The City’s public PR disaster over this project continues.
Full version of District 9 public meeting.
The shortened version missing 35 minutes recently shared.
The lack of attention to detail and continued PR disaster about this project starting in October ‘25 is truly astonishing.
Questions still remain unanswered such as why were only $30,520 worth of saplings planted – less than mulch for said saplings – vs staff recommended $1,562,665 for tree canopy replacement?
Note: City Council can choose to accept, fine tune or ignore staff recommendations when seeking guidance about Ordinances they Adopt.
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A REFORESTATION POLICY passed unanimously by City Council and was Adopted May 19 2020.
Strongly encourage you to watch the entire public meeting & in particular the Q&A which starts about 40 minutes in.
A comment: Zero live oak lumber was preserved. Public Works Director LJ Hansen misspoke about that. There were also another number of glaring errors in the presentation & answers in the Q&A. These errors are also on the public record based on FOIA documentation. Still remarkable the lack of detail about this highly controversial project & PR disaster.
Applicant & Property Owner: Shore Drive Area Properties, LLC
Planning Commission Public Hearing: June 10, 2026
City Council District: District 9 (Schulman)
Select screenshots from application.
Still fascinating how City gives only 6 days instead of 30 to review submitted Planning Commission applications.
Public Comments
A sign-up sheet for those interested in speaking in person on proposed applications is available in the Council Chamber prior to each Planning Commission meeting.
Those in need of reasonable accommodation due to a disability should also call the Planning Department prior to the meeting. People who are hearing impaired can contact Virginia Relay at 711 for TDD service.
An opportunity to transplant live oak trees, The City Tree, which may be destroyed for Westminister Canterbury new parking garage to these proposed condos. Homes with mature tree canopy typically sell for 3% to 15% more than similar properties without tree cover.
Councilmember Schulman will host a District 9 community meeting on Monday, June 8, to update residents on Pleasure House Point. The agenda will include a progress update presentation with time for questions and a general Q&A session with the council member. The meeting will be 6-8 p.m. at Williams Farm Recreation Center.
Note: Councilman Schulman at last Bayfront Advisory Commission Meeting (BAC) when asked if he had any updates on City Staff Recommendations driven by the RESOLUTION ADOPTING A REFORESTATION POLICY UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED MARCH 11 2020 by City Council he mentioned city staff would answer the question why the recommended $1,562,655 for Pleasure House Point (PHP) 5,214 trees – tree canopy destruction in March ‘25 – has been replaced so far by 703 trees & according to public records the contract shows $30,520. 1/50th of staff recommendations.
Additional note: It is up to City Council whether they choose to follow, fine tune or ignore staff recommendations.
Google Earth satellite images above. The destroyed $353,874 of annual economic value is publicly available information calculated by the City.
The over $1,000,000 worth of wetlands grasses & shrubs planted look great in person btw!
“Can you imagine if there were six duplexes, with six foot privacy fences, on pilings, how much that would change the nature of the park,” she said in a Wednesday afternoon interview.
City leaders plan to use a combination of grant funding and open space money to help cover the cost of the acquisition, including $300,000 in approved grants.
AS SPECTACULAR AS THIS IS THERE’S STILL WORK TO BE DONE!
Encourage City Council & sign & share the PETITION to preserve the parcels that are along the walkway from Marlin Bay to Brock Environmental Center.
The tree canopy.
Our vital tree canopy. 5,214 trees were destroyed last year for the planned Wetlands Mitigation Bank. Currently $30,520 has been invested in 703 saplings to replace the 5,214 trees. Many find this completely unacceptable and it violates the spirit and a City Ordinance adopted years ago.
City Council UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED a RESOLUTION ADOPTING A REFORESTATION POLICY which according to staff recommendations the City should invest $1,562,655 in our vital tree canopy.
Ocean Park Fire and Rescue Squad(OPVRS) Building 3769 E. Stratford Road. Enter door opposite Shore Drive.
The mission of the Bayfront Advisory Commission(BAC) is to review and make recommendations to the City Council regarding public and private projects and issues associated with the Bayfront area.
Public comment has apparently changed: expect no public comment discussion with city staff or an ability to ask city staff any questions. Public comment is available at the end of the meeting and may or may not be included in any minutes.
