Kevin Kemp single-handedly destroyed what the City of Virginia Beach had been working toward for over 15 years—and now, the City’s single-most reliable source of income is at stake.
Years before Oceana was slated on the endangered bases list the City of Virginia Beach was warned about encroachment on NAS Oceana and its outlying fields (up until 2003, VBCC voted against the DOD’s interests three out of four times).
In 2005, NAS Oceana was included by a 7-1 vote on the BRAC Commission’s closure list. Desperately, the City attempted to redeem three decades of irresponsible development against their most reliable income—the military.
But you cannot have a jet base without an auxiliary field. It escapes the mind of most that these jets flying overhead are not intended to dock on a runway—the essence of Naval aircraft is their ability to maneuver from an aircraft carrier. As such, they require an outlying field simulating an aircraft carrier in open ocean—but upon land.
The surrounding lands to any auxiliary field must remain as consistent with the DOD’s mission as possible. At Fentress, this means touch-and-go’s almost exclusively at night. The restriction against residential structures isn’t merely a recommendation because people complain about the noise—it is a logistical liability.
Additional persons, vehicles, and traffic equates to increased light and electronic interference. The day isn’t as pertinent as night—hence “residential” and overnight uses being prohibited. You remove the trees and cover, you reveal more lights and reflections. If you don’t top-off the cover you have accidents. Luckily, the pattern has remained the same so the low flyers take care of the tops. Which poses another problem—the planning and zoning departments are allowing two-story residential structures I bet the Navy would be aghast about in over 75 (let’s hope planning is at least following up with those provisions), and new structures where none have stood in over 15 years. From below it may not look like a big deal—but from above everything matters.
In 2008, the City actively worked to meet the provisions outlined by the Secretary of Defense to rezone, acquire, and naturalize NALF Fentress’s outlying AICUZs and APZs. The joint agreement even redrew the flight pattern so it was easier for both Virginia Beach and Chesapeake to meet expectations. Over the years, Virginia Beach has purchased multiple vacant properties to complete their “Master Plan,” and placed zoning restrictions upon building which can only be overturned upon express authorization of VBCC. That is, until recently…
Maybe it was due to the untimely departure of Dave Hansen. A people-person he was not—but the logistical requirements of appeasing the military he more than conquered. Or, maybe it is the fact that the City does not educate and update their employees of the varying dynamics which attempt to coexist within their boundary—as City employees remain unchecked, and are even assisted by a City Attorney who affirms their negligent conduct. Regardless, its initiation with Kevin Kemp is indisputable.
In 2015, there were two vacant lots that sold in NALFF >75 dB—to the City of Virginia Beach. There were no residential structures built where none existed prior.
In 2016, there was one vacant lot that sold in NALFF >75 dB—to the City of Virginia Beach. There were no residential structures built where none existed prior.
In 2017, Kevin Kemp was appointed as the Director of Zoning—there were two vacant lots purchased in NALFF >75 dB, by Thomas A. Brown (infamous single- and multi-family track home builder). Three new residential structures were erected in NALFF >75 dB from 2017 to 2019 (not a single one was approved by VBCC).
In 2018, an additional two vacant lots were purchased in the NALFF >75 dB by builders. Both are currently slated to build new residential structures where none existed prior—nothing has been authorized by City Council.
Bobby Tajan was appointed as the Planning Director in early 2019. Five additional purchases of vacant lands during 2019 and 2020 in the AICUZ outlying Fentress—and not a single City employee is even aware there are restrictions in this area that were set in motion fifteen years ago.
2015 – blue indicates City acquired or City exempt 
2016 – City acquisition of vacant land in NALF >75 
2017 – >75 dB NALF land acquisition by builders. Authorized by Kevin Kemp in Zoning 
2018 – Kevin Kemp authorizes additional land acquisition in NALF >75 dB to builders 
2019 – builders are purchasing all vacant lands in >75 dB and planning to build single-family dwellings on every lot authorized by Kemp and Bobby Tajan 
2020 – Tajan and Kemp permit additional land acquisition by builders to erect single-family dwellings 
Builders are flipping vacant lots and erecting residential structures in >75 dB NALF 
3345 Indian River Road, >75 dB NALF 
3321 Indian River Road, >75 dB NALF 
>75 dB NALF 
All vacant lots were acquired by builders under the precedent Kevin Kemp set in AICUZ >75 outlying Fentress 
Kevin Kemp was notified of this illegal acquisition and deliberately ignored the community to favor a builder. 
