Category Archives: City Government

“Subsequent to the Planning Commission Public Hearing The Applicant has provided Staff with a New submittal…” ~ Planning Director July 28 2020

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Is it more appropriate to DEFER the Public Hearing scheduled for City Council Meeting August 4th 2020 to allow the City to hold the necessary public forum and reach an acceptable compromise rather than try to work a solution during a Public Hearing that also includes very real health risks for its participants considering:

  • The unknown recent changes
  • Large opposition to publicly seen proposed development
  • 3 Councilpersons needing to recuse themselves
  • Inconsistencies throughout the entire process to date
  • The complexity of the precedent setting “iconic building” WCCB will have in the Shore Drive Community for decades

    • Recent FOIA documents available below.
    Note: Attachments mentioned in many emails were not included for the public to view.

    R-F008829_-_Bloom

    R-F008829-072120_-_Mayors_Office_Responsive_Documents

    R-FOIA_F008829_Leahy_E-mail

    R-WC_FOIA

    Affects of the Westminster-Canterbury Expansion

    Re Westminster Canterbury potential expansion

    RE Westminster Canterbury Expansion concern

    RE Shore Drive Community Coalition Position Statement – Westminster Canterbury Expansion

    Westminster Canterbury Expansion concern

    Shore Drive Communtiy Coaltion Position Statement – Westminster Canterbury Expansion

    “We have 2 presentations coming up now because of the complexity . . .” ~ Mayor Dyer July 28th 2020

    It seems everyone understands how complex the proposed development is. What’s the rush to attempt to push it through with incomplete information & lack of public input on an unseen “new submittal”.

    City Council Still Plans to Hear Westminster-Canterbury Expansion on Aug. 4th – Community Input Needed

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    On Tuesday City Council decided to move ahead with the scheduled Aug 4th hearing of the Westminster-Canterbury proposed expansion plans.  The hearing will take place in the Convention Center and start at 6:00pm.  We have been told this site will allow adequate social distancing even with the recent reduction of allowable group sizes from 250 to 50.  You can also participate virtually if you are in a high risk category.

    The Shore Drive Community Coalition is asking the residents of the Bayfront Community to provide City Council with your opinions on this proposed development.  This is a once in a lifetime decision that can cause adverse ripples for many years to come.  Here are several ways you can let your voices be heard.

     

    • Sign up to speak (in-person or virtual) at the Tuesday Aug 4th hearing.  Call the City Clerk at 385-4303 or email her at ABarnes@vbgov.com and inform her you wish to talk on the Westminster-Canterbury item.

     

    • Send an email to City Council and the Staff Planner.  It can be a short few sentences of what you think about this project or it can be several paragraphs of stories or analysis.  Any email is welcomed.  Send your emails to the following:  City Council – CityCouncil@vbgov.com and City Planner Bill Landfair – WLandfair@vbgov.com

     

    For reference, the official letter of opposition from SDCC to City Council is included below.  Feel free to copy and paste information from this letter into your emails if you need.  City Council Deny Request Letter for WC22

     

    Dear Mayor Dyer and City Council Members,

    On behalf of the Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC), we formally request that City Council “DENY” the subject request from Westminster Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay (WCCB) for a modification of conditions to build a 4 story parking garage with 22 story tower senior living facility and a 7 story memory unit facility connected by enclosed elevated pedestrian bridges over public roadways.

    The SDCC is a 20 year old umbrella civic organization representing many neighborhood civic leagues, condo and homeowner associations along the Shore Drive corridor.  At our February general meeting, we unanimously voted on the following motion regarding the current proposed WCCB development,

    “The Shore Drive Community Coalition opposes the Westminster Canterbury expansion proposal as it is in violation of the Shore Drive Overlay density restrictions and the Business 901 height restrictions”

    The proposed project defined as “Housing for seniors” violates the following City codes and plans.