This long delayed project allegedly now starts May 2026. Note: “Property Acquisition” according to state law could have started & been completed years ago. It’s a CoVB policy not to do so.
The following update was provided by the City’s Public Works Department. The spreadsheet identifies all of the current projects in the Bayfront Area. Updates are identified in RED.
In Tree City USA, the PHP WMB plantings are complete including the 703 saplings listed in contract as $30,520. Less than the tree mulch cost of $34,240.
About WCCB “[m]entioned in [Thursday’s BAC] meeting that the City will not be accepting the beach access ramp from the private developer until it is made ADA compliant. Once the ramp is ADA compliant, the City will accept the ramp and take over maintenance.”
Ocean Park Fire and Rescue Squad(OPVRS) Building 3769 E. Stratford Road. Enter door opposite Shore Drive.
The mission of the Bayfront Advisory Commission(BAC) is to review and make recommendations to the City Council regarding public and private projects and issues associated with the Bayfront area.
Public comment has apparently changed: expect no public comment discussion with city staff or an ability to ask city staff any questions. Public comment is available at the end of the meeting and may or may not be included in any minutes.
Route 35 ‘25 ridership was 37,091 over 3x ‘23 woot woot! With basically zero advertising too. Imagine how many people would take it if they knew about it!! It’s use plus safe walking & cycling opportunities would reduce traffic for Phase 3 too duh.
“…The ADA applies to all programs, services, and activities offered by the City of Virginia Beach. These include, but are not limited to: the facilities and sites of the City of Virginia Beach programs, services, and activities; City of Virginia Beach roads, parking lots, sidewalks, and pathways; communications between the City of Virginia Beach and the public; courses and examinations offered by the City of Virginia Beach; and employment and public transportation services. The ADA also extends to programs, services, and activities provided by a City contractor for the benefit of the residents of, and visitors to, the City of Virginia Beach…”
Complaints of alleged noncompliance should be directed to the ADA Coordinator.
Church Point/Thoroughgood BMP & Conveyance Improvements Project Number 100596 Council District 9 CIP Budget 2024-2030 Total Programmed Project Cost $45,660,000.
Event Details:
Councilmember Schulman will host a District 9 community meeting to update residents on current city projects and issues. Topics of discussion include the citywide benefits of tourism and what it brings to our overall economy, new cultural arts funding and related grant programs and pedestrian/bike connectivity improvements currently underway in the district.
Ocean Park Fire and Rescue Squad(OPVRS) Building 3769 E. Stratford Road. Enter door opposite Shore Drive.
The mission of the Bayfront Advisory Commission(BAC) is to review and make recommendations to the City Council regarding public and private projects and issues associated with the Bayfront area.
Ocean Park Fire and Rescue Squad(OPVRS) Building 3769 E. Stratford Road. Enter door opposite Shore Drive.
The mission of the Bayfront Advisory Commission(BAC) is to review and make recommendations to the City Council regarding public and private projects and issues associated with the Bayfront area.
Ocean Park Fire and Rescue Squad(OPVRS) Building 3769 E. Stratford Road. Enter door opposite Shore Drive.
The mission of the Bayfront Advisory Commission(BAC) is to review and make recommendations to the City Council regarding public and private projects and issues associated with the Bayfront area.
“The project includes installation of a HAWK (High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk) signal to enhance safety and connectivity for trail users crossing the corridor.”
An example graphic of new pedestrian & cycling safety HAWK signal. The very popular Cape Henry Trail. Note: safe pedestrian & cyclist infrastructure means less vehicles on roads.
The mission of the Bayfront Advisory Commission(BAC) is to review and make recommendations to the City Council regarding public and private projects and issues associated with the Bayfront area.
Apparently the meetings are next week for this walkway & all future maintenance costs to be on the taxpayers $$$ once City accepts this “ADA-compliant ramp” if and when they do.
Photo taken July 18 2025. Photo taken July 18, 2025. Photo taken July 18 2025.Photo taken July 18 2025.Photo taken July 18 2025.
“So while we already have eight Geneteccameras that are hooked into the police’s real time crime center and can be viewed in real time by the police, the Flock cameras are cameras that will automatically read your license plate as you enter or leave,” he said.
1 video of previous racing & drifting at LBR:
The installed speed bumps have accomplished nothing btw.
#WeLoveShoreDrive 