Author Archives: Todd Solomon

Fox that Attacked Jogger Found to be Rabid

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The following notice was received from VB Alert system and is being passed on as an update to the previous post linked below to a fox attack on Wednesday in Cape Story along the Cape Henry trail.  Previous post click here https://sdcc.info/2019/08/15/fox-attacks-jogger-along-cape-henry-trail-in-cape-story/

 

This is an emergency notification from the Virginia beach Department of Public Health. Please do not hang up. On Tuesday August 13, 2019, a rabid fox was found in the twenty two hundred block of Maple Street in the Cape Story by the Sea Subdivision. The fox tested positive for rabies after having an altercation with an adult on a bike path. The fox is now deceased. Rabies is 100% fatal if left untreated. If anyone in your household, including your pet, has had any exposure to stray or wild animals in this area within the past few weeks, please contact your physician or the Health Department at five one eight two seven zero zero between 8:15 to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. Do not call 911 unless you have an emergency.

City Seeks Citizen Input on Active Transporation Plan

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The City is asking citizens to participate in an online survey by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department on its 2020 “Active Transportation Plan.” The plan will focus on promoting safety and accessibility of walking and bicycling in Virginia Beach. The survey invites residents to provide feedback on their bicycling and walking habits, and it also includes an interactive map that will help determine where the greatest needs exists for a pedestrian and bicycle network throughout the city. To access the survey, click here https://tooledesign.github.io/5538.02_VAB_participation_map/

Public Information Meeting for Dredging Lynnhaven Drive Canal – Tuesday Aug. 20th from 5pm – 7pm at First Landing Fire Station

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The following letter was sent to residents near Cape Henry and Lynnhaven Drive.  If you live in this area or frequently travel these roads you may want to attend this meeting to see how the project may result in road closures.

The official letter can be found by clicking here Lynnhaven Drive Canal Drainage Imp._W_Attach (CIP-7-055.001)_2019-07-24.docx2

Subject: Lynnhaven Drive Canal Drainage Improvements (CIP-7-055.001)

Dear Property Owner:

This letter is to inform you the City of Virginia Beach Department of Public Works Operations will be performing dredging operations of Lynnhaven Drive Canal within the Lynnhaven Colony neighborhood area between October 30, 2019, and December 31, 2019, as part of the referenced project. The approximate limits between West Great Neck Road and Cape Arbor Drive bounded from the north Cape Henry Drive and 1,100 feet south to Lynnhaven Drive. The primary goal of the project is to proceed with the interim flood control drainage improvements for the Lynnhaven Drive Canal before the permanent flood control drainage improvements for the Lynnhaven Colony Neighborhood.
The City of Virginia Beach Public Works Operations, Public Works Engineering with Waterway, Surveys, and Engineering, Inc. will hold a public meeting to discuss the project including but not limited to project limits, daily hours of operations during the dredging operations, traffic control concerns, erosion and sediment control concerns, and other associated concerns with the proposed project.

The project team includes employees of the City of Virginia Beach Public Works Operations, Public Works Engineering, Waterway, Surveys, and Engineering, Inc., and Carolina Marine Structures. Members of the project team will be in your neighborhood performing the referenced work.

The dredging work will mainly be located within the City Drainage Easement, and City Right-of-Way but will include traffic control on Lynnhaven Drive for trucks entering the roadway during the construction hours of 9:00 am until 4:00 pm Monday through Saturday.

The place and time for the public meeting are August 20, 2019, at the City of Virginia Beach First Landing Fire and Rescue Station Number One located at 2837 Shore Drive Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm.

We are committed to conducting the dredging activities in the least disruptive way as possible. If you have any questions or concerns about the actions of the field personnel or other project issues, please contact Mr. Frank Janes directly at fjanes@vbgov.cokm or 385-4834 or Mr. Mark Jones at MAARJone@vbgov.com or 385-1470.
Sincerely,

Francis X. Janes, Jr.
Public Works Operations

 

Dredging of Inlet and Replenishment of Cape Henry Beach Complete. Dredging of Broad Bay Channel Started

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The following is taken from an email update provided by the project coordinator….

It does not look like the Contractor will make it to Oak Street given the remaining volume they have in the turning basin in the re-dredge areas. Will have a better idea of things when I receive their daily report from today’s operations. They are quickly finishing up these areas and following the Government’s acceptance of the dredging work (may take about a week plus a couple of days max), will remove pipeline from Cape Henry Beach and be complete with this placement area.

