The Flood Bond Referendum was the elite’s way of forcing the public to pay for flood protection while simultaneously allowing developers to continue to cause flooding.
That is not in jest — builders have been controlling City Council and the Planning Department since they overturned Citizen’s vote for a tree protection ordinance in 1993. Back then it was Tidewater Builders Association and today they are known as Coastal Virginia Building Industry Association. Here’s what happened…
2019 – City (Citizens) succeed in blocking Argos Properties from developing in floodplains and swamplands.
2020 – City (Citizens) passes stormwater provisions in compliance with state law.
Back in January 2020 – before developers intervened
The public is taken care of…right…? Nope.
PRIVATE BUILDERS INTERVENE TO BYPASS STATE STORMWATER REQUIREMENTS ANDKNOWINGLY HARM THE PUBLIC
Summer 2020 – Coastal Virginia Building Industry overrides public concern and initiates “ongoing discussions between the city leadership and representatives of the development community who is upset about the stricter stormwater regulations.”
Not looking promising, on September 7, 2021, city council unanimously approved a resolution promising residents that if they approve of the referendum council will prevent builders from the ability to cause flooding. An amendment to the Comprehensive Plan recommending denial for any development project that generates a net increase in water discharge demand.
October 8, 2021 – letter to council from Virginia Beach Vision and Ann Crenshaw, President and attorney for Argos Properties.
Approved by 73% on November 2, 2021 – the City of Virginia Beach still allows developers to violate local, state, and federal law and continue in developer-caused flooding.
November 10, 2021 – Virginia Beach Planning Commission DENIED the provision.
November – December 2021 – Eddie Bourdon argues that developers should not have to abide by stormwater regulations because Virginia Beach would be ‘closed for business.’
Bourdon‘s admissions, “I was at the City Council meeting when this Resolution was adopted, but there was no opportunity for anybody to discuss. And frankly, couldn’t be more ecstatic and proud of our City for having approved the referendum 70% plus. And I frankly don’t think anybody at that point who cares about the future of the Virginia Beach was going to stand up and start asking questions about what they were doing.”
So the development community watched the commitments being made to voters, stayed silent so as not to jeopardize the referendum’s passage (which funded $567.5 million in public works from which the construction industry would benefit) and then moved to gut the regulatory commitment after the votes were counted.
On January 4, 2022 – Council unanimously defers, “to hear additional concerns from the development community.” Not the public – we already spoke at 73%, and this is city councils multi-year screw-over of the public to favor illegal development.
February 1, 2022 – Council votes 8-2 to defer again after Tuck Bowie (developer) opposes complying with law. The voice of reason, John Moss, makes clear, “What is really desired is developers want relief from having to comply with stormwater regulations.”
8-3 vote to send the promised amendment back to the Planning Commission on February 15, 2022.
2024 – Mayor Bobby Dyer states he, “Wouldn’t have voted to include the comprehensive plan amendment if he knew it would increase regulatory costs for developers.” Screw the public who is paying half-a-billion!
2025 – Home Builders Association of Virginia is upset that regulating stormwater causes upfront costs. Governor Youngkin is quoted, “Why in the world do we have a stack of over 24 inches of stormwater regs?” Yes…seriously, he did.
2026 – City council passes Comprehensive Plan without the promised amendment AND increased density ensuring developers can continue to cause flooding.
Destroyer of wetlands, stealer of nature, and the ‘by-right’ granted by the City of Virginia Beach to harm anyone, at any time, anywhere even when it is a public park protected under the Open Space Land Act.
June 10, 2026 Planning Commission Meeting
This area already floods
Undisclosed members of LLCs to hide interests
Lisa Murphy is also the chair of the VBDA
April 8, 2026 City Council pays $2.5 million to purchase five parcels at Pleasure House Point. The problem – it is wetlands. More than likely it had been tax-exempt prior to this purchase.
If the City enforced the laws you cannot develop wetlands – there is no right to build wetlands parcels that were once tax-exempt prior to 2018 when the City Treasurer unlawfully removed tax-exempt parcels citywide, presented fraudulent tax liens to owners of record prior to becoming exempt under the Virginia Constitution, and handed these parcels to developers.
