Author Archives: Todd Solomon

Contact Virginia Marine Police for Marine Violations and Emergencies

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At tonight’s SDCC meeting a member asked who should be contacted to report illegal crabbing on the Bay.  The following may help with this issue as well as other marine violations or emergencies.

Virginia Marine Police check recreational fishing licenses, inspecting commercial fishermen for compliance, investigating boating accidents or conducting educational programs.  They also conduct search and rescue operations, enforce boating safety laws, respond to emergency calls, investigate boating accidents and criminal activity, and provide counter-terrorism patrols to our military installations, shipyards, nuclear power plants, and other high-value maritime assets.

For emergencies, boating accidents and to report violations call the Marine Police Dispatch Center toll free at (800) 541-4646.

For more information, check out the Virginia Marine Police website by clicking here

Upcoming SDCC Meeting – Point Chesapeake Update & Interim Trolley Service Survey Results

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Join Us Monday June 29th at 7:30pm to learn/talk about the following topics:

  • Point Chesapeake Update – Mr. Tuck Bowie of The Terry Peterson Companies will talk to us and answer questions regarding the Point Chesapeake development planned for the old Duck-In property.

  • Proposed Shore Drive to Oceanfront Trolley Service – Interim survey results will be presented and discussed.  Time permitting an Issues Framing session will also be held to identify any information that the survey may have missed.

SDCC General Meeting Agenda – Monday June 29th @ 7:30pm

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 Click Here for a Printable Version of the Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda

Monday June 29, 2015 from 7:30 to 9:00pm

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall

(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

 

Program/Presentation – Mr. Tuck Bowie, President of The Terry Peterson Companies, will provide an update on the Point Chesapeake development project located on the old Duck-In property.  

Officer’s Reports Secretary – David Williams; Treasurer’s Report -Kathy Pawlak; Vice President – Wally Damon; President – Todd Solomon 
 

Old Business–

Bishard Development Update – City Council’s June 2nd meeting on proposed development between Citgo and Leaping Lizard.

NFIP Community Rating System – SDCC voted at May meeting to support the CRS program for Virginia Beach. City staff is working on the policy and City Managers are reviewing. This program has possibility to reduce flood insurance policy costs by 10% or 15%.

New Business –

Pedestrian Crossing Improvement near OPVRS – City Traffic Engineers plan to improve pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Shore Drive and East Stratford/Roanoke Ave.

Shore Drive to Oceanfront Trolley Loop – Interim survey results.  Time permitting, we will also hold an Issues Framing session to talk about advantages/disadvantages of this proposed service.

Community Concerns – Does your neighborhood/condo have any issues that have come up that need help or may be a warning to others?   

Citywide Civic Engagement Opportunities –

  • July 4th Fireworks Shows – Ocean Park Barge Show west of Lesner Bridge. Cape Story Show at First Landing State Park east of Lesner Bridge. 

Next SDCC Meeting – Monday July 27, 2015

Lesner Bridge Presentation Sat. June 20th, 9am at Dockside Restaurant

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Lynnhaven Colony Civic League is hosting a talk plus Q & A  on current / future updates on the Lesner Bridge.  Mr. Chris Wojtowicz, City of VB Project Manager, will be the guest speaker.  The session will be held this coming Saturday, June 20,  9:00 a.m. at Dockside Restaurant on Vista Circle.

For those of us that live and drive over the bridge we need to be aware of upcoming lane changes, open walking areas and bike routes.

Guests are welcome.

 

Shore Drive to Oceanfront Trolley Loop Survey – We Want to Hear What You Think

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survey

SDCC has created a short 5 to 10 minute survey regarding the possible Shore Drive to Oceanfront Trolley loop.

Please take a moment to give us your thoughts and to pass the survey link on to others that may be interested in providing their input.

Click here or on the “take survey” icon above to begin the survey.

 

Possible Trolley Loop between Shore Drive and Oceanfront – Virginian-Pilot Article

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trolley 2

Trolleys from resort area could help Chic’s Beach lure tourists, group says

By Kathy Hieatt
The Virginian-Pilot
© June 15, 2015

The Shore Drive corridor along the Chesapeake Bay is a gateway to the Oceanfront for lots of summer visitors, but many simply bypass the area on the way to the Atlantic and don’t return until it’s time to leave.

To read the rest of Kathy’s article, click here

 

May We Always Remember Those That Serve

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On this day and every day,

May we always remember those that help keep our Country

the best in the world.

Cape Story Flag

Big thank you to Bill House for maintaining the flags on Shore Drive.  Bill is always looking for volunteers to help with the flag service.  If you interested, please email me at todd@sdcc.info for more information.

SDCC General Meeting – Monday May 18th at 7:30pm *** (One week early due to Memorial Day)***

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda – 5.18.15 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda

Monday May 18, 2015 from 7:30 to 9:00pm

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall

(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

 

Program/Presentation – No presentation planned.

