PHP Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment(ESA) and Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment

We apologize for the delay sharing these. We were offered them weeks ago and finally received them, from a FOIA request we chose to make, this afternoon.

They are also available on paper in Brock Environmental Center 3663 Marlin Bay Drive.

Oppose Nationwide Permit 27 Pleasure House Point Mitigation Bank Instrument unless P1 & P2 ESA are completed.

To concerned Regulators,

We believe the “purpose & need” of this fast moving project could be violating the spirit of “avoid, minimize, mitigate” in general. Therefore, we humbly request a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment and a Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment are completed before approving the Nationwide 27 Permit.

Several reasons why below:

  1. Myth #1: The City doesn’t need to do this Pleasure House Point project at all; there is another wetlands project available instead called the New Mill Creek Tidal Mitigation Bank.
    Fact: Yes, another possible opportunity to buy tidal wetland mitigation credits came online last week called the New Mill Creek Tidal Mitigation Bank.
    Source: https://virginiabeach.gov/connect/blog/the-real-deal-debunking-13-myths-about-the-pleasure-house-point-wetlands-restoration-project 2.
  2. “Please provide the list of projects that have required the city to buy wetland mitigation credits since the bond referendum passed November 2, 2021 and how many wetland mitigation credits are required now for future projects.” From 11/21/2021 to To 12/23/2024.
    Your request was forwarded to Public Works. I have been advised that they do not have a list in response to your request.
    Source: FOIA Request response January 13 2025
  3. Petition asking to purchase credits & refine plan. Over 2,700 people have signed petition since only December 20, 2024.
    Source: https://www.change.org/p/please-purchase-the-newly-available-tidal-wetlands-credits-refine-phpwmb-plans
  4. Three(3) samples of material was presented at City Council public hearing which was acknowledged by the Public Works Director – a piece of pavement, concrete with gravel & an unknown petrochemical material all presumably dumped on the spoils site – Pleasure House Point in the area Wetlands Mitigation Bank is proposed – in the 1970s. Was material being tested before dumped? After it was dumped?
    Video of City Council public hearing January 7th 2025 is provided here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D_T1v0rI3A

As you know, the Brock Environmental Center and Macon & Joan Brock Classroom campus is literally feet away from this project. Pre-schoolers thru senior citizens routinely spend time there. Meetings with visitors from national & international governments & NGOs also are held routinely. However, this project rolls out. It’ll certainly garner national news. Over 140,000 people have visited the campus since it opened.

In property acquisitions, it is customary for due diligence investigation(s) to be completed before a fee simple property transfer is finalized. It seems reasonable that such an investigation would have reported the obvious; materials of generally unknown origin were dumped on the PHP property as far back as the 1970’s.

These findings would have been followed up with Phase II soil and/or groundwater sampling and testing to screen for regulated substances (hazardous and petroleum constituents). If the investigations were completed, they should be made available to evaluate the potential effects on the proposed PHPWMB project.

Of principal concern is the transport of these dredge materials to the City’s Oceana disposal site, especially if they remain untested. Once removed from PHP, the material becomes a waste, and is subject to VDEQ regulations for transport and disposal. Secondly, possible exposures to regulated substances may result when construction workers are exposed to any contaminated soil, dust, and groundwater. Especially with workers involved in the planting process where hand work is proposed, and the incidence of physical contact with regulated materials may result.

Additionally, considerations for the sampling, testing and handling of regulated materials should be included in the project plans and specifications for the PHPWMB project. This information should be made available for public review and comment.

Therefore, we humbly request a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment and a Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment are completed before approving the Nationwide 27 Permit.

What will be the “reasonably foreseeable effect” if the environmental site assessments haven’t successfully been completed for a spoils site used in the 1970s?

Sincerely yours,
Tim Solanic

January 16 330pm BAC meeting at OPVRS. Join us!

Thursday, January 16, 2025 3:30 P.M.
Ocean Park Fire and Rescue Squad Building
3769 E. Stratford Road. Enter door opposite Shore Drive.


The mission of the Bayfront Advisory Commission is to review and make recommendations to the City Council regarding public and private projects and issues associated with the Bayfront area.

Pleasure House Creek.

City Council public hearing on proposed Pleasure House Point Wetlands Mitigation Bank CIP transfer of funds including vote.

