Author Archives: Tim

“Most Environmentally Sustainable Building in Virginia Gets Green Light from Virginia Beach”. CBF’s facility for PHP moves closer to completition.

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Hoo ray!

Hopefully CBF will conduct intense studies about using wind turbines safely since so many birds love PHP and it's vital habitat in the Atlantic Flyway. Photo credit: CBF

Photo credit: CBF

From CBF.org/PHP:

“We are extremely gratified that the Virginia Beach City Council and the community support our new venture at Pleasure House Point,” said CBF Hampton Roads Director Christy Everett. “The CBF Brock Environmental Center will be a model of sustainable design, demonstrating how it is possible to build responsibly and make a substantial environmental difference without sacrificing comfort or aesthetics.”

The CBF Brock Environmental Center will feature cutting-edge green construction practices to meet the “Living Building Challenge,” a set of stringent, specific environmental standards established by the International Living Future Institute. These standards require the facility to have “net zero” impact on the environment, not only during construction but during its daily operation. It will be the first of its kind in Virginia.

More including video at WAVY.com.

Hopefully all the parties can come together to work out a deal to preserve the remainder of PHP too to ensure everyone including the kids using CBF’s facility will have the best possible experience.

Learn more about the possibility of trees coming down for duplexes within site of CBF’s facility here and here.

Let’s hope everyone can come together to preserve this privately held property to ensure trees including Live Oaks are saved, and kids will have the best possible experience while learning about the great outdoors at CBF’s facility.

Eat, vote and attend the SDCC Meeting on Monday Dec 17. All invited! Note Early Start of 6:30pm

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda SDCC Agenda DEC 2012

Early start time of 6:30pm to allow for social event

 

Shore Drive Community Coalition

Monday 17 DEC 2012

SDCC General Meeting, Election & Party

PLEASE NOTE DATE and TIME

SDCC General Meeting – Monday, 17 DEC 6:30 – 9:00 pm

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Station (Intersection of Shore Drive and East Stratford Rd.)

Call to order

Meeting topic: VOTING and ELECTION of SDCC Officers for 2013

2013 Slate of officers approved at Nov. Meeting:

                                                President – David Williams (Cape Henry Shores)

                                                Vice President – Rick Mercadante (Ocean Park)

                                                Secretary – Todd Solomon (Cape Story)

                                                Treasurer – Ryan King (Chesapeake Beach)

Member’s and Guest’s SOCIAL CELEBRATION of 2012

Officers’ Reports:
President’s Report David Williams
Vice President’s report Grace Moran

Secretary’s Report Todd Solomon –NOV Minutes

Treasurer’s Report Carol Collins

Update on issues:

Old Business

New Business Celebrate /Pollard’s Chicken, meatballs, veggie tray, cheese tray, and dessert tray

Adjourn

Next SDCC- Monday JAN 28, 2012

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Center

Speaker- TBA

Please check http://www.sdcc.info for more information on area news and events

Video of Jordan Bridge being built by FIGG, builders of replacement for Lesner Bridge.

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This could be similar to what to expect for the Lesner Bridge replacement work.

Check out FIGGBridge.com.
More links and info at SDCC.info’s HOT page about the Lesner Bridge replacement.

Hear of the idea to cut down trees including live oaks to change an intersection on Shore Drive?

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Yeah. Me neither.

At Cape Henry Towers. Plans from a couple months ago. More info to follow I’m sure.

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House under construction on Maple Street vandalised by teenagers. Who?

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From Cape Story Neighborhood Watch:

My house that is under construction in the 2200 block of Maple Street (near the bike path) was vandalized last night by 3 high school age youths. A neighbor was on an evening walk after 9:00 pm and had seen them walking around. Then he just happened to be walking nearby our house and heard the loud crash of smashing windows and called 911. He actually chased after them calling out help, help to alert the neighbors. They are most definitely local kids as one had his skateboard with him. They were described as follows: 2 of the boys being tall and thin, and the 3rd boy was shorter than the other two. They smashed two lower windows in the living room from inside the house with a board. Four VA Beach police cruisers responded and searched the property and the neighborhood, but did not find these young vandals.

The fact that this looks to be neighborhood kids is especially concerning. I have two teenagers myself, and if I were reading this and had a high school age son, I would be asking myself “Where was my son last night between 8:30 pm and 10:30 pm”.

This is not a personal safety issue, but it is a nasty bit of vandalism for sure. My guess is that if these kids get away with this they will vandalize others. If anybody has any information as to who might have done this, we would greatly appreciate them coming forward.

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.

The contractor will begin to install the wooden guardrail along Marlin Bay Drive Monday, December 12.

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From an email from Michael:

The contractor will begin to install the wooden guardrail along Marlin Bay Drive Monday, December 12. They anticipate it will take about 3-4 weeks to complete, however they will have about 40 working days to complete it so if it takes a bit longer they have the availability to do so. Also, the partnership sign that is at the main trailhead will have the panel removed tomorrow for a day or so. The contractor needs to make a few adjustments to make it fit more accurate. If you see the two posts only, please don’t be alarmed. I’m sure you might get a few questions so feel free to pass along the information. If you have any more questions feel free to call or email me.