    • Shore Drive Corridor Overlay Section 1704- Density requirements of maximum 24 units per acre. The proposed 22 story tower lot size is 2.56 acres.
    Density Design Units/acre % over code Total Units
    Shore Drive Overlay (24/acre) 24 0% 61
    Other States Codes for Affordable Housing 28 +20% 73
    Existing Westminster Canterbury Campus Density 50 +40% 86
    Proposed 22 Story Tower 85 +255% 217

     

    • Business District Section 901(a) – Senior housing building height restriction of 165 feet. The 22 story tower has a height of 250 feet.  This City code requirement appears to have been created to allow safe evacuation of elderly residents in case of emergency.

     

    The SDCC understands that Council will be using “City Code Section 235 – Housing for seniors and disabled persons” to approve random densities for these types of projects, however, this code also requires Council to evaluate the project with the following guideline.

    The mass, or overall size, and height of the structure should be appropriate to the surroundings.

    Based on numbers alone, it seems the proposed 22 story tower fails on height and mass.

    The SDCC is also concerned that this project will set a harmful precedent for future development requests of high density taller tower structures in Business B2 and B4 zoning that would be incompatible with the surrounding residential and lower density multi-family dwellings that make the Shore Drive Corridor unique.

     

    Thank you for your consideration in denying the subject application,

    Todd Solomon – SDCC President

    WCCB process so far – “The lack of attention to detail is astonishing.”

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    Obfuscation intentional or unintentional is not a good look for anyone involved in this process.

    A very brief illustration of where we are today in the City’s process of reviewing this “iconic building”.

    July 25th 2020 – SIGNAGE

    They still haven’t fixed the conflicting times (12:00 noon on two signs and 6:00 pm on two other signs), and the convention center is listed for the planning commission meeting on two of the signs, rather than the city council meeting which still says council chambers. The lack of attention to detail is astonishing.

    LATE JULY – PLANNING COMMISSION OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS FINALLY INCLUDES WCCB

    As of the most recent Bayfront Advisory Committee Meeting July 16th 2020, Planning Commission WCCB Transcripts were not available to the public, nor on the public record.

    Our original post of PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 11 2020 OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS

    Virginia Beach Planning Commission Public Hearing March 11, 2020 Minutes

    PLEASE NOTE: Incomplete PDF file we downloaded that day excluding WCCB TRANSCRIPT and compared to link of PDF at VBGov.com. 40 pages were missing. Interestingly, the link to PDF at VBGov.com is not broken even though the PDF was changed adding WCCB TRANSCRIPT. In other words – the PDF was dramatically altered with no public record of alteration. Maybe it’s time the City time stamps all public records posted on the official record & when errors are made, add a description of the error and keep original incorrect document public.

    Planning Commission Official Page at VBGov.com including Transcripts.

    SDCC TOOK A SURVEY re: WCCB

    77% oppose WCCB proposal “in its current form”.

    WCCB SURVEY SUMMARY RESULTS

    July 25th 2020 – CITY COUNCILMAN CONCERNS ON HOW THIS PROCESS APPEARS TO THE PUBLIC

    Subject: Concern on City Manager Briefings

    This email content has three parts:

    1. City Manager
    2. Mayor
    3. City Council

    Patrick,

    Why did you place West Minister and Thalia Wayside that are Planning items on City Manager Briefings?

    Who will be giving said Briefings?

    The briefing material is just a repackaging of the developer’s proposals. I did not see any of the opposition material being included. Is there a reason it is an unbalanced brief?

    This comes across as sales pitch for the developer where the other side does not get equal time.

    This is an example of the very issue I discussed with you last Wednesday evening.

    Bobby,

    I will raise a vigorous objection to what is a less than balanced presentation of these two developments. If we are going to indirectly give the developers advertising for their developments than the opposition being the neighborhoods deserve to have their views represented as well with equal quality of graphics and content.

    Council,

    This is not an approach that promotes unity or conveys neutrality by the staff.

    Since this email is subject to FOIA on this coming Sunday I will be posting the basic content of this email on Facebook.

    I requested sometime ago additional analysis on the Thalia Wayside project from staff, and I have not seen it yet on shared parking.

