Undevelopable Surplus Property

Procedure and Responsibility

Undevelopable sites will be offered only to adjacent landowners. 

What is an Undevelopable land?

Undevelopable land is property due to the size, shape, frontage, topography, location or/and legal use cannot be developed with site improvements such as buildings and if sold must be assembled to adjacent property.

Undevelopable sites will be offered only to adjacent landowners

• A written request for the purchase of an undevelopable City-owned vacant surplus land must be made to the City of Chesapeake.

  Mail request to:

  Jean B. Rella SR/WA
  Right-of-Way Agent
  Department of Public Works
  P.O. Box 15225
  Chesapeake, Virginia 23328

  For additional information call (757) 382-6308.

• The Right-of-Way Office will research property information and circulate the written request to all City Departments and the City Manager’s Office for their concurrences or exceptions.

• The Right-of-Way Office will advise the interested party that City Council must approve any property sale.

• If the City Departments and the City Manager’s Office concur that the property is surplus and is available, subject to Council approval, the Right-of-Way Office will notify the buyer.

• A value may be assessed by the Right-of-Way appraiser. If it is deemed necessary or if the prospective purchaser desires, an independent appraisal may be performed. The appraiser must be a licensed appraiser and on the City’s list of approved appraisers. The expenses of the appraisal will be the responsibility of the buyer.

• If it is determined that a survey is required, the buyer will be responsible for acquiring and any cost involved. If a subdivision is necessary to convey the property, the buyer will be responsible for furnishing the subdivision plat, recording the approved plat, and all costs associated with the plat.

• Following receipt, review, and approval of the appraisal and survey or subdivision plat (if required), the Right-of-Way Office will request the buyer to forward a letter of intent to purchase the property at the appraised value, along with funds to pay for advertisement of the required public hearing, to be held by City Council.

• Following the receipt of the estimated advertisement cost, a public hearing will be scheduled and a proposed resolution will be placed on the City Council’s agenda for consideration.

• If City Council approves the resolution to sell the subject property, the City Attorney’s Office will prepare and have executed the appropriate documents. A certified check, cashier’s check, or money order payable to the City of Chesapeake we be required for the amount of the property, as approved by City Council.

• Buyer will be responsible for all closing costs, including costs of appraisal, survey and subdivision (if required), advertising costs, and any recording fees required by the Clerk of Circuit Court for all undevelopable property.