Read Mary Reid’s article & view photos at Pilotonline.com.
Author Archives: Tim
“Staff will continue to brainstorm ideas with the stakeholders and the contractor (once determined) in order to try to find a resolution to this issue.” Phase 3 construction of Lesner Bridge.
The following information has been received from the city about bicycle and pedestrian access on the Lesner during construction: “Public Works staff has been coordinating with Mr. Wayne Wilcox, who is the City’s liaison to the BTAC. Although several options have been explored to provide temporary pedestrian and bicycle access across the bridge, during Phase 3 of construction, staff has not found a safe, buildable and economically-feasible solution. Phase 3 is the critical phase because the entire width of the bridge is needed to handle the four lanes of traffic, and there is no additional space for a sidewalk or a bike lane. Staff will continue to brainstorm ideas with the stakeholders and the contractor (once determined) in order to try to find a resolution to this issue.”
Man exposes himself to 2 girls on bike path.
From Cape Story Neighborhood Watch:
The following received from a resident on Beech St.
On Tuesday, at approximately 2:30pm, two teenage girls disembarked from the school bus.
They stopped to talk before parting ways at the bike path.
A white male in his mid-40’s walked past them on the bike path with his private parts exposed.
When my daughter started walking down the bike path toward home, he turned around and followed her.
She ran back to her friend and they ran to the friend’s home where an adult was waiting.
Police were called and a report was filed.
The man was wearing black athletic shorts, a gray t-shirt, white walking shoes and knee socks. He had no facial hair.
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. Also, please call or email the NW Coordinator so crime reports and suspicious activities can be shared with all of our residents.
More details posted 9.11.13 @ 646p:
The man is described as overweight, height about 5′ 7″ and had a receding hairline so the victims couldn’t distinguish his hair color. If anyone has any information about this man, please call the police at 385-5000.
VB Parks & Rec wins award for PHP
Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation is pleased to have received three awards on Monday, September 9, 2013 at the 2013 Virginia Recreation and Park Society (VRPS) Conference in James City County, Virginia.
The Best New Environmental Sustainability Award was presented in recognition of the preservation of Pleasure House Point Natural Area.
This natural area was acquired and preserved in July 2012 by the City of Virginia Beach through a forward-thinking partnership with the Trust for Public Land (TPSL, in collaboration with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). This 118-acre legacy acquisition contains a mile of shoreline on the Lynnhaven River and Pleasure House Creek.
With the assistance of TPF, CBF and the grassroots efforts of the community, the City of Virginia Beach succeeded in preserving one of the last undeveloped parcels of land on the Lynnhaven River.
” 911 Call Center Working Virginia Beach 9-1-1 lines are functioning on a backup system. This system does not provide your location or telephone number information, so if you dial 9-1-1 please remain on the line and speak with the 9-1-1 call taker. “
Friends of Live Oaks (FOLO) will be giving away about 150 live oak trees on Saturday October 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Friends of Live Oaks (FOLO) will be giving away about 150 live oak trees on Saturday October 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Linkhorn Annex (the former Linkhorn Elementary School) at 1413 Linkhorn Road. Live Oaks are the official tree of the City of Virginia Beach, and FOLO members want to assure their survival for future generations to enjoy.
Since its founding three years ago, FOLO has given away about 500 live oaks (approximately 7 feet tall). If you would like to have a live oak for your yard, request forms are available at Virginia Beach public libraries and recreation centers and online at vbgov.com/liveoaks.
Although there is no charge for the trees to be given away on October 12, recipients of the trees ( and those who admire live oaks and want to ensure their presence here for future generations) are encouraged to purchase a yearly membership in Friends of Live Oaks, for only $10.
The tree is one of the most distinctive and recognizable plants in the city and immediately brings to mind our coastal areas and maritime ecosystem. They resist salt spray and storm surges, having survived Hurricane Katrina in areas where everything else was reduced to rubble.