This is how every single piece of land throughout the City is being overdeveloped. It’s illegal. It’s negligent. It’s corruption.
January 2025 City of Virginia Beach spends $12 million to clear at least twelve acres of palustrine wetlands so McLeskey’s development (also in wetlands) has a water view. And yes, this is all in the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area but the City exempts their pet-builders.
March 2024 City pays McLeskey millions for parcels at Washington Square. The problem – the parcels were set aside for a public park in 1972 where the City already had title.
Kevin Kemp single-handedly destroyed what the City of Virginia Beach had been working toward for over 15 years—and now, the City’s single-most reliable source of income is at stake.
Years before Oceana was slated on the endangered bases list the City of Virginia Beach was warned about encroachment on NAS Oceana and its outlying fields (up until 2003, VBCC voted against the DOD’s interests three out of four times).
In 2005, NAS Oceana was included by a 7-1 vote on the BRAC Commission’s closure list. Desperately, the City attempted to redeem three decades of irresponsible development against their most reliable income—the military.
But you cannot have a jet base without an auxiliary field. It escapes the mind of most that these jets flying overhead are not intended to dock on a runway—the essence of Naval aircraft is their ability to maneuver from an aircraft carrier. As such, they require an outlying field simulating an aircraft carrier in open ocean—but upon land.
The surrounding lands to any auxiliary field must remain as consistent with the DOD’s mission as possible. At Fentress, this means touch-and-go’s almost exclusively at night. The restriction against residential structures isn’t merely a recommendation because people complain about the noise—it is a logistical liability.
Additional persons, vehicles, and traffic equates to increased light and electronic interference. The day isn’t as pertinent as night—hence “residential” and overnight uses being prohibited. You remove the trees and cover, you reveal more lights and reflections. If you don’t top-off the cover you have accidents. Luckily, the pattern has remained the same so the low flyers take care of the tops. Which poses another problem—the planning and zoning departments are allowing two-story residential structures I bet the Navy would be aghast about in over 75 (let’s hope planning is atleast following up with those provisions), and new structures where none have stood in over 15 years. From below it may not look like a big deal—but from above everything matters.
In 2008, the City actively worked to meet the provisions outlined by the Secretary of Defense to rezone, acquire, and naturalize NALF Fentress’s outlying AICUZs and APZs. The joint agreement even redrew the flight pattern so it was easier for both Virginia Beach and Chesapeake to meet expectations. Over the years, Virginia Beach has purchased multiple vacant properties to complete their “Master Plan,” and placed zoning restrictions upon building which can only be overturned upon express authorization of VBCC. That is, until recently…
Maybe it was due to the untimely departure of Dave Hansen. A people-person he was not—but the logistical requirements of appeasing the military he more than conquered. Or, maybe it is the fact that the City does not educate and update their employees of the varying dynamics which attempt to coexist within their boundary—as City employees remain unchecked, and are even assisted by a City Attorney who affirms their negligent conduct. Regardless, its initiation with Kevin Kemp is indisputable.
In 2015, there were two vacant lots that sold in NALFF >75 dB—to the City of Virginia Beach. There were no residential structures built where none existed prior.
In 2016, there was one vacant lot that sold in NALFF >75 dB—to the City of Virginia Beach. There were no residential structures built where none existed prior.
In 2017, Kevin Kemp was appointed as the Director of Zoning—there were two vacant lots purchased in NALFF >75 dB, by Thomas A. Brown (infamous single- and multi-family track home builder). Three new residential structures were erected in NALFF >75 dB from 2017 to 2019 (not a single one was approved by VBCC).
In 2018, an additional two vacant lots were purchased in the NALFF >75 dB by builders. Both are currently slated to build new residential structures where none existed prior—nothing has been authorized by City Council.
Bobby Tajan was appointed as the Planning Director in early 2019. Five additional purchases of vacant lands during 2019 and 2020 in the AICUZ outlying Fentress—and not a single City employee is even aware there are restrictions in this area that were set in motion fifteen years ago.