This started in 2017 and has progressively become worse with property owners releasing their property to builders since they are offering tens of thousands above value. (*property owners are well aware of the restrictions, and have even told the builders that the land is unbuildable*) 
Before any building took place Kevin Kemp was contacted. Kemp did nothing, and now a single family dwelling will be erected on every lot lying in NALF >75 and 70-75 “by right.” 
3321 Indian River Road, >75 dB Naval Auxiliary Landing Field, Fentress, new residential construction on every single lot 
“Right in the center of everything!” — the reality of that statement is not a marketable quality. We have not yet done a good work-up off Fentress. Let’s hope this new construction doesn’t compromise our, or their, safety. 
A builder’s plan to acquire and flip every vacant lot in AICUZ >75 and even 70-75, authorized by Kevin Kemp without ever being presented to Virginia Beach City Council. 
The lands are selling above use value due to Kevin Kemp’s and Bobby Tajan’s negligence with City Attorney Stiles sitting as accomplice. 
The irony of “not to be developed” in this picture speaks volumes as to Kevin Kemp’s preference in applying the laws against property owners in favor of builders. 
Kevin Kemp and Bobby Tajan have relisted every single vacant lot in AICUZ Fentress >75 to denote “vacant residential” — indicating the right to erect a residential structure on each and every lot. 
All of this happened after Kevin Kemp allowed builder Thomas Brown to build three two-story residential structures where no structure has stood in over 15 years in >75 dB NALF. 
Builders are sending private letters to property owners offering above land-use value to purchase their property. 
Prior to Kemp, all of these vacant lands had no class code or property class. This was done in 2008 and again in 2011 to allow the City to enforce the zoning requirements to keep Fentress Airfield operable. 
Kevin Kemp did all of this without authorization, and in deliberate ignorance of even the City’s own Master Plan. 
Note how the price of land per acre has increased substantially when it went from an essentially ‘blank’ lot to “residential.” This is grossly negligent and shows the City’s deliberate noncompliance with their DOD agreement. 
Builders are selling these lands as “build to suit.” The City was placed on notice of their breach in 2019—they did nothing.
For the safety of our pilots—it is time to leave Virginia Beach.
Maybe the City assumed since they missed the 2019 closure list there is no need to continue in their effort. Unfortunately, the commission can reconvene at any time when the economic conditions so require.
Maybe the City is, once again, actively working against the Navy as they did prior to 2003. Whatever the case may be, the sudden and unexplained opening of unchecked residential structures being built upon every lot in AICUZ >75, and even 70-75, needs to be investigated as it will result in the City losing their only source of consistent income in this economic downturn. But someone, somewhere, must be benefiting…
(Kevin Kemp? Bobby Tajan? Mark Stiles? Or, all of the above?)
Kemp’s Background with the City of Virginia Beach:
April 3, 2013
First appears as a “planner” for the City of Virginia Beach.
April 3, 2013
Case #2, GPIN: 1455-75-8357 (CENTERVILLE)
Case #3, GPIN: 2418-86-4586 (BEACH) deferred.
Case #4, GPIN: 1479-30-6244 (BAYSIDE).
Case #6, GPIN: 1466-96-8697 (KEMPSVILLE).
Case #11, GPIN: 2419-68-2246-1580 (LYNNHAVEN)
Zoned: AG-2
June 5, 2013
GPIN: 2307-69-5558
Zoned: AG-2
LOT A4, MUNDEN POINT (PRINCESS ANNE)
AICUZ: blank
AICUZ: >75 dB Ldn
GPIN: 1495-39-4149
AICUZ: >75 dB Ldn
(ROSE HALL)
June 5, 2013
Case #5, GPIN: 2419-69-1603 (LYNNHAVEN)
Case #9, GPIN: 2426-37-6815 (BEACH)
Case #D-2, GPIN: 2418-86-4586 (BEACH) deferred.