Save a tree and request your live oak tree at this link at VBGov.com.
Prossible New Changes to the once dead SB926
SB926 at SDCC.info previously.
Newest info follows below
Line 98 proposed changes:
Line 98: 10. Governmental activity in wetlands owned or leased or within an easement held by the Commonwealth or a subdivision thereof or in wetlands subject to a local government approved neighborhood navigation dredging project within a special services district adopted by the local governing body in accordance with 15.2-2400, et seq., of the Code of Virginia (“SSD Neighborhood Dredging Project”). Notwithstanding any provision in this chapter to the contrary, any such
special service district neighborhood dredging projectSSD Neighborhood Dredging Project shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission rather than the local wetlands board, if any. In exercising its jurisdiction over neighborhood dredging projects, the Commission shall process permit applications in accordance with the provisions ofthethis chapterand the applicable wetlands zoning ordinance, if any,and shall provide an opportunity for public comment.
Previous 2013 Virginia Beach Legislative Agenda Wording
Link to Previous 2013 version of SB926 as Introduced
SENATE BILL NO. 926
Offered January 9, 2013
Prefiled January 7, 2013
13100867D
A BILL to amend and reenact § 28.2-1302 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the jurisdiction of local wetlands boards.
–––––––––– Patron––McWaters
––––––––––
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
––––––––––2013 SB 926 Wetlands; governmental activity.
01/31/13 Senate: Stricken at request of Patron in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (10-Y )
YEAS–Hanger, Watkins, Puckett, Ruff, McEachin, Petersen, Northam, Marsden, Black, Miller–10.
NAYS–0.
ABSTENTIONS–0.
Pleasure House Point Plant Walk & Children’s Night Hike
Pleasure House Point Plant Walk
Wednesday, September 18, 5:30-7:00 PM
Join us for a nature walk through Pleasure House Point with Vicki Shufer, naturalist, author, and local plant expert. Hear stories about how these plants were used hundreds of years ago and which ones are good to eat. Enjoy the beautiful sunset along the Lynnhaven River as we wrap up the tour at dusk.
Free, but you must register ahead. Email or call 757-962-5398 to register.
Children’s Night Hike
First Landing State Park
Friday, September 20, 7:30-9:30 PM
Bring your children for a exciting night hike in First Landing State Park on the banks of the Lynnhaven River. Search for night creatures, listen to the sounds of the forest at night and look for glowing owl eyes hiding in the trees.
For more information or to register, contact LRNow at 757-962-5398 or Trista@LRNow.org.
“Four lanes of traffic will remain open throughout construction, although there will be a 15-month period during which pedestrians and cyclists will not be able to cross the bridge, Jarman said. The city is looking into options, including busing, to assist pedestrians across Lynnhaven Inlet.”
…there will be a 15-month period during which pedestrians and cyclists will not be able to cross the bridge…
Read the entire article at Pilotonline.com.
After the Lesner Bridge project, Jarman said, the city may consider keeping the bulkhead at Crab Creek permanently and request a permit modification from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
During the first phase of construction, the pedestrian walkway on the westbound span of the existing bridge will be removed. The new westbound span will be built just north of the current bridge, and all traffic will remain open on the old bridge. That could take about 15 months, wrapping up by summer 2015, Jarman said.
Photo Credit: Share Shore Drive Day July 11 2009
Night kayaker or swimmer?
Have you experienced this yet?
The bioluminscence has been world class off our beach all week long. A species of dinoflaggelate (microscopic plankton) that makes a blue/green flash when disturbed under the right conditions is blooming in the lower Bay. Neon blue kayak bow wave. Ball of blue green light with each paddle stroke. Thousands of tiny light specks when you wave your hand through the water.
I highly recommend people go for a night kayak / swim in the Bay over the next several days in hopes that conditions are right and they get to experience the magic. I find that it’s best on moonless nights, generally 50 feet or more from shore and when the water is calm. Currents or conditions change daily, so it may be around for a week, or gone tonight. It’s really neat with or without a mask on.
