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Council approves $12 million transfer to create Pleasure House Point mitigation bank despite opposition from neighbors and environmental groups
Summary
After extended public comment, the council approved an ordinance to transfer funds to establish the Pleasure House Point mitigation bank to create tidal wetlands credits needed for flood-protection projects. The vote was unanimous; opponents urged staff to buy private credits instead and to protect mature trees and a maritime forest.
The Virginia Beach City Council approved an ordinance to transfer capital funds to create the Pleasure House Point Mitigation Bank, a wetlands restoration project that will convert part of the former dredge-spoil parcel into tidal wetlands and produce mitigation credits the city can use for flood-protection projects.
The transfer of approximately $12 million drew extensive public testimony. Opponents characterized the plan as a demolition of roughly a dozen acres of existing maritime forest and urged the city to purchase available mitigation credits on the private market instead of clearing mature trees. Speakers raised concerns about loss of tree canopy, habitat for birds including eagles and salt-marsh species, and the projected removal of thousands of trees…
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