Grace,
You may announce.  Press release went out a little while ago (attached).  Message boards have been emplaced and will be turned on tomorrow morning announcing a 3 August reduction in the speed limit.  Staff will collect data thru Labor Day and draft a report and recommendations.  Both the Vice Mayor and Councilman Wood have been advised. Hope it works. Regards, Dave

Dave Hansen
Deputy City Manager
City of Virginia Beach
757-385-4242
[Sorry about the glitch earlier. Posted from an iPod Touch.]

Read & comment at article at Pilotonline.com.

Ladies and gentlemen, your experience with the following is requested.

As many of you know Lake Christine lies along the northern boundary between the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Camp Pendleton and Croatan.  Recently both Camp Pendleton and Croatan Officials have noted the presence of an invasive aquatic tropical weed – Alligator Weed, Alternanthera philxeroides.  This mat forming weed crowds out native aquatic vegetation, retards water flow, lowers dissolved oxygen and increases sedimentation—none of which is good.  We understand that other Virginia Beach neighborhoods have Alligator Weed experience.  If true, please share your A. Weed experience with us by e-mailing me at kejo425@aol.com 

Thanks Ken Jobe CCL President, VBCCO Past President

For more information and pictures of Alligator Weed check out these links:
Alligator Weed Information
Background and Possible Erradication Treatments

SDCC General Meeting

July 27, 2009

STRATEGIC GROWTH AREA?  SPECIALCOMMUNITY AREA?
What’s the difference? Do we want to be one?

Come hear Tom Pauls, City of VB Comprehensive Planning Coordinator, discuss the options for Shore Drive.

Click here for the flyer SDCC_July_Flier.pdf

By David Williams, Cape Henry Shores Civic Association

Project Officer for SDSI ‘09

Monday, July 14 marked a subtle but what I think a significant date in the Virginia Beach civic calendar as 15 members of the Shore Drive Safety Initiative 2009 (SDSI’09) held their second meeting in two weeks to further develop a Plan of Action (POA) for their efforts to improve the safety along Shore Drive.  I say this day is historic in that there was a subtle but perceptible shift in the atmosphere from the previous meeting on 6 July where two groups met, but both were not quite sure of the other group’s motives. After more than three decades, much and varied efforts have been put into improving the safety along Shore Drive, but with limited success. Now, actual progress was being made at identifying and correcting our neighborhood’s dangerous areas.

While some groups see Shore Drive as a gateway to the oceanfront, other groups see this four lane road and highway as a keeper of the residential neighborhood’s image. Some residents want faster commutes, while other residents want to be able to walk across Shore Drive without significantly endangering self, family and tethered canine.  As a resident here, I feel that we should not be overly endangered while doing normal outdoor activities, such as walking the family to the beach.  Change is difficult to achieve or accept depending on your perspective, but most agree, safety improvements are particularly needed along this section of Shore Drive.

Monday’s meeting brought representatives from the City and the combined interested citizen groups (Cape Henry Shores, Cape Story By the Sea, Shore Drive Community Coalition, Tidewater Bicycle Association, and Bayfront Advisory Committee together again to consider safety improvements.  The Director of Public Works, Mr. Jason Cosby and Mr. Mike Shahsiah , Senior Traffic Engineer discussed possible solutions that could be implemented quickly and possible solutions that would take more study, time and funding approval.  But, the key point made here by Mr. Shahsiah, was that safety improvements were doable. After listening to the residents along Shore Drive and understanding our concerns, at least now the city was responding with the prospects of “doable”, and not with the flat rejections as previous requests had met.  We still do not have our speed limit reduction to 35 MPH from N. Great Neck Road to the entrance at First Landing State Park, but I think both the city and the residents have shared a better understanding of both the residents’ safety concerns and the city’s ability to implement those safety improvements.

This safety effort started with some local residents, gained area support and traveled up through the offices of Vice Mayor Jones, Councilman Wood, and Councilman DeSteph who have collectively brought it into the light of city government and into the view of Mayor Sessoms.  It is just such a great feeling to know that local government still works and responds with some efforts and some organization.  We, the people, will get there safely.

