Barbara Henley-Incumbent District 2
City Council Biography
info provided by VBgov.com
- Councilmember Barbara Henley is a graduate of Old Dominion University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s in urban studies. She taught in the city’s public schools system. She is currently a partner in Henley Farms, LP, the president of the Princess Anne County/Virginia Beach Historical Society and the author of Glimpses of Down-County History: Southern Princess Anne County.
- Barbara represented the Pungo Borough from 1978 to 1990, during which time she served two years as vice mayor. She served on City Council again from 1994 to 2002 and returned to represent the Princess Anne District in 2006. She is serving her 10th term on the City Council, now representing District 2.
- Barbara serves as a City Council liaison to the Agricultural Advisory Commission, the Green Ribbon Committee, Open Space Advisory Committee, Stormwater Appeals Board, Stormwater Management Implementation Advisory Group and the Transition Area ITA. She is also an appointed member of the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission.
Barbara Henley-Incumbent District 2
Candidate Information
Candidate: Barbara M. Henley
Office Sought: City Council Representative for District 2
District: District 2
Campaign Email: barbarahenley@cox.net
Phone Number: 757-426-7501
Campaign Website and/or Social Media:
None
Priorities & Philosophy
What are your top three priorities for Virginia Beach over the next four years?
Candidate Response
1 – Land Use Policies: Maintain long-planned land use policies that prohibit high density development below the Green Line. Virginia Beach is a uniquely remarkable city because of its incredible diversity: a mix of urban, suburban and rural neighborhoods. By firmly protecting the Green Line, we safeguard our southern rural communities, working farms and sensitive wetlands. By preserving these distinct landscapes we can assure that our urban areas thrive, we do not lose our natural amenities, and that agriculture, one of our city’s largest industries can still thrive.
2 – Fiscal Responsibility and Transparency: We must exercise strict spending discipline and curtail tax increases to keep Virginia Beach affordable for all residents. By engaging the public early in the budget and decision-making processes, we ensure community priorities directly guide our leadership. Establishing public trust requires absolute transparency and accountability, allowing us to optimize city services, eliminate waste, and remain representative to our constituents.
3 – Maintaining Quality of Life Through Public Safety – To maintain and elevate Virginia Beach’s quality of life, public safety must be a top priority. A thriving city relies on a safe environment where families can grow and visitors feel welcome. By fully supporting our first responders and proactively addressing safety concerns, we will ensure our neighborhoods, beaches, and public spaces remain secure, peaceful and welcoming for our community.
How do you define “responsible growth” in Virginia Beach?
Candidate Response
Responsible growth is making certain that growth conforms to adopted city plans that maintain the quality of life for our neighborhoods, protects our unique environment, allows us to adequately provide city services, and controls spending and taxing.
When growth, neighborhood and natural preservation conflict, how do you approach that decision?
Candidate Response
The public must have early input in decision making so that conflicts can be fairly resolved as they are recognized and irreversible mistakes are not made. If conflicts do arise, reach out to affected stakeholders and work the issue out together.
Neighborhoods & Land Use
What criteria will you personally use when voting on rezoning or development proposals when residents express concern over excessive density?
Candidate Response
It is important to look to adopted plans to assure that the issues have been considered that protect neighborhood compatibility.
How do you propose to ease the housing shortage and affordability issues in Virginia Beach while protecting the use and enjoyment rights of current residential neighborhoods?
Candidate Response
Again, conversations with affected stakeholders must be continuous. There are many issues involved and it will not be easy, but all angles must be considered. It is important that we do not create one problem while trying to fix another.
Should the City’s Open Space Fund prioritize acquiring parks and natural areas in underserved neighborhoods before purchasing land from large private landowners?
Candidate Response
Other:
The Open Space Advisory Committee is extremely good at given consideration to all needs.
What criteria would you use to prioritize future Open Space acquisitions?
Candidate Response
I look to the Open Space Advisory Committee since they have been very effective. I am fortunate to serve as a Council liaison for that committee and have a great deal of respect for their work.
In what ways will you support making development information more accessible to residents and promote residents having earlier and more meaningful input in development decisions?
Candidate Response
I have constantly made comments to city council as issues are considered that we need to involve the public at the beginning of our processes, not just hold a public hearing at the end. I will continue to be very vocal about including the publie.