Michael T. Moore; CNMP
Open Space and Resource Manager
Parks and Natural Areas
Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation

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“Temporary Bulkhead” at the beloved Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility further explained

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From an email from Dave Hansen posted unedited with permission:

Kal & Grace,

FYI – The “Temporary Bulkhead” as shown in the permit application and on the current design plans, is designed with steel sheeting with a tie-back system and a concrete cap. The length is approx 400 LF.

Timber is great for residential bulkheads, but it is not adequate for a commercial/industrial application like this.

Timber would not hold up for the construction duration. The cap would require cleats to tie-off and a timber cap would not provide an adequate anchor for loaded barges, boats, etc., to tie off.

The concrete cap provides more structural stability for the bulkhead design.

This concrete cap bulkhead design is more of a standard section that contractors are used to building.

As an alternate, a more expensive steel cap could be used, but in either scenario (steel or concrete) the cap needs to be more durable than timber.

As promised in my many briefings to your respective organizations we will visit this discussion just past the 50% construction stage to see how we are co-existing with our boating public. Regards, Dave

Dave Hansen
Deputy City Manager
City of Virginia Beach
(757)385-4242

Permit at US ACOE website.
More about dredging, and the replacement for the Lesner Bridge at SDCC HOT page.

SDCC General Meeting Agenda for Monday NOV26 2012

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Click here for a printable version of the agends – SDCC Agenda NOV 2012

Shore Drive Community Coalition

Monday 26 NOV 2012

SDCC General Meeting

SDCC General Meeting – Monday, 26 November 7:30 – 9:00 pm

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Station (Intersection of Shore Drive and East Stratford Rd.)

Call to order

Meeting topic: Nominations for SDCC Officers for 2013 Election

Vice President’s Report on NOV BAC Meeting

Communications Plan for 2013

Officers’ Reports

President’s Report David Williams

Vice President’s report Grace Moran

Secretary’s Report Todd Solomon –Sept Minutes

Treasurer’s Report Carol Collins

Update on issues: Open questions from the floor

Old Business Shore Drive Issues

Storm Water Flooding of Neighborhoods

New Business

Adjourn

Next SDCC- Monday DEC 17, 2012

PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Center

Speaker- TBA

Please check http://www.sdcc.info for more information on area news and events

Jetty study at Lesner Bridge, Planning Commission recommends CBF wind turbine proposal at PHP

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About Jetty study at Pilotonline:

Once the study is complete, the corps will present its findings to the city. Then both parties will decide whether to move forward with building the structures, said Phil Roehrs, the Virginia Beach coastal engineer.

Roehrs said the city would consider the jetties “only if the study shows they can be built in an environmentally sound way.”

Previously at SDCC.info. We scooped the Pilot. Thanks Andy.

About wind turbines at CBF’s facility on PHP at SavePHP.org:

Hopefully CBF and SmithGroup JJR will far exceed the standard in the wind turbine they use so as to minimize bird conflicts since PHP is a vital stop in the Atlantic Flyway.

Editorial entitled Negotiate to save Lynnhaven property, Pleasure House Point.

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Read entire editorial entitled Negotiate to save Lynnhaven property at Pilotonline.com.

It’s time for the firm, city and foundation leaders to work together for the common good and figure out a way to preserve those four acres.

And:

…whether through negotiations with the developer that involve a land swap, tax breaks or some other method.

One of the groups that worked to preserve PHP. A team of Kemps Landing Magnet School eighth-graders and the sixth-grade class at Cape Henry Collegiate School have a shared vision: to preserve…

“Kristin Mazur, project manager for the Norfolk District Lynnhaven Inlet Jetties Navigation Project with the city of Virginia Beach, Va., explains the federal interest determination study process and timetable, Oct. 19, 2012, to add a 1,000-foot jetty in front of the Lesner Bridge.”

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Learn more at US Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District article.

The federal study will determine if jetties or a combination of coastal structures is cost-effective in reducing critical shoaling and annual costs of maintaining the navigation channel, as well as reducing damages incurred on structures in the channel due to continuous wave action.

Multiple car break ins, drunk driving including hitting various objects, driving on bike path, vandalism and more in Cape Henry Shores and Cape Story by The Sea last night.

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Neighborhood Watch from CSTBS will be attending the Citizen’s Advisory Committee meeting on Wednesday night at the Second Precinct at 820 Virginia Beach Blvd and intend to bring all this up. Everyone is invited to attend this meeting to air complaints, and to meet with police and other City officials. They really appreciate public comments. The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m.

City to discuss private property and Marlin Bay extension next to PHP at next Council Meeting

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Watch a WVEC.com news coverage about private property and Marlin Bay extension slatted for property next to PHP.

Previous press about this at SDCC.info.

“If the lots are built upon and the road extended, “unfortunately it would sour the overall project,” said Christy Everett, regional director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.”

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More press about 100% of Pleasure House Point not being preserved.

“Pleasure House Point Faces New Development

… plans have quietly moved ahead to build duplexes and extend a road through two areas in the tract, known as Pleasure House Point.”

