Earlier this week about 100 residents and business owners talked about how the city should move forward with redeveloping Newtown and light-rail, according to The Virginian-Pilot.

This is a topic that homeowners in the area should be concerned about because of the possiblities of improved local economy and property values that could come from enhanced transportation.

"How to redevelop 450 acres next to Norfolk was the subject Thursday night as the Beach sought input from the public, though the obvious subtext was whether the city should pursue light rail.

The land, which planners call the Newtown "strategic growth area," sits near the Norfolk light-rail station, which is under construction just across the city line at Newtown and Kempsville roads.

As about 100 residents and business owners talked around tables strewn with maps and colored sticky dots, light rail clearly was on their minds.

A planned flyover of Interstate 264 to link Greenwich Road and Cleveland Street is also a major element in planning the future of the mostly industrial area. That new link would directly connect the Newtown area with Pembroke and Town Center, a high-profile city redevelopment effort.

On light rail, opinions were mixed.

Virginia Beach is buying the old Norfolk Southern rail line that crosses the city for $40 million. The City Council has not taken an official stance on light rail, but planning for it is moving ahead."

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