    Let me be clear, I take major exception to unbalanced briefing materials that undermine the public’s confidence on the neutrality of the staff and by our silence conveys City Council’s concurrence with an approach that at best is only the appearance of advocating for developers and at worst, well I leave that to your imagination.

    Now, if we are had two briefings representing the developers’ proposals and that of the opposition of equal length, quality, and time that would be a different story. Sadly that is not the case.

    We can do better than this. The voters, Council employers, expect more of us. This briefing should not happen. Whatever the motivation or perceived benefit that gave rise to the City Manager briefing, the political capital it wastes and the distrust of Council’s governance it promotes makes the presentation a major error of judgment.

    I trust that upon reflection between now and Tuesday that this an error of judgment we avoided versus executed.

    View the perception of the City Manager’s proposed briefing through the eyes of the voters and ask yourself as Council Members do you want to own that perception. I think not.

    For my colleagues on the ballot in November, some of whom I have endorsed, sustain the integrity of the judgment behind your vote (yeah or nay) by not remaining silent on what will be seen as a lack of impartiality in our governance.

    Warm regards

    John [Moss]

    JULY 27 2020 – PROPOSED CHANGES TO WCCB. WHEN IS THE PUBLIC INPUT ON THIS TAKING PLACE IN A PUBLIC HEARING?

    Following the Planning Commission hearing, the applicant looked at ways to further mitigate the impact of the 22-story building on the adjacent properties to the east. As such, they are now proposing to move the building 15 feet on the ground level further to the west, away from the property line, as well as another 11 feet on levels 2 – 5. The dock area for the same building has been redesigned to confine trash operations behind doors with compactors within the building itself. Walls and ceilings inside the dock area will be lined with heavy duty sound attenuation panels. Along the eastern property line, an 8’ tall masonry wall is now proposed along with additional landscaping. The elevated bridge proposed over Starfish Road has been reduced in length by almost 60 feet and the bridge over Ocean Shore Ave has shifted slightly to the north. My apologies for the confusion about the Planning Commission date noted in the letter you received. That was a typo. You’re quite right in that the application was originally reviewed and recommended for approval on March 11th.
    Bill

    William R. Landfair, AICP
    Planning Evaluation Coordinator | Planning & Community Development | Planning Administration
    2875 Sabre Street, Suite 500 | Virginia Beach VA 23452
    (757) 385 – 8745

    JULY 24 – BAC CHAIRMAN CORRECTS THE OFFICIAL RECORD re: BAC POSITION ON WCCB

    To: CityCouncil@vbgov.com

    Subject: Westminister Canterbury

    I am writing you on behalf of the Bayfront Advisory Commission. City Council is scheduled to discuss and vote on the proposed addition to the Westminister Canterbury site on August 4. During the presentation to the Planning Commission the developers made statements to the effect that the Bayfront Advisory Commission approved their proposed project. In fact, the BAC, as a general rule, does not vote to approve or deny projects. We do provide advisory comments.

    The BAC did receive a presentation from WC in November. This was early in the project, and the developer had not yet contacted all of the neighboring residents. One of the BAC concerns was that the 22 story tower was too high and not in accordance with other development in the Shore Drive corridor. We were advised this was a “by right” design because it was for senior housing. This remains a concern with most of the residents in the corridor. There are other design concerns of the neighboring residents that the BAC has not vetted.

    The BAC is more than willing to provide more analysis of the project, including recent changes to the design, and to offer a specific recommendation to City Council, but that will require a one month deferral of City Council action.

    The BAC will await your direction regarding this issue.

    Phil Davenport
    Chairman, Bayfront Advisory Commission.

    View link at VBGov.com to JULY 28th 2020 CITY MANAGER’S BRIEFING FOR ITEM #7 WCCB

    Download PDF of JULY 28th 2020 CITY MANAGER’S BRIEFING FOR ITEM #7 WCCB (24 pages)

    If City Council truly values residents opinions and want to have a transparent process especially in an election year, they need to defer the Aug 4th hearing and hold several public forums to allow Bayfront community to discuss concerns and work towards common ground.

