Category Archives: Communications

“Text-to-911 is part of the Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) project. It is the ability to send a text message to reach 911 emergency call takers (911 telecommunicators) from your mobile phone or device.”

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Text to 911 at VBGov.com:

Here are a few tips and suggestions that will help citizens use the tool more efficiently and effectively if needed:

Texting should only be used for emergency situations that require an immediate response from police, fire or emergency medical services. Non-emergency issues should still be communicated by calling the non-emergency number, 385-5000.

​​​Calling 9-1-1 is quicker, more efficient and preferred, so texting to 9-1-1 should be reserved for those who are deaf, hard of hearing, unable to speak and those who are in a situation where speaking is unsafe.

Provide the location and nature of the emergency in the first text. This will enable help to be dispatched as quickly as possible . . .

Virginia Beach is among only 10% of municipalities in the nation where this is possible. It’s always better to call if you can, but you do have the option to text if you can’t.

November Baylines from Bayfront Advisory Committee

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View November 2018 Baylines. (4 pg PDF)

Phase III Shore Drive work to go to bid
The long-delayed third phase of the Shore Drive improvement project is expected to go to bid in February, with construction on the highway segment between the Lesner Bridge and Beech Street tentatively set to start next summer…

SDCC General Meeting – Mon Oct 29th at 7:30pm – Special Presentation “Heads Up Emergency Disaster Preparedness Program”

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda 10.29.18 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday October 29, 2018 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Special Presentation –

Heads Up Emergency Disaster Preparedness Program
Ms. Tanya Barnes, Vice President Chesapeake Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad, will discuss their program that helps identify residents that need special assistance and support during emergencies and disasters. She will also discuss ways that the community can better serve these individuals.

Officer’s Reports:
Secretary – Kathleen Damon
Treasurer’s Report –Tim Solanic
Vice President – Wally Damon
President – Todd Solomon

Old Business-
Ocean Shore Shoppes Mixed Use Development Approval – The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) approved the variance request to build a 4 story, 2 condo and commercial space structure at the corner of Ocean Shore Ave. and Cherry Tree Lane. Many adjacent residents attended the meeting in opposition. This was the only required approval needed and no conditional use permit will be necessary.

Lynnhaven Municipal Wharf – Updates from City’s permit request to the Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Environmental Quality to keep the wharf as a permanent structure for multiple uses. The DEQ has approved of permit.

Short Term Rentals (STR) – On Sept 1st, City Council passed a resolution regarding regulations for STRs. An update on this resolution will be presented.

Lesner Bridge Replacement – Paving of westbound lanes and bridge landings will be taking place and updates are being posted at http://www.sdcc.info as they are received. A separate turning lane will be added during restriping to the eastbound landing at Vista Circle intersection. LED lighting has been installed on bridge structure and supports and is in the testing phase.

New Business –
Bus Route 35: Shore Drive to Oceanfront – Operating Season is over and was considered a success by HRT and the City. Plans to budget and operate next year are in the works. SDCC will be creating a questionnaire to gather input and suggestions to pass on to HRT/City staff to help make next years service even better.

Shore Drive Overlay Development Review Requirements– The resent approval of the Ocean Shore Shoppes brings into question a possible loophole for building development review process. It appears review of mixed use (residential + commercial) depends on the number of units and zoning. Not all projects require a conditional use permit (CUP) or board/committee/council approval at which the public has the opportunity to comment. Should this be changed?

Community Concerns– Please share any issues or concerns your groups/organizations may have at this time.

***Next SDCC Meeting – Monday November 26, 2018***

 

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Haunted House Fri Oct 26 & Sat Oct 27 from 6-10pm

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Visit our second annual night of frights at the OPVRS Haunted House. This event is free, open to the public, and family friendly. The event will be held on Friday October 26th and Saturday October 27th from 6-10pm at the station. Station address is 3769 Shore Drive. Donations are welcome.

More information can be found by clicking this link  http://www.opvrs.com/events.html

Update about jackhammering in the middle of Monday & Tuesday nights by LBR&BF

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From an email:

Folks:

Hopefully everyone has been enjoying the new eastbound Lesner Bridge since its opening on Labor Day weekend. First of all, I want to apologize to all of you who live in Ocean Park that endured the noise from road work on East Stratford Road in the early morning hours of Monday 10/22 and Tuesday 10/23. Several lines of communication within the project team were broken and resulted in not just one night of disturbance, but two. For that we sincerely apologize to everyone affected.

