City's Response to TV Coverage on the APZ-1 Acquisition Program
In 2005 the BRAC Commission issued an order requiring the City and State to "condemn and purchase all incompatible use property" around the base and to spend $15 million/year to do so. The City Council was faced with a difficult choice: condemn property from people who wanted to stay or lose NAS Oceana, which studies showed would have a devastating impact on the City, the region and the state.
City leaders crafted a creative and award-winning solution. The City didn't use powers of eminent domain – it used its zoning regulation tools. On December 20, 2005, the City Council adopted a comprehensive plan that would STOP all new incompatible development in APZ-1 and the Clear Zones, called the APZ-1 Ordinance.
Rather than making money, the program does the right thing when people's property rights have been affected by the city's BRAC response (to stop and rollback all incompatible uses in APZ-1).
In response to TV coverage on the City's APZ-1 Acquisition Program:
The landowner was paid for the lost right to build a duplex, in addition to the cost of the house. Why buy the property if we aren't going to remove it? Because people don't want to be left with large gaps in their neighborhoods. We do not want to ruin these communities for those who do not participate in this voluntary program. Where we can, we remove the house forever. When we can't, we restrict them. The City Council made and has kept its promises to the Navy and to the homeowners – those who want to sell and those who want to stay. This program is the price we pay for keeping the base and for keeping the City's word. It is a creative fix that deserves more than a quick news story. Read More >
Download APZ-1 Progress Reports. | 
