The Open Space Advisory Committee was established by City Council in May 2001. The mission of this committee is to research and evaluate undeveloped properties throughout the City for possible acquisition to preserve as open space in support of the Virginia Beach Outdoors Plan. The Open Space Advisory Committee reports to the Parks & Recreation Commission and to City Council.

The members of the Open Space Advisory Committee provide guidance for the Virginia Beach Outdoors Plan open space acquisition initiative. To accomplish this initiative, Committee members have met monthly since June 2001 and have dedicated numerous hours to evaluate properties for possible acquisition by the City of Virginia Beach for open space preservation.

Meeting Times and Location

Open Space Advisory Committee meetings are held on the fourth Monday of every month at 3 p.m. and are open to the public. Meetings are located in the Parks and Recreation Administration Building located at 2154 Landstown Road.

Committee Documents

Members

Composition Requirements: 13 members; 11 residents, including one member of the Parks and Recreation Commission, and two non-voting high school students.

Name

Role

Term Begins

Term Ends

Name

Clay Bernick

Role

Chair

Term Begins

Nov. 19, 2019

Term Ends

Oct. 31, 2025

Name

Jarrod L. Katzer

Role

Vice-chair

Term Begins

Oct. 4, 2022

Term Ends

Oct. 31, 2025

Name

Vincent Bowhers

Role

Member

Term Begins

Dec. 10, 2019

Term Ends

Oct. 31, 2025

Name

Richard "Tuck" Bowie

Role

Member

Term Begins

Oct. 4, 2022

Term Ends

Dec. 31, 2026

Name

Francis J. Drumm

Role

Member

Term Begins

Oct. 4, 2022

Term Ends

Oct. 31, 2025

Name

William W. Fleming

Role

Member

Term Begins

Oct. 4, 2022

Term Ends

Oct. 31, 2025

Name

Phillip J. (PRC) Hines

Role

Member

Term Begins

Oct. 17, 2023

Term Ends

Feb. 28, 2026

Name

Maury Hill

Role

Member

Term Begins

June 7, 2016

Term Ends

May 31, 2025

Name

Dianna McDowell

Role

Member

Term Begins

Aug. 15, 2023

Term Ends

Aug. 31, 2026

Name

John Olivieri

Role

Member

Term Begins

Sept. 1, 2020

Term Ends

Aug. 31, 2026

Name

Jenny C. Perry

Role

Member

Term Begins

Sept. 3, 2024

Term Ends

May 31, 2028

Name

Cooper C. Stuart

Role

Student

Term Begins

July 2, 2024

Term Ends

June 30, 2025

Name

Gavin Wehr

Role

Student

Term Begins

Oct. 17, 2023

Term Ends

June 30, 2025

City Council Liaisons

Staff Liaisons

Updated Feb. 21, 2024