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VBDA discusses amending EDIP Part B to target shopping‑center redevelopment; working group formed
Summary
Staff proposed exploring changes to EDIP Part B to better support shopping center redevelopment and mixed‑use projects. Commissioners agreed to form a working group to develop a framework and return recommendations in several months.
At the Oct. 14 meeting the Virginia Beach Development Authority held a staff‑led discussion on whether to amend EDIP Part B to encourage redevelopment of shopping centers and related mixed‑use proposals.
Deputy Director Natalie Delmious told the authority staff had received recent proposals that did not fit the existing Part B eligibility framework and recommended exploring a targeted amendment that would explicitly include shopping centers and related mixed‑use redevelopment in EDIP Part B. Staff cited a CoStar data point that identified about 189 buildings in the city that could be considered shopping centers, with an average construction year of about 1990 and an average rentable floor area of roughly 61,000 square feet.
Delmious outlined policy considerations for an amendment, including defining eligibility, whether awards should be tied to capital investment thresholds, performance measures such as occupancy or tax‑revenue targets, and whether to permit incentives for tenants as well as property owners. Commissioners noted prior Part B uses — including infrastructure and streetscape support — and raised questions about limits on awards, the discretionary nature of EDIP, and whether applicants must demonstrate a financing “gap.”
The board agreed there was enough interest to form a working group to develop a clearer framework. Commissioners Mike and Akhil volunteered to serve on the working group; staff estimated a 3–4 month timeline to prepare recommendations and examples of projects that previously did not fit the policy. Delmious said any formal policy amendment would ultimately require City Council approval.
Next steps and scope: staff will supply the working group with past applications and examples, evaluate options such as tying awards to tax revenue or occupancy performance, and return to the Development Authority with a draft framework for possible referral to City Council.
No formal EDIP policy change was adopted at the meeting; the action recorded was formation of a staff–commission working group and direction to return with proposed language.