Long Creek dredging will not be a part of this contract. We have a few dredging areas within Broad Bay Channel. The material from these dredging areas will be going to our upland placement site at Maple St. The site has been prepped to receive material and dredge pipeline is in place to being dredging in Broad Bay Channel. These operations will begin soon following the Contractor’s completion of dredging in the Basin. This will be 24/7 operations with specifications that the contractor, to the maximum extent practicable, limit or try to reduce noise from 7PM – 7AM.

There will be a dredge pipeline in Long Creek to transport dredged material from the Broad Bay Channel dredging areas, but this will be the only thing operational in Long Creek.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Regards,
Chris

Christopher B. Tolson
Design Section, Operations Branch
Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Office: (757) 201-7012

Milling and Paving Started – Shore Drive Between Greenwell Rd and Lesner Bridge

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Virginia Beach Public Works has announced that crews began roadway improvements on Shore Drive beginning Sunday, August 11, 2019.

The project will include milling, paving and pavement marking improvements which will begin on Shore Drive, both eastbound and westbound lanes, from Greenwell Road to the Lesner Bridge

Crews will be working beginning at 7 p.m. and will end at 5 a.m. each day.

The project is expected to be completed by Friday, September 20, 2019.

The milling and paving operation is likely to 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.

All scheduled work is weather permitting.

Virginia Paving is the contractor for the project. For additional information, please contact Lonnie Minson with Virginia Paving at (757) 675-8714, or Dennis Simon at (757) 385-1470.

To read the official City news release, click here Shore Drive – Greenwell to Lesner – August 2019

Fox Attacks Jogger Along Cape Henry Trail in Cape Story

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Wedndesday Aug 14th at 5:20am a fox attacked a jogger along the Cape Henry bike trail.  It appears the fox was later run over and killed by a car as it darted across one of the streets in Cape Story.  The following comments were copied from a post in Nextdoor.com.  The entire conversation can be found here  https://nextdoor.com/news_feed/?post=120700051

I was jogging down the Shore Drive landside path this morning around 5:50am and a fox jumped me. I was somewhere around Oak or Maple heading toward Great Neck Road. I had to kick him 6-8 times, HARD, before he would stop coming after me. I did get bit and went to Beach General for shots, etc. Stay alert when on the path and be ready for anything when you see wildlife. Yep, that’s what the fox says…

I was leaving for work at 7:20 am this morning heading north on Wake Forest St just past Poinciana when a Fox ran straight towards my vehicle and under the front end. Sadly it died from the impact. Maybe the same one?

 

CBF Seeks Community Input for Proposed New School Building – Tues July 30th at 7pm

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The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) will be holding a public input session at their upcoming community meeting at the Brock Center to gather input on their proposed new classroom building.  The proposal is scheduled to go before the City’s Planning Commission on Wed Aug 14th.  Input can be made at CBF’s meeting on Tuesday July 30th, see below.

How will the community be involved in the process?
CBF will seek local input on the proposed classroom in several ways, including hosting public discussions at the Brock Center, and holding meetings with community leaders, civic associations, and other community groups.
CBF’s next community meeting will be held at the Brock Center on Tuesday, July 30, from 7-9:00 p.m. Individuals can also provide input by contacting CBF Brock Center Manager Chris Gorri directly at cgorri@cbf.org.

Additional information can be found at https://sdcc.info/2019/01/01/vb-city-public-schools-and-cbf-are-partnering-on-a-new-environmental-science-program-for-high-school-students-which-will-be-based-at-cbfs-brock-environmental-center-in-ocean-park-people/

And from the following documents supplied by City Planning Department

Rendered Classroom Elevations

BROCK CUP EXHIBIT-CUP – RENDERED

 

Monday July 29th @7:30pm SDCC Presentation – Lime Scooters at the Bayfront – 2nd/3rd Precinct Police Captains Will Discuss

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Lime Scooters have made there way on to the Shore Drive landscape.  Social media has blown up with comments praising and condemning them.  The Virginian-Pilot recently discussed the resulting impact of scooters with an increase in hospital injury visits https://pilotonline.com/news/local/article_747ba370-ad59-11e9-b1d1-4b34e57df79f.html

Police Precinct Captains Wichtendahl-2nd and Hatfield-3rd have graciously offered to attend our Monday July 29th SDCC meeting to talk to us about our concerns.  They will also provide the current City requirements governing electric scooters in the Bayfront area.  They will also update us on any City plans regarding the their future.

