Like mature trees, pretty architecture & history?

You’ll want to share your input:

Later this year, City Council will consider the development of a program that would address the preservation, renewal and enhancement of the city’s existing housing and neighborhoods. To assist in their consideration, the Planning Commission Subcommittee on Preservation (Preservation Subcommittee) is currently developing a set of recommendations, which will be presented to City Council and help determine the direction of this initiative.

The Preservation Subcommittee believes that public involvement is a key part of the planning process and vital to its success. Therefore, we invite you to review the Draft Neighborhood Preservation Policy Report, which can be found on the Preservation Subcommittee’s web page. The subcommittee’s webpage can be accessed from the Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation’s web site, http://www.vbgov.com/housing, under the “Housing Initiatives” section, as “Preservation Initiative.” There you can access information about the subcommittee, such as its membership, meeting schedules, agendas and notes, and a copy of the Draft Neighborhood Preservation Policy Report. Remember to check the web page often as it is continually updated with the progress of the subcommittee’s work.

As you review the Draft Neighborhood Preservation Policy Report, we ask that you please keep the following questions in mind:

  * Are these the right goals?
  * Is this the right direction?
  * How else can we address neighborhood preservation?

The Preservation Subcommittee values input on these recommendations and encourages you to share your feedback by contacting Lanitha Hudson, the coordinator of the Preservation Initiative at lhudson@vbgov.com or by calling 385-5734.  You can also contact any member of the Preservation Subcommittee to share your feedback.  The Membership list is located under “Related Documents” on the right of the Preservation Initiative webpage.

Thank you for your interest in the Preservation Initiative. We look forward to hearing your feedback.
________________________________________________

Lanitha C. R. Hudson
Program Coordinator, Strategy, Policy, and Resources Unit

Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
757.385.5734 Direct
757.385.5750 Reception
757.385.1874 Fax
lhudson@VBgov.com

In Virginia Beach, schedule a free home security assessment through the Crime Prevention Office, 385-1006.
Check out article at Pilotonline.com.
WiLife.com mentioned in article.

CBF is partnering with local governments, non-profits, and dedicated individuals to present the 20th Annual Clean the Bay Day event. This Virginia-wide waterway debris cleanup engages thousands of citizens each year and is a great way for you to help “Save the Bay”.

What:  20th ANNUAL CLEAN THE BAY DAY

When:  Saturday, June 7, 2008
        9 AM- 12 PM
        PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED at: cbf.org/clean

Where:  1.)  At hundreds of sites throughout Hampton Roads, Virginia
        2.)  At Belle Haven on the Eastern Shore of Virginia

For More Information:  Visit cbf.org/clean or call 1-800-SAVEBAY (1-800-728-3229)

Additionally, this year CBF is proud to present another way to help “Save the Bay”. CBF will host an electronics recycling event in partnership with Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. This event is a FREE, environmentally responsible opportunity to recycle unwanted electronics and is a new way for citizens, businesses and other organizations to participate in Clean the Bay Day.

What:  ELECTRONICS WASTE RECYCLING EVENT

When:
1.)  Businesses, religious institutions, military, schools
    PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED at: cleanthebayday.poweron.com
    June 4-6, 2008
    9 AM-3 PM
2.)  Individuals (no residency requirement)
    June 7, 2008
    9 AM-3 PM

Where:  Old Dominion University, Lot 43

For More Information: 
Visit cbf.org/clean or cleanthebay.poweron.com or call
1-800-SAVEBAY (1-800-728-3229)

We hope to see you at both events!

Sharon Smith
Clean the Bay Day Coordinator
Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Check out Three Sparrows and the Lynnhaven Estuary NOW !

Last night, Monday, a car was broken into in the 2200 block of Maple St.  A purse and camera were taken.  It occurred sometime between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. and a police report was filed. The resident was sure the car was locked; however, there were no signs of forced entry.  The police told the resident that robbers can get in the cars without breaking anything.  Some unimportant items were found on Dolphin Rd. in Lynnhaven Colony. If anyone has any information about this, please call the police.  Reminder:  Do not leave any valuables in cars.