    No sun outlasts its sunset, but it will rise again and bring the dawn.

    ~ Maya Angelou

    Emphasis ours.

    City Council Hearing for Westminster Canterbury Proposed Expansion Officially Set for Aug 4th at the Convention Center

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    City Council’s official agenda notice for their Aug 4th Council Meeting has Westminster Canterbury’s proposed expansion listed as Agenda Item #1.

    Please note that the hearing has been moved due to the large attendance expected and will be held at the City’s Convention Center.  The meeting start time is still 6pm and seating will arranged to allow adequate social distancing for all those that wish to attend in person.  Make sure to arrive early since this is the first item on the agenda.

    The hearing will also be held virtually, so you can still sign up to speak using a computer or smart phone.  Follow the instructions listed at the bottom of the notice.

     

     

    Bayfront Advisory Commission Meeting – Thursday July 16th at 3:30pm at OPVRS

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    The following notice was received from City Staff identifying the upcoming BAC general meeting on Thursday July 16th at 3:30pm.  The meeting location will be the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad meeting hall.  If you are unable to attend due to Covid-19 concerns, please note that the OPCL is offering a opportunity to view the Live Stream of the meeting.  If you are interested in that option, please contact Mark Shea at the email address below.

    Here is the proposed agenda for the BAC meeting – 20200716PLN_BAC

     

     

    Bayfront Civic leaders,

    Hope everything is going well with each of you during these stressful times.  I wanted to give you, as regular attendees, a heads up that BAC will be meeting on 7/16/20 for the first time since February.  Due to social distancing requirements, the meeting has been moved to the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Building, at 3769 E. Stratford Drive.  Despite this switch to a larger meeting room, there will still be very limited capacity (we will also be asking that everyone wear a mask).

    The developers of Marlin Bay Apts. will be giving a short presentation to BAC.  The Ocean Park Civic League has graciously offered to provide a one way live stream of the meeting so that many interested individuals can see and hear the presentation and discussion by BAC from their homes. If you are unable to get there early enough for entrance or feel uncomfortable attending, please send us an email with any issues you would like to bring to BAC’s attention.  Due to the pandemic, the Outreach ’20 and Strategic Planning sessions have been delayed indefinitely.   If you are interested in the streaming, I will provide your name to the Ocean Park representative so they can send you the link.

    Thanks, and please let me know if you have any questions.

     

    Mark E. Shea, AICP

    Comprehensive Planning Coordinator

    City of Virginia Beach

    Department of Planning and Community Development

    Meshea@vbov.com

    757-385-2908

     

     

    City Council Hearing for Proposed Westminster Canterbury 22 Story Iconic Landmark Set for Tuesday Aug. 4th

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    A date for City Council to hold the public hearing for the proposed development of a 22 story assisted living facility and a 7 story memory building has been set for Tuesday August 4th.  The location of the hearing will be the City Council Chambers or the Convention Center based on the Covid-19 requirements at that time.  We will provide updates as we get them.  Below is the email confirming the date has been set.

     

    SDCC Residents Survey Results for proposed WCCB development – https://weloveshoredrive.com/2020/03/11/wccb-survey-summary-results/

    VB Planning Commission Hearing March 11th Video link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h75pz3iVqgQ

    VB Planning Commission Staff Report and additional background information – https://weloveshoredrive.com/2020/03/06/while-it-is-the-most-densely-populated-area-of-the-city-it-is-primarily-a-neighborhood-residential-area-the-general-planning-goals-and-policies-in-the-comprehensive-plan-include-preserving-and-pro/

     

     

    Subject: RE: WC CUP Sign – Hearing Date Confirmation

     

    Hello Todd,

    Yes, the Westminster Canterbury application is scheduled for City Council review on August 4th.  According to the City Clerk’s Office no decision has been made at this time as to whether the hearing will be held in the Council Chamber or at the Convention Center.  While currently both in-person and virtual speakers are allowed, that decision may also be reassessed in the very near future.

