property

Proposed Rezoning Transforms 52 Acres Into Mixed-Use Development

City planners are weighing a request to shift 52 acres along Providence Road from low-density residential to mixed-use zoning that would allow apartments, shops and offices.

By Virginia Beach Property Desk · Published July 8, 2026

How we reported this

This article was written by AI from the linked sources and was not reviewed by a journalist before publishing. The Daily Virginia Beach is part of The Daily Network and follows our reasonable editorial care.

Virginia Beach planners received a rezoning application on June 12 for land east of Providence Road and south of Kempsville Road that would replace single-family zoning with allowances for up to 420 apartments and 85,000 square feet of retail space.

The request arrives as the city’s population grew by 4,800 residents between 2023 and 2025, pushing housing vacancy rates below 4 percent and driving median sale prices to $428,000 in the first quarter of 2026, according to the Virginia Beach Real Estate Market Report.

Residents near the Kempsville Recreation Center and the adjacent Providence Square shopping plaza have already formed an ad-hoc committee to review traffic studies and stormwater plans tied to the project.

Why the timing matters

City Council adopted new comprehensive plan amendments in March that prioritize infill development within the Urban Growth Boundary, which includes this Kempsville parcel. Staff noted that similar rezonings approved in 2024 near the Virginia Beach Town Center produced 310 new units within 18 months of groundbreaking.

Traffic counts on Providence Road averaged 22,400 vehicles daily in 2025, and the applicant’s preliminary traffic impact analysis projects an additional 3,800 daily trips if the rezoning passes.

Next steps for residents

The Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing on July 21 at City Hall. Written comments can be submitted through the city’s online portal until July 18. Property owners within 500 feet of the site will receive mailed notices by July 10.

Final City Council action is expected no earlier than September, after the city’s transportation and public utilities departments complete their reviews.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.

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