Officer’s Reports Secretary – David Williams; Treasurer’s Report -Kathy Pawlak; Vice President – Wally Damon; President – Todd Solomon

Old Business–

Bishard Development Update – City Council’s May 5th review meeting was deferred. New date is expected to be June 2nd. Baylake Pines Civic League is meeting with Mr. Bishard to discuss changes/proffers. City Traffic Engineers informed that sidewalk will be installed along Shore Drive, a turn lane will be installed at the existing median cut across from gas station to allow westbound cars to “U-turn” to head eastbound, stacking should not be a problem.

Lesner Bridge Replacement– New animated construction video posted on www.sdcc.info. Walkway protection to be added to east side of bridge to prevent restaurant parking from blocking sidewalk.

New Business –

Proposed City Tree Task Force – SDCC is working with City Staff/Arborist to create a task force to discuss ways to help protect the City’s official tree (Live Oak) and maintain residential property rights.  Roadway encroachment lead to the planned removal of trees (200+ years old) at Shore Drive & Kleen St.

Community Concerns – Does your neighborhood/condo have any issues that have come up that need help or may be a warning to others?

Citywide Civic Engagement Opportunities –

  • June 9, 2015 Republican Party primary election for the Virginia Senate in the 8th district (East of Lesner Bridge). First use of new optical scanner voting machines

NEXT SDCC Meeting – Monday June 29th at 7:30pm

TRACKING DOWN HISTORY – Beacon Article by Irene Bowers

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TRACKING DOWN HISTORY –  Before Lesner Bridge, crossing Lynnhaven Inlet was the work of a trestle and trolley car  

By Irene Bowers 

A lot of water has passed under the bridges at Lynnhaven Inlet, with railroad companies playing a large role in their history.   

But local lore suggests the need for bridges is relatively new, and Adam Keeling can be blamed for that.

Click here to read the Virginian-Pilot Beacon article

Starbuck’s at Shore Drive & Vista Circle to Close

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Read more about our local coffee house moving on in a recent Virginian-Pilot Beacon article by Irene Bowers

SAYING GOODBYE TO COFFEE, AND CONVERSATION   By Irene Bowers 

     After 16 years, the conversation will be tabled at 3273 Shore Drive Starbucks. 

Since its opening in 1999, a loyal contingent of coffee lovers has found the perfect blend of people and place, beneath the billboard at the foot of Lesner Bridge. With its May closure looming, the shop’s longest running coffee klatch is savoring every drop.

Click here to read more

Monday April 27th @ 7pm – SDCC Meeting Agenda

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda – 4.27.15 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda

Monday April 27, 2015 from 7:30 to 9:00pm

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall

(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

 Program/Presentation – Flood Mitigation and Flood Insurance Presentation by Mike Vernon of Flood Mitigation Hampton Roads (www.floodmitigationhr.com) and Scott Hunter of Comparity (www.comparityins.com).  Mr. Vernon and Mr. Hunter will explain different home improvements and methods that can help lower flood insurance premiums.

Officer’s Reports Secretary – David Williams; Treasurer’s Report -Kathy Pawlak; Vice President – Wally Damon; President – Todd Solomon

Old Business–

Bishard Development Update – Upper school site rezoning was approved by Planning Commission. City Council is scheduled to vote on the proposed development at their Tuesday May 5th meeting. Baylake Pines Civic League opposed the development at the Planning Commission.

City Comprehensive Plan – Planning Commission Workshop meetings being held. Public can attend to listen only. What happens next? Schedule can be found here www.vbgov.com/government/departments/planning/2015ComprehensivePlan/Pages/default.aspx

Lesner Bridge Safety Update – News from walk through between SDCC representatives and Project Manager Chris Wojtowicz. Speed bump removal, cross walk adjustments, traffic light position.

New Business –

Shore Drive an Award Winning Community –Cape Story by the Sea won the Council of Civic Organizations Community Action award and CBF’s Brock Center won the State Environmental Excellence Award.

Community Concerns – Does your neighborhood/condo have any issues that have come up that need help or may be a warning to others?

Clean the Bay Day Sat. June 6th – Register to volunteer at www.cbf.org/events/clean-the-bay-day/city-of-virginia-beach

Citywide Civic Engagement Opportunities

  • City Budget Hearings: April 28 at 6 p.m., City Council chamber, 2401 Courthouse Drive
  • Transit Extension Study Public Hearing: May 5th at 6 p.m., City Council chamber, 2401 Courthouse Drive
  • Online Town Hall Surveys on Public Libraries and the Budget – www.vbgov.com/community-connect/Pages/virtual-town-hall.aspx

Next SDCC Meeting – Monday May 18, 2015 – ***NOTE this is a week early due to Memorial Day***.

