Dear Shore Drive Residents,

If you haven’t heard already, the Wetlands Board voted 4-3 against approval of the Indigo Dunes project on Pleasure House Point in Ocean Park.  The next step for the developer will be to either appeal to the VMRC or to submit a new plan via a Joint Permit Application to the Wetlands Board.

This disapproval of the proposed 1,063 unit plan would not have been possible without the overwhelming community involvement.  The residents of Shore Drive and those that treasurer the environment should be commended on a job well done.  The following is just a few examples of the broad range of opposition actions that were required to help make this decision happen.

  * 150 emails sent in opposition to the project.  (personal note: I was impressed that over 80% of these emails were written in the senders own words)
  * 120 residents attended the Wetland Board hearing as a sign of their opposition.
  * Over 20 Cape Henry Collegiate students attend the Wetlands Board hearing in opposition.
  * Over 20 residents spoke in opposition at the hearing.  (personal note: I was pleased with the professionalism of the community’s discussion)
  * Presentation, discussion and rebuttal required over 5 hours at the hearing before a vote was taken.  (personal note: I was impressed that a large number of residents were able to stay the duration)
  * Environmental groups expressed their opposition at the hearing.
  * Professor from Virginia Wesleyan expressed opposition via a letter read at the hearing.
  * A bus was chartered to take attendees to and from City Hall.
  * Thousands of dollars have been collected and are still being pledged to help defeat this project.

Once again, on behalf of the Shore Drive Community Coalition, thank you for your efforts in making this vote happen.  Please pass this on to your friends to let them know there is hope and to help motivate them into getting involved the next time we have to rally the opposition.

Sincerely,

Todd Solomon
Shore Drive Community Coalition – President

Visit http://www.sdcc.info for additional information regarding the Bayfront area.