November 13, 2013
Case #2, GPIN: 1467-48-3888 (KEMPSVILLE) withdrawn.
Case #4, GPIN: 1475-40-2676 (CENTERVILLE) (Coastal Community Church)
Case #5, GPIN: 2309-62-2414 (PRINCESS ANNE) (Oak Grove Baptist)
Case #6, GPIN: 1486-63-3594 (ROSE HALL) (CAH Holdings, LLC/LC Realty LLC)
Case #D5, GPIN: 2407-75-3989 (BEACH)
December 11, 2013
Case #1: Hunt Club Farm and Hunt Club A-1-1, LLC
GPIN(s): 2405-81-2185; 2405-90-0218; 2405-90-0607
Zoned: AG-2
(PRINCESS ANNE)
AICUZ: >75 dB Ldn; 70-75 dB Ldn
Case #2: Adventure Sports Park, LLC and Kampgrounds of America, Inc.
GPIN: 2415-88-9903
(BEACH)
AICUZ: >75 dB DNL
March 12, 2014
Case #2, GPIN: 1484-29-4709 (PRINCESS ANNE) (VBCC 4/22)
Case #4, GPIN: 2415-71-4607 (PRINCESS ANNE) (VBCC 4/22)
Case #5, GPIN: 1468-35-7321 (KEMPSVILLE) (Moore Farm, LLP) (VBCC 4/22)
Case #D3, GPIN: 1497-80-0111 (BEACH) (VBCC 4/5)
May 14, 2014
Case #2, GPIN(s): 1487-33-3397; 1487-33-8449 (LYNNHAVEN) (Carmax Auto Superstores, Inc.) (VBCC 6/17)
Case #3, GPIN(s): 1468-44-3128; 1468-44-4310 (BAYSIDE) (Kempdel, Inc.) (VBCC 6/17)
Case #4, GPIN: 1478-52-7314 (BAYSIDE) (Mid Atlantic Commercial Properties/336 Cedar Road, LLC) (VBCC 6/17)
Case #5, GPIN: 1465-46-7414 (CENTERVILLE) (VBCC 6/17)
Case #12: GPIN(s): 1475-41-8475; 1475-41-7786 (CENTERVILLE) (Kempdel, Inc.) deferred.
July 9, 2014
Case #1, GPIN: 2405-63-1630 (PRINCESS ANNE) (BT Holdings III, LLC (Taylor sisters) deferred.
Case #2, GPIN(s): 1477-30-5756; 1477-30-4767; 1477-30-0410; 1477-20-9345; 1477-31-1092; 1477-30-3901; 1477-30-4994; 1477-30-0528; 1477-30-5643; 4773-05-877; 1477-30-3707 (BAYSIDE) (Breeden Investment Properties, Inc./numerous owners) (VBCC 8/19)
Case #5, GPIN: 1467-86-1619 (BAYSIDE) (Southern Performance/Brothers Too, LLC) (VBCC 9/2)
Case #6, GPIN: 2416-64-1885 (BEACH) (Cameron Justin Munden/Granted Wish, LLC) (VBCC 9/2)
Case #9, GPIN: 1479-24-0082 (BAYSIDE) (One Shot Tattoo/George Leitz) (VBCC 8/19)
October 8, 2014
Case #5, GPIN: 1467-66-4306 (KEMPSVILLE) (Evergreen Virginia LLC)
March 11, 2015
Case #9, GPIN: 1479-88-8194 (BAYSIDE) (Eckert) deferred.
Case #11, GPIN: 1479-74-4911 (BAYSIDE) (Eckert) deferred.
April 8, 2015
Case #1, GPIN: 2407-68-3131 (BEACH) (Aaron Holley) (Conte Acquisitions)
Case #2, GPIN: 1466-44-8213 (KEMPSVILLE) (Kroger Limited Partnership I/Tidewater Investments & Charlie Weaver)
Case #D1, GPIN: 1479-77-4911 from March 11, 2015 deferral.
Case #D3, GPIN: 1466-65-9271 (KEMPSVILLE) (Assembly of Yah, Inc.)
June 10, 2015
Case #1, GPIN: 1467-48-5790 (KEMPSVILLE) (Gary Collier/Doris Geneva, LLC) deferred.