Monday March 30th – SDCC General Meeting Agenda

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda 3.30.15 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda

Monday March 30, 2015 from 7:30 to 9:00pm Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall

(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Program/Presentation –  Mr. Clay Bernick – Administrator City of Virginia Beach Environment and Sustainability Office, will inform us of the City’s efforts to join the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) and what residents can do to help make it happen.  Depending on the level of participation, home owners that live in flood zones could see insurance premiums reduced by 5%-15%.

Officer’s Reports

Secretary – David Williams

Treasurer’s Report -Kathy Pawlak

Vice President – Wally Damon

President – Todd Solomon

Old Business–

Bishard Development Update – Old Baylake Pines School properties. Both change of zoning requests were “Indefinitely Deferred” at the March 11th Planning Council meeting.

Lesner Bridge Renaming Survey – Update of results and next steps presented at the Bayfront Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting.

City Comprehensive Plan – Update on plan review and how we can continue to stay involved.

 

New Business –

Proposed Trolley Service from Shore Drive to Oceanfront – The BAC has asked City Council to explore the possibility of extending the trolley service during the Spring and Summer months.  Should and how can SDCC support? 

Community Concerns – Does your neighborhood/condo have any issues that have come up that need help or may be a warning to others?

 Citywide Civic Engagement Opportunities

  • City Budget Hearings:
    • April 23 at 6 p.m., Green Run High School, 1700 Dahlia Drive
    • April 28 at 6 p.m., City Council chamber, 2401 Courthouse Drive
  • Transit Extension Study Hearings:
    • Monday, April 13, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library, 4100 Virginia Beach Blvd.
    • Thursday, April 16, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Linkhorn Park Elementary School, 977 First Colonial Road
    • Monday, April 20, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Virginia Beach Higher Education Center, 1881 University Drive
    • Saturday, April 25, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Renaissance Academy, 5100 Cleveland St.

 

  • VB Library Use Focus Groups – The VB Public Library need 40 volunteers to discuss ways to improve their service. Focus groups will meet April 20th or 21st. Submit name, email address, phone number, zip code to KHanderh@vbgov.com by April 6th

Next SDCC Meeting – Monday April 27th, Presentation on Flood Mitigation and Flood Insurance by Mike Vernon of Flood Mitigation Hampton Roads and Scott Hunter of Comparity.

SAVE THE DATE – Monday March 30th @7:30pm – City Presentation on CRS Flood Program

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With the recent talk of property tax rate increases, wouldn’t it be amazing if the City could join a program that reduces insurance premiums for residents in Flood Zones?

On Monday March 30th at 7:30pm, Mr. Clay Bernick – Administrator City of Virginia Beach Environment and Sustainability Office, will be attending the SDCC general meeting to discuss the City’s efforts to join the National Flood Insurance Program(NFIP) Community Rating System(CRS) program and what  residents can do to help make this happen.

  • 14,000 homes with potential flood insurance savings
  • Average insurance premium saving ($100/year)
  • 7 other Hampton Roads cities participate in CRS program, VB has never participated.

 

SDCC General Meeting

Monday March 30th at 7:30pm

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall – 3769 E Stratford Rd (Click for map)

 

Background documents on NFIP’s CRS program:

  1. 2014 Evaluation of CRS by City of VB Public Works – White paper on why it may not be beneficial for VB to join program (Click the link to read – CRS in Virginia Beach Mar 2014 PW Evaluation)
  2. CRS Communities and their ratingsCRS HR City List 2014
  3. NFIP’s CRS Program website – Click here – This site has a lot of good information on the program in general.
  4. CRS Coordinator’s Manual – Click here – This document explains the program in detail and what requirements localities have to meet to join.

SDCC General Meeting Agenda for Monday Feb. 23rd

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda 2.23.15 SDCC Agenda
SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday February 23, 2015 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall (parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

 

Program/Presentation –

  • Informative Sand Dune Signage Project, Ms. Whitney McNamara, City Sustainability Office, will explain the importance of sand dunes and the update us on the City’s new dune signage project.
  • Proposed Housing & Commercial Development Project – Mr. Steven Bishard will provide an update of development plan for the old Baylake Pines School properties.

Officer’s Reports  Secretary – David Williams ; Treasurer’s Report -Kathy Pawlak ; Vice President – Wally Damon ; President – Todd Solomon 

Old Business–

CIP 2.118 – Shore Drive Improvements Ocean Park: Update on efforts to schedule safety improvements earlier than current construction start date of January 2023.

Lesner Bridge Replacement Safety Issues – City/Community walkthrough of issues being scheduled. Turning light at Shore-Vista, Speed bump at same intersection have been identified. Do you have any additional safety concerns?

