Read all of Irene Bowers Beacon article at the Pilotonline.com.

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 the last 10 acres of land at Pleasure House Point through the sale of monument trees.

Be sure to read the entire article:

According to Carol Collins of Shore Drive Community Coalition, the young live oaks are already in the city’s nursery inventory.

“We are striving for $100,000 per monument tree,” Collins said. “But all donations are welcome.”

Cape Henry student Hunter Ramirez targeted New York Mets third baseman David Wright.

“He’s from here, so he might help,” Hunter said.

I goofed when sending this week’s eNewsletter.

The printable Agenda link in the emailed eNewsletter did not work – you can download it here, or at this link in our Blog or this link in the eNewsletter Archive.

I apologize for not testing it, and for the inconvenience.
Tim

The application for expanded wetslips and a permanent dredge spoils transfer station has be WITHDRAWN.  See email excerpt from City below.

This is to advise you that the applicant’s agent has requested that the Joint Permit Application, (VB09-101) for Marina Shores Marina be withdrawn.  The project will be redesigned for a future submittal of a new Joint Permit Application.

Accordingly, this is to advise you that the application will not be considered by the Wetlands Board at the January 18, 2011 Wetlands Public Hearing.

Lonnie Warren
Coastal Zone Inspector
City of Virginia Beach
Environment and Sustainability Office

The Wetlands Hearing for the Marina Shores Marina Proposed Wet Slip Expansion and Permanent Dredge Spoils Transfer Station was deferred until Tuesday Jan. 18, 2011.  Note the change in day from Monday to Tuesday as a result of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.    WITHDRAWN
 
Wetlands Board meeting
Tuesday January 18, 2011
10:00am City Council Chambers
 
To see the January 18th agenda, Click here, Wetland Board Agena for January 18th
 

To see the dredge transfer station and wet slip plans submitted by the developer, Click here, Marina_Shore_Boat_Slip_Expansion.pdf

Comments on the proposed development regarding impact to wetlands can be emailed to the Wetlands Board at eso@vbgov.com
 

Other helpful information regarding this proposed project:
1) 1987 Rezoning information.  City Council approved rezoning for marina, businesses and apartments.  They also made it a condition to keep the property in question on this request as a nature preservation (P-1 zoning) and have no residential or commercial development.
    a. City Council approval minutes for 1987 rezoning request –  Pages_from_JUNE_1,_1987_MINUTES.PDF
    b. Signed deed modification – Zoning_Agreement_July_1987.pdf
    c. Developer agreement document – Marina_Shores_Rezoning_1987.pdf
 

2) Federal and State Organization Comments to current application.
    a. Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) and US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) – CITY_ATTORNEYWilson-2.pdf
 

3) Location of alternate dredge transfer station.  Site is owned by City of VB and requires zero wetlands impact.  (Red X shows alternate site, Yellow X shows proposed site) –

Read their entire list at Pilotonline.com:

HIT Preservation jackpot

A plan to buy Pleasure House Point, the largest piece of undeveloped waterfront property on the Lynnhaven River, will preserve vital open space in Virginia Beach, improve the health of wetlands and maritime forests and help to restore the oyster fishery. The city, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and The Trust for Public Land agreed over the summer to buy 122 acres at the confluence of Pleasure House and Crab creeks for $13 million, a steal at less than half what developers paid for the property in 2007. They’re still raising money to ensure that none of the land will have to be sold for development, but it’s a smart investment.

Thanks to the Pilot for continuing to recognize what a big deal preserving 100% of PHP is.

Video from Charlie Harrelson, Michael Horth, John Murrell and Jack Meyers created for Pleasure House Point! We’d love to see what others have done to help spread the word about this important cause. If you have a video, poster, song, poem or any other creative piece that helps to bring attention to Pleasure House Point, email Tim and we’ll share it.