According to VBGov.com:

Concert in Virginia Beach to Benefit Migratory Songbirds

On Tuesday morning, May 20, Singer-songwriter James Taylor will be available for an hour news conference with the media to talk about his support for conservation of bird habitat on the Eastern Shore, the launch of his U.S. tour and forthcoming album.  He will be at the VIP Club at the Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater.

A portion of the proceeds of the Virginia Beach concert will benefit the Southern Tip Partnership ), a coalition of conservation groups including the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, The Nature Conservancy, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

The groups are working together to protect habitat for migratory birds along the Eastern Shore, which has been recognized as a globally important place for migratory songbirds.  (http://www.deq.virginia.gov/coastal/eslandconservation.html

The song birds also need more habitat to survive their trip & Pleasure House Point being 100% open space would certainly help.

June 5th Public Meeting, 8:00 AM at Dockside Inn

Our featured speaker for the June 5th public meeting is Delegate Joe Bouchard.  Delegate Bouchard represents the northwest quadrant of Virginia Beach in the state legislature and serves on the Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee.  This is your opportunity to hear about his first year in the General Assembly and to ask him questions or bring up the issues that interest you.  He is interested in hearing about our concerns.  Please join us for this important meeting.  All are welcome; no pre-registration required.
More at LynnhavenRiverNow.org.

The tribute to the first explorers of the New World and the American Indians of the Chesapeake region includes docent lead tours of the American Indian village and the colonial outpost and live theatrical performances on our unique outdoor stage.
Check out the details at FirstLandingFoundation.com.

“It’s high-end, low-impact tourism,” said Donna Bozza, director of the Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism Commission. “We don’t want the scale of Virginia Beach, especially given our fragile area here.”

A former journalist herself, Bozza added, “If we get paved over and look like everyone else, we’d lose what makes us special.”

Imagine eco-tourism being promoted in cooperation with the Eastern Shore as another reason to visit here and/or live here.
Imagine promoting using the LBR&BF to launch kayaks to tour our special places, as people in the know do today.
Imagine Pleasure House Point staying a special place, remaining open space.

Now imagine a Permanent Public/Private Dredge Spoils Transfer Station at the LBR&BF & PHP becoming 1/2 asphalt and a thousand housing units.

Read article at Pilotonline.com.

From CBF.org:

The legislation will provide $188 million over the next 4.5 years for a new Chesapeake Bay Watershed Program, and increase the region’s share of national conservation programs more than $252 million over five years. CBF estimates that the funding could reduce nitrogen pollution by as much as (40) million pounds annually to local rivers, streams, and the Chesapeake Bay.

How is this also related to Indigo Dunes on Pleasure House Point?
The enormous increase in nitrogen that will be dumped in Pleasure House Creek from the project if it’s approved as presented to date vs. it remaining open space as it is now.

SDCC General Meeting – Monday May 19, 2008,  7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall (parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

There are no planned programs for this month.  This time will be deferred to the Old/New business due to the many
important issues and concerns that need to be addressed.

The general agenda for the evening will be: 

Officer’s Reports – Brief Reports
Secretary – Tim
Treasurer’s Report – Leslie
Vice President & President – Daphne & Todd

Old Business- 
Indigo Dunes Project – Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has issued a Preliminary Permit and will be
holding a public hearing at their office 5636 Southern Blvd on Monday June 9th.  The formal hearing starts at 7:30pm,
but the informal part starts at 6:30pm.  The informal part will include a presentation by me on the draft permit, a possible
presentation by the applicant (if they choose to do so), and Q&A. The comment period continues until June 24th and
written comments will be accepted until then.