New Business –

Arrive Alive Awareness Campaign – Recent 3 deaths on Shore Drive appear to be alcohol related.  Is a restaurant table top notice campaign a worthwhile effort?  A design contest and possible grant funding could be used.  Partnership with businesses would be a must.  Thoughts and discussion.

Community Concerns – Does your neighborhood/condo have any issues that have come up that need help or may be a warning to others?

Virginia Beach City Offices and Facilities to Open at 10 a.m. Wednesday

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All City of Virginia Beach offices and facilities will open tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 10 a.m. That includes all parks, recreation centers, libraries and the Virginia Aquarium. City-run historic homes will remain closed Wednesday. There will be no trash or recycle pickups on Wednesday. 

The city’s essential operating condition will continue until 10 a.m. Wednesday. At that time, the city will resume normal operating conditions. 

Crews from Public Works will continue working to clear streets throughout the night and throughout the day tomorrow.

 

City of Virginia Beach CANCELS Waste Pickup for Wednesday, Feb 18

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Due to the anticipated hazardous road and weather conditions, Public Works/Waste Management has CANCELLED trash and recycling collections for Wednesday.  Residents are asked to place their trash cans at the curb line and leave them there until they are serviced.   Those residents with small amounts of trash, or extra carts, may wish to skip collection this week, and have all materials collected the following week.

Collections will resume as soon as conditions allow, and will operate on a sliding basis. Tuesday collection area will be collected on the first day collections are resumed, and continuing each collection area as needed to complete collections for the week.​

Yard debris collection has been suspended for the remainder of the week. Additional requests for bulky item collection will be re-scheduled for next week.  The Virginia Beach Landfill and Resource Recovery Center will follow the City of Virginia Beach operating hours.

For updates about collections, call Public Works Waste Management at 385-4650 or visit www.VBgov.com/wastemgt.

MarineTraffic.com Site gives landlubbers trove of information about ships

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While crossing or stuck in traffic on the Lesner Bridge, have you ever looked out on the Bay and wondered about all the ships that anchor just off our beach.  Where are they from?  What are they carrying?

Well, the website www.MarineTraffic.com can help you answer these questions and more.

marinetraffic

Also check out the recent article in the Virginian-Pilot that features Shore Drive resident Joe DiGeronimo.  Click here to read the entire article

A New Jersey native and retired businessman, DiGeronimo, 70, became fascinated by the daily parade of vessels – and curious.

“I wanted to know where they were going and what they were doing for the community,” he said. “It’s a beautiful view, but what’s going on? Why are those ships parked out there? Why are they running by with the loads they are?”

Special Program Dec. 29th – Del. Chris Stolle to Speak at SDCC Meeting

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Come out to hear what our State Legislators have accomplished and what they have planned for 2015

Delegate Chris Stolle will be present to discuss the following topics and to answer any questions/concerns

 

  • Virginia Beach’s city package to Assembly
  • Commonwealth’s 2015 Budget outlook
  • Transportation Bill and funding projections
  • Affordable Care Act and State medical insurance expansion
  • State’s mitigation programs of sea level rise – Del. Stolle is Chair of the subcommittee on Recurrent Flooding
  • Assembly outlook for 2015
  • Questions and answers

SDCC General Meeting – Monday Dec. 29th

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda – SDCC Agenda DEC 2014

Shore Drive Community Coalition General Meeting

Monday December 29, 2014

7:30 – 8:30 pm

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Station

(Intersection of Shore Drive and East Stratford Rd)

SDCC Mini-CHRISTMAS Party

(Finger Food, Salad, Soda, Cookies provided by David)

Call to order:

Meeting topic: Delegate Chris Stolle to discuss upcoming Assembly items:

  • Virginia Beach’s city package to Assembly
  • Commonwealth’s 2015 Budget outlook
  • Transportation Bill and funding projections
  • Affordable Care Act and State medical insurance expansion
  • State’s mitigation programs of sea level rise
  • Assembly outlook for 2015
  • Questions and answers

Nominations for SDCC Officer’s Slate for 2015

Officer’s Reports:   President’s Report      David Williams

Vice Pres Report         Rick Mercadante

Secretary’s Report      Todd Solomon- November Minutes

Treasurer’s Report      Paulette Hruska

Old Business:   See meeting topics

Adjourn

Next SDCC – Monday January 26, 2015 7:30 pm

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Station

Please check www.sdcc.info for more information on area news and events

The Twelve Days of Christmas (The Shore Drive Version)

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It only seemed fitting with 12 days until Christmas and the recent Lesner Bridge update (minus the speed bump fix)…..

 

Twelve deflated tires

Eleven misalignments

Ten angry emails

Nine nasty tweets

Eight wheelbarrows of asphalt

Seven hardhats shoveling

Six hour work window (9am to 3pm)

Five Orange Cones

Four flagmen warning

Three rollers smoothing

Two lanes a-opening

And a SPEED BUMP fixed on Shore Drive