“[T]he City Manager is to bring forward publicly a plan to mitigate tree loss for those trees that are at least four inches in diameter.”

ITEM:
CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH AGENDA ITEM
An Ordinance to Transfer Funds Within the Capital Improvement Program for the Pleasure House Point Mitigation Bank, to Provide Limitations upon the Use of
Mitigation Credits Created by the Pleasure House Point Mitigation Project, and to Provide for Efforts to Reduce Tree Loss
MEETING DATE: January 7, 2025
Background: Capital Project 100304, ” Pleasure House Point Mitigation Bank”

City Council January 7 ‘25 meeting info.

One example of “the coolest thing I’ve ever seen”.

Dec. 19, 2024 Bayfront Advisory Commission Meeting Pleasure House Point presentation.

The video from City of Virginia Beach.

Please note: at the time of this post, currently proposed wetland mitigation bank details of the “90% design”, water budget and other info are still not available on official website.

Things learned last night: tidal wetland bank credits are available to purchase, 60,000 cubic yards (about 6,000 dump trucks) of fill will be removed, over 5,200 trees including live oaks over dozens & dozens of years old will be destroyed (number of dump trucks to move destroyed trees unknown).

Email your questions or concerns to: phpwetlands@vbgov.com

Note existing trees & tree canopy in 1958.

BAC Thursday AUGUST 15th 330pm at OPVRS. Join us!

BAC, the Bayfront Advisory Commission meets at OPVRS, the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Thursday August 15th at 330pm. Join us!

OPVRS is located at 3769 E Stratford Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23455.

Enter door opposite Shore Drive.

Also join us for:

Bayfront Advisory Commission – Special Meeting
Open to Public
DATE & TIME
Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024
2:00p.m. – 3:30p.m. (1h 30m)

GENERAL MEETING AGENDA 330PM:

Completely blocked sidewalk. Who enforces?

PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT UPDATE FOR BAC

Jeremy can not attend so here is his report from an email:

+ + +

I have a conflict and can’t make the meeting today. I’m working with the city engineer on a project spreadsheet, I’ll keep you posted. Here are the updates from the PW side.

Chesapeake Beach Renourishment
Status

A contract has been awarded to Seaward Marine Corporation.

Work is underway and is to be completed by October 13, 2024.

Lynnhaven Inlet Dredging and Cape Henry Beach Placement
Status

USACE opened bids on April 3rd.

The work includes dredging the federal channel system, removing underwater debris, and placing the sand along Cape Henry Beach.

USACE intends to award the contract to Cottrell Dredging located in Norfolk, Va.

The most recent update from USACE indicated a pre-construction meeting and issuance of a Notice to Proceed sometime between late July and early August. From that point, Cottrell is required to submit a schedule within 15 days after NTP is issued.

Eastern Branch Lynnhaven River (EBLR) Dredging
Status

The City’s ongoing dredging project of the EBLR is going well with the contractor scheduled to complete Keeling Drain dredging this summer.

Crab Creek/Long Creek
Status

The next dredging cycle is being planned for winter 2024/2025.

Pleasure House Point Trail Breach
Status

Work has been completed to construct an elevated crossing over a flood-prone area.

These improvements will make the path more accessible after heavy rain events.

Comprehensive Safety Action Plan
Status

A draft of the City’s first Comprehensive Local Road Safety Action Plan will be publicly available for review and comment in August. The Plan identifies and prioritizes countermeasures to address roadway safety issues throughout Virginia Beach. Stakeholders, including members of the Bayfront Advisory Commission, were briefed on the Plan on March 22nd and provided feedback to staff on current safety challenges. Public Works Engineering staff will brief City Council on the Draft Plan on August 27th, and the Plan is anticipated to be adopted in September or October.

Lake Bradford / Chubb Lake projects

We typically do not provide updates to the BAC, but since the BAC provided support letters for the BRIC grant, we thought an update was needed.

Lake Pleasure House Outfall – construction complete
Lake Bradford Ditch Dredging – construction complete
Lake Bradford-Chubb Lake Stormwater Pump Station and Outfall

STATUS

The city is currently in the process of selecting a Design-Build team. The expected selection will take place in the first quarter of 2025.

The city applied for a Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grant worth $35 million, but unfortunately, was not successful in receiving it.