2015 – blue indicates City acquired or City exempt 2016 – City acquisition of vacant land in NALF >752017 – >75 dB NALF land acquisition by builders. Authorized by Kevin Kemp in Zoning 2018 – Kevin Kemp authorizes additional land acquisition in NALF >75 dB to builders2019 – builders are purchasing all vacant lands in >75 dB and planning to build single-family dwellings on every lot authorized by Kemp and Bobby Tajan2020 – Tajan and Kemp permit additional land acquisition by builders to erect single-family dwellingsBuilders are flipping vacant lots and erecting residential structures in >75 dB NALF3345 Indian River Road, >75 dB NALF 3321 Indian River Road, >75 dB NALF>75 dB NALFAll vacant lots were acquired by builders under the precedent Kevin Kemp set in AICUZ >75 outlying FentressKevin Kemp was notified of this illegal acquisition and deliberately ignored the community to favor a builder. This started in 2017 and has progressively become worse with property owners releasing their property to builders since they are offering tens of thousands above value. (*property owners are well aware of the restrictions, and have even told the builders that the land is unbuildable*)Before any building took place Kevin Kemp was contacted. Kemp did nothing, and now a single family dwelling will be erected on every lot lying in NALF >75 and 70-75 “by right.”3321 Indian River Road, >75 dB Naval Auxiliary Landing Field, Fentress, new residential construction on every single lot“Right in the center of everything!” — the reality of that statement is not a marketable quality. We have not yet done a good work-up off Fentress. Let’s hope this new construction doesn’t compromise our, or their, safety. A builder’s plan to acquire and flip every vacant lot in AICUZ >75 and even 70-75, authorized by Kevin Kemp without ever being presented to Virginia Beach City Council. The lands are selling above use value due to Kevin Kemp’s and Bobby Tajan’s negligence with City Attorney Stiles sitting as accomplice.The irony of “not to be developed” in this picture speaks volumes as to Kevin Kemp’s preference in applying the laws against property owners in favor of builders.Kevin Kemp and Bobby Tajan have relisted every single vacant lot in AICUZ Fentress >75 to denote “vacant residential” — indicating the right to erect a residential structure on each and every lot. All of this happened after Kevin Kemp allowed builder Thomas Brown to build three two-story residential structures where no structure has stood in over 15 years in >75 dB NALF. Builders are sending private letters to property owners offering above land-use value to purchase their property.Prior to Kemp, all of these vacant lands had no class code or property class. This was done in 2008 and again in 2011 to allow the City to enforce the zoning requirements to keep Fentress Airfield operable.Kevin Kemp did all of this without authorization, and in deliberate ignorance of even the City’s own Master Plan. Note how the price of land per acre has increased substantially when it went from an essentially ‘blank’ lot to “residential.” This is grossly negligent and shows the City’s deliberate noncompliance with their DOD agreement. Builders are selling these lands as “build to suit.” The City was placed on notice of their breach in 2019—they did nothing. After 15 years, the City of Virginia Beach has allowed builders to acquire every single lot in Fentress Airfield’s AICUZ >75dB with absolutely no restrictions. For the safety of our pilots—it is time to leave Virginia Beach.
Maybe the City assumed since they missed the 2019 closure list there is no need to continue in their effort. Unfortunately, the commission can reconvene at any time when the economic conditions so require.
Maybe the City is, once again, actively working against the Navy as they did prior to 2003. Whatever the case may be, the sudden and unexplained opening of unchecked residential structures being built upon every lot in AICUZ >75, and even 70-75, needs to be investigated as it will result in the City losing their only source of consistent income in this economic downturn. But someone, somewhere, must be benefiting…
(Kevin Kemp? Bobby Tajan? Mark Stiles? Or, all of the above?)
Kemp’s Background with the City of Virginia Beach:
April 3, 2013 First appears as a “planner” for the City of Virginia Beach.
April 3, 2013 Case #2, GPIN: 1455-75-8357 (CENTERVILLE) Case #3, GPIN: 2418-86-4586 (BEACH) deferred. Case #4, GPIN: 1479-30-6244 (BAYSIDE). Case #6, GPIN: 1466-96-8697 (KEMPSVILLE). Case #11, GPIN: 2419-68-2246-1580 (LYNNHAVEN)
GPIN: 2307-69-5558 Zoned: AG-2
June 5, 2013 GPIN: 2307-69-5558 Zoned: AG-2 LOT A4, MUNDEN POINT (PRINCESS ANNE) AICUZ: blank
GPIN: 1495-39-4149 AICUZ: >75 dB Ldn
GPIN: 1495-39-4149 AICUZ: >75 dB Ldn (ROSE HALL)
June 5, 2013 Case #5, GPIN: 2419-69-1603 (LYNNHAVEN) Case #9, GPIN: 2426-37-6815 (BEACH) Case #D-2, GPIN: 2418-86-4586 (BEACH) deferred.
