The City of Virginia Beach announced Monday that it will re-advertise a public hearing on the proposed sale of the Virginia Beach National Golf Club after discovering an error in the original notice.
What changed
City officials said the mistake involved the reported size of the property. The notice originally stated the course acreage as approximately 300 acres, but the correct figure is about 350 acres. To ensure proper public notice and allow residents adequate time to respond, the hearing has been rescheduled for Aug. 11, 2026. The City Council already held an initial public hearing on the proposal on July 7.
Deal terms and community concerns
The proposal under consideration would transfer the 18-hole course at 2500 Tournament Drive to Dragas Companies for a purchase price of $17.9 million. Under the terms discussed, the city would provide nearly $20 million to support renovations of the golf course. The developer has indicated plans that could allow for as many as 660 housing units on the southern portion of the property and the construction of a new childcare facility.
- Sale price: $17.9 million
- City renovation support: nearly $20 million
- Approximate acreage: 350 acres
- Potential new housing: up to 660 units
- New facility planned: childcare center
"The notice stated the acreage to be approximately 300 acres instead of approximately 350 acres."
Why residents are watching
Neighbors and community groups have raised questions not only about the scale of the housing component but also about the process. Concerns center on communications between the developer and city staff that reportedly took place more than a year before the request for proposals was issued. Those questions touch on transparency and whether interested parties had an unfair advantage during the planning and selection phases.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Purchase price | $17.9 million |
| City renovation funds | ~$20 million |
| Property acreage | ~350 acres |
| Potential housing units | Up to 660 |
| Next advertised hearing | Aug. 11, 2026 |
The postponed hearing gives residents and stakeholders additional time to review documents, organize public comment and press city leaders for clarifications. For many in Virginia Beach, the debate over this property is part of larger conversations across the region about growth, how municipal land is repurposed, and what public investments should accompany private development.
The city has said it will re-advertise the hearing in accordance with legal notice requirements; any materials related to the proposal will be available through the City Council's agenda and public records. City officials did not provide further comment Monday beyond the correction and the new hearing date.
As the Aug. 11 hearing approaches, residents and neighborhood groups are expected to continue monitoring the proposal, focusing on traffic impacts, density, open space preservation and the proposed childcare center. The extended timeline will also allow council members more time to assess the details of the agreement before any binding vote.
