Thursday, March 20, 2025
3:30 P.M.
Ocean Park Fire and Rescue Squad Building
3769 E. Stratford Road
The mission of the Bayfront Advisory Commission is to review and make
recommendations to the City Council regarding public and private projects and issues
associated with the Bayfront area.
Meeting Agenda
Bayfront Projects Spreadsheet
The following update was received from the VMRC regarding the rescheduling of the Westminster Canterbury (WC) application to remove their existing timber pier and build a new concrete shared use pier in its place. The application was originally scheduled for tomorrow, but was not included as part of the final approved agenda recently posted on the VMRC website.
We are aiming to replace the item on the March agenda. If that occurs, those who have submitted a comment to us through our public comment portal will receive a notification of the meeting date and time. The agenda will also be posted on our website (https://www.mrc.virginia.gov/calendar.shtm) once finalized. No additional news advertisement is necessary to satisfy VMRC’s meeting requirements.
Respectfully,
TiffanyTiffany Birge
Environmental Engineer, Habitat ManagementVirginia Marine Resources Commission
Building 96, 380 Fenwick Road
Ft. Monroe, VA 23651Tiffany.birge@mrc.virginia.gov, 757-247-2254
The VMRC hearings take place on the 4th Tuesday of the month, so the earliest date would be March 25th. VMRC will continue to accept comments on the application and you can find out more information and ways to comment at the previous post here https://weloveshoredrive.com/2025/02/18/westminster-canterbury-proposed-pier-replacement-project-to-be-head-by-vmrc-at-tuesday-feb-25th-hearing/
Maintenance dredging of the Crab Creek Channel, which started February 17th, will help recreational boaters progress from the boat ramp to the Bay. It will also provide improved access to the wharf for vessels used in City waterway and Neighborhood Dredging projects. All spoils material will be deposited on the adjacent stockpile for future emergency beach replenishment of Bay beaches.
More information can be found at the following two City links –
The Virginia Marine Resource Commission (VMRC) will vote next week on the proposed pier replacement by Westminster Canterbury (WC). The following item is on the VMRC Tuesday Feb 25th agenda for their upcoming hearing.
This is not a grandfathered project and will require WC to provide “royalties from
the VMRC for the proposed encroachments over state-owned submerged lands”.
VMRC Tuesday Feb 25th Hearing Agenda Items
8. WESTMINSTER-CANTERBURY ON CHESAPEAKE BAY, #24-2475 requests authorization to remove a failed timber pier and construct a new shared-use concrete pier as part of the proposed Westminster-Canterbury Chesapeake Bay campus expansion situated at property off Ocean Shore Avenue along the Chesapeake Bay in the City of Virginia Beach. This project is protested by nearby property owners.
Comments to the proposed project can be emailed to the VMRC representative agent Tiffany Birge at tiffany.birge@vmrc.virginia.gov
Comments can also be submitted at the following link using the application number identified in backgound #2 below https://webapps.mrc.virginia.gov/public/habitat/comments/
Background information is provided below
District 9 Councilmember Joash Schulman will host listening sessions—Aug. 12 from 3-4:30 p.m. and Aug. 19 from 5:30-7 p.m.—to gain input and concerns from residents prior to the City Council Retreat.
Residents will have two opportunities to participate:
Attendees will have an opportunity to engage in small group discussions and identify citywide/district-specific priorities.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2023 (6:00PM – 8:00PM)
Councilmember Schulman will host a town hall meeting to update residents on current city projects and issues that impact District 9. City staff representing Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Budget and public safety will be in attendance to discuss various topics. Attendees will have an opportunity to have their questions addressed.
The meeting will be held in Rooms 1 and 2.
Please direct requests for an accommodation, auxiliary aid or modification to policy in order to participate in a City program, service or activity to the Communications Office, 757-385-4679, as soon as possible before the program, service or activity is scheduled to begin, but in all instances no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event.
In partnership with Preservation Virginia, the nation’s oldest statewide historic preservation organization, the Virginia Beach Historic Preservation Commission invites you to celebrate May as Historic Preservation Month through “Pints for Preservation.” Take part in this refreshing experience at local craft breweries in support of the Cape Henry Lighthouse and its ongoing preservation needs.