We scheduled this night time work on East Stratford Road to minimize the disruption of operations of the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and American Brew. However, in order to minimize the night time noise created by this milling and paving work, we are going to complete the paving work on East Stratford Road and Piedmont Circle during the day on Thursday 10/25/2018. Therefore, beginning at approximately 9:00 AM and ending some time near 6:00 PM on 10/25/2018 expect East Stratford Road to be CLOSED between Piedmont Circle and Shore Drive and Piedmont Circle to be CLOSED between East Stratford Road and the showers at Lynnhaven Boat Ramp while paving operations are underway.

Piedmont Circle Closure at Lynnhaven Boat Ramps for October 25, 2018

Piedmont Circle Closure at East Stratford Road for October 25, 2018

East Stratford Road Closure for October 25, 2018

Paving work is also taking place TONIGHT, 10/23/2018. Beginning tonight about 8:00 PM and lasting until 5:00 AM, road crews will be preparing to place the final asphalt surface course on eastbound Shore Drive located between the bridge and Vista Circle. This paving work will also include the intersection of Shore Drive and Vista Circle, Vista Circle between Shore Drive and Cape Henry Drive, and Cape Henry Drive between Vista Circle and the entrance to Bubba’s Restaurant.

Another update will be sent out once we have a firm schedule for the upcoming paving work for westbound Shore Drive between Page Avenue and East Stratford Road.

Thank you all again for your patience as we push through the final stages of this multi-year project.

Sincerely,
-Chris

Christopher J. Wojtowicz, PE
Engineering Construction Manager
City of Virginia Beach
Department of Public Works
Engineering Division
2405 Courthouse Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23456-9031
Office: (757) 385-5785
Fax: (757) 385-5668
Email: cwojtowi@vbgov.com

Good Friend of Shore Drive Passes – Mr. Andrew Barnett

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It is with sad heart that we learn of the recent passing of Mr. Andrew “Andy” Barnett on October 9th.  Andy was frequent visitor to our SDCC meetings and very often the voice of reason regarding issues.  Andy was truly a “Good Friend” to his community and neighbors along Shore Drive.  May fair winds and following seas be yours Captain Barnett.

Andrew Flowers Barnett, Jr., 89, of Virginia Beach, VA, passed away October 9, 2018. Born in Buxton, NC, he was the son of the late Andrew and Nellie Barnett. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty H. Barnett. He retired as a Captain from the U.S. Navy. Left to cherish his memory: his son, Mark M. Pruett-Barnett and wife, Anne; his daughter, Sharon L. Hopper and husband, Michael; four grandchildren, Jessica Pruett-Barnett, Michelle Harris, Matthew Sassmann, and Meredith Hopper; great-grandchildren, Madeleine, Margot, and Andrew Harris. The family will receive friends at Francis Asbury United Methodist Church on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 1 to 2 p.m. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday in the church sanctuary by Rev. Anne Pruett-Barnett. Interment with military honors will be held at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery. Arrangements are by Hollomon-Brown, Great Neck Chapel. Memorial donations may be made to Dare County Library Foundation at http://www.darecountylibraryfoundation.org or Pasquotank County Library Foundation at http://www.library.earlibrary.org. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.

Baylines October Newsletter from BAC

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View October 18 Baylines (5 page PDF)

A proposed ordinance governing short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods has been referred to the Planning Commission for eventual return to the City Council, B. Kay Wilson, deputy city attorney told the Bayfront Advisory Commission.

The latest iteration of the city’s efforts to govern when homes are rented for fewer than 30 days, the proposal would require property owners to seek a conditional use zoning permit from the City Council, with some exceptions.

One such exception would “grandfather” owners whose properties were operating as short-term rentals as of July 1 and were registered legally and had paid applicable taxes by that deadline. Homesharing, in which an owner rents all or part of the property for no more than 30 consecutive days continues to live there during such rentals, can take place anywhere in the city, Wilson said, as long as they are registered and pay taxes. . . .