Maybe you could email this information out because it’s really worth experiencing if it’s still around.
Captain Octopus (Bob)
Be safe if you check it out!
“The Bayfront Advisory Committee will meet Thursday, Sept. 19, at the Resort and Conference Center, 2800 Shore Drive, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.”
Visit VBGov.com to learn more.
Subcommittees will meet from 2 to 3:15 p.m. at the Resort and Conference Center. The subcommittees will continue their deliberations regarding recommendations for commercial design standards and safety issues along the Shore Drive corridor. The subcommittee meetings will be open for the public to observe, but there will not be an opportunity for the public to participate in the subcommittee’s deliberations.
Photo Credit: Steve Coari at Pleasure House Point
“The work will be done at Pleasure House Point in Virginia Beach, the same site where neighbors fought hard to keep a development from being built in that area and destroying the natural habitat.”
Volunteers will be working at the site just off Shore Drive Thursday, September 5 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. You can also take action and volunteer next Tuesday, September 10 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
“Early next year, staff will install devices that prevent flooding back-flow through city drains during high-water events at five locations in the Lynnhaven Colony neighborhood.”
Read entire article at Pilotonline.com:
The city is tasked with finding a permanent solution as it watches the sea levels rise, coupled with more intensive weather events, City Manager Jim Spore said in a letter to the council.
His staff will present a comprehensive plan early next year.
Crab Creek outfall back flow preventer installed
Hopefully they will be as successful as the one installed in Crab Creek that prevented storm surge flooding coming through the storm drains in October 2012 during Super Storm Sandy.
Previously at SDCC.info:
Happy 10 Year Anniversary to SDCC.info!
Virginia Beach Audubon Society has a dedicated PHP page
And we linked to it at our dedicated PHP page!
Check out the Audubon Society’s PHP page.
Virginia Beach Audubon has been very active on this property since it was announced in 2012. Field Trips by many especially the visitations by Steve and Julie Coari with help from Dianne Hinch, Keith & Karen Roberts, Jim Marcum, Brian Prendergast and a few others have identified over 122 species to date. Below is a full list of the birds at this site and dates that they were sited. Pictures throughout this page are from PHP shot by Steve, Keith, Brian and Julie.
“Although Bay Lake Retirement Center gave the league permission to use the land, the city’s zoning ordinance specifies that many types of outdoor recreation require a permit.”
Zoning Administrator Karen Lasley said if private land isn’t already zoned for sports league recreation, it requires a conditional-use permit.
“August 19 – August 30: Mobilization of Site Facilities The construction fencing, erosion and sedimentation control, project temporary offices, signage and temporary utilities required to support the construction efforts will be set up on site.”
From the Hourigan Construction Blog about CBF’s Brock Center:
This month begins the jobsite mobilization in support of the construction for Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Brock Environmental Center.
Photo Credit: About CBF’s Brock Environmental Center page
Super exciting stuff!
Article on dredging: “Two years ago, neighborhood residents packed a meeting room to tell city officials not to build a transfer site in a residential area on Maple Street along Long Creek.”
A crane on a barge will scoop mud and sand from the bottom of the Lynnhaven River. The dredged material will be brought ashore at the Thalia Dredged Material Transfer Facility, and trucked to a spoils site off Oceana Boulevard.
“VIRGINIA BEACH–Boaters are calling for warnings to be posted at the Lynnhaven Inlet after several boats have recently run aground.”
The Army Corps of Engineers confirmed the information. They said bidding ends on August 27 and dredging should begin between 30 and 60 days later.
“The city Zoning Board of Appeals declined variances for a man whose Chic’s Beach home has been built to resemble a boat, meaning he may have to dismantle additions he’s added over the years.”
The bow of a salvaged yacht takes the place of a former carport.
Photo credit: Steve Earley
#WeLoveShoreDrive 