City Council Special Meeting – 05/05/2020
The following are email updates from City Engineer Brad Vanderwarker regarding the storm water improvements along the Cape Henry Trail ditch and intersection with N. Great Neck Road. Work is scheduled to continue, weather permitting, over the next 2 weeks until Saturday May 9th. Traffic patterns at the intersection of Shore Drive and N. Great Neck and near the Cape Henry Trail will be changing to support the different construction operations, so please be aware and be safe.
Email #1 – Unfortunately, this up and down weather has been tough recently at N. Great Neck Road. We have coordinated with Traffic Engineering and should be complete with the storm drainage portion northerly up by the intersection by the end of this weekend (4/25).
Weather permitting next Monday, 4/27, we will drop back and work on the southerly drainage outfall near the Cape Henry Trail that is projected to last 1 week, till 5/2.
Following that work will be the restoration portion to include curb and gutter, sidewalk, driveway apron and paving along that entire corridor. We anticipate the restoration work to take one week (5/4-5/9).
Email #2 – I just received clarification that next week (4/27 thru 5/2), we will return traffic flow to normal using the dedicated right turn “slip ramp” with a taper transition to the left lane(s) of southbound N. Great Neck Road, during construction of the work near the CHC.
The following week (5/4 thru 5/9), when we are constructing the restoration elements, we will bring motorists all the way up to the signal and turn right.
In support for Storm Water drainage improvements, a new traffic pattern will be temporarily used for the intersection of Shore Drive and North Great Neck Road.
The new pattern will be set up Monday through Saturday, 7am to 7pm for the next two to three weeks. Please be careful as you head south onto N. Great Neck at this intersection.
Click here to read the City’s News Release on this subject – 20200401-News Release – REVISED -N Great Neck Road – March 2020
UPDATE:
Virginia Beach Public Works has announced a change in the schedule for work crews as stated in the news release of 2/16/2020; RE: the Eastern Shore Drive Drainage Improvements project.
The work schedule for the crews is revised as follows for Southbound Traffic (west side) of North Great Neck Road:
Original Schedule:
7 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday, April 5, 2020 through June 7, 2020.
Revised Schedule:
Beginning April 6th, 2020, there will be daytime work through Friday (Saturday if needed) 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The road will be re-opened at the end of each daily shift, to include temporary paving of the excavation, clean up and removing traffic control before returning it to the original traffic pattern each evening. Work at this location is expected to be complete by April 24th, 2020.
The City has created two online surveys to identify critical needs and issues Virginia Beach residents and business owners are experiencing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to read this notice at the City’s website https://www.vbgov.com/news/pages/selected.aspx?release=4752&title=city+seeks+input+from+virginia+beach+residents+and+business+owners+on+covid-19+impacts
Resident Needs Assessment Survey
Virginia Beach residents can provide input relating to housing, employment and financial needs at PublicInput.com/COVID19Resident Needs through Friday, April 24.
Feedback from the Resident Needs Assessment survey will help guide the draft plan and priorities for funds the City will receive through the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to address housing needs, such as eviction prevention, homelessness prevention and shelter. Federal CARES Act funding amounts the City will be receiving and proposed uses can be found at VBgov.com/housing.
The Department of Housing & Neighborhood Preservation will present its draft plan on the proposed uses of Federal CARES Act funds for housing assistance during a City Council Special Session that will occur after the survey deadline. If approved, the City Council will be asked to authorize the proposed uses of funds by ordinance during the special session. An announcement will be made when the special session has been scheduled.
Business Needs Assessment Survey
Virginia Beach business owners can provide input relating to issues such as workforce and service impacts at PublicInput.com/COVID19BusinessNeeds through Friday, April 24.
Feedback from the Business Needs Assessment survey will help focus on areas in which the City can support the business community. The information will also be used to identify the resources and services businesses may need or find useful as they adapt, even temporarily, to the range of conditions imposed as a result of the pandemic.
Click here to read in .pdf format West Great Neck Road Detour – April 15th 2020
VB Public Works Schedules Detour for West Great Neck Road
VA Beach Public Works has announced a detour for the area near West Great Neck Road and Adam Keeling Road
on Wednesday, April 15, 2020. The detour is scheduled so that crews can relocate a water line to the east side of
West Great Neck Road.
The detour hours will be from 9 p.m. until 4 a.m.
The work is part of a project that will provide a 5-foot wide concrete sidewalk along the west side of West Great Neck Road
from Adam Keeling Road to the bridge over Long Creek, approximately 0.2 of a mile. Once completed, the sidewalk will
improve safety and provide a connection for pedestrians traveling from Great Neck Point to Shore Drive.
The contractor for the job is EL-X Enterprises, and Phillip Blackwell is the project manager. For emergency information,
contact him at (804) 698-0989.
The following is an update regarding the Board of Zoning Appeals Case 2019‐BZA-0119 – Adam Outdoor Advertising’s request to upgrade the billboards along Shore Drive to digital boards.
BZA hearings have been postponed during the Covid-19 pandemic, so the planned April 1st hearing of this appeal did not happen. Once normal hearing resume, this case will be rescheduled. In the meantime, here is some information regarding this topic. SDCC has already sent an email to the BZA expressing our opposition to the request to make the billboards digital. I have also attached a copy of the City’s Zoning Administrator letter that originally denied Adam’s request prior to this appeal case. The letter can be read by clicking here Billboard Letter
Bottom line, it looks like this appeal should be denied similar to the original request to make the billboards digital, however the SDCC will continue to follow this topic to make sure.
