The Indian River Design Guidelines is a project born out of the Indian River Planning Area Study (IR Plan), adopted by City Council in December 2021. One of the implementation strategies, the Design Guidelines, was recommended and detailed through collaboration between City Staff, Boards and Commissions, consultants, stakeholders, and residents. The IR Plan evaluated the current conditions between the boundaries of the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River to the north, the Chesapeake/Norfolk city line to the west, the Chesapeake/ Virginia Beach city line to the east, and I-64 to the south. The key commercial corridors under consideration for the Design Guidelines are Indian River Road, Providence Road, and the eastern portion of Military Highway.
The final document will provide staff, property owners, and other users with guidelines that will speak to the enhancement of physical character, revitalize the community-oriented main streets and detail the historical significance of the Indian River Planning Area. Working toward the creation of a unique sense of place and a unified vision for the development of commercial corridors in Indian River.