A number of lawyers contacted by The Virginian-Pilot said the ruling will have little or no immediate effect on Virginia residents because the General Assembly does not allow cities and counties to use eminent domain for economic development purposes.
Article at Pilotonline.com.

This Gateway Area to our resort area has great potential to create positive and lasting first impressions of our wonderful city as well as a more pleasurable, pedestrian and upbeat atmosphere for its Shore Drive residents. We have a road to travel to make that overall impression come true.

The Shore Drive Corridor needs some vision and our civic leaders to take the initiative to implement this vision.  This is a prime opportunity for you to begin the process.

I don’t support another car lot on Shore Drive. I do however believe that any group(s) monitoring development and redevelopment issues on Shore Drive particularly in the corridor between Lesner Bridge to Pleasure House Road need to work with the city to gain understanding of code compliant issues regarding existing structures, fences, signs and uses along this road that are not code compliant and deal with that first.

Unbelievably, by a vote of 5-4, the Supreme Court today:

… ruled that local governments may seize people’s homes and businesses—even against their will—for private economic development.

Pleasure House Point for a park?
Your house for a 6 lane Shore Drive?
An entire building of bayfront condos for a 6+ lane bridge?
Existing businesses for a larger big box store?

What do you think about this?

SDCC GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
May 23, 2005

Minutes:

1.    President Todd Solomon called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM.  Fifteen members and guests were present.

Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC)- General Meeting
Monday June 27, 2005
7:30pm to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Fire & Rescue Hall

The main topic of this month?s discussion will be final preparation for the Tuesday June 28th City Council review of the proposed Used Car Lot at the corner of North Hampton Blvd. and Shore Drive.  The City Council session begins at 6:00pm.  Get the word out.

Thanks to Dorinda for attending, taking notes and having them posted here for the public to view!
6/6/05 SDAC Meeting Heritage School

The kids at Heritage School surely are lucky.  We met in the caf?/auditorium of their new elementary school and it is beautiful?complete with a huge mural and a stage and tables with attached chairs on wheels which the old farts did not find too comfortable.
As I arrived well into Heather Ham?s report on the demo project and the bridge, Leslie will report on that.

And another email “application for a Used Car Dealership to be built at the corner of Northhampton Blvd and Shore Drive”.

Shore Drive is by it’s very location a rare gem that the City should protect and nurture. Creating planned, skilled cuts to a gem makes it more beautiful and more valuable.

Another email asking for denial of an “application for a Used Car Dealership to be built at the corner of Northhampton Blvd and Shore Drive”.

In the past I have appeared as a witness for exceptions. I am very much against this exception.  I am not opposed to change, I feel it needs to be ‘smart change’.

An email asking for denial of an “application for a Used Car Dealership to be built at the corner of Northhampton Blvd and Shore Drive”.

I’m sure the citizens of Ocean View in the 1950’s and 60’s never thought Ocean View would look like it did in the 1980’s. It didn’t happen overnight, it happened one business, one variance at a time.

Dear Shore Drive Residents,

On Tuesday June 28th, 2005 at 6:00pm in the City Council Chambers (Bldg #1, 2nd floor), City Council will review and vote on the application for a Used Car Dealership to be built at the corner of North Hampton Blvd and Shore Drive.  A large turnout at the Council Session is desparately needed to help defeat this request.  Please pass the word to all your neighbors.  Hand out flyers, hang posters, send out emails and make phone calls.  Tell your neighbors to turn our in force.  Rides to City Hall can be arranged at the Monday night SDCC general meeting.

The Landings, 3556, Ocean Park, Baylake Pines, Cape Henry, Lynnhaven Dunes, Cape Story by the Sea, and others were represented at the first meeting of Bayfront Vision.

Thanks to Edwina, Joe, Fred, Beverly, Richard [all of Lynnhaven Dunes Condos!], Todd, Chris, Tim & Alexise for participating in the 3rd co-cleanup.

Boomerang is free bus service from the Va Beach ocean front to a couple spots in Williamsburg and back again.
Check it out.

I spoke with several restaurateurs in the past about setting up a free shuttle between participating restaurants on Shore Drive and the several I spoke with were interested in doing it.

Would you be interested in trying a Shore Drive shuttle?
Email us.

Dear Shore Drive Community Representatives,

On June 28th, City Council will vote on a proposed Used Car Lot at the corner of North Hampton and Shore Drive (the old Texaco station).  A 6 to 5 vote is all that is needed to deny or approve this application.  Many of you have expressed your concerns that this type of development is not right for the character of Shore Drive.  In an effort to better define what the community would like to see along Shore Drive and in the Bayfront area, a series of Focus meetings will be held to establish a comprehensive Vision for our community.

When completed, months of editing, music and other effects will be added to “Sweet Good Fortune,” a full-length movie written by Frank Shield of Virginia Beach.

Attached is the draft agenda for tomorrow’s meeting.  Please note the meeting will NOT be at the Bayside Community Recreation Center, but at Hermitage Elementary School.

Hope to see you there.
Clay Bernick

SDAC Agenda[Word Document]

Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel commissioners approved a compromise today keeping islands along the 20-mile span open to birding while maintaining tighter post-Sept. 11 security measures.

The new rules will require birders to arrange their visits in advance, provide photo identification and be subject to security checks.
Read the entire article at Pilotonline.com.
Birdwatching info at the CBBT website.

The sunsets and sunrises from the islands are gorgeous too!

Welcome Home!

Thank you.

[Thanks again to Roger for coordinating the Shore Drive home coming.]