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)
Category Archives: City Government
“We’re trying to gauge the level of Virginia Beach residents’ flood and evacuation awareness – both owners and renters.”
Saving Trees, “Norm” Not the Exception
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
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
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
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
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
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
SDCC General Meeting – Monday Sept. 25th at 7:30pm
Click here for a printable version of the agenda.9.25.17 SDCC Agenda
SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday September 25, 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 – None Planned
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 – Deferred until the Oct. 11th meeting of the Planning Commission. Presentation made to Cape Story by the Sea Civic Association. Updates will be discussed.
• Bay Lake Assisted Living Facility Expansion – Approved by City Council with an 11-0 vote. One speaker voiced concerns over adding two new left turns that cross Shore Drive at the intersection of Indian Hill Road. City Traffic Engineers said the low traffic volumes and slow speed limit of 35mph won’t make extra conflict points a safety hazard.
• Resort Conference Hotel Proposal to Convert to Assisted Living Facility – No new details
• Mermaid Winery – Approved by City Council. Scheduled to open by the end of 2017.
VB proposed changes to Route 35 and other bus services – Bus route operation is now only Friday-Sunday until Labor Day. The City continues to make plans to run the route next summer with shorter wait times and improved service. Community support for increased budget of $100k for an extra bus may be required.
Pleasure House Wetland Mitigation Program – Project includes a wetlands mitigation bank for City projects, ADA access and parking lot for 5 vehicles and public water access. Planning is 60% complete and construction is set to start in December 2018. Ocean Park Civic League has taken lead on this and is working with the City to create a project that will work for the neighborhood.
New Business –
Bayfront Advisory Commission (BAC) News – Mr. Wally Damon will update us on the actions of the Bayfront Advisory Commission.
Baylake Pine Lower School Development – Planned office/business space at old school location at Treasure Island Dr and Shore Dr intersection. The developer will be speaking at a special Baylake Pines Civic League meeting on Tuesday Sept. 26th.
Beach Sand Replenishment Projects – A replenishment of Chesapeake Beach is scheduled for early 2018. The $4.8mil will widen the beach 100-150 feet. Continued replenishment is set for a 4-5 year cycle. Lynnhaven Inlet dredging with replenishment to Ocean Park and Cape Henry beaches is scheduled for Fall 2018.
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 October 30, 2017
Special Presentation – 2040 Vision to Action Community Coalition Commission
The group conducts public outreach, monitors and reports on the City’s progress for achieving the vision
SDCC requests City Council defer hearing Planning Item #4 – New Millennium Senior Living Communities.
From an email sent to City Council:
Dear Mayor Sessoms and City Council Members,
I am writing to request a deferral for the subject agenda item, Planning Item #4 – New Millennium Senior Living Communities, being heard at tonight’s Council meeting. The deferral would allow time for the community and City Traffic Engineers to find a safer design for the proposed additional entrance located at the intersection of Shore Drive and Indian Hill Road.
Residents have expressed concern at both Bayfront Advisory Commission and Shore Drive Community Coalition meetings that adding 2 additional points of conflict at the new entrance intersection will result in an unsafe situation. The existing intersection already creates a two car stacking conflict in the median and the proposed City design could result in a 3 or even 4 car interaction.
The following recommendation has been made for the new traffic pattern and would provide a safer intersection with no adverse impact to the operation of the new development.
At the proposed Indian Hill Road entrance – only allow vehicles heading eastbound on Shore Drive to enter and exit the new development.
Keep operating the existing old building main entrance with 4 way median flow as-is. This entrance is located approximately 500 feet to the west of the proposed Indian Hill Road entrance.
Vehicles leaving the development heading westbound on Shore Drive would use the existing old building entrance or the First Court Road entrance which leads to stop lighted intersections.Thank you for your continued efforts to make Shore Drive safe for all modes of travel
Sincerely,
Todd Solomon
Shore Drive Community Coalition-President
(757) 667-8533 cell“Shore Drive, We Love This Place”, check out http://www.sdcc.info
Aerial view of existing conditions. Proposed new Baylake facility will be in grass area on left.
Emphasis added for this post.
September Baylines from Bayfront Advisory Committee
View September Baylines. (5 page PDF)
Snippets:
The city has changed some of the design at the site in response to public input, he said. Parking will be reduced from the previously announced 15 spaces to five. In addition, plans have been made to preserve two healthy mature live oaks in that area and to transplant saplings elsewhere on the site.
