VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — It's another step in the fight to protect what neighbors call "Lake Conrad 2."
On Friday, Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer, Councilman Michael Berlucchi, and concerned neighbors met at the lake that is the center of some controversy.
According to neighbors, there is a plan for the owners of the lake and surrounding land to sell the property to a developer. Neighbors then say the developer has a plan to fill in the lake and pave the way to add more houses in the Great Neck area.
It's something neighbors say they do not want.
"We are here to protect this land, and this lake, which has been a pillar to our community," said Windy Crutchfield.
Crutchfield is one of the leaders of an online petition that is trying to sway Virginia Beach leaders to protect the land from developers. The online petition has more than 7,500 signatures, and Crutchfield has attended several city council meetings in person to defend the property.
In a split decision, Virginia Beach's Planning Commission sided with frustrated neighbors in August and voted to not recommend the rezoning to Virginia Beach City Council.
However, the final say rests with council members.
"I can speak with a high degree of confidence that the lake will not be filled up," said Mayor Dyer. "However, the reality is we are running out of land to build on and there is a critical need going forward."
At this point, the future of the lake is unclear. Virginia Beach city council members have deferred the ultimate vote as to what to do with the property three times, the most recent was scheduled on November 21.
City council members hope to take up the matter again on December 12.