Category Archives: City Government

Meeting dates for STR and EH proposed ordinance changes

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Recent Planning Commission Workshop notes:

    Below is a summary of the Planning Commission Workshop held on January 24, 2018 on Short Term Rentals.
    Planning Commission Attending: Robert Thornton, David Weiner, Dee Oliver, David Redmond, Karen Kwasny, Jack Wall, and Jan Rucinski
    Staff Attending: Kay Wilson, Kevin Kemp, Carolyn Smith, Jimmy McNamara and Barry Frankenfield
    Public Attending: +/- 20
    Discussion and Briefings . . .

Upcoming meetings:

    Planning Commission: February 14, 2018
    City Council Briefing: February 20, 2018
    City Council Public Comment: March 6, 2018
    City Council Vote: March 20, 2018

E-Cycling at the Virginia Aquarium – Sat. Jan 27th from 9am to Noon

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Click here for more information on this event.

Location: East Parking Lot, Virginia Aquarium
Cost: Free to the public (donations welcome!)
Contact: Virginia Aquarium
Phone: (757) 385-FISH (3474)
Upcoming Dates:
Saturday, January 27, 2018 – 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

*Note that cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions cannot be accepted.*
Acceptable personal electronic recyclable items include:
Personal computers and laptops
Telephones, cell phones and PDA’s
Printers
Circuit boards and components
Monitors and flat screens
Fax Machines
Stereo equipment and game systems
Regular recycling materials such as newspapers, bottles and cans will also be accepted

Acceptable Household Hazardous Waste items include:
Up to five gallons of liquids or up to 75 pounds of dry materials
Aerosol spray cans
Automotive fluids
Batteries: Alkaline (AA, AAA, C, D), Boat, Car, Camera, Cell phone, Hearing aid, Lead acid, Lithium, Rechargeable, Trucks
Herbicides
Household cleaners
Gasoline (up to 5 gallons)
Fertilizer
Pool Chemicals
Light bulbs – small quantities of CFLs or fluorescent tubes
Oil and water based paint
Pesticides
Propane tanks (small – up to 20 lb. capacity)

BAC Meeting for Thursday cancelled

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From VBGov.com:

The Bayfront Advisory Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 18 has been canceled. Meetings are normally held at 3:30 p.m., on the third Thursday of each month, at the Virginia Beach Resort and Conference Center.

New Stormwater Appeals Board to be appointed at City Council Tuesday January 16th

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View the proposed changes from VBGov.com here. (58 page PDF)

New ordinance starts here:

    783 Sec. 1-1. Purpose and authority.
    784
    785 A. The purpose of this Ordinance is to ensure the general health, safety, and
    786 welfare of the citizens of the City of Virginia Beach and protect the quality and quantity
    787 of state waters from the potential harm of unmanaged stormwater, including protection
    788 from a land disturbing activity causing unreasonable degradation of properties, water
    789 quality, stream channels, and other natural resources, and to establish procedures
    790 whereby stormwater requirements related to water quality and quantity shall be
    791 administered and enforced.

    And includes:

    1149 …The Board shall be appointed by City Council and shall
    1150 consist of six (6) members, one (1) from the Department of Planning, one (1) from the
    1151 Department of Public Works, one (1) from the Department of Public Utilities and three (3) citizen members.

View entire City Council Agenda here.

NEW Public Engagement Tool by City of Virginia Beach requires YOUR ACTION.

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From today’s email:

Transitioning to a New Public Engagement Tool

Dec 17, 2017 04:09 pm | The City of Virginia Beach

Thank you for participating in past Virtual Town Hall surveys. Your input helps city leaders make decisions about issues, projects and services that affect the community.

We wanted to let you know that we will be transitioning to a new public engagement tool in January. This new platform will enhance our capabilities to gather public input; it offers a mobile-first technology and broader tools to help us design options for people to provide feedback. We’ll start using it early in 2018 for projects such as the entertainment district at the Oceanfront and strategies for revitalizing neighborhoods, just to name a couple. Unfortunately, we are not able to transfer your email address to the new platform. If you would like to be notified when the new system is online, please send an email to news@vbgov.com asking to be added to the new database. Your information will only be used for this platform and will not be shared. Alternatively, watch for the announcements in January and please be sure to join in and spread the word so we can get as many people involved as possible.