City Council Candidate Forums for October

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Here are some opportunities for you to learn about candidates in our upcoming November City Council Elections.  Fourm list provided by the Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations (VBCCO).

Wednesday October 10th – Forum is for the two Mayoral Candidates and the six candidates running for the two at-large seats – Sponsored by Lynnhaven River Now.  6:30pm at the Zeider’s American Dream Theater in Town Center.

Monday October 15th – City Council Candidate Forum.  Sponsored by the Sandbridge Civic League. 7:00pm at the Sandbridge Community Chapel

Wednesday, October 17th – Forum is for the candidates running for the Beach, Bayside, Lynnhaven, Centerville, and Princess Anne District seats. – Sponsored by Lynnhaven River Now. 6:30pm at the Zeider’s American Dream Theater in Town Center.

Thursday October 18th – City Council Candidate Forum. Sponsored by the Farm Bureau. 6:30pm at the Creeds Ruitan Community Complex 1057 Princess Anne Road

Saturday Sept 29th 9:00am to Noon – E-cycling Event at the Virgina Aquarium (Electronics and Hazardous Wastes)

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Personal note: this is a very efficient set up and a great way to dispose of any hazardous material you may have in your house or garage.  You don’t even have to get out of your vehicle.  A loop is set up in the east parking lot and you just drive around it, the volunteers empty you vehicle and you drive home.

Gather up Old Electronics and Hazardous Waste and Dispose of Them Responsibly at the Fall E-cycling Event Sept. 29

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is partnering with Goodwill Industries, Virginia Beach Public Works and TFC Recycling to offer its semi-annual e-cycling event Saturday, Sept. 29 from 9 a.m. to noon.

The e-cycling event is free and open to the public. It will be held at the aquarium’s east parking lot. The following items will be accepted:

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.
***Note that cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions cannot be accepted***

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, truck
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)

 

Monday Sept 24th SDCC General Meeting Agenda

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda 9.24.18 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday September 24, 2018 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Special Presentation – No Presentation Planned

Officer’s Reports

Secretary – Kathleen Damon
Treasurer’s Report –Tim Solanic
Vice President – Wally Damon
President – Todd Solomon

Old Business-
Bayfront Storm/Flood Water Plans – Update on City’s long term discussion and plans for Bayfront improvements to storm and flood water. City studies and information gathering meetings have been held. City is working on solutions to present to communities. Should residents be involved in identifying solutions? If so, when?

Lynnhaven Municipal Wharf – Updates from City’s permit request to the Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Environmental Quality to keep the wharf as a permanent structure for multiple uses. One of them which the community opposes is for a Dredge Material Transfer Station.

Short Term Rentals (STR) – Update on City Council’s recent actions. Council has been focusing on the legal issues and applications of STRs.

Bus Route 35: Shore Drive to Oceanfront – Operating weekends only until Sunday September 30th. If you haven’t tried it, Neptune Festival is a great opportunity before the service stops until next season.

New Business –
Lesner Bridge Replacement – Both sides of the bridge are finally open. Any concerns? We will be collecting any issues and submitting them to the Project Manager for answers.

Shore Drive Area Properties LLC request to build 2 single family homes along Shore Drive – Shore Drive Area Properties LLC is requesting to build 2 single family homes along Shore Drive in Ocean Park. The request to build in the Resource Protection Area (RPA) will be presented to the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Board on Monday Sept. 24th. Updates will be presented at our SDCC meeting.

Community Concerns– Please share any issues or concerns your groups/organizations may have at this time.

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

Route 35 Detour for Arctic & 19th – Route 35 operates weekends until Sept. 30th

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Route 35 is the Bayfront to Oceanfront Shuttle.  It operates on Friday, Saturday and Sunday until September 30th.

