
Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA)
An appointed body that reviews variance requests to the Zoning Ordinance and appeals of decisions of the Zoning Administrator.
BZA Administration
An appointed body that reviews variance requests to the Zoning Ordinance and appeals of decisions of the Zoning Administrator.
BZA Administration
The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) is a seven-member body, appointed by the City Council, which is responsible for the review of variance requests to the Zoning Ordinance and appeals of decisions of the Zoning Administrator. Members serve five-year terms.
The BZA meets on the first Wednesday of each month in the Virginia Beach City Council Chamber, 2401 Courthouse Drive. An informal session is held at 1 p.m. for staff to present a summary of each agenda item. The formal public hearing begins at 2 p.m.
The Code of Virginia states that the Board of Zoning Appeals can't approve a variance unless it finds the following:
Applicants seeking BZA approval of a variance request need to provide a description of the undue hardship that reflects how the ordinance prohibits or restricts the use of the property, any unique topographic, size or shape features of the lot, why the proposal is in the character of the neighborhood, and how the request meets the spirit of the code section the applicant wishes to vary.
Member
Term Begins
Term Ends
Member
David Whitley, chair
Term Begins
1/1/2020
Term Ends
12/31/2024
Member
Kevin Newton, vice chair
Term Begins
1/1/2023
Term Ends
12/31/2027
Member
Myles Pocta, secretary
Term Begins
1/1/2020
Term Ends
12/31/2024
Member
Janice Anderson
Term Begins
1/1/2020
Term Ends
12/31/2024
Member
Harry Purkey, Jr.
Term Begins
1/1/2022
Term Ends
12/31/2026
Member
Robert Thornton
Term Begins
1/1/2019
Term Ends
12/31/2023
Member
James L. Wood
Term Begins
12/6/2022
Term Ends
12/31/2024
Member
Janice Hall (alternate)
Term Begins
1/7/2020
Term Ends
12/31/2024
Member
Elizabeth Kovner (alternate)
Term Begins
2/4/2020
Term Ends
12/31/2024