VB National Golf Club Sale: The Deal Isn’t Final

What’s being decided

The Aug. 11 City Council vote set the deal’s terms. Next, the rezoning will decide what can be built on the land. Dragas has proposed 659 homes on about 42 acres next to the course. The land will not transfer to Dragas until the rezoning decision is final.

How it would affect the community

• Far denser than the area was planned for. About 14 homes per acre, where the City’s Transition Area Design Guidelines held land south of the Green Line to about 1 home per acre. The 2040 Comprehensive Plan opened the door to more density here over strong public objection, but it doesn’t require approving this project.
• More traffic from 659 new households on roads near the Courthouse area. The traffic study is paid for and conducted by the developer.
• Homes local workers can’t afford. The City’s own model prices the “attainable” homes at $374,600, which takes a household income of about $136,500 (our analysis).
• More flooding risk. The site sits on poorly drained soils in the Southern Rivers Watershed. Paving open land increases runoff.
• Wildlife. The property has two active bald eagle nests, protected under federal law.
• Public money. The City will pay $4.3 million for roads and utilities, plus up to $3.6 million for cost overruns. Up to $10.2 million (adjusted for inflation) of the property’s future real estate taxes would also go back to the developer to cover costs above those caps (term sheet).

Why we oppose the rezoning

• No promise of affordable homes. On Aug. 11, Council required the developer to commit to a number of affordable homes before seeking approval (WHRO). The deal’s terms still have no binding price caps, income limits or deed restrictions. Residents should see a written commitment before any vote.
• The City’s own advisers said no. The City’s TA/ITA Citizens Advisory Committee voted against this deal twice, in January and July 2026.
• It sets a precedent. Approving this density south of the Green Line opens the door to more development on protected open land.

What we’re asking, and how to help

Start here: email City leaders! It takes 2 minutes, and we’ve written the emails for you. Then, join us at the hearings.

Planning Commission

Ask: recommend denial. At a minimum, defer until the affordability commitment, traffic and stormwater studies, and the developer’s written promises (proffers) are public.

How you can help

• Wed., Dec. 9, noon. Speak at or attend the Planning Commission public hearing on the VB National rezoning. City Council Chamber, Building 1, 2401 Courthouse Dr. Click here to get email reminders from us before the hearing.

To speak in person, sign up on the sheet in the Council Chamber before the meeting starts. To speak online, call (757) 385-8673 or email bnharriso@vbgov.com by 5 p.m. the day before (City of Virginia Beach). You get 3 minutes. Simply attending also counts. Commissioners notice a full room.

City Council

Ask: defer the final vote until the newly elected Council takes office in January. Voters deserve to have this long-term decision made by the councilmembers they’ve chosen.

How you can help

• Tue., Nov. 3. Election Day. Choose councilmembers you believe will make decisions in the best interests of our community.
• After Dec. 9 (date not set). Speak at or attend the City Council public hearing and vote on the rezoning.

Background and resources

Why we opposed the sale (August 2026)

Before the Aug. 11 vote, Responsible Growth VB urged City Council to vote no on the sale. Council approved the deal 9-2. Our concerns:

• A head start for one developer. Records obtained through FOIA show City staff began meeting with Dragas in April 2024, 17 months before other companies were invited to bid.
• The “parcel shuffle.” Other bidders were asked to bid on running a golf course on 2 parcels. The Dragas deal grew to 4 parcels, including 110 acres of City farmland, with room for dense housing (details).
• Secrecy. A nondisclosure agreement signed in August 2024 kept early plans from citizen boards such as the Planning Commission and Wetlands Board.
• A free golf course. Dragas pays $17.9 million for the land, and that money goes back into renovating the course Dragas will own. None goes to the City’s general fund.
• Giving up a profitable asset. The course brought the City over $1 million in rent, profit-sharing and taxes in 2025.
• Hidden costs. The City’s $3.4 million revenue estimate does not subtract the cost of police, fire, schools and roads for 659 new households.
• Net cost to taxpayers. An independent financial analysis estimated taxpayers could lose up to $22 million.
• Undoing past conservation. Part of the land was bought with state grant money to prevent development near NAS Oceana. Selling it means repaying about $178,000.

The lawsuit

A federal lawsuit, SFF Conservation Initiative, Inc. v. City of Virginia Beach, was filed in July 2026. It raises the property’s federally protected status, the Clean Water Act, and a bald eagle nest on the course (WTKR). A federal judge heard arguments on Oct. 16, 2026, and has not ruled (WTKR).

Resources

• All citizen resources for VB National / Princess Anne Landing
• Citizens’ Guide to the Princess Anne Landing deal
• 12 Problems with the Princess Anne Landing deal
• The Money Chart: public funding and reimbursements
• July 7, 2026 term sheet
• City of Virginia Beach: VB National page
• City of Virginia Beach: how rezoning works