And:
Starting next year, Virginia Beach will embark on a large-scale restoration of public Chesapeake Bay beaches that will make them 100 to 150 feet wide, Phillip J. Roehrs, city water resources engineer, told the Bayfront Advisory Commission.
“We’re going to put a bunch of sand out there,” and continue to do so in four- to five-year cycles, Roehrs said. “This is going to change the nature of the community.”
And:
A redevelopment application for part of the current Marina Shores development is on the agenda for the Sept. 13 Planning Commission meeting. Planners will hear presentations by Water Box LLC, owner and applicant, for a conditional use permit and conditional rezoning for the property at 2100 Marina Shores Drive.
August Bayline from Bayfront Advisory Committee
Includes info about SWIFT & new proposed retirement home on Shore Drive.
Major construction is underway this year that will result in massive changes in how wastewater is treated in Virginia Beach and throughout Hampton Roads, phasing out the Chesapeake-Elizabeth treatment plant off Shore Drive, diverting wastewater to the Atlantic plant near Ocean Lakes and implementing a new technology that will return treated wastewater to the aquifer. . .
COVB has officially started application process with FEMA for CRS. Yay!
Here’s the 1 page PDF of the letter sent to FEMA.
You’ll find more info about CRS at Search & Hot on this website.
“The Virginia Beach Department of Public Health has lifted a swimming and wading advisory that was issued for the Cape Henry Area from Fort Story to Starfish Road, including First Landing State Park. Lab results showed bacteria levels in the water meet the State Water Quality Standards.”
Monday July 31st – SDCC General Meeting Special Presentation and Agenda
Click here for a printable version of the agenda 7.31.17 SDCC Agenda
SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday July 31, 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 – Proposed Urban Winery on Shore Drive – Jennifer Eichert, owner and operator of Mermaid Winery in Norfolk, will discuss her plans to open a winery at 4365 Shore Drive. The plans include an outside seating area with fire pits and a tasting room that will be available for private parties. The project was scheduled to be heard by the Planning Commission on July 12th.
Officer’s Reports
Secretary – David Williams
Treasurer’s Report -Kathy Pawlak
Vice President – Wally Damon
President – Todd Solomon
Old Business-
Route 35, Bayfront Shuttle – Update on ridership numbers and HRT’s ideas to expand and make this route more effective. Thoughts and feedback welcomed. Send comments to Todd@sdcc.info Comments will be collected and forwarded to City and HRT.
Pleasure House Point Management Plan – City Staff met with an Ocean Park Civic League steering committee to discuss the planned parking lot, ADA requirements and the wetland mitigation bank.
New Business –
Bayfront Advisory Commission (BAC) News – Mr. Wally Damon will update us on the actions of the Bayfront Advisory Commission.
Bay Lake Assisted Living Facility Expansion – The owners of Bay Lake plan to expand by adding new buildings to their vacant lot at the corner of First Court and Shore Drive. The plan requires a Conditional Use Permit and may be heard by the Planning Commission as early as August. The site layout shows an entrance off Shore Drive across from Indian Hill Rd and another off First Court.
Resort Conference Hotel Proposal to Convert to Assisted Living Facility – VB Planning received a Conditional Use Permit application for the transition of the VB Resort and Conference Center to become Housing for Seniors and Disabled Persons. The request is to specifically convert the hotel into independent, assisted and memory care units. A hearing may be as early as September.
Community Concerns and Suggestions – 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 August 28, 2017
Swimming Advisory Issued for Cape Henry Area
Swimming Advisory Issued for Cape Henry Area
Fort Story to Starfish Road Including First Landing State Park
The Virginia Beach Department of Public Health has issued a swimming and wading advisory for the Cape Henry area of Virginia Beach between Fort Story and Starfish Road, including First Landing State Park. Recent testing conducted by the Health Department showed that bacteria levels in the water exceeded the State Water Quality Standards.
Recreational waters are monitored for bacteria using indicator organisms such as Enterococcus, the indicator of choice in estuarine and marine waters.
“The coastal waters of Virginia are generally very clean, and we test them weekly from May through September,” said Heidi Kulberg, M.D., director of the Virginia Beach Department of Public Health. “On the occasions when waters fail to meet the standards, we need to protect public health by letting residents and visitors know.”
Signs will be posted on the beach between Fort Story and Starfish Road 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.
“We encourage the public to protect their health by complying with this advisory,” said Kulberg. “Typically an advisory of this nature is temporary and will be withdrawn once the bacteria levels have returned to safe levels.”
The results of this and all other sampling are located on the Virginia Department of Health Web site at http://www.vdh.state.va.us/epidemiology/DEE/BeachMonitoring.