Case #3, GPIN: 1495-56-0786 (ROSE HALL) (Italiano) (VBCC 7/14)
Case #6, GPIN: 1497-74-0071 (BEACH) (2798 Dean, LLC) deferred.
Case #D2(A), GPIN: 2405-63-1630 (PRINCESS ANNE) (BT Holdings III, LLC) (VBCC 7/7)
Case #D2(B), GPIN: 2405-33-2394 (PRINCESS ANNE) (Paul S. Brown Family, LLC) (VBCC 7/7)
July 8, 2015
Case #1, GPIN: 1467-84-9761 (BAYSIDE) (Eurotech Service Center, LLC/The Bank of Hampton Roads) (VBCC 8/4)
Case #2, GPIN: 1487-60-7775 (BEACH) (Larae Tucker/Krish Enterprises, LLC) (VBCC 8/18)
July 8, 2015
Case #D1, GPIN: 1467-48-5790 (KEMPSVILLE) from June 10, 2015 deferral. (VBCC 8/8)
Case #D4, GPIN: 1497-74-0071 (BEACH) from June 10, 2015 deferral. (VBCC 8/18)
September 9, 2015
Case #4, GPIN: 1496-19-6871 (BEACH) (Larae Tucker/PP&P, LLC) (VBCC 10/6)
Case #5, GPIN: 2420-27-8988 (PRINCESS ANNE) (Ship Cabin Club, Inc./Red Head Realty Corporation) (VBCC 10/20)
Case #7, GPIN(s): 2415-48-7835; 2415-48-6774; 2415-48-8740; 2415-48-6663 (BEACH) (AllSafe Storage, LLC / Oceana Partners, LLC) (VBCC 10/6)
Case #9, GPIN(s): 2405-91-4155; 2405-91-6438; 2405-81-2185; 2405-90-0607 (PRINCESS ANNE) (John & Randi Vogel / Hunt Club Farm) deferred.
October 14, 2015
Case #1, GPIN(s): 2405-42-2767; 2415-42-3693; 2415-42-2630; 2415-42-3445; 2415-42-5501; 2415-42-2384 (PRINCESS ANNE) (MGP Retail Consulting, LLC / Mark IV Investments, Inc.) deferred.
Case #2, GPIN: 1467-55-4743 (KEMPSVILLE) (Robert McNichols/Reverend Francis X. Lorenzo, Bishop of Richmond)
Case #11, GPIN(s): 2420-06-4884; 2420-26-3519 (PRINCESS ANNE) (James O. Hertz, Jr.)
Case #12, GPIN: 1457-94-8060 (KEMPSVILLE) (Second Shot, LLC/Albert Vinciguerra)
Case #19, GPIN: 1467-48-5670 (KEMPSVILLE) (Bayside Concrete, Inc./Bruce H. Gould)
Case #D1, GPIN(s): 2405-91-4155; 2405-91-6438; 2405-81-2185; 2405-90-0607 (PRINCESS ANNE) (John & Randi Vogel / Hunt Club Farm)
November 12, 2015
Case #1, GPIN: 2413-57-9634 (PRINCESS ANNE) (Margaret Bain) deferred.
Case #7, GPIN: 1389-88-8246 (PRINCESS ANNE) (Donald A. Kessel) (VBCC 12/8)
Case #D1, GPIN(s): 2415-42-2767; 2415-42-3693; 2415-42-2630; 2415-42-3445; 2415-42-5501; 2415-42-2384 (PRINCESS ANNE) (MGP Retail Consulting, LLC / Mark IV Investments, Inc.) (VBCC 12/8)
December 9, 2015
Case #1, GPIN: 1488-80-5079 (LYNNHAVEN) (Jess Stevenson/St. Nicholas Catholic Church)
Case #8, GPIN: 1467-84-9327 (BAYSIDE) (Santiago Livara, III/Slacscar, LLC)
Case #9, GPIN: 2427-13-2281 (BEACH) (Ted Tignor)
February 10, 2016
Case #1, GPIN(s): 1476-59-4453; 1476-59-5337; 1476-59-6300 (KEMPSVILLE) (Direct Independence Group, LLC) deferred.