Lynnhaven River Proposed Spoils Transfer Station – SDCC has sent a letter of opposition to the LBR site and a
letter requesting Council to make an official vote on any site that is picked No response has been received.  Only 3
sites are being considered, Saw Pen Point, Thalia Elementary and LBR.  City Staff plans to present City Council their
recommendation on Friday May 23rd , it’s unknown if this briefing is open to the public.  If the LBR site is chosen, the
VMRC plans to hold a public hearing on Tuesday July 22nd.  Residents will be asked to send emails and make phone
calls to Council members letting them know that LBR is the wrong site.

Cape Henry Beach Sand Replenishment – City Council and the City’s Attorney’s Office have issued letters to 6
groups stating their claim to public easement and plans to move ahead with paperwork to make Cape Henry Beach the
spoils site for the next dredge cycle in 2009/2010.

Proposed Rezoning of City Marina – Planning Commission review hearing was deferred.  A new review date has not
been set.  It was deferred to provide more detail on proffers/restrictions for the request to rezone the marina to B-1. 
SDCC will be taking an official position vote on this at our June 30th meeting.  SDCC reps need to discuss this with their
organizations before then.  Visit the website for latest proffers and restrictions.  Remember, the current arrangement is a
money making venture for the City, about $50,000 per year.  Making it a private venture runs the risk of losing this
income.

SDCC Oyster Roast – Mark your calendars for Saturday Nov 15th from noon until 4pm at the VB Resort Conference
Hotel.  Committee meeting will begin in June/July.  Email Todd if you’re interested in helping.  Todd@sdcc.info
 
SDCC Officer Nomination Committee – The nominating committee is getting an early start for the upcoming election
of 2008/9 officers.  If you are interested in running or know of anyone that may be, please contact Dan Creedon at
DanVaB@aol.com.  The committee will make their presentation of names at the October 27th general meeting.
Shore Drive Clean Up – Clean up held on May 10th was a success.  Thanks to those dozen volunteers who came out. 
Periodic clean ups have resulted in less trash being found each time.  Keep up the good work.  More volunteers are
always welcome. 

New Business – 
Action Plans for LBR – Discuss and vote on any actions or position statements.  Since validation has been received
showing that the State did pay for a portion of the ramp, Joe Bouchard has been asked to weigh in on the LBR site, but
no response has been received to date.

Action Plans for PHP – Discuss and vote on any actions or position statements.  Email campaign, call list to get people
to the public hearing, etc.  Make sure your groups are filling in the call list blanks for those willing to attend meeting in a
show of support. 

Phase IV Shore Drive Demonstration Project – A citizen information meeting will be held on Thursday May 22nd from
5 to 7pm at Hermitage Elementary School regarding the planned improvements to Shore Drive between Marlin Bay and
East Stratford Rd in the Ocean Park area.

Clean the Bay Day – Clean the Bay day is June 7th.  Mark your calendars.

Print this and bring it to the meeting:
SDCCGenMtgAgendaMay19-08.pdf [1pg]

Thanks to Cherie for providing us her letter to .

Be sure to email Ms. Kattan your letter!

The project proposal will compromise the public welfare/good by overbuilding in a fragile resource area and will destroy wetland buffers and RPA (Resource Protected Areas) WITHOUT justifiable cause or necessity, other than sheer profit . The proposal has not fully avoided and minimized impact as required by law. ALSO, the measures being taken to minimize discharge & pollution from 1,063 more units are insufficient based on exaggerated and inaccurate information related to current drainage patterns, and the actual value and functioning of the wetland area, which already filters and buffers. Additionally, the proposal does not prove that there will be a “no-net” increase in pollution/run-off and discharge when the project is considered alone. Bottom-line, you don’t add more of the same to purportedly, do a “better” clean up. This land area is not a wasted, valueless, ineffective and corrupted wetland as the developer has reported it to be. My husband, Gary Vaughan, and myself are totally against this project for the above mentioned reasons, as well as, for the negative impact of increase in traffic, road deterioration, and over crowding of schools that the building of this site and eventual residency will bring to this area.
Sincerely,
Cherie and Gary Vaughan

Sections of Cape Henry Beach, between First Landing State Park and the Lesner Bridge, have eroded and need the sand, officials said. In exchange for the sand, the city wants residents to sign over public use of the beach for recreation. Twelve of the 21 property owners and condominium associations within the two-mile stretch have agreed.
Read entire article at Pilotonline.com.