From Cape Story Neighborhood Watch, fyi:

> Dear Fellow Neighbor-
>
> Just wanted to inform everyone that there have been 52 break-ins over the
> past few weeks in the Great Neck corridor (from Reagan Ave up to Great Neck
> Point and all neighborhoods in between). The burglars are not taking
> anything w/a serial number that can be traced and seem to be largely
> targeting the master bedrooms and taking expensive jewelry. They are
> professional criminals that seem to be working in a pair and have a
> communication device to look out for law enforcement.  The police seem to
> think they are staking out the neighborhoods, even ringing doorbells to see
> if people are home and might even be acting like a home repair “company”.
> They are looking for signs of nobody home, ie no cars in driveway and all
> the lights out, etc. It appears they are attempting to gain access largely
> by trying back/garage doors that might be either already open or
> unlocked!!!
>
> It seems that they are driving an older model green sedan car, such as a
> Camry. It has been reported there are 2 men, one Black male and the other
> male either Hispanic or Black very light skinned.  They have been targeting
> homes in the daytime and very early evening hours.
>
> BE VIGILANT AND CALL THE POLICE if ANYBODY comes to your home in an attempt
> to sell you anything that does NOT have a Peddler’s business license issued
> by the VB Commissioner of Revenue. You can call the non-emergency number to
> the VBPD at 385-5000 and then pressing option “1”. If you see a older model
> green car driving through the neighborhood very slowly looking, and not
> wanting to purchase houses for sale, also please call the police.
>
> These are professional burglars, as they are not taking items that can be
> traced when taken to a pawn shop, nor are they students that are truant from
> school. Fyi, NO HOMES HAVE BEEN BURGLARIZED yet that have a barking dog in
> the house. I just received this information from a friend who is on the VBPD
> and wanted me to know what’s going on, that is why I am passing it on to
> you, as it is NOT rumor and IS what the VBPD is currently looking for.
>
> Hope this information helps everyone!
>
> Again, Happy Holidays to all our neighbors!!!

Additional info:

Referenced email was generated by an area Civic League that I can’t identify being it was forwarded to me.  I just went to the VBPD crime log and counted over 80 break-ins in our precinct from 1 November.

Wild River Outfitters as a dealer of Patagonia can apply for a grant every year for environmental causes. Patagonia has awarded $1,500 toward PHP for 2011.
The funds will be donated to Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Foundation.

You too can donate.

Thanks to Lillie, Wild River Outfitters & Patagonia!

1% For The Planet at Patagonia.com.

Thanks to the generosity of Lynnhaven River Now for donating what would have been their donations to PHP!

Learn more about the fabulously famous Marina Shores Marina Million Dollar Rockfish Challenge.

From Lynnhaven River Now:

Pleasure House Point Fundraiser
Volunteers Needed
  Marina Shores is hosting a Million Dollar Rockfish Tournament and will donate all of the proceeds from the beer sales to the Pleasure House Point Fundraising effort.  All we have to do is provide some volunteers to help serve beer.  All volunteers will be able to participate in the excitement of the tournament and both the Amateur and the Professional Rockfish Cookoffs!
  Volunteers are needed for the following days and times:
Sunday, Dec. 26, 2-7 pm; Tuesday, Dec. 28, 3-7 pm;
Wednesday, Dec. 29, 11am-5 pm; and Thursday, Dec. 30, 10 am -3 pm and 5:30-11:00.
  Can you spare a few hours to help raise money for Pleasure House Point?  Please call, 757-962-5398, or email and let us know when you can help.
  Thank you for your generous support!

AAA Tow To Go Service:

Motorists, bartenders, restaurant managers, party hosts or passengers of a drinking driver can call (757) 631-1700 between these dates and request a free Tow To Go home during this holiday season. Callers simply tell the dispatcher, “I need a Tow To Go,” to receive both the free tow and ride home.

Can’t make the Marina Shores Marina Million Dollar Rockfish Challenge and still want to donate?
Head over to the Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Foundation website.

The 2 metal gates in Crab Creek that were part of the storm water pond to pump station system in Ocean Park were removed. Public Works removed them and is monitoring the new change.

Join the First Colonial High School Green Team & Guitar Club to help raise funds and awareness for saving Pleasure House Point.

$5 Donation – starts at 630pm in the First Colonial Auditorium.

SDCC General Meeting – Monday, November 29, 7:30 to 9:00 pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Station (Intersection of Shore Drive and E. Stratford Rd.)