So if you have questions about rules of operation, parking requirements, who to call with problems, what can and can’t be done to regulate them, what can be done to make them safer for users and the community.  Please come out Monday evening to discuss.

SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday July 29, 2019 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall – 3769 East Stratford Rd
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

 

SDCC General Meeting – Monday July 29th at 7:30pm – Lime Scooter Presentation

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda 7.29.19 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday July 29, 2019 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall – 3769 East Stratford Rd
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Special Presentation – Lime Scooters and Their Operation in the Bayfront Area

Police Precinct Captains Reo Hatfield-3rd and Shannon Wichtendahl-2nd will discuss the recent inundation of electric scooters along Shore Drive. Come find out What is and isn’t legal for their operation? Does the City plan to regulate their operation? Who can residents and business owners call with issues? Where can electric scooters be legally operated? These and other questions you may have will be addressed.

 

Officer’s Reports:
Secretary – Kathleen Damon
Treasurer’s Report –Tim Solanic
Vice President – Empsy Munden
President – Todd Solomon

Old Business-
Cape Henry Beach Replenishment – We have asked the USACE project manager for an update on project. Issues, Estimated Completion Date, etc.
4th of July Fireworks for Cape Henry Beach – The City never responded to the community request to take over the event, so as a result the show did not happen this year.
Shore Drive Improvements in Ocean Park – Updates and estimated completion date will be discussed.

New Business –
Route 35 Bayfront to Oceanfront Shuttle – Service will continue to operate until the end of September. HRT and the City have shared ridership numbers for May and June. We will discuss.
Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP) – An urban cost-share program that provides financial incentives (usually 75%) and technical and educational assistance to property owners. SDCC is working with local VCAP organizers to have a presentation at our August meeting.
Dewberry Report Sea Level Rise and Stormwater – Community forums have been rescheduled. The remaining four meeting are listed below and more information can be found on our website. * are closest for Bayfront residents.

Monday, July 29, 6-8 PM — Creeds Elementary School, 920 Princess Anne Rd
*Tuesday, July 30, 6-8 PM — Thalia Elementary School, 421 Thalia Drive
Wednesday, July 31, 6-8 PM — Kellam High School, 2665 West Neck Road
*Saturday, August 3, 10 AM – 12 PM — Cox High School, 2425 Shorehaven Drive

Community Concerns– Please share any issues or concerns your groups/organizations may have at this time.

***Next SDCC Meeting – Monday August 26, 2019***

 

New Sea Level Rise (SLR) Meetings Scheduled – Please Attend One To Make Your Voice Heard

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City of Virginia Beach — Comprehensive Flooding Response Plan Meetings
Four Meetings, Each in a Different Area of the City
The City Wants Your Input
When it comes to Sea Level Rise…
What actions can we take as a community?

City Staff Members are teaming up with ODU to get your input at a series of community meetings!
What will you learn?
What is your flood risk?
What are the options for city wide response?
What can you do on your property that could help?
Hear about what the city is considering.

Give the City Your Opinion!
There will be interactive information plus children’s activities
and a drawing for a $50 and a $25 Amazon Gift Card

Meetings in red below are closest for Bayfront residents

Monday, July 29, 6-8 PM — Creeds Elementary School, 920 Princess Anne Rd
Tuesday, July 30, 6-8 PM — Thalia Elementary School, 421 Thalia Drive
Wednesday, July 31, 6-8 PM — Kellam High School, 2665 West Neck Road
Saturday, August 3, 10 AM – 12 PM — Cox High School, 2425 Shorehaven Drive

Can’t come in person? Participate online at http://shorturl.at/chKO8
Find out more about the flooding response plan at www.vbgov.com/pwslr
Email questions and comments to SLR-comments@vbgov.com

Friday July 26th – Commonwealth Brewery to Release LOVESTRONG IPA in support of VB Tragedy Fund

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LoveStrong IPA Release
07-26-2019
On May 31st 2019, Virginia Beach suffered a tragedy that took lives, impacted loved ones and affected every citizen. Since that time, there has been an outpouring of love and support from the local community and around the world. LOVESTRONG IPA will be released this Friday, July 26th in our taproom and in partner retailers shortly after around Hampton Roads. 100% of Commonwealth proceeds from this beer will be donated to the @unitedway Virginia Beach Tragedy Fund. Come together with us in support of our community this Friday starting at 11am with music by Lena Klett and SwellLuck, eats by Slide thru fam and sweet treats by Joysicles!