From Cape Story neighborhood watch:

Tonight [7.13.09] in-between rain showers I was out on Beech st. with my 4 yr. old son enjoying him running, splashing, bike riding, etc… in the big puddles the 20 min. or so that they were around when a jeep approached at with gaining speed.  I live a couple of houses past the bike path if your coming off of shore drive.  The vehicle was a white jeep, relatively new, with a virginia lic. # XSH-2745 (maybe 4527) and the driver was a young adult male to an older teen.  The driver was gaining speed and that about half way between shore and the bike path, I began walking out in the street waving my hand up and down at him yelling “slow down!” as the spray from puddles flew over his car.  He flew through the bike path intersection and I think for a sec. or two he thought about maybe trying to spray me as he went past.  I was not going to move from the street and he quickly slowed down and passed me without looking at me, I continued to yell “slow down!” to him.  After passing me, he picked up speed again and sped off to the end of the street.  My son was off to the side in a driveway and out of the way.  I did not have my “slow, children playing” sign out but I do not think it would have been much of a deterent either.

Innocent fun could have turned into a tragic accident quickly and unneccessary.

I hope someone knows this individual and will pass on to them that this type of behavior will not be tolerated.

Key points in the presentation included:

1.  Criteria for Setting Speed Limits
2.  Shore Drive Plan of Action
3.  Traffic Signalization
4.  Improving sight distance visibility at intersections and in median

Shore Drive Safety Initiative Committee [3pg PDF]
Attendees_SD_Safety.pdf [2pg PDF]

Be sure to also follow all links to the Categories below to learn more

Chesapeake Bay Foundation needs your help!

Shore Drive Community Coalition has received the following request to generate support for the regulations described below and to make sure the Kaine administration approves them.  SDCC will be voting at the Monday, July 27 meeting to send a letter or support, or not.  You can view the letter to craft your own message, too.

You might know…the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Conservation & Recreation are both looking at proposed regulations that will significantly reduce runoff pollution.

These proposed regulations would do two major things:

1) They would reduce the quantity of pollution that runs off of new development and

2) They would help ensure excess nutrients don’t end up in streams from farms that use poultry manure (a.k.a. poultry litter)

These are two very simple things that can be done right now to protect streams and help restore the Chesapeake Bay.

We have a coalition letter, linked to below, that we are asking groups to sign on to. Please take a look and decide if your organization is willing to sign on. We plan to send the letter to Governor Kaine, DEQ and DCR at the end of the public comment period—August 21.

Thanks and let me know if you have any questions.

Jess

Jessica Barton
VA Grassroots Coordinator
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
1108 East Main Street, Suite 1600
Richmond, VA 23219
804.780.1392

Print this 2 page letter to sign, & mail in. [2pg PDF]

From their neighborhood watch, posted with permission:

The following was sent by a CSBTS resident.  We REALLY are SERIOUS about NO PERSONAL FIREWORKS and this is an example of why.  Please read and share the story and leave the Fireworks to the Professionals who have a Fire Truck and Fire Marshall on Duty.  Empsy Munden, Pres. CSBTS

July 4th Mishap:

I wanted to share this story with the neighborhood about the dangers of fireworks set off by non-professionals.  I was sitting on the beach at Walke Street with my children and my friends and their children waiting for the firework show that is an amazing event every year.  There were individuals setting off personal fireworks at the water’s edge prior to the main show while the beaches were heavily packed with families.  About 10 minutes before the scheduled start of the community’s sponsored show, 2 teenage boys set off some fireworks that misfired due to their inexperience and a piece hit my best friend in the eye. The firework singed her hair, eyebrow, eyelashes and caused temporary blindness in her left eye.  Two days later she has regained her sight but is still bruised on the left side of her face covering the eye, nose and cheek.