November 13, 2013 Case #2, GPIN: 1467-48-3888 (KEMPSVILLE) withdrawn. Case #4, GPIN: 1475-40-2676 (CENTERVILLE) (Coastal Community Church) Case #5, GPIN: 2309-62-2414 (PRINCESS ANNE) (Oak Grove Baptist) Case #6, GPIN: 1486-63-3594 (ROSE HALL) (CAH Holdings, LLC/LC Realty LLC) Case #D5, GPIN: 2407-75-3989 (BEACH)
December 11, 2013 Case #1: Hunt Club Farm and Hunt Club A-1-1, LLC GPIN(s): 2405-81-2185; 2405-90-0218; 2405-90-0607 Zoned: AG-2 (PRINCESS ANNE) AICUZ: >75 dB Ldn; 70-75 dB Ldn
Case #2: Adventure Sports Park, LLC and Kampgrounds of America, Inc. GPIN: 2415-88-9903 (BEACH) AICUZ: >75 dB DNL
March 12, 2014 Case #2, GPIN: 1484-29-4709 (PRINCESS ANNE) (VBCC 4/22) Case #4, GPIN: 2415-71-4607 (PRINCESS ANNE) (VBCC 4/22) Case #5, GPIN: 1468-35-7321 (KEMPSVILLE) (Moore Farm, LLP) (VBCC 4/22) Case #D3, GPIN: 1497-80-0111 (BEACH) (VBCC 4/5)
May 14, 2014 Case #2, GPIN(s): 1487-33-3397; 1487-33-8449 (LYNNHAVEN) (Carmax Auto Superstores, Inc.) (VBCC 6/17) Case #3, GPIN(s): 1468-44-3128; 1468-44-4310 (BAYSIDE) (Kempdel, Inc.) (VBCC 6/17) Case #4, GPIN: 1478-52-7314 (BAYSIDE) (Mid Atlantic Commercial Properties/336 Cedar Road, LLC) (VBCC 6/17) Case #5, GPIN: 1465-46-7414 (CENTERVILLE) (VBCC 6/17) Case #12: GPIN(s): 1475-41-8475; 1475-41-7786 (CENTERVILLE) (Kempdel, Inc.) deferred.
October 8, 2014 Case #5, GPIN: 1467-66-4306 (KEMPSVILLE) (Evergreen Virginia LLC)
March 11, 2015 Case #9, GPIN: 1479-88-8194 (BAYSIDE) (Eckert) deferred. Case #11, GPIN: 1479-74-4911 (BAYSIDE) (Eckert) deferred.
Case #D4, GPIN: 2405-63-1630 (PRINCESS ANNE) from July 9, 2014 deferral — deferred again.
April 8, 2015 Case #1, GPIN: 2407-68-3131 (BEACH) (Aaron Holley) (Conte Acquisitions) Case #2, GPIN: 1466-44-8213 (KEMPSVILLE) (Kroger Limited Partnership I/Tidewater Investments & Charlie Weaver) Case #D1, GPIN: 1479-77-4911 from March 11, 2015 deferral. Case #D3, GPIN: 1466-65-9271 (KEMPSVILLE) (Assembly of Yah, Inc.)
June 10, 2015 Case #1, GPIN: 1467-48-5790 (KEMPSVILLE) (Gary Collier/Doris Geneva, LLC) deferred. Case #3, GPIN: 1495-56-0786 (ROSE HALL) (Italiano) (VBCC 7/14) Case #6, GPIN: 1497-74-0071 (BEACH) (2798 Dean, LLC) deferred.