Church Point-Thoroughgood BMP and Drainage Improvement – The City awarded the design contract to RK&K. Anticipated construction is in 2028.
STATUS

Design NTP – May 21, 2024

SCHEDULE

Advertise for Bids: February 2028

Estimated Construction Start Date: August 2028

Estimated Construction Completion: May 2031

Eastern Shore Drive Drainage Improvement Projects

Cape Henry Canal Phase II – Relocation of Sanitary Sewer Gravity Mains, 1C.2
The project was completed on October 2, 2023. The project was on time and Under Budget by $185,682.

Eastern Shore Drainage Improvements Phase I – Section I – $35.9M Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grant Projects:

Eastern Shore Drive – Lynnhaven Colony Park Pump Station, 1B
Cape Henry Canal Phase II – Widening and Deeping, 1C.2
Eastern Shore Drive – Lynnhaven Drive Pump Station, 1D
Eastern Shore Drive – Elevate Lynnhaven Drive, 1E

STATUS

90% Design Completed January 2024 Project #1-3.

60% Design Completed March 2024 Project #4.

SCHEDULE

100% Design Submittal for all 4 projects – August 2024

Advertise for Bids: January 2025

Estimated Construction Start Date: May 2025

Estimated Construction Completion: May 2028

Eastern Shore Drive – Vista Circle Pump Station, 1A
STATUS

PER Completed. Project detailed design has not begun.

SCHEDULE

Advertise for Bids: October 2026

Estimated Construction Start Date: April 2027

Estimated Construction Completion: December 2029

Eastern Shore Drive – Poinciana Pump Station
STATUS

60% Design Submittal Received and compiling City and Peer Review Comments

SCHEDULE

Advertise for Bids: April 2025

Estimated Construction Start Date: August 2025

Estimated Construction Completion: May 2028

Eastern Shore Drive – North Shore Drive Street Drainage Improvements, 1F & Eastern Shore Drive – Cape Henry Drive Street Drainage Improvements, 1G
STATUS

60% Design Submittal Received March 2024

SCHEDULE

Advertise for Bids: June 2025

Estimated Construction Start Date: September 2025

Estimated Construction Completion: June 2027

Shore Drive Corridor Improvements Phase III
STATUS

No change. Real estate acquisition and private utility relocations are underway.

SCHEDULE

Advertise for Bids: September 2024

Estimated Construction Start Date: January 2025

Estimated Construction Completion: July 2028

Shore Drive Pedestrian Improvements
STATUS

90% Design Submittal Received July 2, 2024

SCHEDULE

Advertise for Bids: June 2025

Estimated Construction Start Date: October 2025

Estimated Construction Completion: April 2026

Shore Drive Corridor Improvements Phase IV
STATUS

No change. Final Preliminary Engineering Report received 11/15/2023. The project is not funded

Jeremy Kline

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

Deputy Director

757.385.8420 | jekline@vbgov.com

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New bridge on PHP. In my estimation, based on 20 years of experience, potentially 4 to 7 more bridges before 2034 will be needed or choices made to leave sea level rise take over. Educational opportunities!

BAC Thursday JULY 18th 330pm at OPVRS. Join us!

BAC, the Bayfront Advisory Commission meets at OPVRS, the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Thursday February 15th at 330pm. Join us!

OPVRS is located at 3769 E Stratford Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23455.

Enter door opposite Shore Drive.

Osprey nest with chicks!

BAC Thursday MAY 16 330pm at OPVRS. Join us!

BAC, the Bayfront Advisory Commission meets at OPVRS, the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Thursday February 15th at 330pm. Join us!

OPVRS is located at 3769 E Stratford Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23455.

Enter door opposite Shore Drive.

Sidewalk with Phase 3?

Local Road Safety Action Plan. Take a survey to improve safety!

The new action plan by City.

1 example slide.

START HERE TO TAKE THE NEW SURVEY. (opens in new tab)

1 of the broken sidewalks on Bayfront.
City can improve internal procedures to improve Public Safety.

Some press at 13NewNow story:

Virginia Beach officials outline plans to improve road safety

After many accidents involving pedestrians, the city is working to improve pedestrian safety.

BAC Thursday MAR 21 330pm at OPVRS. Join us!

BAC, the Bayfront Advisory Commission meets at OPVRS, the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Thursday February 15th at 330pm. Join us!

OPVRS is located at 3769 E Stratford Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23455.

