Shore Dr. Condo Project (Marlin Bay)

The Shore Drive Condo project ( Marlin Bay) is on the agenda for the July 14 City Council Meeting. Anyone wishing to speak either in favor or against the project can find information here on how to do that.

The Ocean Park Civic League has been encouraging residents to make their views known as this project has been reviewed by the Bayfront Advisory Commission and the Planning Commission. Discussion has reflected a range of viewpoints among Civic League members, with no clear consensus emerging.

On Wednesday, June 10 the Planning Commission voted 9-1 ( and one abstention) to recommend approval of the project to the City Council.

The applicant added two proffers prior to the May 21 BAC meeting in response to BAC Design Committee recommendations: addition of a Pet Relief Station and prohibiting ‘noxious’ or unwelcome uses of the commercial space: bars, nightclubs, vape shop. At the last minute before the Planning Commission Meeting on June 10, the application was further amended by the applicant to include more of the conditions that the Bayfront Advisory Commission attached to their qualified recommendation for approval.

The changes: the building height on Shore Drive was reduced by 10 ft and the strongly vertical design features were changed to be more horizontal as called for in the Shore Drive Design Guidelines.

The last condition of the BAC approval was for additional use of permeable materials on site and that is still under consideration by the applicant.

Here is the CoVB Planning Department Staff Report and a complete list of proffers (voluntary actions) by the applicant.

Proffer #1 : The Property shall be developed in substantial conformity with the conceptual site plan entitled “SHORE DRIVE  CONDOMINIUM PROJECT CONCEPTUAL SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN”, prepared by Timmons Group dated May 12, 2026 (“Conceptual Site Plan”), which has been exhibited to the Virginia Beach City Council (“City Council”), is on file with the Virginia Beach Department of Planning & Community Development (“Planning Department”) and is included herein by this reference. Significant changes to the Conceptual Site Plan may be made to accommodate environmental, engineering, topographical or other development conditions or site/subdivision plan requirements as required by the law and/or regulations or in connection with a fully engineered site plan and subject to reasonable approval of the Director of the Planning Department. 

Proffer #2 : The architectural design, appearance and exterior building materials of the building to be built on the Property shall be substantially compatible with the architectural design, appearance and exterior building materials depicted on the building renderings entitled “SHORE DRIVE CONDOMINIUM PROJECT CONCEPTUAL RENDERINGS”, dated December 19, 2025, prepared by Cox, Kliewer & Company, P.C. and the building elevations entitled “SHORE DRIVE CONDOMINIUM PROJECT MATERIAL SAMPLE ELEVATION”, dated January 28, 2026, prepared by Cox, Kliewer & Company, P.C., which have been exhibited to City Council, are on file with the Planning Department and are included herein by this reference. 

Proffer #3 : The Property shall be landscaped in substantial conformity with the conceptual landscape plan entitled “SHORE DRIVE CONDOMINIUM PROJECT CONCEPTUAL LANDSCAPE PLAN” prepared by Timmons Group dated May 12, 2026 (“Landscape Plan”), which has been exhibited to City Council, is on file with the Planning Department and is included herein by this reference. Significant changes to the Landscape Plan may be made to accommodate environmental, engineering, topographical or other development conditions or site/subdivision plan requirements as required by the law and/or regulations or in connection with a fully engineered site plan and subject to reasonable approval of the Director of the Planning Department. 

Proffer #4 : All lighting on the Property shall be limited to that necessary for security purposes and to comply with applicable laws and shall be shielded to prevent glare and spillover onto adjacent properties. 

Proffer #5 : All onsite signage shall meet the requirements of the City Zoning Ordinance, unless otherwise approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals. The proposed sign package will be submitted to the Zoning Administrator for review and approval prior to the issuance of a sign permit. 

Proffer #6: A designated pet relief area will be provided on the Property for residents. 

Proffer #7 : Prior to final site plan approval, GRANTOR will convey to GRANTEE a public access easement for portions of the multi-use trail along Shore Drive that are located outside the existing public right-of-way. 

Proffer #8 : The following uses will be prohibited on the Property whether by right or with a conditional use permit: bars and nightclubs; liquor stores and the sale of vape products. 

Proffer #9 : The Effective Date of this Agreement shall be the date this Agreement is approved by City Council; provided, however, in the event that this proposed amendment to the Zoning Map with respect to the Property is overturned by subsequent judicial determination, this Agreement shall be null and void. 

Bayfront Advisory Commission Updates: Beach, Phase III and Marlin Bay

On February 19th the Bayfront Advisory Commission heard updates from the City of Virginia Beach on two topics. Jim White, P.E. Coastal Program Manager, gave a Condition Report on the Ocean Park Beaches. The bottom line is that the beach is holding up well since the restoration in 2022. Dune grass is in the process of being replanted this week. They have sourced the grass from a different company and are looking to find out if it has better survival rate as there has been some die back of the dune grasses planted in 2023 following the restoration.

Kevin Quigley, RSH Construction manager for Shore Drive Phase III brought a detailed presentation on the Phase III project. Most of the work is going on at night. He cautioned drivers to proceed through the work area with caution and awareness at night when this work is underway. There have been close calls. In the presentation he gives details on traffic pattern changes, use of temporary asphalt and measures to protect the large live oaks during construction.

(Marlin Bay) Shore Dr. Condominium Project

Mr. Mark Rosenfield from the McLeskey LLC gave a presentation on the new version of the proposed project for the Marlin Bay property at 3853 Shore Drive. This project is significantly distinct in scope and nature than the 200 unit apartment complex proposed a few years ago. The proposed project is now for condos for sale not rental property, 52 units on the McLeskey property (the neighboring Browning Property is not a part of this project). Mr. Rosenfield related that a Community Open House is planned for March to make details available to the community and answer questions. Submission to the City of plans for the project is projected for April.

The mission of the Bayfront Advisory Commission (BAC) is to review and make recommendations to the City Council regarding public and private projects and issues associated with the Bayfront area.

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