    Thank you.

    Bill

     

     

    Tuesday July 14th City Council Hearing – City Marina to Lease 24 Parking Spots to Chick’s

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    Click here to see a map of the proposed parking spots to be leased. LMM Parking Exhibit – July 2020

     

    Dear Marina Slipholder,

    As a current Slipholder at Lynnhaven Municipal Marina, I wanted to make you aware of a consideration to potentially lease Chick’s Oyster Bar 24 car parking spaces at the north end of the Marina.  After we recently completed the replacement of the collapsed bulkhead area behind the west mooring area at the Marina, Chick’s formally requested to lease parking spaces for their employees on an annual basis.  If approved, the City would be paid a monthly fee per space for the 24 parking spaces as part of the lease.  Additionally, the use and lease would be subject to terms and conditions, and would be renewed on an annual basis for a period not to exceed five total years, should all terms and conditions continue to be met.

    Attached for your information is the Exhibit Area at the north end of the Marina where the leased parking spaces are located, along with the Notice of Public Hearing scheduled for July 14th.  The tentative plan would be for City Council to vote on the parking space lease on July 21st and if approved, execute the lease with Chick’s in August 2020.

    We are also notifying the adjacent Condo and Civic Associations.  Please let me or Mike Parkman know if you have any questions.

     

    Thanks, Rick Rowe

    Parks Coordinator, City of Virginia Beach

     

     

    Sent of Rick’s behalf

    Mary Overstreet

    Park Events, Programs, and Special Use

    Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation

     

    Park Events, Programs, and Special Use | 2154 Landstown Road | Virginia Beach, Virginia 23456

    Phone 757-385-8235 | Fax 757-416-6747 | moverstr@vbgov.com | VBgov.com/parks

     

    ***UPDATE*** Swimming Advisory Lifted for Beaches Between Rockbridge Rd and Starfish Road

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    Friday June 19th

    Swimming advisories issued 6/17/20 for Dam Neck South, Middle, and North Beaches and Lesner Bridge East
    @CityofVaBeach
    NO LONGER IN EFFECT – bacteria are below safe swimming levels. For latest results visit: http://SwimHealthyVa.com

     

     

    WARNING! SWIMMING ADVISORY
    Bacteria levels do not meet state water quality standards
    Swimming and wading are prohibited until further notice

     

    Swimming Advisories Issued for Lesner Bridge East Beach
    Wednesday, June 17, 2020
    ​The Virginia Beach Health Department has issued swimming and wading advisories for the City’s Lesner Bridge East beach from Starfish Road to Rockbridge Road.
    Recreational waters are monitored for bacteria using indicator organisms such as enterococcus, the indicator of choice in estuarine and marine waters.

    Signs will be posted on the beach in the affected areas to alert the public of the swimming and wading advisory. The signs will read:

    WARNING! SWIMMING ADVISORY
    Bacteria levels do not meet state water quality standards
    Swimming and wading are prohibited until further notice

    Virginia Beach has conducted these tests since the mid-1970s. Health officials will continue testing the site until the water quality meets the state water quality standards. When the sampling test results meet the standards, the signs will be removed.

    Enterococci are a group of organisms used to determine the extent of the fecal contamination of recreational waters. While they do not cause illness, scientific studies indicate that their presence is closely correlated to the presence of other disease-causing organisms. People swimming or playing in waters with bacteria levels higher than the standard have an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal illness, as well as skin, eye and respiratory infections.

    The results of this and all other sampling are located on the Virginia Department of Health website at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/waterborne-hazards-control/beach-monitoring.

    “We encourage the public to protect their health by complying with this advisory,” said Brad DeLashmutt, the Environmental Health Supervisor with the Virginia Beach Health Department. “Typically, an advisory of this nature is temporary and can be caused by any warm-blooded animal – from birds congregating on the beach, people not cleaning up after their dog. The advisory will be withdrawn once the bacteria levels have returned to safe levels.”

    For additional information, contact Brad DeLashmutt at (757) 518-2727.