From Pilotonline.com:

Turns out there’s a loophole in the celebrated purchase and preservation of Pleasure House Point, the largest undeveloped tract left on the Lynnhaven River, loaded with sand dunes, maritime forest and waterfront vistas.

Note the amount of trees and vital habitat that is at risk for destruction. Birds, including those migrating in the Atlantic Flyway, depend on Pleasure House Point and it’s open space to survive.

Partial shot of 1 page of plans shown upside down.

“Please be aware of a dangerous “quick sand” environment on the beach. A resident of Baylake Pines sank to his waist on Tues evening while walking his dog and struggled to get out. He notified the city.”

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Pulled from Ocean Park Civic League Facebook page …. from Baylake Pines:

Please be aware of a dangerous “quick sand” environment on the beach. A resident of Baylake Pines sank to his waist on Tues evening while walking his dog and struggled to get out. He notified the city. Until it is rectified, please pass the word. Tell the kids to beware! It was suggested that you don’t walk alone and do walk during daylight hours. Pass the word please–its a pretty day for beach-goers.

Email sent to the city (Emergency Mgmt), Tues., Nov. 6:
This is to alert you of a dangerous situation on the beach at the foot of Seaview Avenue in Chicks Beach. I sank to my waist in the sand while walking my dog this evening on the beach in front of the bulkhead immediately to the west of Seaview Avenue. I was able to pull myself out of the sand after a ten to fifteen
minute struggle. I alerted the City backhoe driver who was at work placing fill material on the beach at the end of Seaview Avenue, and suggested that he contact his supervi…sor to report the situation.

Although I am not an expert on these conditions, I believe that at certain tide levels, the beach in front of the bulkhead can become “quick” due to its low elevation and other features of the geography behind the bulkhead. I believe that this poses a serious hazard to the public.

Please take appropriate measures to warn the public of this dangerous condition.

“We will hold the Grand Illumination of the Historic Cape Henry Lighthouse this year on 30 Nov at 5 p.m. The event will be open to the public this year.”

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Please share this Info.

If you have any questions, please let me know. Thanks!

Scott Mohr
Public Affairs Officer
Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story

“You can contribute to LRNow’s Oyster Restoration work by shopping at the new Whole Foods Store on Laskin Road on Thursday, November 1. Thank you for your continuing support! “

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From LRNow eNewsletter.

On Thursday, November 1, the new Virginia Beach Whole Foods Store will donate 5% of the day’s profit to Lynnhaven River NOW to help us continue our oyster restoration work in the Lynnhaven River.

How’d they win?

This magnificent video:

Wednesday, Oct. 31, is Halloween. Trick-or-Treat begins at dusk and ends at 8 p.m. for children 12 years of age and younger. Members of the Virginia Beach Emergency Response System want you and your family to be safe. Planning ahead can help make this Halloween a safe and fun treat.

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Read the news release. (2pg PDF)

If you’re planning to take the kids trick-or-treating, or if you’re passing out candy, follow a few simple rules to keep Halloween safe and fun. If you are passing out treats, please turn your porch light on so children will know they are welcome. If you are not passing out treats, please turn your porch light off. Other safety tips for trick-or-treaters include…

100512-NewsRelease_Halloweenbam.docx

Catastrophic storm plug for Crab Creek outfall prevented widespread tidal flooding in Ocean Park.

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Thanks to Dave Hansen, Assistant City Manager, Phil Koetter & Mike Mundy of Public Works and others for installing the inflatable catastrophic storm plug at the Crab Creek outfall in Ocean Park. It worked!

During past storms Isabel, Nor’Ida and Irene, there was widespread tidal flooding in the Ocean Park area that is on this system. It is not connected to the pump station which protects the Pleasure House Point side of Ocean Park. The area this outfall covers is roughly Salty C’s east to the Lesner Bridge, down Dinwiddie Road past Ocean Park Baptist Church, north on East Stratford Road over to Tazewell into Crab Creek.

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With this much damage at the beloved Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility, there would have again been feet of water on the roads thanks to the tidal surge through the Crab Creek outfall.

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This was roughly the worst it got thanks to the installation and use of the plug.

20121030-122840.jpgThis was roughly the worst it got. In previous storms, like Nor ‘Ida, there was feet of water in Croakers.

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This is how it looked for most of Sandy. In previous storms, feet of tidal water were here.

Conclusion?

This inflatable plug in Crab Creek outfall worked!

It’s possible that since this experiment worked here, it might be able to work elsewhere.

Obviously, this might not work everywhere – but certainly, there are many smart people who can come up with creative solutions that could stop tidal flooding in other areas.

Thanks again to Dave Hansen, Assistant City Manager, Phil Koetter & Mike Mundy of Public Works and others for installing the inflatable catastrophic storm plug at the Crab Creek outfall in Ocean Park.

+ + +

How did Crab Creek get this inflatable plug?

During Irene last year, I raised holy hell in Facebook as the tide surged through the storm drains.

Mr. Hansen and some Public Works storm water engineers came out during Irene. After several meetings with many people over weeks including countless emails, our recommendations to install and use this plug were approved.