paul on Wed, 10/26/2011 at 7:27 am.

mayor lessoms expects council makeup to remain unchanged? Let's all hope it changes, in some sense radically. To the council members voting against this action, thank you both greatly. Too often knee-jerk actions of council have smacked this city square in the forehead and leave us all wondering what is going on. The project around Laskin is clearly more vital than fixing known and current flooding problems in city neighborhoods. Having some sort of turgid round-about envy, the council butt-kisses the hilton hellion, and the rest is now over-budget history. There are many things council could do today to improve this cul-de-sac markedly. Establish the First Street Recreation and Surf Park NOW, TODAY! Now that is something vital & necessary.