VBCC July 7, 2015
Case #D2(A), GPIN: 2405-63-1630 (PRINCESS ANNE) (BT Holdings III, LLC) (VBCC 7/7) Case #D2(B), GPIN: 2405-33-2394 (PRINCESS ANNE) (Paul S. Brown Family, LLC) (VBCC 7/7)
July 8, 2015 Case #1, GPIN: 1467-84-9761 (BAYSIDE) (Eurotech Service Center, LLC/The Bank of Hampton Roads) (VBCC 8/4) Case #2, GPIN: 1487-60-7775 (BEACH) (Larae Tucker/Krish Enterprises, LLC) (VBCC 8/18)
July 8, 2015 Case #D1, GPIN: 1467-48-5790 (KEMPSVILLE) from June 10, 2015 deferral. (VBCC 8/8) Case #D4, GPIN: 1497-74-0071 (BEACH) from June 10, 2015 deferral. (VBCC 8/18)
September 9, 2015 Case #4, GPIN: 1496-19-6871 (BEACH) (Larae Tucker/PP&P, LLC) (VBCC 10/6) Case #5, GPIN: 2420-27-8988 (PRINCESS ANNE) (Ship Cabin Club, Inc./Red Head Realty Corporation) (VBCC 10/20) Case #7, GPIN(s): 2415-48-7835; 2415-48-6774; 2415-48-8740; 2415-48-6663 (BEACH) (AllSafe Storage, LLC / Oceana Partners, LLC) (VBCC 10/6) Case #9, GPIN(s): 2405-91-4155; 2405-91-6438; 2405-81-2185; 2405-90-0607 (PRINCESS ANNE) (John & Randi Vogel / Hunt Club Farm) deferred.
October 14, 2015 Case #1, GPIN(s): 2405-42-2767; 2415-42-3693; 2415-42-2630; 2415-42-3445; 2415-42-5501; 2415-42-2384 (PRINCESS ANNE) (MGP Retail Consulting, LLC / Mark IV Investments, Inc.) deferred. Case #2, GPIN: 1467-55-4743 (KEMPSVILLE) (Robert McNichols/Reverend Francis X. Lorenzo, Bishop of Richmond) Case #11, GPIN(s): 2420-06-4884; 2420-26-3519 (PRINCESS ANNE) (James O. Hertz, Jr.) Case #12, GPIN: 1457-94-8060 (KEMPSVILLE) (Second Shot, LLC/Albert Vinciguerra) Case #19, GPIN: 1467-48-5670 (KEMPSVILLE) (Bayside Concrete, Inc./Bruce H. Gould) Case #D1, GPIN(s): 2405-91-4155; 2405-91-6438; 2405-81-2185; 2405-90-0607 (PRINCESS ANNE) (John & Randi Vogel / Hunt Club Farm)
November 12, 2015 Case #1, GPIN: 2413-57-9634 (PRINCESS ANNE) (Margaret Bain) deferred. Case #7, GPIN: 1389-88-8246 (PRINCESS ANNE) (Donald A. Kessel) (VBCC 12/8) Case #D1, GPIN(s): 2415-42-2767; 2415-42-3693; 2415-42-2630; 2415-42-3445; 2415-42-5501; 2415-42-2384 (PRINCESS ANNE) (MGP Retail Consulting, LLC / Mark IV Investments, Inc.) (VBCC 12/8)
December 9, 2015 Case #1, GPIN: 1488-80-5079 (LYNNHAVEN) (Jess Stevenson/St. Nicholas Catholic Church) Case #8, GPIN: 1467-84-9327 (BAYSIDE) (Santiago Livara, III/Slacscar, LLC) Case #9, GPIN: 2427-13-2281 (BEACH) (Ted Tignor)
February 10, 2016 Case #1, GPIN(s): 1476-59-4453; 1476-59-5337; 1476-59-6300 (KEMPSVILLE) (Direct Independence Group, LLC) deferred. Case #5, GPIN(s): 2408-53-5486; 2408-53-4687; 2408-53-0661 (LYNNHAVEN) (Cullipher Farm/Potter Properties Group, LLC) Case #D1, GPIN: 2413-57-9634 (PRINCESS ANNE)
March 9, 2016 Case #1, GPIN: 1476-97-5253 (ROSE HALL) (Nader C. Vasdiki/Holland Plaza Shopping Center, LLC) Case #2, GPIN: 2415-45-8709, AICUZ: >75 (BEACH) (Tattoo Skills Too, LLC/Dam Neck Square, LLC)
April 13, 2016 Case #4, GPIN: 2309-23-6398 (PRINCESS ANNE) (City of Virginia Beach) Case #12, GPIN(s): 2403-41-8534; 2403-41-9483 (PRINCESS ANNE) (Phil Bonifant) deferred.
