Yet another instance of hijacking open space below the green line in order to turn a profit, while the rest of us struggle to stay afloat.
On August 25, 2020, against the objection of citizens and prior denial of the Planning Commission — the proposal converting 1145 Princess Anne Road into commercial use as a “wedding venue” was “approved” in a “special joint session.”
This decision is not only flawed, but highly suspicious and reeks of inside deals and corruption.
Nearly everything presented for approval is a lie.
It is not simply a , “wedding venue” — it is a place to hold business/corporate events and retreats. It is not a “barn” — it is a conference center in which to hold such events. The presentation that lavender will be grown is a lie — it’s impossible to grow lavender here. The current horse pasture will now be a parking lot, along with a majority of the remaining open space.
– The property was purchased in 2019 solely for the purpose of establishing an event venue, with no intention of ever keeping the agricultural and residential integrity of the property.
– The buy-up of unbuildable land below the Green Line by outside developers, who pad city officials’ pockets, to illegally develop and turn a profit is an increasing trend that cannot be ignored.
– The representations made to both the planning commission and Virginia Beach City Council in order to approve this venture were lies.
– The applicants are businessmen, not farmers. Their “crop” choice is a spontaneous fabrication to counter the Agricultural Commission’s concerns. Lavender is not feasible, cannot be sustainably grown, and will cause more damage than good.
– This opens up the land to be subdivided and built upon when all else fails.
– This land, in particular, is flood-prone and contributes to flooding of adjacent property and Princess Anne Road.
– This property is not on City services. Accommodations for additional wells and septic systems cannot be obtained without an adverse affect on all existing wells and septic systems below the green line.
– The increased and irresponsible development of this property directly impacts the ecosystems in Back Bay and the North Landing River Natural Area Preserve.
September 15, 2020
Editorial: Virginia Beach City Council betrayed farmers and its own land use ideals — for tourism
Column: We should have fought the Wolfe Bros permit harder, but keep fighting
September 1, 2020
Special Session approval of prior session.
August 26, 2020 – article
Over some objections Virginia Beach moves to allow barn wedding venue
“This isn’t a barn, this is a conference center that is designed to look like a barn,” Henley said. “I don’t know of any $2.5 million barns being built in Virginia Beach.”
August 25, 2020
Virginia Beach City Council meeting video.
Special Formal Joint Session video.
Special Session Agenda
Summary Actions
August 18, 2020
Special Formal Joint Session video.
Special Joint Session
City Council Special Session video.
City Council Minutes
August 14, 2020
Editorial: Rural residents should speak because a commercial venue is proposed for agricultural land
August 4, 2020
Special Joint Session Agenda – cancelled due to inclement weather.
July 29, 2020 – article
Planning Commission recommends denial of proposed event venue on farmland in rural Virginia Beach
July 24, 2020
Planning Commission Staff Meeting video.
Planning Commission Meeting Public Hearing video.
July 18, 2020 – article
Tie the knot in a barn? Farmland wedding venue a source of controversy in Virginia Beach
March 5, 2020
R.J. Nutter contribution of $1,000 to Michael Berlucchi for Virginia Beach City Council.
January 17, 2020
R.J. Nutter contribution of $1,000 to Sabrina Wooten for Virginia Beach City Council.
December 5, 2019
Indefinite deferral requested from the planning commission.
Planning Commission meeting video.
October 18, 2019 – article
Ag commission has questions about new venue sought on farmland in rural Virginia Beach
October 14, 2019
Virginia Beach Agricultural Commission “has doubts” about the proposal (FOIA request of meeting).
October 9, 2019
Planning Commission meeting and requested deferral.
Planning Commission meeting video.
October 8, 2019
R.J. Nutter contribution of $200 to Rosemary Wilson for Virginia Beach City Council.
August 9, 2019
R.J. Nutter contribution of $1,000 to Michael Berlucchi for Virginia Beach City Council.
June 6, 2019
Sale of 1145 Princess Anne Road to Wolfe Bros LLC for $1,300,000
GPIN 24004935640000
Grantor: Graceland Farms LLC
May 28, 2019
R.J. Nutter contribution to Rosemary Wilson of $1,000.
May 8, 2019
Registration of Wolfe Bros Events LLC with the State Corporation Commission.
Owner: Jeffrey Wolfe of Chesapeake, Virginia
Other businesses at same address:
Legacy Properties Group LLC
Graceland Farms LLC (prior owner conveyance)
Keep Virginia Beach Above Water 
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