Dear Bayfront Area Residents,

The time has come for the first of many public hearings that will be required for approval of Indigo Dunes, the proposed development at Pleasure House Point in Ocean Park. 

The first public hearing regarding this project is scheduled to take place at the Wetlands Board on Monday Dec. 18th at 9:30am in City Council Chambers. 

The Wetlands Board is a 7-member body, appointed by the City Council, responsible for the review of requests for permits for the use alteration or development of wetlands, coastal primary sand dunes and beaches. The Board also reviews violations of these regulations and has the option to assess civil charges and/or order restoration of the site.

The proposed Indigo Dunes project fails the following 2 major regulation sections that the Wetlands Board has jurisdiction over.

  1) The proposed development is not water dependent.  Meaning, it’s main purpose is not strictly dependent on water access.  An example of a water dependent project would be a marina.   

  2) The proposed development does not display a legitimate hardship to allow filling in and mitigating existing site wetlands.  The sole purpose of filling in wetlands is to create the necessary acreage to fit 1096 new residents. 

ACTION SECTION

There is an excellent chance that this project could be denied at this meeting, but it will take everyone’s help to make it happen.  You can not afford to sit idle.  Get involved.  Everyone needs to do one or more of the following actions:

  *(Greatest Impact)  Attend the Dec. 18th Wetlands board meeting.  You don’t have to speak.  Just stand in opposition when acknowledged.  If you need a ride to the meeting, a 55 passenger bus is being provided on a first come first serve basis and will depart the Ocean Park Fire Station at 8:30am.  Please contact Liz Dyer edyer1@cox.net if you need a ride. 

  *(2nd Greatest Impact) Send an email to the City Planners Mr. Wayne Couch at wcouch@vbgov.com and Ms. Carolyn Smith at caksmith@vbgov.com .  Tell them why you don’t want this proposed development.  The email needs to be sent before 4:00pm on Friday Dec. 15th.  This way City Staff can make copies and deliver them to the Wetlands Board Committee Members. 

  *Visit http://www.noindigodunes.com and purchase some items or make a donation to help the fundraising efforts to stop this development.

  * I would also like to thank the thousands of residents that have taken the time to sign a hard copy or electronic version of the No Indigo Dunes petition.  If you haven’t done so, please visit http://www.noindigodunes.com and sign up today.

Sincerely,

Todd Solomon
President, Shore Drive Community Coalition