We appreciate your participation and look forward to hearing from you in the new year.

Sincerely,

Julie Hill, PhD

Communications Director

If you would like to be notified when the new system is online, please send an email to news@vbgov.com asking to be added to the new database.

SDCC General Meeting – Monday Dec. 18th at 7:30pm – Holiday Gathering

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda 12.18.17 SDCC Agenda

Please note the early date of the meeting.  It has been moved a week early to avoid conflict with Christmas.

SDCC General Meeting Agenda

Monday December 18, 2017 from 7:30 to 9:00pm

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall

(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

 

Special Presentation – Holiday Gathering – Come get to know your neighbors.  We will also be thanking our officers David Williams and Kathy Pawlak for their wonderful service to SDCC and will wish them well on their future endevours.

Officer’s Reports: Secretary – David Williams, Treasurer’s Report -Kathy Pawlak,Vice President – Wally Damon, President – Todd Solomon

Bayfront Advisory Commission (BAC) News – Mr. Wally Damon will update us on the actions of the Bayfront Advisory Commission.

Old Business-
Addition of “Your Speed Is” Traffic Signs on Shore Drive – They City has placed temporary “Your Speed Is” trailers east of Great Neck Road.  These signs and speed counter strips are being use to help slow down vehicles and to capture data for additional usage of signs.

Short Term Rentals – Update on City of Virginia Beach’s public input session and next steps for Short Term Rental (Airbnb, etc.) property. Planning Commission is holding a public workshop and hearing on this issue.

Storm Water/Sea Level Rise Public Input Meetings – The City of Virginia Beach recognizes challenges and is exploring solutions to the issues caused by sea level rise and recurrent flooding. The public is encouraged to attend one of several upcoming meetings where city representatives will provide residents with the opportunity to share their views and concerns. The information collected from the meetings will be used to develop the City’s long-term plans for sea level rise and recurrent flooding.  The City has held 4 meetings and will hold 2 more in January 2018.  Shore Drive residents are encouraged to attend a meeting to have your concerns be captured.

New Business –

SDCC Officer Elections – We are in great need of volunteers to step up and serve as officers for SDCC.  All positions are welcomed, but we are in immediate need of a Secretary and Treasurer for 2018.  We will be accepting names from the floor and will vote once we have nominees. 

Community Concerns– General discussion of neighborhood and community concerns that may need SDCC attention.  This is an opportunity for all to share information.

 ***Next SDCC Meeting – Monday January 29, 2018***

Sea Level Rise Public Meetings Schedule for Shore Drive area including fascinating map designating areas.

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Main info page at VBGov.com.

All of the meetings will take place from 6 to 8 p.m.

Shore Drive areas are split into 3,30 & 31.

​Mon., Dec. 11, 2017 ​8, 29, 30 ​
Oceanfront: Beach District and the Lynnhaven east of Great Neck Road ​​
Cooke Elementary School,
1501 Mediterranean Avenue

Thurs., Jan 25, 2018 ​​3, 4 ​
Western Lynnhaven: North of Princess Anne Road; bounded to the east by South Rosemont Road and Little Neck Road ​
Princess Anne High School,
4400 Virginia Beach Blvd.

Mon., Jan. 29, 2018 1,31
Little Creek: Area to the east where Shore Drive meets Northampton Blvd.​ ​
Bayside High School,
4960 Haygood Road

Seems strange Bayfront community was spit up into 3 meetings none held here.

Monday Nov. 27th – SDCC General Meeting – Special Presentation on Shore Drive Improvments Phase 3

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda 11.27.17 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday November 27, 2017 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Special Presentation – Shore Drive Improvements Phase 3 (Lesner Bridge to First Landing State Park) – Mr. Christopher Wojtowicz, PE, Engineering Construction Manager for the City of VB Public Works will provide an update on the Shore Drive Improvement Phase 3 project. This project will add safety improvements, bike lanes, storm water upgrades, curb and gutter and other roadway changes to the section of Shore Drive between the Lesner Bridge and First Landing State Park. The project is 90% ready for construction. The last time the community had a chance to see and comment was at 30%. Come out and see if your past comments have been incorporated and if there are any new items of interest.