May 11, 2016 Case #7, GPIN(s): 1466-77-4982; 1466-88-1349; 1466-88-1249; 1466-88-1220; 1466-88-1104; 1466-88-2272; 1466-88-2390; 1466-78-8968; 1466-78-9967; 1466-69-1229; 1467-70-7183; 1466-88-0523; 1466-88-3580; 1466-79-5194; 1466-79-6214; 1466-79-6346; 1466-79-7501 (KEMPSVILLE) (City of Virginia Beach)
June 8, 2016 Thomas A. Brownproposal in AG-2 on Candle Pine and Riddick Lane (AG-2) — deferred. Kevin Kemp was in attendance at this same meeting to talk about home child care.
Case #1, GPIN: 1467-82-6153 (BAYSIDE) (UJFT Community Campus, LLC) (VBCC 7/5) Case #4, GPIN: 2419-56-7897 (LYNNHAVEN) (Waller Enterprises, LLC / Rhae Adams Jr.) (7/12) Case #5, GPIN: 1496-38-7496 (BEACH) (Walmart #1688) (7/5) Case #10, GPIN(s): 1467-58-7545; 1467-57-1872; 1467-57-5967 (KEMPSVILLE) (Old Dominion Tobacco Company, Inc.) (7/5) Case #D2, GPIN: 2408-60-5805 (LYNNHAVEN) (Aldi (N.C.) LLC/Three Five Ministries, Inc.) (8/16) deferred from May 11, 2016.
July 13, 2016 Case #1, GPIN: 2308-99-2078 (PRINCESS ANNE) (MMR Associates, LLC) (VBCC 9/6) Case #6, GPIN(s): 1484-04-4747; 1484-04-2876; 1484-05-0076 (PRINCESS ANNE) (Kyndle Cay, LLC / Kyndle Cay, LLC & Highland Parish Community Association, Inc.) Case #7, GPIN: 2416-70-8636 (BEACH) (Virginia Gentlemen Foundation, Inc. / City of Virginia Beach) (VBCC 8/16)
September 7, 2016 Board of Zoning Appeals 1570-52-8482 (Atlantic Development Associates, LLC and Eddie Bourdon) 1497-95-4001 (Southern Buick, GMC)
September 14, 2016 Case #14, GPIN: 2414-12-986? (PRINCESS ANNE) (Harris Teeter Properties) (VBCC 11/1) Thomas A. Brown — deferred. Case #D2, GPIN: 2419-57-7124 (LYNNHAVEN) (Alexis Development, LLC / William K. and Anne Wright) (VBCC 10/18)
October 5, 2016 — Kevin Kemp listed as “Interim Zoning Administrator”
October 16, 2020 — Purchased house in Currituck, North Carolina
November 9, 2016 Thomas A. Brown in front of Planning Commission and approved.
Wife, Brenna Pearson Williamson Kemp, works for Commissioner of Accounts, John Midgett (now Smith?)
January 2017 – Thomas A. Brown purchased two lots in NALF Fentress >75 dB.
August 2017 – Thomas A. Brown purchased an additional vacant lot in NALF Fentress >75 dB.
October 2018 – Thomas A. Brown purchased additional vacant lot in NALF Fentress >75dB.
February 2020 – Thomas A. Brown purchased 20 vacant acres in NALF Fentress >75 dB.
Jason Blanchette’s complete disrespect for his neighbors also extends to his employees.
The lack of knowledge and inaccessibility of Anderson’s employees can be explained by the maltreatment and disrespect of Owner Blanchette. The selfish acts of a self-serving individual perfectly encompasses everything I have witnessed of Jason Blanchette’s and Anderson’s behavior.
You will see that all of the decisions made resulting in the flooding we are experiencing are self-serving and continuing. The same individuals are still living among us and profiting while we suffer.
Just wait until I post Hansen’s current financial bliss and his continuing advocacy for certain projects/individuals over others . . .