Dear Chairman Whitley and Board Members,
On behalf of the Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC), I would like to express our opposition to Case 2019‐BZA-0119 Adam Outdoor Advertising’s request to upgrade the billboards along Shore Drive to digital boards. The existing billboards have been an eyesore to our area for many years and do not support the City Comprehensive Plan and Shore Drive Corridor Design Guidelines which recommend for the beautification of our residential area. Digital billboards would be extremely intrusive to the adjacent residential property owners and would exacerbate the incompatible aesthetics the structures already create.
Based on the detrimental impacts that the proposed upgrades would cause, we ask that you deny the applicants request for appeal.
Thank you for your attention to this matter,
Todd Solomon, SDCC President
I have included a couple of reference items below in case you need additional information on this topic:
1) There are 32 billboards in Virginia Beach. Adams Outdoor Advertising wants to add 13 and upgrade four of its existing billboards, city officials said. Among those the company hopes to change is a large one with two sides on Shore Drive next to the Lesner Bridge. https://www.pilotonline.com/business/consumer/vp-nw-billboards-0304-20200323-oqzr75yodzdyrnw2inpbbgpi3y-story.html
2) Board of Zoning Appeals Agenda of April 1, 2020 – Appeal Agenda: Case 2019‐BZA-0119: Adam Outdoor Advertising Request an appeal of the Zoning Administrator’s determination letter dated November 7, 2019 for properties located at 3615 Virginia Beach Blvd; 624 Independence Blvd; 1314 Kempsville Rd; 660 N Witchduck Rd; 1009 Laskin Rd; 1195 Bells Rd; 1637 Independence Blvd; 5280 Princess Anne Rd; 3700 Shore Dr; 1309 Virginia Beach Blvd; 1347 Lynnhaven Pkwy; 6061 Indian River Rd; 3273 Shore Dr; 3894 Virginia Beach Blvd; 4390 Virginia Beach Blvd; 4719 Indian River Rd; 3948 Holland Rd
For example, Tuesday routes will be collected on Wednesday. Wednesday routes will be collected on Thursday. Thursday routes on Friday, and Friday routes on Saturday, April 11.
Latest update from VBGov.com Emergency Coronavirus page:
April 3, 2020
The City Council will hold a “Special Meeting by Electronic Communications Means” on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at 3 p.m. to discuss tax deferrals; suspension of the meal tax; reduction of personal property tax rate; and areas for expenditure reductions necessitated by the pandemic. The City Council will also provide guidance to staff for preparation of any necessary resolutions or ordinances for Council’s consideration at a subsequent City Council Special Session.
Following the discussion, the City Council may consider the adoption of an item to address tax relief necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic in the form of an ordinance to suspend provisions of the City Code regarding penalties and interest upon certain local taxes during the pandemic, which is sponsored by Council Member John Moss.
While citizen comments will not be heard during this meeting, citizens are encouraged to submit comments to the City Council prior to the special meeting via email at CityCouncil@vbgov.com. The current Council agenda can be viewed online at VBgov.com.
The City Council will not be at City Hall (Building 1), which will remain closed to the public. The meeting can be viewed live on VBTV (Cox channel 48 & Verizon channel 45), online at VBgov.com/media and on Facebook.com/CityofVaBeach.
For the latest information, please visit emergency.vbgov.com/coronavirus and follow us on facebook.com/CityofVaBeach, twitter.com/CityofVaBeach and instagram.com/cityofvabeach.
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We applaud City Staff for getting these videos online this fast!
People wanting to comment should follow a two-step registration process:
Register at https://vbgov.webex.com/vbgov/onstage/g.php?MTID=e871f2421f8196abfb20bee4e6e94208f
Register with the City Clerk’s Office by calling (757) 385-4303or via email at ABarnes@vbgov.com prior to 5:30 p.m. on March 31, 2020.
However, if you must go out, it doesn’t matter whether you are walking along the boardwalk, standing in line for food at a restaurant or shopping inside a home improvement store. Do not congregate in groups and keep six feet away from other people. It is as simple–and as important–as that if we are going to contain the outbreak.
This is great news.



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Information Hotlines
Latest from VBGOV.com COVID EMERGENCY site
March 20, 2020
In order to “flatten the curve” of COVID-19, Virginia Governor Ralph S. Northam issued a Public Health Emergency Order mandating that all restaurants, fitness centers, and theaters “reduce seating capacity to 10 patrons” at a given time. To meet this mandate, the Virginia Beach Department of Public Health (Health Department) and the Virginia Beach Police Department are working together to protect the health and safety of the community. In doing so, we are educating local establishments to insure voluntary compliance. Please be informed that noncompliance with the emergency order may result in the suspension of the establishment’s operating permit.
We recognize the important service these establishments provide in our community, not only through the provision of food, drink, and entertainment, but also by supporting our local economy. However, to reduce the spread of COVID-19 virus, everyone must work together. The Health Department are asking restaurants, fitness centers, and theaters to strictly adhere to the executive order until otherwise noted. While we do not intend to assertively patrol local businesses in search of those in violation of this order, we will respond to complaints for such violations as authorized in the Public Health Emergency Order. By working together we will stay strong, healthy, and overcome the challenges posed by this disease.
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS EMBRACING PROTECTING OTHER HUMANS!
PLEASE NOTE: “NUMBER OF PEOPLE TESTED” & “CASES” ARE DRASTICALLY UNDER REPORTING THE REAL NUMBER OF CASES DUE TO LACK OR TESTING RESOURCES TODAY
R E S P E C T S O C I A L D I S T A N C I N G