 

Cape Henry Beach Replenishment Q&A from USACE

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Here is a brief update regarding questions that were asked by our residents at the last SDCC meeting and since then.  The questions are followed by the answers received from the US Army Corps of Engineers project manager Chris Tolson.

 

Q1) Is the dredge slurry (water/sand) mixture discharge being monitored or sampled for hazardous materials? if so how is it sampled, in the pipe or in the bay? or if not sampled are you relying on the bay water testing to determine if the dredge material is causing any harm? I believe the concern stems from the discolored foam floating in the bay an on the beach near the discharge site.

A1) The maintenance dredged material and sediment for this project has been tested in the past and there is no concern for hazardous materials. This maintenance material is mainly sand with medium-large grain size. Hazardous metals and harmful organic compounds typically have a higher affinity for smaller grain size sediment (silt and fines). There is minimal fine material with this dredging project. The testing for this comes from the in-situ sediment prior to dredging, not the water or the slurry at the discharge. 

We maintain the effluent water quality standards associated with this dredging as permitted by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and Virginia Marine Resources Commission where we ensure that effluent water returning is below the turbidity threshold. However, this water quality standard is not for beach placement, and only required and tested for the upland placement we have at Maple St. Upland Site into the connecting waters. The testing of the maintenance material that we’ve done should not cause any concern to contribute to a decrease in water quality.

Regarding the discolored foam near the discharge site, the dredge slurry is aerated as it passes through the pipeline and flocculates into the foam at the discharge point which should dissipate in the swash zone.

 

Q2) Will orange sand fence be used as the perimeter of the 500 ft safety area? initial safety area just used sand fence poles and one line of caution tape. some neighbors were concerned that unleashed dogs may be able to run under the tape and be run over. Also thought a fence would deter people from ducking under to cut across work area.

A2) Orange fence will be established around the entire perimeter of the 500 foot working zone on the beach. This is a requirement in our specifications and if the contractor does not have this in place we will ensure they do, in addition to the beach watches. With that, we recommend that beach users take caution while in the vicinity of Cape Henry Beach. Children should be kept close and dogs should be kept under control and away from the working zone.

 

Q3) In areas were residential beach access use stairs at the dune line, will sand just be piled up over the bottom steps burying them in lieu of the steps being removed? residents were concerned that steps would be removed. And will sand be placed over pipe at private as well as public beach accesses?

A3) If necessary (within our placement prism), sand will be piled on top of existing stair structures rather than removal. 

We have a requirement that the contractor construct sand ramps over the dredge pipe at a maximum distance of 500 feet between ramps. The contractor is not required to place a sand ramp over the pipeline at every private access point. Should the Osprey Villa beach access lie exactly in the middle of two sand ramps that are at the maximum distance from the other, there should only be 250 feet of distance between their beach access and a ramp. But we will measure and make sure the contractor is following this specification with the next inspection. If the contractor is found to be non-compliant we will work to get Osprey Villa a sand ramp of closer distance than what is currently established. I imagine there is one at Jade Street public access for the contractor which is about ~150 feet from Osprey Villa.

Monday June 24th @ 7:30pm- SDCC General Meeting – Presentation on Cape Henry Beach Replenishment

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda – 6.24.19 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday June 24, 2019 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall – 3769 East Stratford Rd
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Special Presentation – Cape Henry Beach Replenishment Project

Mr. Rommel Tamayo, City Coastal Project Manager, and Mr. Chris Tolson, U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers’ project manager, will provide an update on the project that will dredge the Lynnhaven Inlet and pump the beach quality sand on the beach between the Lesner Bridge and the State Park. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer session.