     

    Congratulations to Patrick Duhaney Appointed Virginia Beach City Manager

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    View the story at VBGov.com:

    Duhaney has been city manager for Cincinnati, Ohio since 2018 and previously served as that city’s assistant city manager and chief procurement officer. He currently serves on the Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors and is a member of the Local Initiative Support Corporation’s Emerging Leaders Council located in New York. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Urban Studies from Cleveland State University in Ohio and a master’s degree in Community Planning from the University of Cincinnati. 

    The combat Veteran starts July 20 2020.

    Welcome & congratulations!

    We look forward to working with you.

    “We are still operating in the midst of a pandemic. While businesses are reopening, the risk is still out there.”

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    You too can follow Official Virginia Beach EMS YouTube Channel for their updates.

    Virginia Beach Planning Commission Public Hearing March 11, 2020 Minutes

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    View PDF of Minutes at VBGov.com:

    I would like to call the order the March 11th, 2020 public meeting of the Planning Commission. My name is David Wiener. I’m acting as Chair today. Dee Oliver will not be here. Before we get started, I’ve asked Commissioner Coston to lead us in prayer and Don Horsley, Mr. Horsley to lead us in pledge, please stand.

    Download PDF of PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 11 2020 Formal Minutes (Binded) here.

    Road Resurfacing Planned for Repair of Work Areas at Starfish Rd, N. Great Neck Rd, Red Tide Rd and the Cape Henry Trail

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    Hello Shore Drive Community,

    The following emails are updates from our friendly neighborhood Project Engineer regarding the repaving of areas that have recently had stormwater improvements completed.  It looks like paving of these areas is scheduled to be finished by the end of July.

    Stay safe and stay healthy,

    Todd

     

     

    Dear SDCC,
    An update for you on the some of the “rough-rides” you may be experiencing at Starfish Rd and N. Great Neck Rd.

    Good news for these asphalt issues. We are trying to be fair to the contractor and limit his mobilization of final Asphalt surface course construction to two occurrences. The reason it is riding a little rough is because intermediate course has been placed on top for now, and yes, there are noticeable differences in elevation at the edge points that create a bump. The contractor is working at Red Tide Rd right now, and after he completes the storm sewer construction, we will then be milling (pavement planning) the asphalt down at Starfish Road, North Great Neck Road, the Cape Henry canal Trail and Red Tide Road. Then a complete overlay of surface course asphalt will be placed back in accordance with the Contract Documents.

    At N. Great Neck Road, we are going to slightly beyond the limits of the trench excavation to make sure there is “no bump” and mill out the asphalt to only the right turn lane (northbound) and merging lane (southbound). But the future Shore Drive Phase III roadway project in a couple years (100% design) will be providing a complete intersection pavement rebuild along with that project. For Starfish Rd and Red Tide Rd, it will be complete face-of-curb (edge-of-pavement)) to the other face-of-curb (edge-of-pavement).

    All This work will be completed by July.

    The second mobilization of asphalt surface course will occur after the heavy construction at West Great Neck Road and Cape Henry Drive in the summer and fall.

    Best Regards,

    Brad

    Bradley W. Vanderwarker, P.E.
    Project Manager

    City of Virginia Beach
    PW/Stormwater Eng. Center
    2473 N. Landing Road, Building 23, Room 139
    Virginia Beach, VA 23456
    (757) 385-4131 (main)
    (757) 385-8556 (direct)
    (757) 705-7507 (cellular)
    bvanderwarker@vbgov.com

     

    Additional details of the work being done on the Cape Henry Trail.  A plan of the work location can be seen by clicking here Cape Henry Trail Milling & Surface Course Overlay

    Todd/Tim,
    The milling and resurfacing of the Cape Henry Trail between W. Great Neck Road and N. Great Neck Road is graphically displayed in the attached.

    This will provide a nice smooth trail system from the major construction at W. Great Neck Road over and through where the large 76”x48” Culvert behind the Fire Station was recently constructed. It ends just west of Sunstate Ct. where shown. It was not in the scope of this project to repair and resurface the trail to the east over to Beech Street.