Enter door opposite Shore Drive.

Preserve buildings & live oaks and use as an event space?

Phase 3 & Cape Henry beach replenishment updates

Public Works’ Jeremy Kline updates regarding Shore Drive Phase 3 and Cape Henry dredging/beach replenishment:

  1. Shore Drive Corridor Improvements Phase III
  • Real estate acquisition and private utility relocations are underway
  • Construction is scheduled to begin by the end of the year
  1. Cape Henry dredging plan/beach replenishment
  • USACE is forecasting a solicitation as early as the end of February.
  • Contract award expected in April with an NTP in May.
  • These dates are subject to change if the solicitation is not posted by the end of the month

View CIP in new tool here. Sorry can’t link directly to individual CIPs. Phase 3 is CIP #100381.

Be careful walking & running here folks.

Refresher on Bayfront documents including various planning, studies & guidelines.

Thanks Hank!

I’ve attached the 1997 ULI Study and the text from Zoning Ordinance pertaining to the Shore Drive Corridor Overlay District. Below are links to the following:

Comprehensive Plan (Section 1.3 – Suburban Area; Page 1-69 – Suburban Focus Area 1:

Shore Drive Corridor: https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/virginia-beach-departments-docs/planning/Comprehensive-Plan/Adopted/Comp-Plan-2016_policy-doc.pdf

Shore Drive Corridor Plan:

Click to access Shore_Drive_Corridor_Plan_2000.pdf

Shore Drive Design Guidelines:

Click to access Shore_Drive_Corridor_Design_Guidelines_2002.pdf

Commercial Area Pattern Book:

Click to access Commercial-Area-Pattern-Book.pdf

Active Transportation Plan:

Click to access Active-Transportation-Plan.pdf

I believe this covers the current applicable documents with guidance on the Shore Drive Corridor, but if there are other documents that I may have missed in regards to the Shore Drive/Bayfront area, please let me know and I will be happy to pass them along as well.

Thanks,

Hank

Incredible Lesner Bridge 🤩

2024 srsly 🙄

BAC Thursday FEB 15 330pm at OPVRS. Join us!

BAC, the Bayfront Advisory Commission meets at OPVRS, the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Thursday February 15th at 330pm. Join us!

OPVRS is located at 3769 E Stratford Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23455.

Enter door opposite Shore Drive.

After a terrifying few months for pedestrians & cyclists, some love! 👍🏽

“The purpose of the Complete Streets Policy is to improve Virginia Beach’s transportation system by providing safe, attractive travel options for all users that emphasize connectivity and are designed in harmony with adjacent land uses.”

Learn about Complete Streets adopted by City at their website.

Pleasure House Road & Shore Drive.

But Complete Streets adoption are for:

“This policy will ensure that all users are considered during the design and construction of new roadways” you say.

Ok, ok… what about the unanimously adopted by City Council Shore Drive Safety Task Force recommendations of 2006 then?

The point?

How is it possible, again, safety for residents & users of Bayfront infrastructure for pedestrian & cycling safety is ignored by the City?!

It’s a MIRACLE no pedestrians or cyclists have been killed here yet.

Hopefully there’ll be an update soon as to:

1. How this could possibly happen?!

1. How will this never happen again?

1. What time is this getting fixed yesterday to improve the safety for pedestrians and cyclists?

This completely unacceptable pedestrian & cyclist “infrastructure” has been blocked for months. Many many human beings depend on a safe area right here every day.

BAC Thursday JAN 18 330pm at OPVRS. Join us!

BAC, the Bayfront Advisory Commission meets at OPVRS, the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Thursday January 18th at 330pm. Join us!

OPVRS is located at 3769 E Stratford Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23455.

Enter door opposite Shore Drive.

Pleasure House Road Phase I & II Improvements public comment period extended to December 29th!

Let ‘em know – start here!

Potentially in the future.

Reality today.

Community Meeting Hosted by Councilmembers Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond and Joash Schulman WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2023 (6:30PM – 8:00PM) Renaissance Academy

More info at City’s website.

Councilmember Dr. Ross-Hammond and Councilmember Schulman will host a joint District 4 and District 9 community meeting to update residents on current City projects and issues. Topics of discussion include homelessness, recycling, and neighborhood preservation and zoning enforcement. Attendees will also have an opportunity to have their questions addressed.