Blog

Earning Businesses and Residents Trust

Posted on by JPAbbott in Election

We're still recovering from the impacts of COVID-19. Virginia Beach needs knowledgeable, qualified, compassionate, and composed leadership to support our community in weathering the challenges to come as we enter new financial recovery stages. I believe that I possess all of these qualities and more - which is why I have been endorsed overwhelmingly by the business community in Virginia Beach, including: •A+ Grade from The Coastal Virginia Chamber of Commerce •The Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce •Coastal Virginia Building Industry Association •Hampton Roads Realtor Association

Short Term Rentals – New Proposal

Posted on by JPAbbott in Proposed Ordinances

City Council has been reviewing the Short Term Rental Ordinance results that went into effect on 01/01/2019. We have heard dozens of applications and vetted each one individually. Having the year and a half experience of individually approving each application has been (in my view) an added value to how we regulate this popular trend of short term rentals in residential districts in our city. As a result of this process Councilman Wood and Councilman Jones have proposed a change to the current Short Term Rental Ordinance that would remove the Conditional Use Permit process. It would create Overlay districts where STR's that exist in these overlays would be considered by-right and not require a public hearing or Council approval to operate. Locations outside of these districts would not be permitted to operate. Council will meet tomorrow to vote on referring this item back to Planning Commission. I am eager to hear your feedback on this proposal and can read full details in the link.

Mail- In Voting and the 2020 General Election

Posted on by JPAbbott in Council Votes and Policy

Recently City Council received a briefing from the voter registrar’s office about the upcoming election and the plans to accommodate the new mail-in voting. For the first time ever in Virginia we will have no excuse absentee voting. Virginia's General Assembly has also recently passed measures that will create ballot drop boxes and set aside $2 million for prepaid postage on mail-in ballots. As of 08/18/20 there are 312,170 registered voters, of which approximately 40,000 have already requested an absentee ballot.

Watering, Weeding Wednesday at Seatack Elementary

Posted on by JPAbbott in Uncategorized

Wednesdays are meant to be celebrated 🎉 #WateringWeedingWednesday ⁦@SeatackAADA⁩ #seatackdreamers ⁦@vbschools⁩ pic.twitter.com/tAT1lIYTvO — marie t. culver (@marietculver) August 27, 2020 This school year is shaping to be very different. My husband is preparing to begin his 6th year of teaching at Seatack Elementary School virtually while our son will be entering kindergarten. We are experiencing … Continue reading Watering, Weeding Wednesday at Seatack Elementary →

1st Meet & Eat Recap – Thank you so much!

Posted on by JPAbbott in Election

Last night’s Meet & Eat was a huge success! I am so grateful to the amazing support of the Arrowhead - Carolanne Farm neighborhood for coming out and enjoying delicious food and conversation with me and my team!

Thalia Redevelopment Application Withdrawn

Posted on by JPAbbott in Uncategorized

On Friday, Aug 14th, City Council received a letter from the applicant formally withdrawing their application for consideration. This letter sighted several reasons for the withdraw, specifically: “Given that the current district representative is unable to vote on this matter, we have not had a Council representative to help facilitate communication between the developer and the … Continue reading Thalia Redevelopment Application Withdrawn →

Thalia Redevelopment Survey

Posted on by JPAbbott in Council Votes and Policy

Last week, the Planning Commission voted to support a Conditional Rezoning of the Thalia Wayside Village Shoppes. The applicant seeks a Conditional Rezoning of the subject property from the B-2 District Community Business District to Conditional B-4 Mixed-Use District to redevelop much of the site. The submitted proffered concept plan depicts the retention of the … Continue reading Thalia Redevelopment Survey →