We are very thankful that the damage wasn’t worse but this incident was very frightening and our children between the ages of 6 and 12 were terrified.  There were several emails and many notices posted to refrain from using personal fireworks because their use is illegal and obviously dangerous. I do hope this story will press upon others that these notices aren’t meant to be a nuisance but are published because fireworks are clearly dangerous and should only be handled by professionals who are educated in how to safely discharge them.

From Cape Story neighborhood watch:

One of our residents (a young woman) had a unusual experience today (Tues, Jun 30) on the beach near the Sandalwood walkway.  She was lying on the beach sleeping, and when she looked up she saw a man taking her picture.  She immediately sat up and he started talking to her and asked if she would take his picture.  She reluctantly agreed and quickly looked back in his camera and saw the picture he had taken. He told her he was from Georgia and talked about how far the beach was for him, etc. etc.  He then walked towards the Resort Center.  Another woman saw the man too and told the young woman that he was staring at her own children and she also thought he acted strange.  She also saw him taking pictures of the young woman (thinking they may have known each other).  He is described as in his 50’s, 5’11”, light brown hair, balding, big pot belly, wearing just a bathing suit, and has a drooping left eye.  The police have been notified, so if anyone had any unusual encounter with a man fitting this description, please call the police. 

From Cape Story neighborhood watch:

A set of keys were found today (Tues.) at the entrance to the dunes on Wake Forest Street.  There are three keys which appear to be house keys. Please call Jim or Regina at 496-6458 to claim and identify.

We sent it Monday June 29th ‘09 10:57am EST.

Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC) General Meeting Agenda

Join us at Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall (parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive).

SDCC_General_Meeting_Agenda_April_2009.pdf[Printable 1 pg PDF]

Program/Presentation – Staci Martin, District Program Specialist for Virginia State Parks headquartered out of First Landing.  She manages visitor experience—visitor experience is education programs, signage, information kiosks, public relations—anything that would enhance someone’s experience at the parks.  She’s been with the parks for five years.  She will be giving us some special inside information about what a treasure we have in First Landing State Park (known to long-time residents as Seashore State Park.)

The general agenda for the evening will be:
Officer’s Reports – Brief Reports
Secretary – Todd
Treasurer’s Report – Leslie
Vice President & President –Steve

Old Business

Please visit http://www.sdcc.info for status on issues of interest.  Reports to attendees will be limited to those items which have an update since the previous meeting.  Topics covered may include:

Indigo Dunes Project – PHP committee has met once to create a plan for possible acquisition of the property.  Rumor has it that the bank has taken over ownership of the property.

Pound Pole Fishing Nets – US Coast Guard 25 foot boat ran into the new net and was damaged.  Friday July 10 at 2:30pm is the first appeal hearing at circuit court.  Please come and show support for the removal of these nets.

Cape Henry Beach Replenishment – Army Corps of Engineers is putting the project out for bids next month and expects to start dredging by the end of August, and also the City is pursuing, and expects to get, a legal “emergency” permit to include the four remaining holdouts when the sand is placed

Shore Drive Safety – Safety Committee meeting was held today to evaluate and implement various safety initiatives.  One of the safety items being discussed is the lowering of the speed limit from 45 to 35 mph from North Great Neck Rd to the First Landing State Park entrance (note, the lower speed limit is NOT for all of Shore Drive).  This would be done on a 6 month trail basis with a speed study and public input afterwards to determine if it becomes permanent.  Updates will be posted at http://www.sdcc.info
 
New Business

Lynnhaven River Restoration Plan – US Army Corps of Engineers will be holding the final presentation of a preliminary study to improve the Lynnhaven watershed on Wed. July 1st at 7:00pm at the Bayside Rec. Center.  The meeting is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend.

Upcoming Events
Share Shore Drive Day – Sat. July 11, 2009.  7:30am start at Kokoamos.  Bicycle ride on Shore Drive to bring awareness to safety issues.
SDCC meeting – Monday July 27, 2009.  Strategic Growth Areas (SGA).  Is it right for Shore Drive?  Come find out from the City’s Planning staff which areas on Shore Drive have been designated as possible high density development areas.

