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Shaping Tomorrow Today: 2040 Comp Plan Phase 2

Shaping Tomorrow Today: 2040 Comp Plan Phase 2

In 2019, the City initiated a survey to gather citizen input for the update of the Comprehensive Plan. This survey is meant to build off the 2019 survey to understand the current preferences of Virginia Beach residents and to analyze whether those preferences have shifted since 2019. Please provide a response to the questions below by Sept. 1.

Phases

Phases overview

Survey Responses

September 3, 2022 - September 4, 2022

Phase report


What would encourage you to choose to drive less? Choose all options that apply. [#155530]

Walkable and connected neighborhoods

48.7% (690 choices)

More bike lanes/trails

42.5% (602 choices)

Increased frequency of mass transit

36.3% (515 choices)

Living closer to retail, restaurants, and other entertainment

35.8% (507 choices)

I will choose to drive regardless

29% (411 choices)

Affordable ride-share options

13.8% (195 choices)

Self-driving vehicles

7.7% (109 choices)

No answer

2.6% (37 choices)

Other

5.5% (78 choices)

Other: What would encourage you to choose to drive less? Choose all options that apply. [#155530]

Respondents most frequently discussed the need for improved public transportation, walkability, and bike infrastructure, emphasizing safer streets and more accessible transit options. Many called for increased affordable housing and mixed-use development to support diverse communities and address rising living costs. Environmental sustainability was a recurring theme, with suggestions for more green spaces, tree planting, and climate resilience measures.

Concerns about overdevelopment and preserving neighborhood character were raised, with some urging thoughtful planning to balance growth and maintain local identity. Respondents also highlighted the importance of community engagement, transparency in decision-making, and equitable access to resources and amenities.

Comments included requests for better maintenance of existing infrastructure, support for local businesses, and expanded recreational opportunities. Some respondents expressed worries about traffic congestion and parking, while others advocated for innovative solutions like car-free zones and expanded public art [e.g.,. Overall, the feedback reflects a desire for a more livable, inclusive, and sustainable city by 2040.

How far is too far to travel ("door to door") for everyday activities like grocery shopping, doctor visits, retail shopping, or outdoor recreation? [#155532]

30+ minutes

45.7% (648 choices)

15-30 minutes

39.9% (566 choices)

5-15 minutes

12.5% (177 choices)

No answer

1.9% (27 choices)

5-15 minutes; 15-30 minutes

0% (0 choices)

15-30 minutes; 5-15 minutes

0% (0 choices)

30+ minutes; 15-30 minutes

0% (0 choices)

How often do you have to travel outside your area/neighborhood of Virginia Beach to work or play? [#155533]

1-2 times per week

29.5% (418 choices)

Every day

24.3% (345 choices)

3-4 times per week

20.1% (285 choices)

5-7 times per week

18.3% (260 choices)

More than 7 times per week

5.1% (72 choices)

No answer

2.8% (40 choices)

Every day; 1-2 times per week

0% (0 choices)

What amenities would encourage you to visit a different part of Virginia Beach than where you currently live? Select your top 3 options. [#155536]

Parks/Public Space/Green Space/Outdoor activities

53.2% (755 choices)

Restaurants

48.7% (690 choices)

Festivals and Arts/Cultural Events

44.9% (637 choices)

Entertainment

33.1% (470 choices)

Shopping

29.8% (422 choices)

Agritourism (hunt clubs, demonstration farms, u-pick operations, farmers markets)

29.3% (416 choices)

Nightlife

7.7% (109 choices)

No answer

4.6% (65 choices)

Other

6.1% (86 choices)

Other: What amenities would encourage you to visit a different part of Virginia Beach than where you currently live? Select your top 3 options. [#155536]

Respondents most frequently discussed the need for improved public transportation, walkability, and bike infrastructure, emphasizing safer streets and more accessible transit options. Many highlighted concerns about housing affordability and the desire for diverse housing types, including more options for families, seniors, and lower-income residents. There was strong support for preserving green spaces and enhancing parks, with several comments stressing the importance of environmental sustainability and tree canopy protection.

Community members also expressed interest in fostering local businesses and maintaining the unique character of neighborhoods, while some raised worries about overdevelopment and increased density. Issues related to traffic congestion, parking, and road maintenance were mentioned repeatedly. Respondents advocated for inclusive planning that considers equity and the needs of marginalized groups.

