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Government relations key to new development
Sherwood Lakes was a 239-acre new home proposal located in Virginia Beach. The developer, Home Associates of Virginia (HAV), faced stiff opposition on many fronts. The further HAV moved along in the building application process, the clearer they could see a potential “no” vote from City Council, which would cost HAV and its investors many millions of dollars.
Civic and city opponents argued that the new development was below the Green Line and would double the density usually allowed in that section of Virginia Beach. The development also called for turning two sand-mining pits into a waterfront community and opening the lakes for recreation.
Complicating matters was an influential letter to Virginia Beach City Council from NAS Oceana's commanding officer urging Council to follow the usual guidelines.
HAV realized their lawyer did not have the time or the skill sets to change public opinion and work well with the media. HAV turned to Rourk Government Relations when they started to see the writing on the wall for a 6-5 or worse “no” vote on their development. Rourk Government Relations analyzed the situation and created a government relations, community relations and media relations plan that made sense and was executable.
In order to save this important and highly profitable housing development, our government relations team worked closely with the Virginia Beach City Council, Planning Commission, and City Staff, as well as with reporters, civic leagues and civic leaders to ensure the main facts of this new development were known.
Within several months, our client breathed a big sigh of relief when the Virginia Beach City Council overwhelming voted “yes” by an 8-3 margin and approved the development of Sherwood Lakes.
Rourk Government Relations also worked closely with the Virginia Beach Planning Commission, which voted 7-4 in favor of the development.
The media relations campaign was another bright spot, and included The Virginian-Pilot editorial board supporting the development with a positive editorial.
How did Rourk Government Relations help a new development that was on the verge of going down in flames?
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Information was the key. |
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Communicating clearly was vital. |
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Having access to and the trust of city leaders was monumental. |
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Understanding the city’s vision and the daily challenges City Council and City Staff face was critical.
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Understanding the importance of community relations, listening to their concerns, and keeping them in the loop was essential. |
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Understanding how the media operates and having solid relationships with area reporters and editors was powerful. |
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Working with the builder, the City and the impacted communities to make adjustments where everyone could win was the difference that brought victory. |
About Rourk Government Relations
The Rourk Government Relations agency is expert at government relations, community relations and media relations, and serves clients in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Hampton, Newport News, Hampton Roads, and throughout Virginia.
For a no-cost phone consultation, feel free to call David Rourk at (757) 478-0150. |
