Conversations with the City
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – September 9, 2024 – The Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations (VBCCO) is excited to announce the launch of a groundbreaking new initiative, “Conversations with the City”. This program aims to foster open, proactive dialogue between the VBCCO, its member Civic Organizations, and key city entities, including the Virginia Beach City Council, the Virginia Beach Planning Commission, the City Manager and Deputy City Managers, and the Virginia Beach Planning Department.
“Conversations with the City” will focus primarily on land-use issues, a vital aspect of the city's future development. The goal of the initiative is to address potentially contentious issues early in the planning process, allowing for greater collaboration and mutual understanding between city leaders and the communities they serve.
"Land-use decisions have a profound impact on our neighborhoods," said Rick Boyles, VBCCO President. "This initiative will give our member Civic Organizations a platform to engage with city officials in a more structured and meaningful way. By working together earlier in the process, we can ensure that the voices of residents are heard and that decisions reflect the best interests of both the community and the city."
The VBCCO believes that “Conversations with the City” will strengthen relationships between community stakeholders and city leaders, helping to create solutions that are beneficial to all. Through this initiative, regular forums will be held to discuss ongoing and future land-use developments. Civic leaders will have an opportunity to voice their concerns and ideas, and city officials will provide insights into their plans and policies.
“Conversations with the City” is set to begin in September 2024 with the first public forum scheduled for September 23, 2024 at the Mayoral Forum. (https://vbcco.org/events) The VBCCO encourages all member Civic Organizations and residents to participate, ensuring that this important dialogue reflects the diverse needs of our community.
For more information about “Conversations with the City” or to get involved, please visit www.vbcco.org or contact us at president@vbcco.org.