Hampton Roads Planning District Commission -July 18, 2019 Meeting Summary

The Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC) held its regularly scheduled meeting on July 18, 2019.  A summary of actions and discussions that took place at this meeting is provided below:

American Flood Coalition

The HRPDC took action to become a member of the American Flood Coalition (AFC).  The AFC is a nonpartisan group of elected officials, military groups, nonprofit organizations, businesses and local leaders who have come together to develop solutions to sea level rise and flooding that support coastal and riverfront communities and protect our nation’s residents, economy and military installations.  The American Flood Coalition has four policy pillars of focus:

Economy – invest in infrastructure and natural solutions that boost the economy and protect property values.

Communities – use smart planning to keep communities safe and save taxpayer dollars.

Rebuilding – build back stronger to protect communities from future flooding

Military – ensure our military installations are ready to deploy 365 days a year

By joining the American Flood Coalition, the HRPDC has joined a powerful nonpartisan coalition that will advocate for federal funding and policies that will assist local governments in their efforts to address this important issue.

Buy Local Month

The HRPDC took action to proclaim November 15, 2019 to December 15, 2019 as “Buy Local Month”, and by doing so urged Hampton Roads residents to join in this celebration and Buy Local for the holidays and throughout the year.  Ms. Lisa Renee Jennings, LOVEVA Program Manager, briefed the Commission on the Buy Local Virginia Campaign and provided background information on the value of supporting and celebrating local-independent businesses due to their impact on the region’s culture, economy and character.

Norfolk-Virginia Beach Joint Land Use Study

The HRPDC received a briefing on the Norfolk and Virginia Beach Joint Land Use Study, which is a cooperative planning effort between the cities of Norfolk and Virginia Beach and the U.S. Navy.  The study is being managed by the HRPDC with funding from the Office of Economic Adjustment.  The Navy installations involved in the effort include Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Naval Air Station Oceana (including the Dam Neck Annex), Naval Station Norfolk, and Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads (including the Lafayette River Annex).

The primary goal of this study has been to assess how flooding and sea level rise affect community infrastructure and assets and negatively impact Navy operations and readiness.  The study recommends 22 specific actions, such as projects or further studies, 23 coordination strategies, and seven (7) conversations that should continue between the Navy, the cities and other stakeholders.

The draft Hampton Roads Region – Norfolk and Virginia Beach Joint Land Use Study has been released for public comment.  Public meetings to receive input on this draft study will be held as follows:

Norfolk                                                 Virginia Beach

August 12, 2019                                                August 13, 2019

6:00 pm                                                            6:00 pm

Ted Constant Center                              Sandler Center

Convocation Center                               Miller Studio Theatre

Big Blue Room                                      201 Market Street

4320 Hampton Boulevard                       Suite 1

Norfolk, VA   23529                               Virginia Beach, VA  23462

Regional Legislative Agenda

For the past three years, the HRDC and HRTPO have adopted a regional legislative agenda to convey to the General Assembly and Federal delegation issues of regional significance that should be addressed on behalf of the Hampton Roads region.  To begin the process for developing this year’s Regional Legislative Agenda for the 2020 General Assembly Session, the Executive Director discussed potential legislative priorities around the following topic areas:

• Recurrent Flooding/Sea Level Rise
• Offshore Wind Energy
• Economic Development Site Readiness
• Broadband/Fiber
• Chesapeake Bay
• Urban Areas Security Initiative
• K-12 Public Education Funding
• Housing

The HRPDC and HRTPO Boards will be asked to approve their Legislative Agendas at the October or November Board meetings.

Nominating Committee

The HRPDC Bylaws provide that at its Annual Meeting in October, the Commission will elect a Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer to serve during the upcoming year.  The Chair appointed a Nominating Committee to develop recommendations and provide a report to the Commission at its October Annual Meeting.

Other Items

The HRPDC also approved a Consent Agenda which included the following items:

• A budget amendment that reflected new grant awards received by the HRPDC and adjustments to existing grant awards.
• Fiscal Year 2020 Hampton Roads Regional Meeting Schedule
• Meeting Minutes from the May 16, 2019 Commission Meeting
• May 2019 Treasurer’s Report

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission will be held on October 17, 2019 beginning at 12:30 p.m. at the Regional Building located at 723 Woodlake Drive in Chesapeake.