Officer’s Reports
Secretary – Kathleen Damon
Treasurer’s Report –Tim Solanic
Vice President – Vacant
President – Todd Solomon

Old Business-
4th of July Fireworks for Cape Henry Beach – No response from Councilman Wood, Deputy City Manager Cover or Mayor Dyer since the March meeting to request the City take over the event. It appears the City has no interest in making this happen for 2019 and time has run out. Cape Story by the Sea Civic Association officers will continue to pursue this request for next year and provide updates.
Shore Drive Improvements in Ocean Park – Work has begun at the intersection of East Stratford and Shore Drive. Updates will be provided.
Cape Henry Ditch Volunteer Clean Out Corps Proposal – A meeting with the City’s Public Works Director, CBF organizer and SDCC/Cape Story rep has been requested. Events of 5/31 has put this temporarily on hold.
Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP) – An urban cost-share program that provides financial incentives (usually 75%) and technical and educational assistance to property owners. SDCC is obtaining answers to the questions asked at last month’s meeting and will provide any response received.
Dewberry Report Sea Level Rise and Stormwater – Community forums planned for public input into Dewberry’s Draft document were postponed due to events of 5/31. SDCC has asked for the new dates/locations and will provide updates when received.
Route 35 Bayfront to Oceanfront Shuttle – Service has begun and will run through Labor Day weekend. The additional stop at the Fort Story gate has been removed. Tickets to ride HRT Route 35 can be purchased at both Food Lions on Shore Drive. Adult fares can also be bought using the new GoHRT mobile ticket app.

New Business –
Floatopia Event on Ocean Park Beach – Ocean Park representatives will provide an update on their meetings with the City and plans to prevent/prohibit this event from taking place again at Ocean Park or any Bayfront beach in the future.
BAC public input meeting – The Bayfront Advisory Commission held a public input meeting on June 20th to ask community leaders to identify their group’s greatest concerns. A meeting update will be provided.

Community Concerns– Please share any issues or concerns your groups/organizations may have at this time.

***Next SDCC Meeting – Monday July 29, 2019***

Monday May 20th at 7:30pm – SDCC General Meeting *Note a week early due to Memorial Day*

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This meeting is being held a week earlier than normal due to Memorial Day

Click here for a printable version of the agenda 5.20.19 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda
***Monday May 20, 2019 from 7:30 to 9:00pm***
Meeting is a week early due to Memorial Day
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall – 3769 East Stratford Rd
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Special Presentation – Attempting to confirm a presentation on Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP) – This program is an urban cost-share program that provides financial incentives (usually 75%) and technical and educational assistance to property owners installing eligible Best Management Practices (BMP’s) in Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

Officer’s Reports

Secretary – Kathleen Damon
Treasurer’s Report –Tim Solanic
Vice President – Wally Damon
President – Todd Solomon

Old Business-
Bayfront Beach Replenishment Update – Contractor will begin equipment set up last week of May and begin placing sand on beach the middle of June. Additional details and concerns will be discussed.
4th of July Fireworks for Cape Henry Beach – Still waiting for an update from Councilman Wood and Deputy City Manager Cover on request to have City’s Entertainment Contractor take over the planning and execution of this event.
Shore Drive Improvements in Ocean Park – Contractor will begin work the week after Memorial Day
Cape Henry Ditch Volunteer Clean Out Corps Proposal – Representatives of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation presented a plan to Cape Story by the Sea Civic Association that would create a volunteer workforce to help clean out and maintain a section of the ditch behind Food Lion. It was suggested that CBF meet with City Staff to pursue a plan that would get City support and approval.

New Business –
Dewberry Report Sea Level Rise and Stormwater – Community forums planned for public input into Dewberry’s Draft document. Unfortunately there are no meetings planned north of Virginia Beach Blvd. SDCC has asked to have an additional meeting added to list for Bayfront residents, but nothing has been done to date. Meetings are from 6 to 8 pm at the following locations. The Princess Anne HS meeting is designated for our Lynnhaven watershed.
• May 29 at the Virginia Aquarium
• May 30 at Kempsville High School
• June 3 at Kellam High School
• June 5 at Princess Anne High School
• June 6 at Creeds Elementary School
Route 35 Bayfront to Oceanfront Shuttle – Service will start Monday May 20th and run through Labor Day weekend. An additional stop has been added to the Fort Story gate where riders can catch another shuttle service to visit the Lighthouses. Tickets to ride HRT Route 35 can be purchased at both Food Lions on Shore Drive. Adult fares can also be bought using the new GoHRT mobile ticket app.

Upcoming Chances for Civic Engagement
Tuesday June 11th – Primary Election – 6am to 7pm at your normal polling locations.

Community Concerns– Please share any issues or concerns your groups/organizations may have at this time.

