Green Infrastructure

Where the Water Goes: Rethinking Stormwater in Coastal Virginia

By Earthly Infrastructure® HRCNN Staff Writer
Hampton Roads Construction News Network (HRCNN)

In Hampton Roads, water is more than a geographic feature—it’s a defining force in how we live, build, and plan. As sea levels rise and rainfall events grow more intense, the region’s aging drainage systems and development patterns are being tested in ways never before imagined. For municipalities, engineers, and developers alike, stormwater management has moved from the margins of planning to the forefront of resilience, environmental responsibility, and public infrastructure investment.

Too often, stormwater is invisible—until it’s not. Flooded intersections, overwhelmed outfalls, eroded shorelines, and degraded wetlands are all symptoms of a system pushed past its limits. While reactive measures may be necessary in the short term, they carry steep costs. Increasingly, Virginia’s coastal communities are shifting toward proactive, long-range strategies that anticipate the water’s path—before it becomes a problem.

Nowhere is this transformation more urgent than in Virginia Beach. The city’s low-lying terrain, rapid development, and proximity to the Chesapeake Bay create a perfect storm of environmental responsibility and regulatory complexity. Under mandates like the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit program and the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act, Virginia Beach must meet strict standards for runoff control, nutrient management, and infrastructure maintenance. Yet even full compliance with these regulations may not be enough to protect residents and waterways from the cumulative effects of unchecked growth and outdated systems.

To better understand how policy and infrastructure are aligning at the local level, HRCNN reached out to multiple Virginia Beach city leaders, including Council Member Michael F. Berlucchi and Mayor Bobby Dyer. Their insights shed light on the city’s evolving approach to stormwater management and the political will driving resilience investments.

Councilman Berlucchi, who represents District 3—including neighborhoods severely affected by Hurricane Matthew in 2016—emphasized the importance of both investment and foresight in protecting the city’s future:

“As the Council Member representing the neighborhoods most impacted by Hurricane Matthew in 2016, I’ve seen firsthand the lasting damage that stormwater flooding can cause to lives, property, and public infrastructure. That experience continues to shape my commitment to investing in the systems and safeguards Virginia Beach needs to protect our future.

But infrastructure alone isn’t enough. We also need strong, enforceable stormwater policies—based in science and guided by common sense—that reflect the realities of a growing coastal city and support our long-term resilience.

At the same time, we must foster a strong local economy. Job creation, innovation, and a healthy tax base provide the resources we need to build and maintain critical infrastructure. Smart growth and sound environmental policy are not at odds—they are partners. When aligned, they help ensure Virginia Beach remains a safe, vibrant, and resilient community for everyone who lives, works, and visits here.”
Michael F. Berlucchi, Council Member, District 3

Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer echoed these concerns and outlined how the City is already taking action through one of the most ambitious resilience initiatives in its history:

“In November 2021, Virginia Beach voters overwhelmingly supported a resiliency package for several key flood protection initiatives to include drainage improvements, tide gates, pump stations and flood barriers throughout the city—and for good reason.

Being a low-lying coastal city, heavy rains, hurricanes and nor’easters have been threatening Virginia Beach year after year. The area has struggled with flooding from record rainfalls, including Hurricane Matthew that impacted over 1,000 homes in 2016.

Additionally, it has seen recorded sea level rise of nearly one foot over the past 50 years. In response, the City has expedited plans to invest in resilience for its vulnerable neighborhoods.

Because of this, City Council understood the immediate gravity of the situation and what our city’s future looked like. Working with Virginia Beach Public Works and consulting engineers, they developed a drainage plan that concentrates on volume of storage and conveyance capacity in the City’s four watersheds—the Atlantic Ocean, the Elizabeth River, the Lynnhaven River, and the Southern Rivers—which are made up of 15 drainage basins.

These projects are a huge step in the right direction. But we have to look further down the road if we are to manage our stormwater efforts effectively and protect our city’s future. This includes maintaining and protecting our long-term investment in these projects; promoting effective stormwater drainage; improving the quality of the stormwater discharged into our waterways; and continuously educating our residents on stormwater issues.”
Mayor Bobby Dyer, City of Virginia Beach

Their remarks underscore a critical point: addressing stormwater is not just about pipes and pumps—it’s about people, planning, and political will.

Across the region, municipalities and private developers are adopting a new generation of solutions. Bioretention areas, bioswales, and rain gardens are appearing in both public rights-of-way and residential subdivisions. Permeable pavements and green roofs are reducing impervious surfaces and increasing onsite water retention. Underground detention systems—once a premium option—are now becoming standard practice even in suburban infill developments.

These approaches are supported by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ), whose Stormwater BMP Clearinghouse provides technical guidance for post-construction runoff controls. As Virginia strives to meet its Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) obligations, developers are not only required to manage runoff—but to do so in a way that supports long-term watershed health.

Responsible stormwater planning must begin at the drawing board. Erosion and sediment control strategies, stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPPs), and early-stage BMP integration all play a role in reducing flood risk, improving infrastructure longevity, and safeguarding public and environmental health. Done right, these practices serve as more than regulatory checkboxes—they become pillars of sustainable, cost-effective development.