This is for JPA#2 and not the JPA in litigation in City of VB vs. VMRC.

The ad went in the paper on Saturday which starts the public comment period.  This comment period continues until June 24th (which is 15 days after the public hearing date).  The public hearing will be held at our office here on June 9th (Monday).  The formal hearing starts at 7:30pm, but the informal part starts at 6:30pm.  The informal part will include a presentation by me on the draft permit, a possible presentation by the applicant (if they choose to do so), and Q&A.  You can submit comments in writing anytime during that period. Also, if you speak at the hearing, that will be counted as formal comments as well since the hearing will be recorded.

View Larger Map

The Draft Permit Conditions & cover letter:
62601PermitCover.pdf [1pg]
62601SpecialConditions.pdf [17pgs]

Please be advised the Conditional Rezoning request for the City of Virginia Beach for Change of Zoning District Classification from P-1 Preservation District to Conditional B-2 Community Business District at 3211 Lynnhaven Drive (the City Marina) is being deferred. Staff is requesting the deferral to further clarify the request and proposed uses.

If you have any questions or need further information please contact Barry Frankenfield or Brian Solis at 385-1104.

Faith Christie, CZA, CBO
Planner, City of Virginia Beach
2405 Courthouse Drive, Room 115
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
757-385-6379

Be sure to follow the Topic link to learn more.

This friendly reminder is from one of our neighbors.

PUT YOUR CAR KEYS BESIDE YOUR BED AT NIGHT:

Tell your spouse, your children, your neighbors, your parents, and the
check-out girl at the market, everyone you run across. Put your car keys
beside your bed at night. If you hear noise outside your home or someone
trying to get in your houseor vehicle, just press the panic button for your car. The
alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you
turn it off or the car battery dies.
Please remember to call 911 if you see a crime in action and call 385-5000, option #1,  to report crimes after they have occurred or to report any suspicious activity. 

15 volunteers, ~15 bags, ~350lbs, 2 hours.
Join us next time.

Check this out:

Lynnhaven Luau
Saturday May 31, 2008
7:00-11:00pm
Featuring
The Original Rhondels
Get your beach shoes on and come out and play!
Heavy Appetizers
Cash Bar
Free Shag Lessons
50/50 Raffle
Tickets $30.00
$35.00 at the door
Sponsored by
Lynnhaven Colony Congregational Church
2217 W. Great Neck Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
757.286.3220

If your idea of retirement is a permanent vacation, it makes sense to choose a locale with plenty of wide-open spaces. Parks not only provide refuge from the noise and bustle of the city, but they also strengthen neighborhoods, reduce pollution, and inspire lazy strolls and impromptu picnics.

Parks are especially vital for densely populated urban areas, says Peter Harnik, director of the Center for City Park Excellence at the Trust for Public Land. “The more crowded a city is, the more important parks are,” he says. “Fewer and fewer people have their own private green space, so they depend on public space.”

Hmmm… the Bayfront is the densest populated area in the City, an Open Space study showed we drastically lack open space & picked Pleasure House Point as the number one property to purchase to create more open space, it’s well known “empty-nesters” are a large portion of the residents & homeowners in the area & therefore contribute more to the “bottom line” of the City’s tax revenues. Did you also know First Landing State Park is the most visited park in the entire state? Wouldn’t that also mean we, at the Bayfront, need more open space?!
Read 10 Greenest Places to Retire at US News & World Report.

The next meeting of the Bayfront Advisory Committee will be held at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, May 15, at the First Landing Fire Station.  The station is located at 2837 Shore Drive on the south west corner of Shore Drive and Sunstates Court.
More at VBGov.com.