Call to Order

Present and adopt agenda

Presentation:  Princess Anne Garden Club.  Preview the Home for the Holidays Christmas Bazaar, details to be found at

Officers’ Reports
President’s Report:  Grace Moran
Vice President’s Report:  Dave Williams
Secretary’s Report:  Todd Solomon
Treasurer’s Report:  Steve Kohler

Update on issues: Pleasure House Point
        Presentation of the 2011 Slate of Officers

Election of Officers

New Business: Wetlands Board Hearing, December 20… Marina Shores

Dates to remember:  Rock the Dunes.   The most recent SDCC eNewsletter had the date right, but the day wrong.  First Colonial kids will have their event at the First Colonial HS Auditorium on December 7, as reported, which is a Tuesday, not a Saturday, as originally announced.  Admission $5 at the door to benefit Pleasure House Point.

Bayfront Advisory Committee and Subcommittees are rescheduled one-time-only.  BAC will meet at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 9, at the Bayside Recreation Center, 4500 First Court Road. The Public Safety Transit, Parking & Pedestrian Access Subcommittee and Design Subcommittee will meet at 3 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 7, at the Bayside Recreation Center.

More dates to remember in the next eNewsletter.

Please check http://www.sdcc.info for details as they become available

WTKR 3 report:

City records show that nearly 40 Virginia Beach drivers have killed bicyclists and pedestrians in the past 10 years and faced not even a traffic ticket.

And:

“I understand how a lot of people feel like, if I kill somebody in my car, they are going to charge me with a felony crime,” said Harvey Bryant, the city’s Commonwealth’s Attorney. “And the answer to that is not necessarily.”

Bryant says Virginia law does not give him choices in fatal crashes like these. To charge a driver with manslaughter, Bryant says that driver must be operating a car so carelessly and recklessly that a deadly outcome is probable. Driving drunk counts, he said, but not paying full attention doesn’t meet the law’s burden.

Emphasis mine.

From Pilotonline.com:

The auction, part of the foreclosure process, doesn’t alter the bank’s plan to sell the land to conservation groups and the city for preservation, said Kristy Marshall, a spokeswoman for Wells Fargo.

“In order for us to get possession of the property, it needed to go into foreclosure,” Marshall said. “It’s just a formality, and we can now move forward with our plans.”

She said she expects the bank to be the sole bidder.

The October 25 Candidates’ Forum, co-sponsored by the Lynnhaven River Now and the Shore Drive Community Coalition, stands in lieu of the regular Shore Drive Community Coalition October meeting, at which the slate of 2011 Officers is normally placed into nomination.  Instead, the slate is presented herewith.

President:  Dave Williams
Vice President: Tom Cantwell
Secretary: Todd Solomon
Treasurer: Carol Collins

The slate will be voted at the regularly scheduled SDCC meeting on Monday, November 29, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad station (intersection of Shore Drive and E. Stratford Road.)

From Pilotonline.com:

On Saturday, the Shore Drive Community Coalition will host its Make Your Point fundraiser for the Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation Foundation. It will feature live entertainment, educational exhibits and vendors for merchandise and food.

Visit SavePHP.org to find out who the great musicians are, and more:

Stroll over to Marlin Bay Drive, & bring:

Beach or lawn Chairs.
Coolers with food/non-alcoholic beverages.
Funds to purchase food/drink, donate & to purchase some great music.
[Portion of those proceeds are getting donated.]
Your video and still cameras to capture the day and share it.
Corn Hole boards to set up a tournament.
Every one you know who wants to have a great time & save PHP.

From Pilotonline.com:

Now, the two architects of the change are suggesting it may need to be revised, which could include raising the speed limit back to 45 mph on the west side of Lesner Bridge.

An Op-Ed from Grace appears in the Pilot:

Why bother with one 5- to 10-acre parcel? This particular section of the tract is home to the most heavily wooded portion of the whole.

The remainder is sparsely treed in comparison. This forested refuge provides a habitat unique to the property and supports wildlife species that may be lost if compromised.

This affects more than just the residents along Shore Drive.

From SavePHP.org:

Delegate Stolle and Lynda Frost of TPL are meeting with Secretary of Natural Resources Domenech on October 1 in Richmond. Ms. Rhodes encourages any of you to send comments.

The Honorable Douglas W. Domenech
Secretary of Natural Resources
PO Box 1475
Richmond, VA 23218
Contact Info including Email.

+ + +

Mr. David A. Johnson
Director
Department of Conservation and Recreation
203 Governor Street, Suite 302
Richmond, VA 23219
Email Mr. David A. Johnson.
Mr. Johnson’s Bio.

Cindy, an aide to Delegate Stolle says that Mr. Johnson has been very, very helpful.