***Next SDCC Meeting – Monday June 24, 2019***

SDCC Meeting Minutes for 2019’s Q1 Posted

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For any of you that may have missed an SDCC meeting this year, have no fear, you can get caught up by visiting our SDCC Minutes page or by clicking on this years Q1 minutes below.  Thank you to our wonderful SDCC Secretary, Kathy Damon, for all her hard work and details.  These minutes are a great source of information on many relevant topics and presentations that pertain to our Shore Drive area.

3.25.19 SDCC Minutes
2.25.19 SDCC Minutes
1.28.19 SDCC Minutes

Monday April 30th – SDCC General Meeting at 730pm – Bonaventure Apartment Development Presentation

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda  4.29.19 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday April 29, 2019 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall – 3769 East Stratford Rd
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Special Presentation –

Bonaventure Realty Group – Expansion Plans for Windsong Apartments on Pleasure House

Representatives from the Bonaventure Realty Group will present their current plans to redevelop and expand the Windsong Apartment complex located on Pleasure House Road north of Shore Drive. Previously presented plans had the old apartments being increased a total of 160 units from 272 to 432. A question and answer session will follow the presentation. As always, all are welcome to attend SDCC meetings.

Officer’s Reports

Secretary – Kathleen Damon
Treasurer’s Report –Tim Solanic
Vice President – Wally Damon
President – Todd Solomon

Old Business-
Bayfront Beach Replenishment Update – An update on the project will hopefully be available. The project has been delayed and appears to continue to be pushed to the right and will most likely take place through the summer season. When is the start date and what are the impacts to the beach during construction?
4th of July Fireworks for Cape Henry Beach – City Council and Staff are evaluating the request to take over the planning and execution of the show. A decision should be forthcoming after the “Something in the Water” event is over which will allow Staff to focus on the request.
Dog Leash Law for Beaches – A public hearing was held on Wed April 10th at 630pm at the City’s Law Enforcement Training Facility. City Council has request the topic be studied for a year before any changes are made to the code. A steering committee will be formed to help with this evaluation. It is SDCC plan to invite representatives of this committee to a future SDCC to present their plans and how our community can provide input.

New Business –
Parking Meters at Lynnhaven Boat Ramp – The City has installed a metered parking kiosk for public parking at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp. If you plan on using this lot, please be aware of the update to avoid tickets.
Shore Drive Improvements in Ocean Park to Start Soon – $600,000 of improvement to the Shore Drive/Stratford Road intersection, is fully funded and expected to begin later this spring. This would involve a “fully functional” traffic light with pedestrian crossing signals, an emergency signal to accommodate Ocean Park Fire and Rescue
Cape Henry Ditch Volunteer Clean Out Corps Proposal – Representatives of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation will be discussing a plan to have volunteers clean out and maintain a section of the ditch behind Food Lion. The Cape Story meeting will take place on Monday May 13th at 7:30pm at Lynnhaven Colony Congregational Church.

Upcoming Chances for Civic Engagement
Tuesday April 30th City Council Budget Input – 6pm at City Council Chambers. Other ways to provide comments are posted at https://sdcc.info/2019/04/25/city-budget-public-hearings-scheduled-last-chance-for-input-on-tuesday-april-30th/
Tuesday May 14th Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) Forum – 6:00pm – 8:00pm @ Brock Environmental Center (3663 Marlin Bay Drive, Virginia Beach 23455). Speakers will discuss the Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Blueprint (Phase III Water Implementation Plan/WIP).
Tuesday June 11th – Primary Election – 6am to 7pm at your normal polling locations.

Community Concerns– Please share any issues or concerns your groups/organizations may have at this time.

***Next SDCC Meeting – Monday May 20, 2019***
Please note the meeting will be a week early due to Memorial Day

Animal Control looking for exotic cat spotted near Shore Drive

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Have you seen Rocky the Serval Cat?

It’s been a few weeks since his last siting in First Landing State Park, so he may have moved on.  But be on the lookout for him if you frequent the Park during runs or walks.  I personally spotted him on the beach side of the Park in camping loop H which is just to the west of the visitor center.

Click here to read the Virginian Pilot article on the lost exotic animal in case you missed it.

April 10th – Virginia Beach Animal Control is looking for an exotic cat that was spotted Wednesday morning, according to a news release.They received a call about the cat at 8:15 a.m. It was spotted near the 2300 block of Shore Drive, according to the release. It’s believed to weigh about 25 pounds and has long legs, making it about 25 inches tall at the shoulders.