For additional information, contact Brad DeLashmutt, Virginia Beach Health Department at 757-518-2727.
BAC Capital Improvement Projects’ Briefing
View and download PDF of presentation briefing. (27 page PDF)
PDF includes info such as:
Completed Projects FY17
Shore Drive Bike Facilities CIP 2-300.101
• EB & WB On road bike lanes from Diamond Springs Road to
Northampton Boulevard, approx. 3 miles.
• Completed February 2017
• Total Project Cost: $4.4M
Crab Creek & Long Creek Dredging CIP 8-011 • Spot dredging to address shoaling
• Completed February 2017 • Total Project Cost: $285K
Lynnhaven Inlet Maintenance Dredging • Minor dredging to address shoaling
• Completed August 2016
• Annualized Payments to USACE – $363K
CIP 8-013
July Bayline from Bayfront Advisory Committee
Golf carts on OP Beach causing concern
What began as a low-tech way for the city to allow handicapped people to access the beach on a golf cart has exploded into a full-fledged epidemic at Ocean Park, resident Mike Wills told the Bayfront Advisory Commission.
Golf cart drivers have obtained an “accommodation letter” from the city manager’s office which, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, allows the letter-hold with certified disability to drive to and on the beach, City Manager David Hansen wrote Wills about this issue.“Individuals must have the original reasonable accommodation letter and their driver’s license on them at all times and present such documentation for inspection upon the request of any lifeguard, city official or police officer. The letters are not transferrable or assignable to another individual,” the city manager wrote. . .
CRS presentation made at SDCC Meeting June 26 ’17
Presentation made about CRS by the very capable and friendly Whitney K. McNamara Virginia Beach Planning Department.
View and download 8 page PDF here.
View more about CRS at SDCC.info/Hot.
The National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements.
As a result, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the community actions meeting the three goals of the CRS:
Reduce flood damage to insurable property;
Strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the NFIP, and
Encourage a comprehensive approach to floodplain management.
Monday June 26th – SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Click here for a printable version of the agenda – 6.26.17 SDCC Agenda
SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday June 26, 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 – Community Rating System (CRS) for Residents in Flood Zones – Ms. Whitney McNamara, City Planning Department will provide an update on the City’s application to FEMA/HUD’s CRS program. This is the program that all but 2 cities in Hampton Roads participate and can bring a 5% to 30% reduction in your flood insurance premiums.
Officer’s Reports: Secretary – David Williams; Treasurer’s Report -Kathy Pawlak; Vice President – Wally Damon; President – Todd Solomon
Old Business–
Marina Shores Condo/Apartment Proposed Development – Brief update. Presentation made by developer to Bayfront Advisory Committee (BAC) at June meeting. Project lawyer informs that the dredge transfer easement will be included in the zoning boundary that includes the wetlands and open space.
Proposed Development West of 7-11 near Marlin Bay Drive/Shore Drive – Variance request was scheduled for Monday May 22nd at Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Board. Request was withdrawn. No new date has been scheduled.
Route 35, Bayfront Shuttle – Thoughts and feedback welcomed. Send comments to Todd@sdcc.info Comments will be collected and forwarded to City and HRT. Route operating times shown below.
Daily, May 21 – Labor Day, 8:00 a.m. until Midnight, every 45 minutes.
Fri-Sat-Sun, September 8 – October 1, 8:00 a.m. until Midnight, every 45 minutes
Pleasure House Point Management Plan – SDCC has asked City staff for the most up to date information regarding the management plan and the CIP that identifies the creation of a wetlands mitigation bank, parking lot, rest rooms and kayak launch. SDCC has also requested the reconvening of the PHP Management Task Force that helped create the draft of the management plan.
New Business –
Bayfront Advisory Commission (BAC) News – Mr. Wally Damon will update us on the actions of the Bayfront Advisory Commission.
Community Concerns and Suggestions for 2017 – General discussion of neighborhood and community concerns that may need SDCC attention. This is an opportunity for all to share information.
Civic Engagement Opportunities:
Community Meetings to discuss options for the new City Hall (more info here)
July 26 5-6 pm Virtual – on Facebook Live
July 26 6-8 pm Virginia Beach Convention Center
August 23 6-8 pm Westin Hotel Ballroom, Town Center
Upcoming Presentations:
July 31st – (Proposed but not confirmed) – Mermaid Winery development planned for the old Foon’s restaurant next to Beach Buggy car wash. Existing building would be used for a Winery and Restaurant.
Next SDCC Meeting – Monday July 31, 2017
#WeLoveShoreDrive 