Several comments called for better communication and transparency from city officials, as well as more opportunities for public input throughout the planning process. Examples include requests for clearer updates and accessible engagement platforms [e.g.,. Overall, the responses reflect a desire for balanced growth that prioritizes livability, sustainability, and community involvement.

Please rank the housing types that are most appealing to you. Please rank all the options. (Drawings courtesy of Work Program Architects, 2022) [#156147]

1 - 6

2 - 2

3 - 3

4 - 5

5 - 4

6 - 1

7 - 7

1

38.51%

3.91%

3.27%

7.08%

2.09%

6.72%

38.42%

2

40.22%

8.08%

10.56%

14.42%

5.51%

2.85%

18.37%

3

4.6%

8.83%

29.81%

34.59%

10.3%

4.69%

7.18%

4

2.76%

14.17%

28.79%

23.74%

20.24%

6.26%

4.05%

5

4.14%

26.31%

14.63%

8%

34.68%

8.37%

3.86%

6

8.73%

35.66%

8.27%

6.99%

21.05%

13.24%

6.07%

7

1%

3.01%

4.64%

5.01%

6.19%

57.83%

22.31%

Which action would you most support to increase resilience and protect sensitive land from flooding? Please rank all the options by priority. [#155565]

1 - Provide more engineered/technical solutions to flooding (pump stations, tide gates, sea walls, etc.)

2 - Provide more nature-based solutions to flooding (stormwater parks, green roofs, rain gardens, constructed wetlands, oyster reefs, increased tree canopy, etc.)

3 - Tweak zoning regulations to provide protections for private property in flood prone areas

4 - Provide additional funds for the city's Open Space Preservation Program

5 - Continue to direct higher density growth to the eight Strategic Growth Areas in the City of Virginia Beach, reducing development pressure in environmentally sensitive areas

1

18.46%

45.9%

6.81%

9.87%

18.95%

2

23.21%

29.28%

10.66%

18.13%

18.73%

3

22.36%

12.08%

17.66%

24.25%

23.65%

4

21.56%

7.29%

25.95%

22.26%

22.95%

5

14.23%

5.57%

39.1%

25.47%

15.62%

Before March 2020, how many hours per week did you spend working remotely? [#155566]

I did not work remotely prior to March 2020

67.8% (961 choices)

No answer

13.5% (191 choices)

40 hours or more per week

8.9% (126 choices)

8 hours per week

3.9% (56 choices)

16 hours per week

2.8% (39 choices)

32 hours per week

1.6% (23 choices)

24 hours per week

1.6% (22 choices)

40 hours or more per week; 32 hours per week

0% (0 choices)

If you work remotely now, how many hours per week? [#156118]

I do not work remotely now

53% (751 choices)

No answer

14.5% (205 choices)

40 hours or more per week

13% (184 choices)

16 hours per week

6.8% (96 choices)

8 hours per week

5.9% (84 choices)

32 hours per week

3.6% (51 choices)

24 hours per week

3.4% (48 choices)

What is your race/ethnicity? [#155567]

White

61.7% (875 choices)

Prefer not to answer

13.4% (190 choices)

No answer

13.2% (187 choices)

Black or African American

4.9% (69 choices)

Multiracial

2.6% (37 choices)

Asian

1.9% (27 choices)

Hispanic, Latino or Spanish

1.8% (25 choices)

Native American

0.4% (6 choices)

Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

0.1% (2 choices)

What is your age? [#155568]

56-65 years old

16.6% (235 choices)

26-35 years old

16.4% (232 choices)

36-45 years old

15.4% (218 choices)

46-55 years old

13.3% (189 choices)

No answer

13.2% (187 choices)

66 years old and Older

12.6% (179 choices)

Prefer not to answer

6.7% (95 choices)

18-25 years old

5.5% (78 choices)

Under 18 years old

0.4% (5 choices)

56-65 years old; 36-45 years old

0% (0 choices)

In which zip code do you live? [#155569]

23454

20.5% (290 choices)

No answer

13.1% (186 choices)

23455

11.8% (168 choices)

23456

11.1% (157 choices)

23462

10.4% (148 choices)

23451

10.2% (145 choices)

23464

8.2% (116 choices)

23452

5.9% (84 choices)

Prefer not to answer

2.7% (38 choices)

23453

2.3% (32 choices)

I do not live in Virginia Beach

2% (28 choices)

23457

1.8% (25 choices)

23463

0.1% (1 choice)

23454; 23453

0% (0 choices)