Officer’s Reports: Secretary – David Williams; Treasurer’s Report -Kathy Pawlak; Vice President – Wally Damon;
President – Todd Solomon

Old Business-
Bayfront Development Projects Update –
• Marina Shores Marina Apartments – Approved at Oct. 11th meeting of the Planning Commission. Will most likely be heard by City Council in December.

Addition of “Your Speed Is” Traffic Signs on Shore Drive – SDCC sent resolution to City Council to purchase signs to be used specifically on Shore Drive. Councilman Wood has acknowledged the request and stated that City’s Public works has portable sign trailers. SDCC will continue dialogue with Councilman for purchase of Shore Drive signs.

Short Term Rentals – Update on City of Virginia Beach’s public input session and next steps for Short Term Rental (Airbnb, etc.) property.

New Business –
Bayfront Advisory Commission (BAC) News – Mr. Wally Damon will update us on the actions of the Bayfront Advisory Commission.

Storm Water/Sea Level Rise Public Input Meetings – The City of Virginia Beach recognizes challenges and is exploring solutions to the issues caused by sea level rise and recurrent flooding. The public is encouraged to attend one of several upcoming meetings where city representatives will provide residents with the opportunity to share their views and concerns. The information collected from the meetings will be used to develop the City’s long-term plans for sea level rise and recurrent flooding. Click here for more information on these meetings

  • Mon., Dec. 11, 2017 8, 29, 30 Oceanfront: Beach District and the Lynnhaven east of Great Neck Road Cooke Elementary School, 1501 Mediterranean Avenue
  • Thurs., Jan 25, 2018 3, 4 Western Lynnhaven: North of Princess Anne Road; bounded to the east by South Rosemont Road and Little NEck Road Princess Anne High School,4400 Virginia Beach Blvd.

Community Concerns– General discussion of neighborhood and community concerns that may need SDCC attention. This is an opportunity for all to share information.

***Next SDCC Meeting – Monday December 18, 2017***
This meeting is a week early due to Holiday Season
SDCC Elections are coming up. Please let an officer know of your interest.

Short Term Rentals VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 7, 2017 – DRAFT presentation

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November 7th Tuesday at City Council, COVB Attorney Mark Stiles will make a presentation about Short Term Rentals.

View the DRAFT presentation. (28 page PDF)

“We’re trying to gauge the level of Virginia Beach residents’ flood and evacuation awareness – both owners and renters.”

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Start survey at VBGov.com here.

Saving Trees, “Norm” Not the Exception

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At the 30 OCT 2017 SDCC monthly meeting, the environmentally astute Tim Solanic said that saving the city’s Live Oaks should be “The Norm, not the exception”.  Is that a voice in the city’s wilderness speaking out?  Destroying a magnificent tree that has taken a century or more to grow to make way for a structure that probably will not last a hundred years seems to point out our short-sightedness at the expense of long term goals for our city.  What do we want for our city and for our future generations?  Think about what you want to show your great grand children and talk about.  We should all want a remarkably durable city of quality with a deep sense of history.

David Williams

 

Envision Virginia Beach 2040 info including meeting dates

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Thanks to Cindy & Jennifer for a great presentation & discussion last night at our meeting about Envision Virginia Beach 2040!

Envision Virginia Beach 2040 next meeting is November 17th (3rd Friday, 1:00-3:00) in Town Center at 4525 Main St Suite 710.

Learn more about Envision Virginia Beach 2040 at VBGov.com.

How do you envision Shore Drive in 2040? Join us at their next meeting.

SDCC General Meeting – Monday Oct. 30th at 7:30pm

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda 10.30.17 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday October 30, 2017 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Special Presentation – 2040 Vision to Action Community Coalition Commission, Ms.Cindy Arocho of the Commission will provide background and answer questions. In 2011, the Mayor appointed a 13-member citizen “visioning” group. They studied and analyzed current trends to understand the forces affecting our community. “Where are we now…where will we be… where do we want to be?” They answered those questions and crafted Virginia Beach 2040. The 2040 Vision to Action Community Coalition shares the pathway and the vision.

Officer’s Reports:
Secretary – David Williams
Treasurer’s Report -Kathy Pawlak
Vice President – Wally Damon
President – Todd Solomon

Old Business-
Bayfront Development Projects Update –
• Marina Shores Marina Apartments – Approved at Oct. 11th meeting of the Planning Commission.
• New Millennial Assisted Living Facility Expansion – SDCC letter being sent to City Planning and Traffic Engineers asking for the omission of the two new left turns based on the increase in traffic conflicts, low volume of left turns and access at two additional entrances.