The purpose of the ride on July 11th is to call attention to the need to cycle safely, to have all users of Shore Drive share it safely, to emphasize the need for bicycle lanes on the roadway, and to advocate for more equitable treatment for bicyclists in bicycle-motor vehicle crashes.

There’s a Long Ride that uses the Lesner Bridge, a Short Ride that does not, a run that starts at Final Kick Sports and ways to volunteer to show your support.

Va Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center is offering deals on suites & Kokoamos is having a FREE BBQ open to everyone after the rides & run to also show there support.

Learn more at ShareShoreDriveDay.net.

From an Official Police Department News Release:

Every year adults and children are seriously injured and fires ignited by people setting off fireworks across the city. In a joint effort to promote safety this Fourth of July holiday, the Virginia Beach Police Department and Virginia Beach Fire Marshal’s Office are encouraging citizens to voluntarily turn in illegal fireworks.

Citizens may dispose of unlawful fireworks without the worry of repercussion by turning fireworks over to Officers or Fire Marshal staff on Saturday, June 27, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Third Police Precinct, located at 926 Independence Boulevard (behind Bayside Library) and the Fourth Police Precinct at 840 Kempsville Road. Citizens will not be asked, or required, to provide their names or any personal information.

Virginia Beach Police officers will accept any type of fireworks that citizens want to dispose of in a safe manner.  It is in the best interest of public safety to ensure that such items are disposed of properly and do not end up in the hands of children who may be permanently injured by handling them.

Citizens unable to attend the event on June 27 are reminded that fireworks can be turned in for disposal at any of the four police precincts.  The precinct locations are as follows:

·  First Precinct – 2509 Princess Anne Road – 385-4377
·  Second Precinct – 820 Virginia Beach Boulevard –  385-2700
·  Third Precinct –  926 Independence Boulevard – 385-2703
·  Fourth Precinct – 840 Kempsville Road – 385-2800

For further information regarding this public safety event, please contact Sgt. T. McLaughlin of the Virginia Beach Police Crime Prevention Unit at 385-1006, or Fire Marshal, Battalion Chief Richard C. Kephart, at 385-4228.

If interested in researching the city code:

Sec. 12-43.2.  Fireworks and pyrotechnic displays unlawful

Violation of any provision of this section shall constitute a Class 1 misdemeanor.

The city of Virginia Beach will host the annual Fourth of July Holiday Fireworks Display on July 4 at Mount Trashmore and at the oceanfront along the boardwalk. Logon to http://www.VBgov.com for more details.

MPO Jimmy Barnes                                           BC Rick Kephart
Public Relations/Marketing/Spokesperson                       Fire Marshalls Office
Virginia Beach Police Department                               Virginia Beach Fire Department
(757) 385-4494                                               (757) 385-4228
jfbarnes@vbgov.com

From Marc:

Dear civic league leader,

This week, we published our last City Page in The Virginian-Pilot.  Next month, we will publish our last Beach magazine. To save money, both have been eliminated from the city’s 2009-10 budget, but we want to keep in touch.

Starting July 15, we will begin a new e-mail newsletter for citizens. It will include the same discussion of news, events, meetings and services as City Page, with links to important resources for citizens, plus increased use of videos, audio, graphics and charts.

The catch: You have to sign up to receive it.

Please urge your members to sign up for our twice-a-month e-mail newsletter at:

http://www.VBgov.com/citypage

Also, if you have a civic league newsletter, please consider publishing the attached ad in your next few editions.  We’d like to continue reaching as many citizens as possible.

Thank you for your attention and for all you do to make our Virginia Beach neighborhoods great.

Marc Davis
Media and Communications Manager, City of Virginia Beach
2401 Courthouse Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
(757) 385-4308
maadavis@vbgov.com

Note, we’ll post info from the City Page that is relevant to Shore Drive on this site too.