Perhaps most importantly, stormwater tells a story. It reflects how we’ve zoned, how we’ve permitted, and how seriously we’ve taken our responsibility as stewards of a coastal environment. In Chesapeake Bay Preservation Zones and Resource Protection Areas (RPAs), where sensitive ecosystems meet expanding development, these decisions are magnified. The consequences of poor planning are not just local—they reverberate throughout the region.

As Hampton Roads continues to grow, so must the systems that support it. Local governments must prioritize green infrastructure in their capital improvement plans. Developers need clear guidance and incentives to build with water in mind. And residents must stay engaged—because flood resilience, clean waterways, and safe neighborhoods are shared goals that require collective action.

HRCNN will continue to report on the evolving stormwater landscape across Coastal Virginia. From VDEQ updates and BMP innovations to planning commission votes and watershed investments, we are committed to elevating the conversations that will shape the next generation of responsible development.

To our readers: If you are a stormwater engineer, policy leader, or municipal official with expertise or perspective to share, we invite you to submit a guest article or commentary. Visit www.earthlyinfrastructure.com/contact to connect with the HRCNN editorial team.

Because in Hampton Roads, the future doesn’t just depend on what we build.
It depends on how we manage the water that follows.

Redesigning the Footprint: How Environmental Site Design Is Shaping Smarter, Safer Development Across Virginia

By Eric S. Cavallo
Founder, Earthly Infrastructure® | Advisor, Virginia DHCD | Board Member, VB BZA

Chesapeake, VA – July 2025
As the Commonwealth faces rising development pressure alongside increasing environmental risk, Virginia builders and planners are being asked to do more than just meet minimum code. They’re being called to design with nature, not against it.

Enter Environmental Site Design (ESD)—an integrated planning strategy that places stormwater site design and open space development at the center of project success. As Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) regulations tighten and public expectations rise, ESD is no longer a niche innovation—it’s the foundation of responsible land use.

“In the Chesapeake Bay watershed, how we plan a site is just as important as what we build on it,” said Eric S. Cavallo, founder of Earthly Infrastructure® and advisor to Virginia’s Department of Housing and Community Development. “Stormwater can’t be treated as an afterthought. It’s the design driver.”

What Is Environmental Site Design?

Environmental Site Design (ESD), also referred to as low-impact development (LID), emphasizes natural systems and minimal disturbance from the outset of a project. The goal is to manage stormwater at the source, reduce runoff volume, and maintain pre-development hydrology.

Core ESD principles include:

  • Stormwater Site Design:
    Techniques such as bioswales, rain gardens, infiltration basins, and permeable pavements slow, filter, and absorb runoff close to where it falls. This helps meet VSMP and SWPPP requirements under Virginia’s Stormwater Management Regulations.

  • Open Space Development:
    By clustering buildings, reducing roadway footprints, and preserving vegetated buffers, developers can maintain large portions of undisturbed open space. This not only reduces impervious surface coverage, but provides community access to trails, parks, and natural viewsheds.

  • Minimizing Land Disturbance:
    Grading only where necessary and preserving native soil and tree cover helps prevent erosion and sedimentation downstream—benefiting both project budgets and the Bay.

“These are not add-ons. They are fundamental planning decisions that influence everything from stormwater credits to market appeal,” Cavallo said.

Why ESD Matters in Virginia

Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act and Stormwater Management Program make clear that controlling pollution at the lot level is non-negotiable. Any land-disturbing activity over one acre—or within a Chesapeake Bay Resource Protection Area (RPA)—must include a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) that demonstrates runoff reduction and sediment control.

ESD practices are often the most cost-effective path to compliance. For example:

  • Reducing impervious surfaces can lower the cost of underground detention systems.

  • Maintaining open space may help meet local overlay or zoning bonus requirements.

  • On-site stormwater features can reduce the burden on municipal infrastructure and avoid offsite nutrient credits.

More Than Compliance—A Competitive Edge

Developers and builders who adopt ESD are increasingly gaining faster approvals, community goodwill, and long-term operational savings. In places like Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, and Norfolk, where drainage and flooding are constant concerns, projects that incorporate ESD principles are viewed as forward-thinking—not risky.

“Good stormwater design is good business,” Cavallo emphasized. “It reduces liability, enhances site resilience, and aligns with what local governments are actively prioritizing.”

From the Bay to the Boardroom: Leading by Example

At Earthly Infrastructure®, every project begins with three questions:

  1. How will this site absorb or deflect stormwater?

  2. How much open space can be preserved without compromising density?

  3. How can this design align with both regulatory standards and long-term ecological function?

These are the same questions underpinning Virginia’s statewide efforts to modernize zoning, encourage green infrastructure, and meet its Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) targets.

Through the Built Safe, Built VA™ campaign, Earthly Infrastructure® is highlighting how environmentally intelligent site design can coexist with economic growth—setting a new standard for what it means to build responsibly in the Commonwealth.

About the Author
Eric S. Cavallo is a Virginia Class B Commercial Building Contractor, ICC Member, and Founder of Earthly Infrastructure®. He serves on the Virginia Beach Board of Zoning Appeals and advises the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development on regulatory reform, including building code modernization and environmental planning.