Throughout the month of May, each participating brewery is donating $1 per pint sold of their special designated Historic Preservation Month beer to support the lighthouse. The special beers are:
Find out how much you know about local history as your trivia team competes for prizes during the two remaining trivia nights. Each event will test your knowledge about Virginia Beach’s history starting at 7 p.m. on these dates and locations:
Commemorative pint glasses will also be available for a donation ($10 each; 2 for $15) during the trivia nights and all proceeds go to the lighthouse’s restoration fund.
Contact Mark Reed, 757-385-8573, mreed@vbgov.com for additional information about the Historic Preservation Month events.
The Virginia Beach Historic Preservation Commission is a City Council-appointed body that advises council on issues related to historic resources. They seek to preserve, protect and maintain the historic integrity of Virginia Beach and the former Princess Anne County through a program of advocacy and increased public awareness and involvement. The commission actively supports projects to survey historic resources, recognize historic buildings, districts and events, and research hidden areas of the city’s history. Visit www.VBgov.com/historicpreservation for additional information about the Historic Preservation Commission.
Shore Drive Phase IV (SD P4 as many like to call it) has been planned for the past 17 years. The project is slated to improve traffic and pedestrian safety as well as stormwater and aesthetics on Shore Drive between Marlin Bay and the Lesner Bridge in Ocean Park.
The City Council recently defunded, for the 3rd time, the SD P4 project indefinitely as part of their 23/24 FY Budget. The community was recently made aware of a new SD P4 study, which can be researched below, that identifies a project cost increase of $20 million from $30 million to $50 million. Based on the huge increase and lack of Council support, it appears that this project may not begin construction until 2040 or beyond.
The newly released SD P4 Engineering Design Study and background information can be found at the Ocean Park Civic League website – https://opcl.org/2023/05/09/this-just-in-2/
The actual study documents are fairly large file sizes and can be downloaded here – https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1aMyj-7ws1xg9tOgIjLc4lxC3kI-1TXhr
So is this project a pipe dream? We certainly hope not. Stay tuned for more developments and make sure to attend upcoming Bayfront Advisory Commission meetings to provide your input. Next BAC meeting is Thursday May 18th at 3:30pm – https://weloveshoredrive.com/2023/05/10/bayfront-advisory-commission-meeting-thursday-may-18-at-330pm-ocean-park-rescue-squad/
Please note the new start time for the District 8 Community Meeting. The meeting will start at 6:00pm on Thursday May 18th.
The Bayfront Advisory Commission will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday May 18th at 3:30pm in the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad building.
The meeting agenda, past month’s minutes and additional package information can be found below. The file is slightly large, so be patient with the download.
Councilmember Chris Taylor will host a town hall meeting on Thursday May 18th at 6:00pm to update residents on current city projects & issues that impact District 8. City representatives will attend to discuss topics such as recruitment needs, EMS & volunteer squads, election system updates, traffic safety & more.
The meeting will be held in Rooms 1 & 2 of the Great Neck Recreation Center. Click here for a map to the center https://goo.gl/maps/KRmhPfTd8kaoNWGw8
This is an opportunity for residents to have a say in policy development and decision-making. City Council has requested that residents be provided an opportunity to provide their input as to how they want to elect their City representatives.
The online survey hosted by the Cooper Center for Public Service is now available. It is open to Virginia Beach residents through Friday, May 26.
To request a hard copy of the survey, contact Community Engagement Strategist Nancy Bloom, nbloom@vbgov.com, 757-385-6279. Surveys received by May 26 will be provided to CCPS for inclusion in their report.
The community listening session meetings concluded on Monday, April 3. Each meeting was live-streamed and recorded and can be viewed on demand on the “Past Meetings” tab.
This is an opportunity for residents to have a say in policy development and decision-making. City Council has requested that residents be provided an opportunity to provide their input as to how they want to elect their City representatives.
Community Meetings are the first step of the process. There will be 12 meetings over a 10 day period for citizens to learn how we reached the current voting structure and have the opportunity to provide feedback and future recommendations.