    Even with the localized construction at N. Great Neck Road, we are only repairing a localized section of the stamped brick area on the west side of N. Great Neck Road.

    Further questions relative to the Cape Henry Trail program may be directed to Elaine Linn elinn@vbgov.com with Parks & Rec.

     

     

    Sand Replenishment of Ocean Park Beach Scheduled for Spring 2020 Won’t Happen

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    The following email update was provided by City Staff explaining the reason the planned beach replenishment of Ocean Park beaches won’t be happening this Spring.

     

    The City received three bids on April 7, 2020 for the beach nourishment of Ocean Park Beach. Unfortunately, all bids were over 50% higher than the available budget for the project. The primary driver as to why the bids came in significantly higher than the available budget is due to industry capacity related to the high demand for dredging along the east coast and the Gulf of Mexico for the next six months. No additional funding has been identified and not likely in the immediate future given the uncertainty in the proposed City budget. Therefore, a contract cannot be awarded based on the bids received.

    Public Works staff has recommended rebidding the project with a longer period of performance to incentivize more favorable bids based on the available budget for Ocean Park Beach. A final determination on rebidding the project is pending. Please contact Mr. James White for additional information.

    Respectfully,

    James White, City of Virginia Beach

    jawhite@vbgov.com

    We Remember – Honoring the Victims on the Anniversary of the 5.31.19 Shootings

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    The City of Virginia Beach is planning several opportunities for residents to remember the victims and their families this weekend as we mark the anniversary of the awful events of 5.31.19.

    Please visit the Love for VB website for a full list of events – https://www.loveforvb.com/remembrance

    Additional remembrance activities can be found at the VB Strong Center website – https://thevbstrongcenter.org/services/

    Some of the weekend highlights include:

    Friday 5.29.20 

    • Wear Blue in remembrance
    • Observe a moment of silence at 4:06pm

    Saturday 5.30.20

    Sunday 5.31.20

    • 4:06 Online Remembrance Ceremony.
    • Leave your porch light on blue/white in remembrance

     

     

    “​The VB Wave and Bayfront Shuttle services (Routes 30, 31, and 35) scheduled to start Memorial Day, May 25, 2020 have been suspended this summer due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.”

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    VB Wave and Bayfront Shuttle Services Suspended this Summer at VBGov.com.

    ““If you come to the beach, we need to have safe distancing,” Dyer said. “No groups more than 10. Let’s just play by the rules and let’s remember there are still restrictions at the beach.”

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    Coverage including video at WAVY.com .

    The mayor is asking people only to go to the beach to fish or exercise.

    Absentee Ballot Voting for June 23rd Primary has Started. It’s Easy and a Great Way to Social Distance. Use Reason Code 2A (My Disability or Illness)

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    Currently the City of Virginia Beach is planning to hold in person voting for the upcoming Republican Party Primary.  However, normal polling locations may change as a result of Covid-19 stay at home rules and election official worker availability.  Voting absentee is a quick and safe way to still vote without having to visit a polling location.  Information regarding how to sign up for Absentee Voting and a sample ballot are listed below.

     

    Sign-up for Absentee Ballot here – https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation

     

    Virginia Beach Voter Registrar Additional Voting Information here – https://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/voter-registrar/Pages/default.aspx

     

    The City of Virginia Beach does not have May General Elections, our next schedule election is the June 23, 2020 Republican Party Primary Election. If you would like to submit an absentee ballot application to have your ballot mailed to you due to COVID-19 and Social Distancing you can submit the Virginia Absentee Ballot Application Form (SBE-701) only. The application can be submitted online​, by mail, email or fax. In section 3 please indicate Reason Code 2A (My disability or illness).

    Click to access Election_Schedule.pdf

     

     

     

    City Council Decides to Move Forward on Hearing Planning Items Using Online and In-Person Social Distancing Practices.

