UPDATE: A centuries-old church in Virginia Beach is pushing to be removed from its historic zoning designation, stirring urgent debate among city officials. On January 3, 2024, the Planning Commission reviewed a contentious request from Nimmo United Methodist Church to exit the Nimmo Church Historical and Cultural District, raising questions about the city’s preservation standards.
This appeal comes amid growing concerns that the current review board’s requirements are financially burdensome for property owners. The church argues that steep material and labor costs associated with necessary repairs and improvements are making compliance with the district’s regulations nearly impossible.
“It’s an important issue affecting our consideration of this district and other districts throughout the city,” said Commissioner Bryan Plumlee.
City officials report that both the Historic Review Board and the Historic Preservation Commission have already denied the church’s request for removal. The church’s absence during the Planning Commission meeting left many questions unanswered, prompting a deferral of the decision until January 14, 2024.
Established in 1980, the Nimmo district is home to structures significant to Virginia Beach’s history, including the Nimmo United Methodist Church, recognized as the oldest continuously used Methodist church in the nation. However, the church’s representatives did not provide details on the specific repairs needed, exacerbating the uncertainty surrounding their situation.
The city currently maintains 16 Historical and Cultural Districts to protect its rich heritage spanning from the Colonial era to the 20th century. The Historic Review Board evaluates all applications for alterations within these districts, requiring a “certificate of appropriateness” before any construction can proceed.
Recent applications have ranged from minor enhancements to larger city projects, indicating that the board enforces strict design guidelines without considering costs. For instance, the board rejected a building application for a vinyl fence in the Courthouse district in June, citing material restrictions.
In a letter, the Historic Preservation Commission expressed concerns that removing Nimmo Church from the district would dismantle essential protections that safeguard the city’s historical identity. Councilwoman Barbara Henley echoed these sentiments, highlighting the need for balance between preservation standards and the financial realities faced by property owners.
“Being in the historic and cultural district, they’re just required to meet the highest standard of historic preservation,” Henley stated. “That gets extensive. After a while, it just gets to be so costly you just can’t afford it.”
As the church’s representatives have not recently submitted any maintenance or repair applications, uncertainty looms over what changes they intend to pursue. The last significant request involved three additions approved in 2021, while a proposal for a welcome center was denied due to its potential impact on the church’s historical character.
With the Planning Commission’s next meeting on January 14, all eyes will be on the discussions surrounding the future of Nimmo United Methodist Church and the broader implications for Virginia Beach’s historic preservation efforts. This developing situation is critical not only for the church but also for the many historical districts that shape the city’s identity.