Meetings will be held in person and virtually. The list of meetings is shown in the image below.
If you plan to attend a meeting, it is recommended that you register online at the following link. You can also learn more about the additional steps being taken as part of this community engagement effort there.
January 28 | 9:00am-noon
East Parking Lot of the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
It’s a great time to recycle old electronics that have stacked up around the house or in storage over the years. The Aquarium is again hosting an E-Cycling Event to recycle household hazardous and personally owned electronic waste, in partnership with Goodwill, TFC and the City of Virginia Beach Waste Management team.
Click here for more information on the recycling event – https://www.virginiaaquarium.com/plan-your-visit/events/e-cycling-event
Click here for a map to the Virginia Aquarium – https://goo.gl/maps/Gm3rRMYiaAHL3f1t6
This is a bittersweet announcement for me to write. In 2001 the Shore Drive communities banded together to create an umbrella organization to share information and better represent our common issues. This organization was called the Shore Drive Community Coalition. For the past 22 years, as a collective group, we have helped guide great change to the Bayfront. However, similar to many other organizations, the past couple of years have resulted in a decline in meeting attendance and volunteer support, so the current officers have decided that it is time for SDCC fade away. The officer’s plan is to disband SDCC as a 501c4 organization and transition to an online information presence only. This plan will be discussed as part of our last general meeting. We will also be presenting donations, from our remaining SDCC funds, to our wonderful Bayfront Rescue Squads for all their hard work and support of our communities.
So please join us for this sad but important time in the history of SDCC. Take note of the 7:00pm start time. We will have a pre-meeting social starting at 7:00pm with finger foods and drinks which will give us all a chance to catch up and share stories of our amazing 22 years.
Below you will find the agenda for the final SDCC meeting. You can also click on “…” more options tab to print a copy.
Public Works Announces Two Road Work Projects Starting on Aug. 15
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (Aug. 12, 2022) — Virginia Beach Public Works has announced two road improvement projects, one on Shore Drive and another on Edwin Drive, will begin on Monday, Aug. 15, 2022.
The work on Edwin Drive (north- and southbound) will be from:
The project on Shore Drive (east- and westbound) will occur from:
Both projects will include milling, paving, and pavement marking improvements. Work hours will begin at 7 p.m. each evening and end at 5 a.m. The projects will likely produce traffic delays, congestion, and some construction noise. Advanced warning signs will be clearly posted advising motorists of lane closures. Citizens are urged to use alternate traffic routes when possible.
Work on Edwin Drive is scheduled to be complete by Wednesday, Aug. 24. Shore Drive improvements are scheduled to be complete by Wednesday, Aug. 31. All scheduled work is weather permitting.
Virginia Paving is the contractor for both projects. For additional information, contact Dennis Simon at 757-385-1470, or Lonnie Minson with Virginia Paving at 757-675-8714.
The Virginia Marine Resources Commission mandated that Chesapeake Bay Foundation projects at Pleasure House Creek Oyster Reef, Brown Cove Reef and Keeling Drain Reef be halted due to public safety and environmental issues, according to a letter from the agency dated today.
A Virginia agency ordered work to cease on three human-made reefs in Virginia Beach.
Click here to read more. https://www.pilotonline.com/news/environment/vp-nw-cbf-reef-cease-20220713-kvf67pep2bfzdnk5vc7ytzd4zu-story.html
The City of Virginia Beach is asking for public input on two topics. Surveys for each item can be found by clicking the link in paragraphs below. Please take a moment to help shape the future of our City. Let your voice be heard.
The City of Virginia Beach engaged Keen Independent Research LLC (Keen Independent) to conduct a study to assess the feasibility of an international art and light festival at or near the Virginia Beach Oceanfront in the future. Similar festivals present large-scale, illuminated and interactive art installations created by local, regional and international artists that are on display for about 10 days and have free admission.
The public input survey will be open for submissions June 21 – July 5, 2022.
International Art and Light Festival Feasibility Survey – PublicInput.com
Shaping Tomorrow Today: 2040 Comp Plan Phase 2 – PublicInput.com
#WeLoveShoreDrive 