Case #5, GPIN(s): 2408-53-5486; 2408-53-4687; 2408-53-0661 (LYNNHAVEN) (Cullipher Farm/Potter Properties Group, LLC)
Case #D1, GPIN: 2413-57-9634 (PRINCESS ANNE)
March 9, 2016
Case #1, GPIN: 1476-97-5253 (ROSE HALL) (Nader C. Vasdiki/Holland Plaza Shopping Center, LLC)
Case #2, GPIN: 2415-45-8709, AICUZ: >75 (BEACH) (Tattoo Skills Too, LLC/Dam Neck Square, LLC)
April 13, 2016
Case #4, GPIN: 2309-23-6398 (PRINCESS ANNE) (City of Virginia Beach)
Case #12, GPIN(s): 2403-41-8534; 2403-41-9483 (PRINCESS ANNE) (Phil Bonifant) deferred.
May 11, 2016
Case #7, GPIN(s): 1466-77-4982; 1466-88-1349; 1466-88-1249; 1466-88-1220; 1466-88-1104; 1466-88-2272; 1466-88-2390; 1466-78-8968; 1466-78-9967; 1466-69-1229; 1467-70-7183; 1466-88-0523; 1466-88-3580; 1466-79-5194; 1466-79-6214; 1466-79-6346; 1466-79-7501 (KEMPSVILLE) (City of Virginia Beach)
June 8, 2016
Thomas A. Brown proposal in AG-2 on Candle Pine and Riddick Lane (AG-2) — deferred. Kevin Kemp was in attendance at this same meeting to talk about home child care.
Case #1, GPIN: 1467-82-6153 (BAYSIDE) (UJFT Community Campus, LLC) (VBCC 7/5)
Case #4, GPIN: 2419-56-7897 (LYNNHAVEN) (Waller Enterprises, LLC / Rhae Adams Jr.) (7/12)
Case #5, GPIN: 1496-38-7496 (BEACH) (Walmart #1688) (7/5)
Case #10, GPIN(s): 1467-58-7545; 1467-57-1872; 1467-57-5967 (KEMPSVILLE) (Old Dominion Tobacco Company, Inc.) (7/5)
Case #D2, GPIN: 2408-60-5805 (LYNNHAVEN) (Aldi (N.C.) LLC/Three Five Ministries, Inc.) (8/16) deferred from May 11, 2016.
July 13, 2016
Case #1, GPIN: 2308-99-2078 (PRINCESS ANNE) (MMR Associates, LLC) (VBCC 9/6)
Case #6, GPIN(s): 1484-04-4747; 1484-04-2876; 1484-05-0076 (PRINCESS ANNE) (Kyndle Cay, LLC / Kyndle Cay, LLC & Highland Parish Community Association, Inc.)
Case #7, GPIN: 2416-70-8636 (BEACH) (Virginia Gentlemen Foundation, Inc. / City of Virginia Beach) (VBCC 8/16)
September 7, 2016
Board of Zoning Appeals
1570-52-8482 (Atlantic Development Associates, LLC and Eddie Bourdon)
1497-95-4001 (Southern Buick, GMC)
September 14, 2016
Case #14, GPIN: 2414-12-986? (PRINCESS ANNE) (Harris Teeter Properties) (VBCC 11/1)
Thomas A. Brown — deferred.
Case #D2, GPIN: 2419-57-7124 (LYNNHAVEN) (Alexis Development, LLC / William K. and Anne Wright) (VBCC 10/18)
October 5, 2016 — Kevin Kemp listed as “Interim Zoning Administrator”
October 16, 2020 — Purchased house in Currituck, North Carolina
November 9, 2016
Thomas A. Brown in front of Planning Commission and approved.
Wife, Brenna Pearson Williamson Kemp, works for Commissioner of Accounts, John Midgett (now Smith?)
January 2017 – Thomas A. Brown purchased two lots in NALF Fentress >75 dB.
August 2017 – Thomas A. Brown purchased an additional vacant lot in NALF Fentress >75 dB.
October 2018 – Thomas A. Brown purchased additional vacant lot in NALF Fentress >75dB.
February 2020 – Thomas A. Brown purchased 20 vacant acres in NALF Fentress >75 dB.
Keep Virginia Beach Above Water 