Natural Resources & Environment
Will you support policies and measures that increase Virginia Beach’s tree canopy?
Candidate Response
Yes
Virginia Beach has over 900 lakes and ponds, many of which are incorporated into our stormwater management system but are experiencing sediment infill. What solutions will you support to improve our coastal resiliency through the use of these environmental assets?
Candidate Response
We have done extensive studies about our storm water system and coastal waterway. We need to make certain that we incorporate that information in our maintenance of those areas.
How do you plan to protect Virginia Beach’s natural resources from data center expansion?
Candidate Response
The City Council is very much aware of problems which may arise as data centers are developed. We have made following that action a high priority of council as we make certain that problems do not develop.
How should the city balance development with the recommendations from the Dewberry Report and ensure the protection of wetlands, waterways, and flood-prone areas?
Candidate Response
We have made following the recommendations to storm water studies a priority and have developed some very strict regulations which must be followed by development. Maintaining those high standards will be essential.
What is your position on the Green Line for the next 5, 10, 20 years?
Candidate Response
I believe that the Green Line has been very effective in raising awareness of the need to control development throughout the city while directing growth to areas that have needed infrastructure. There must be constant review as time passes to make certain that the policies are maintained and sensitive areas are protected.
Historic Preservation
Virginia Beach is home to sites and events of national significance, including the First Landing, the Lynnhaven settlements, and the Battle of the Capes. What specific investments or initiatives would you support to better preserve, interpret, and promote our history over the next decade?
Candidate Response
I am extremely fortunate to own a site that was a part of a Revolutionary War encounter. I am in the process of working to get a marker for the site so that all who pass by will be aware of what happened on that site in February, 1781. I have been very fortunate to be in positions to help preserve and protect history and expect to continue those relationships.
What specific actions would you support to preserve the character and identity of Virginia Beach’s historic neighborhoods, waterfront communities, and cultural landscapes?
Candidate Response
Awareness is vital. We are fortunate to have several organizations that work to preserve history. I will continue to support those efforts.
Do you support protecting historically, culturally, or archaeologically significant sites even when doing so may reduce development density or economic return for private landowners?
Candidate Response
Yes
Do you believe Virginia Beach invests adequately in preserving, interpreting, and promoting its history? Why or why not? If not, what specific improvements would you support over the next four years?
Candidate Response
No response provided.
How would you ensure redevelopment does not erode the character and identity of long-established communities?
Candidate Response
No response provided.
Infrastructure & Fiscal Responsibility
In what ways should new development be required to account for the full cost of infrastructure impacts (roads, drainage, schools, public safety)?
Candidate Response
No response provided.
Will you support stronger requirements for stormwater management tied to new development?
Candidate Response
yes
What policies would you support to provide tax relief to residents of Virginia Beach, such as repealing the Meal Tax, Homestead Exemptions for Seniors, and reducing the tax rate?
Candidate Response
No response provided.
How do you determine what public/private partnerships you would support with taxpayer dollars?
Candidate Response
No response provided.
How do you envision the future of ITA lands?
Candidate Response
I believe that the City’s adopted ITA plan of 2016 is extremely good and should be followed. It should not be reduced.
Should Virginia Beach prioritize infrastructure and resilience investments before approving higher-density development in certain areas?
Candidate Response
Yes
Decision Making
When given the opportunity to recommend citizens to advisory boards and Planning Commission, how would you determine who you nominate or whose term you recommend extending?
Candidate Response
No response provided.
How would you determine when to abstain from voting on a redevelopment project?
Candidate Response
No response provided.
If presented by a private developer, would you sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement on a redevelopment project while serving as a City Council member?
Candidate Response
Other:
If a special interest organization donates to your campaign or offers other incentives to you, how do you ensure that you give equal time and consideration to the concerns of other parties when considering a vote on that donor’s project, or do you think such donations should be refused or returned?
Candidate Response
No response provided.
Commitment
If endorsed, are you willing to publicly support the principles of Conserve Virginia Beach? These principles are the protection of neighborhoods, the preservation of natural resources, safeguarding of historic amenities, and avoidance of fiscal and physical waste.
Candidate Response
Yes
Is there anything else you would like voters to understand about your approach?
Candidate Response
I am sorry that I ran out of time to carefully respond tp all questions. I do believe my record will provide answers to how I have responded when issues arise. Actions are what should be considered. Not just answers to questions.