Built Safe, Built VA: Building a Stronger Commonwealth from the Ground Up

By Eric S. Cavallo – Licensed Commercial Building Contractor | Member, International Code Council (ICC) | Board Member, Virginia Beach Board of Zoning Appeals | Advisory Committee Member, Virginia DHCD – SB195 Reform | Founder & CEO, Earthly Infrastructure®

Safety has long been one of the defining values of the construction industry. But as our cities grow more complex, our climate more unpredictable, and our housing needs more urgent, the meaning of “building safely” must evolve. Today, it’s no longer enough to focus exclusively on jobsite hazards or regulatory compliance within the fence line. The safety of Virginia’s built environment starts upstream—with land use, planning decisions, infrastructure investment, and the policies that govern them all.

Built Safe, Built VA began as a call to strengthen safety culture across Virginia’s construction sites. From OSHA alignment and VOSH enforcement to job hazard analyses and public interface protocols, the original message was clear: protecting lives and reputations on the job is foundational to ethical construction. But the time has come to expand the campaign’s reach. Safety must also guide how we zone our communities, manage our stormwater, approve our housing stock, and license those who shape our physical environment.

One of the earliest and most overlooked points of impact is zoning. Setbacks, overlays, height restrictions, and access requirements may seem bureaucratic—but they often determine whether emergency vehicles can reach a structure, whether pedestrians and cyclists are safely accommodated, and whether public infrastructure can support private development. As a member of the Virginia Beach Board of Zoning Appeals, I’ve seen firsthand how zoning decisions—good and bad—leave lasting safety consequences. Built Safe means starting at the planning table.

Stormwater management is another critical piece of the safety puzzle. In a coastal region like Hampton Roads, a poorly planned or under-enforced BMP isn’t just an engineering flaw—it’s a public hazard. In next month’s HRCNN feature, Councilman Michael Berlucchi (District 3) offers a civic perspective on how local government can lead in protecting our watersheds and preparing for climate impacts. Erosion, flooding, and sediment runoff don’t stop at property lines. Neither should our commitment to prevention.

Likewise, structural safety must be defended through policy—particularly as we seek to modernize housing. In my role with the Virginia DHCD advisory committee on SB195, I’ve been part of the conversation around single-stair reform in R-2 occupancy structures. This is a question of both affordability and egress. Of innovation and life safety. As we welcome more density in our cities, we must be honest about what safe vertical development looks like—and who bears responsibility when it falls short.

That responsibility should extend to all players in the development chain. In Virginia, contractors must be licensed, tested, insured, and held accountable. But developers—who often initiate, coordinate, and finance the projects that shape our communities—are not subject to the same baseline requirements. This is a regulatory gap that I believe must close. Built Safe, Built VA calls for equal standards across the building lifecycle. If you have the authority to shape a neighborhood, you should carry the license to match.

Public safety also hinges on how construction engages the community during the build. Traffic control plans, signage, fencing, and hazard communication are not superficial details—they are the public’s experience of the construction profession. Whether we're working in a dense urban district or a coastal village, we must treat every project as a public-facing commitment to professionalism. Safety doesn’t end with a passed inspection. It extends to every resident who walks, drives, or lives near our work.

In the months ahead, Built Safe, Built VA will continue spotlighting the people and policies that make Virginia stronger—from jobsite practices and planning board decisions to stormwater initiatives and housing reforms. Through Earthly Infrastructure® and the Hampton Roads Construction News Network, we’re proud to carry this conversation forward—not as critics, but as partners in building a better Commonwealth.

Let’s keep pushing the standard. Because when we build safe, we build trust. We build value. And most importantly, we build Virginia.

Zoned for Concern: Chesapeake Rejects Data Center Proposal in Landmark Vote

By Earthly Infrastructure® HRCNN Staff Writer

As Virginia communities evaluate how to accommodate next-generation infrastructure, the City of Chesapeake has emerged as a case study in zoning governance, public participation, and responsible land use planning. In June 2025, a rezoning application to allow the development of a 350,000-square-foot data center was unanimously denied by City Council following extensive community input and procedural review. The decision reflects Chesapeake’s commitment to evaluating land use proposals through a lens of compatibility, transparency, and long-term community impact.

The proposed project, submitted by Emerald Lake Estates I Inc. and developer Doug Fuller, sought to rezone a 22.6-acre site at the corner of Centerville Turnpike and Etheridge Manor Boulevard from agricultural (A-1) to light industrial (M-1). The proposed use included a two-story data center facility supported by fiber infrastructure from the Southside Network Authority. While the project’s economic potential was acknowledged, residents and stakeholders raised concerns related to noise, water and energy demand, proximity to residential neighborhoods, and lack of clear performance standards or environmental mitigation plans.

In response, the Planning Commission convened a public hearing in May 2025 that drew over 50 speakers, 650 written comments, and a petition signed by more than 450 residents. After extensive deliberation, the Commission voted 6–1 to recommend denial of the application. Chesapeake’s City Council reviewed the matter on June 17, 2025, where it voted 7–0 to reject the rezoning. Two members — Mayor Rick West and Councilmember Daniel Whitaker — were absent or recused due to scheduling and conflict of interest, respectively. The remaining Councilmembers unanimously supported the Planning Commission’s recommendation, citing concerns over location suitability, potential environmental impact, and inadequate buffering between the proposed industrial facility and nearby homes.

Councilmember Amanda Newins and others noted the importance of identifying appropriate zones for data center development while preserving the integrity of existing neighborhoods. Several members emphasized that the decision did not constitute opposition to data infrastructure broadly but reflected a commitment to thoughtful site planning and respect for public input.

This decision aligns with a broader pattern across Virginia and the nation. Communities in Loudoun County, Pittsylvania County, and York County have faced similar challenges in balancing the economic appeal of data centers with land use, environmental, and quality-of-life considerations. Chesapeake’s handling of this application illustrates the critical role that zoning, environmental due diligence, and public participation play in maintaining community trust while enabling strategic development.

Following the denial, the applicant requested that the matter be continued to allow time for further analysis and public outreach; however, Council proceeded with its vote as scheduled. The developer has since indicated that revised plans may be submitted in the future. Should a new application be filed, it is anticipated that additional technical studies and potential adjustments to site location, scale, and impact mitigation will be considered.

Chesapeake’s decision underscores the value of an engaged and informed public, a clear zoning framework, and leadership that is responsive to both innovation and preservation. The city’s process — deliberate, transparent, and aligned with planning best practices — serves as a model for other localities facing similar pressures from industrial-scale infrastructure proposals.

This matter remains active. HRCNN will continue to provide updates on any revised applications, related policy discussions, and community responses. For ongoing coverage and expert analysis on zoning, infrastructure, and responsible development in Hampton Roads, follow the latest at www.earthlyinfrastructure.com/hrcnn.