New Business –
Bayfront Advisory Commission (BAC) News – Mr. Wally Damon will update us on the actions of the Bayfront Advisory Commission.

Addition of “Your Speed Is” Traffic Signs on Shore Drive – SDCC would like to make a motion to request the BAC to pursue the purchase and installation of these signs at key sections on Shore Drive. Norfolk has several of these signs operating on Shore Drive in Ocean View already.

VB proposed changes to Route 35 and other bus services – City Planning and Traffic Engineering have submitted a request to continue the service next year and to add a 3rd bus to allow shorter wait times. The service would also extend to Pleasure House Road. According to a Virginian Pilot article, the City Manager doesn’t feel additional funding of any mass transit in the City is worthwhile.

City Planners Losing Focus on Shore Drive Safety? – The addition of left turns where they’re not justified as part of the New Millennial development and the suggestion to add a crosswalk at North Great Neck Rd. and Lynnhaven Dr. intersection, seem to identify an unsafe trend in City Planning. Your thoughts and suggestions for action are welcomed.

Community Concerns– General discussion of neighborhood and community concerns that may need SDCC attention. This is an opportunity for all to share information.

Next SDCC Meeting – Monday November 27, 2017
No Special Presentation Planned
SDCC Elections are coming up. Please let an officer know of your interest.

October Baylines from Bayfront Advisory Committee

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View October Baylines. (4 page PDF)

Baylines includes:

Vice Mayor Louise Jones,, Ocean Park Civic League President Andrew Broyles and Mayor Will Sessoms participate in a ceremony unveiling median signs on Shore Drive delineating the historical neighborhood…

Swimming Advisory Lifted for Two Areas: Along the Bay from Little Creek to Fort Story and along the Oceanfront from 8th to 22nd Streets

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Swimming Advisory Lifted for Two Areas: Along the Bay from Little Creek to Fort Story and along the Oceanfront from 8th to 22nd Streets

The Virginia Beach Health Department has lifted the swimming and wading advisories that were issued yesterday, Wednesday, Sept. 20, along the Bay from Little Creek to Fort Story and along the Oceanfront from 8th to 22nd streets.

After re-sampling showed that the bacteria level in the water was once again safe for swimming and wading, the advisories were lifted and signs at both locations that had previously alerted the public of the advisory have now been removed.

Recreational waters are monitored for bacteria using indicator organisms such as enterococci, the indicator of choice for estuarine and marine waters. Enterococci are a group of organisms used to determine the extent of fecal contamination of recreational waters.

While enterococci do not cause illness, scientific studies indicate that their presence is closely correlated to the presence of other disease-causing organisms. People swimming or wading in waters with bacteria levels higher than the standard have an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal illness and skin, eye and respiratory infections.

Environmental health officials sample recreational beach water on a weekly basis during the swimming season from May through September.

For additional information, contact Brad Delashmutt, Virginia Beach Health Department, at (757) 518-2727.

News Release – Swimming Advisory Issued for Two Areas: Along the Bay from Little Creek to Fort Story and along the Oceanfront from 8th to 22nd Streets

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Swimming Advisory Issued for Two Areas: Along the Bay from Little Creek to Fort Story and along the Oceanfront from 8th to 22nd Streets

The Virginia Beach Health Department has issued two swimming and wading advisories today for two sections:

• along the Bay from Little Creek to Fort Story and
• along the Oceanfront from 8th to 22nd streets.

Recreational waters are monitored for bacteria using indicator organisms such as enterococci, the indicator of choice for estuarine and marine waters. Enterococci are a group of organisms used to determine the extent of fecal contamination of recreational waters.

Signs will be posted on the beach between 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.

While Enterococci do not cause illness, scientific studies indicate that their presence is closely correlated to the presence of other disease-causing organisms. People swimming or wading in waters with bacteria levels higher than the standard have an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal illness and skin, eye and respiratory infections.

Environmental health officials sample recreational beach water on a weekly basis during the swimming season from May through September.

For additional information, contact Brad Delashmutt, Virginia Beach Health Department, at (757) 518-2727.

# # #

News Release: goo.gl/kYW6YL

For more news: VBgov.com/News