Discussion of Shore Drive issues:

4. Unfinished Business
o Shore Drive Road Improvement Updates –

Bikeways and Trails Advisory Committee
Traffic Engineering conducted a study and received a report indicating a high
level of pedestrian/motorist accidents along Shore Drive and the Pacific Avenue
area. They applied for, and received a VDOT grant that will be utilized to install
flashing pedestrian crossing signs. The signs will make motorists aware of the
high level of pedestrian and cyclist activity when approaching the Oceanfront
area. Staff distributed a concept map of the project and sign locations. This
project should be completed within the next six months.
Bruce Drees asked if lowering the speed limit along Shore Drive has ever been
considered. Staff stated that Jason Cosby, Director of Public Works is forming a
committee that will investigate this issue. Several factors are taken into
consideration, staff discussed the components and process for determining road
speed limits.
Staff discussed Phase II, Phase III and Phase IV of Shore Drive improvements
(clarifying that the “Phase #’s” are not necessarily the order that the phases will
be designed and constructed.)
Phase II (Partial) – Shore Drive corridor from South Oliver
Drive/Waterspoint Place to Treasure Island Drive. It will also include
improvements along Shore Drive at the Northampton Boulevard
interchange and to the intersections at Pleasure House Road and
Greenwell Road. The plans are at 35% design and do not include bikes
lanes, however this is early in the design phase. The $10 million project
does not have funding allocated for construction until FY 2013-14.
Phase III (Partial) – Shore Drive corridor from the east side of Lesner
Bridge to Great Neck Road. It includes improvements to the intersections
at Vista Circle/Page Avenue, West Great Neck Road, North Great Neck
Road and Starfish Road. This section will include the flashing pedestrian
signs. The funds allocated for this project include design and site
acquisition. The project is at the 35% design. Construction funding is
proposed to be allocated FY 2013-14.
Phase IV – Shore Drive corridor from Marlin Bay Drive/Sandy Oaks Drive
to the west end of Lesner Bridge. It will include improvements at the East
Stratford Road intersection. This phase is fully funded and design will
start after July 1, 2009 and will be coordinated with the Lesner Bridge
project.
The committee requested staff to develop correspondence to Jason
Cosby requesting on-road bike facilities as applicable when Public Works
develops the scope of work for these projects. The correspondence will
include all three phases and will be submitted to PW prior to July 1. Staff
encouraged committee members to be involved and continue to be active
advocates when budget public hearings are conducted.
Motion: Ned Kuhns made the motion to request that PW consider a
variety of possible on-road bike lane facilities in Shore Drive Road
Corridor right-of-way that is in the best interest of the cyclist and
pedestrians when developing the scope of work/design for this project.
Ross Vierra 2nd the motion; all members in favor.

BTAC June 8 2009 meeting minutes[ 4pg PDF]

A piece of concrete fell from the bridge this morning, prompting the city to shut it down for about an hour while traffic engineering checked to “ensure that the bridge is safe,” said Officer Margie Long, a spokeswoman for the police department. It reopened at about 12:15 p.m.
Read more at Pilotonline.com.

From Cape Story’s neighborhood watch:

Dog found on Beech St between Poincianna and Bike Path.  White with black spots on ears, possibly American Bull Dog mix, spayed female and wearing a red collar.

Email Tim from Contact page if she’s yours.

In the past month, Virginia Beach officials have reduced the scope of the Cape Henry beaches replenishment project by a fifth in order to get approval.
Read & comment on article at Pilotonline.com.

The first public forum will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Princess Anne High School, 4400 Virginia Beach Blvd.

The second one will be from 7 to 8 p.m. June 25 at Great Neck Recreation Center, 2521 Shorehaven Drive.

The third is scheduled from 7 to 8 p.m. July 1 at Bayside Recreation Center, 4500 First Court Road.

For more information, call the city at (757) 385-4621, or the corps at (757) 201-7258.
More at Pilotonline.com.