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    Hello Shore Drive Residents,

    I pray you are all doing well during these unprecedented times.  Stay safe and stay healthy.

    As City Council has been progressing with how they plan to continue public hearings during these trying times, the SDCC has asked Council to specifically defer all Planning Items that have opposition until normal reviews can be safely implemented.

    Based on the May 5th Council hearing, video review of the meeting can be seen here, it appears Council is set to move forward with hearing all Planning Items even if they are highly opposed such as Westminster-Canterbury’s 22 story high rise Assisted Living Facility.  Council has suggested to hold highly contested items such as Westmister-Canterbury in larger spaces like the Convention Center to allow for 6 foot social distancing requirements.  Specific details are still being determined by Council, so please continue to follow our website posts to stay up to date on how and when these Planning Items will be heard.

     

     

    Emails asking City Council to defer any Planning Item that has opposition.

     

    Email 1:

    Dear Mayor Dyer and Council Members,

    I am sending this email again in regards to your review of hearing Planning Items during the State’s “Shelter in Place” by utilizing virtual meetings.

    I would ask that no Planning items be heard unless failure to do so would result in irrevocable harm or have a direct impact on the pandemic emergency.

    If you decide to start hearing general Planning items, then I would recommend you only hear items that have no opposition so you can vote on them by consent. If an item has any opposition, then it should be deferred until normal in person hearings can be resumed.

    Thank you for this consideration,

    Todd Solomon

     

     

    Email 2:

    Dear Mayor Dyer and Council Members,

    I commend you all for working towards a method to allow for remote participation during various public meetings. Using technology to help maintain social distancing during these close quarter and sometimes large attendance gatherings is the right thing to do.

    However, I am confused why the “Resolution to suspend certain portions of the City Council Speaker Policy” doesn’t include the suspension of Planning Agenda Items (Section 2.1) along with the recommendation to suspend Regular Agenda (Section 2.2) and Non-Agenda/Open-mic (Section 2.3) Items. Already, Planning Items from March and April are being deferred and I can’t think of any possible Planning Items directly related to the Covid19 crisis or ones where failure to act would result in irrevocable public harm.

    With the Governor’s “Shelter in Place” decree effective until June 10th, wouldn’t the safest and smartest action be to also suspend Planning Items from City Council agendas during this emergency period?

    If for some overarching legitimate reason the Planning Items have to remain, then I suggest that Planning Items with any opposition be automatically deferred as long as this emergency policy is in place. This would still allow unopposed items to be approved by consent. Deferring opposed items would minimize a resident’s health risk of attending Council meetings in person and should also make remote virtual meetings easier to manage since there will be less online speakers.

    Thank you for your consideration to this request,

    Todd Solomon

     

    City Council Sets Special Meeting on May 7

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    View how to engage at VBGov.com:

    ​On Thursday, May 7, 2020 at 4 p.m., the City Council will hold a workshop to discuss the search for a city manager and the monitoring of the FY 2020-2021 budget.

    Members of Council may participate via electronic communication means provided that a quorum of Council is physically present at the meeting location, and the Council member provides notice that he or she is unable to physically attend the meeting for a reason set forth in the City Council Policy for Remote Participation by Councilmembers in Council Meetings, adopted March 31, 2020 (attached).

    No public comment will be taken at this meeting, however because it is expected that three or more members of the City Council will be physically present, a few seats for the public will be available in the Council Chamber that are appropriately spaced apart. Citizens are encouraged to wear protective face coverings.

    This meeting will be live-streamed on VBTV (Cox channel 48 & Verizon channel 45), VBgov.com/media and Facebook.com/CityofVaBeach.

    The proposed budget is available at VBgov.com/budget. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, City staff presented a revised FY 2020-21 Budget and Resource Management Plan on Tuesday, April 14. It can be viewed on VBgov.com/media and youtube.com/VirginiaBeachTV.

    For the latest information, please visit emergency.vbgov.com/coronavirus and follow us on facebook.com/CityofVaBeach, twitter.com/CityofVaBeach and instagram.com/cityofvabeach.