City Budget Public Hearings Scheduled – Last Chance for Input on Tuesday April 30th

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City Budget Public Hearings Scheduled
The City Council will hold two public hearings in April. Citizens can register to speak prior to the start of the public hearing. Speakers are limited to three minutes.

• April 24 – 6:30 p.m. – Old Donation School, 4633 Honeygrove Road (note, original (March 26) release incorrectly had start time as 6 p.m.)
• April 30 – 6 p.m. – City Council Chamber, 2401 Courthouse Drive

Comment by email
To send a comment to the entire City Council, contact citycouncil@vbgov.com
To send a comment to an individual City Council member, find email addresses here.
Got a question? Send it to budget@vbgov.com.

Review the budget
To review the complete budget, visit www.VBgov.com/budget.

• Open Budget – An online app that lets citizens review, compare, download, visualize and analyze data at the line-item level. http://www.VBgov.com/budget
• Full text of the budget – In three documents: executive summary, operating budget and six-year capital plan.

SDCC General Meeting and Special Presentation on City’s Sea Level Rise/Flooding Study – Mon March 25th at 7:30pm

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda 3.25.19 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday March 25, 2019 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall – 3769 East Stratford Rd
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Special Presentation –

Virginia Beach Comprehensive Sea Level Rise and Recurrent Flooding Planning Study

Charles J. Bodnar and Sue E. Kriebel of the city’s Stormwater Engineering Center will discuss the results of the $3 million City funded study being worked by Dewberry consultants. The study shows seven major areas of the City that could have heavy financial impact from future SLR and flooding. Suggested solutions include storm surge walls along the beach from Fort Story to Little Creek with gates at the Lesner Bridge. This along with others projects could cost the upwards of $2 billion. Mr. Bodnar and Ms. Kriebel will also discuss next steps for this study which will include public input and conversations regarding funding and project ranking.

Officer’s Reports
Secretary – Kathleen Damon
Treasurer’s Report –Tim Solanic
Vice President – Wally Damon
President – Todd Solomon

Old Business-
Bayfront Beach Replenishment Update – The bid has been awarded to dredge the Lynnhaven Inlet and to use the sand to replenish the Cape Henry Beach. Updates on the project start and finish dates will be provided as they are shared.
Community Rating System (CRS) – Official release of Virginia Beach status and initial ranking will be provided in April. Estimates show we should be in the 10% to 20% cost savings to a property’s annual flood insurance premium.
4th of July Fireworks for Cape Henry Beach – Cape Story by the Sea Civic Association officers and the Bayfront Advisory Commission Chairman met with Councilman Jones, Deputy City Manager Cover and City Entertainment contractor IMG to request that the 35 year old annual event become a City managed and operated show. State Fire Marshal regulations, lack of pyrotechnic company support and insufficient funding have become too restrictive for the event to continue to be held at the State Park and coordinated by residents.

New Business –
Windsong Apartments Redevelopment – The 14+ acre site located between Pleasure House Road and North Hampton Blvd. currently contains 272 units and are approximately 40 year old. The developer, Bonaventure, is requesting a rezoning to allow the number of units to increase by 160 to a total of 432. Along with the new units, the developer plans to renovate the old units that it will keep. A presentation of this project by the developer has been scheduled for our April 29th SDCC meeting.
Dog Leash Law for Beaches – The City’s Animal Control Department is asking for a change to the City’s Dog Leash Law that will require all dogs to be on a leash when on any City’s public beach. On Bayfront beaches, dogs would need to be leashed at all times during the off-season (Labor Day to Memorial Day) and between 6pm and 10am during the season (Memorial Day to Labor Day). Dogs are prohibited to be on the beach at all from 10am to 6pm during the season. A public hearing will be held on Wed April 10th at 630pm at the City’s Law Enforcement Training Facility.
Meeting of Three Commanders – A Virginia Historical Highway Marker commemorating the Sept. 18, 1781 meeting of Washington, Rochambeau and De Gasse was placed in the Lynnhaven Colony Park along Shore Drive and dedicated this past Wed. March 6th.
Community Concerns– Please share any issues or concerns your groups/organizations may have at this time.

***Next SDCC Meeting – Monday April 25, 2019.***
Special Presentation – Windsong Development Plans by Bonaventure