Arctic & 19th Detour Revised
Effective: Monday, September 17, 2018
Due to construction, the bus shelters at Arctic Ave/19th Street will be inaccessible from Monday, September 17, 2018, to Sunday, October 14, 2018. Portions of Arctic Avenue and 19th Street will also be closed during construction. The Arctic Ave/19th Street bus lineup for the Routes 33, and 960 will be moved to the bus loop along southbound Pacific Avenue at 19th Street. The Route 20, and 35 will service a temporary stop on southbound Pacific Avenue adjacent to the bus loop before 19th Street. The routes will be detoured as follows:

Stops Missed
6066 Arctic & 19th
1096 Arctic & Virginia Beach Blvd

Route 35

Outbound

via Pacific Ave.:
R – 19th Street
L – Atlantic Ave.
L – 22nd Street
L – Pacific Ave.
Service at Temp Stop on Pacific Ave. at 19th Street (NOT IN THE LOOP)

Outbound

to Shore Dr.:
L – 19th Street
L – Atlantic Ave.
L – 22nd Street
R – Pacific Ave.
Regular Route

Inbound

via Pacific Ave.:
Service at Temp Stop on Pacific Ave. at 19th Street (NOT IN THE LOOP)

For more information, please visit gohrt.com or call 757-222-6100.
Para más información en español, por favor llame 757-222-6000.
Dial 711 for TTY service provided by Virginia Relay.

Thank you for riding with Hampton Roads Transit!
Removal Date:

 

GOVERNOR ORDERS MANDATORY EVACUATION INCLUDING AREAS OF SHORE DRIVE

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Baylines September newsletter from BAC

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View September 2018 Baylines (5 page PDF)

As of June 9, 90 percent of the design work for the next phase of the Shore Drive improvement project has been completed, Joseph Bovee, chairman of the Bayfront Advisory Commission’s Design Committee told the commission.

Our Neighbors the Coyotes – Slideshow Presentation by First Landing State Park

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In case you missed Monday night’s presentation by Jennifer Huggins, Chief Ranger at First Landing State Park, here is a copy of her informative slideshow from that evening.

And as we learned from Jennifer, the coyotes are here to stay, so like all wildlife, please respect them, don’t feed them and just enjoy them from a distance.

And more importantly, watch out for errant golf balls and champagne corks (look for the details in Jennifer’s slides)…

Click here for the slideshow file  Our Neighbors the Coyotes

Monday Aug 27th General Meeting and Special Presentation on Neighborhood Coyotes

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda  8.27.18 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday August 27, 2018 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Special Presentation – Neighborhood Coyotes – A new neighbor has moved into the Bayfront community. You may have spotted them on the beach, walking on the Cape Henry trail or even roaming your backyards. Ms. Jennifer Huggins, First Landing State Park Ranger, will talk to us about these amazing animals, their habits and how we can best live with our new friends.

Officer’s Reports:
Secretary – Kathleen Damon
Treasurer’s Report –Tim Solanic
Vice President – Wally Damon
President – Todd Solomon

Old Business-
Lynnhaven Municipal Wharf – Ocean Park and SDCC opposition letters sent to the US Army Corps of Engineers taking exception to the proposed use of the site as a dredge material transfer station and asking for a public hearing. USACE’s response letter accepted comments, but decision has been made to not hold a public hearing on this permit.

Short Term Rentals (STR) – The Planning Commission has been given action to continue work on this topic. A public hearing and hopefully more opportunity for public comment will be available this Fall.

Bus Route 35: Shore Drive to Oceanfront – Ridership numbers for July should be available. May and June numbers were double 2017 ridership. Will the trend continue?

Lesner Bridge Replacement – New eastbound span was originally scheduled to be opened the weekend of August 25/26. We will try to provide updates on this progress/delay and any new details from the City.

New Business –
Bayfront Advisory Commission (BAC) Fireworks Study – The BAC is conducting a feasibility study for having a 4th of July Bayfront fireworks show sponsored/operated by the City. We welcome you input/thoughts regarding this idea.

Community Concerns– Please share any issues or concerns your groups/organizations may have at this time.

***Next SDCC Meeting – Monday September 24, 2018***

Baylines August Newsletter from BAC

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Check out the entire Baylines August edition. (6 pg PDF)

Includes info about:

Bayfront Advisory Commission meets
Thursday, August 16, 2018
1:30 -3:30 pm
Newsletter
Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center
2800 Shore Drive
City Council Appointed Advisory Board
Strategic Planning Meeting II
This annual meeting is open to the public but is a workshop meeting for the commission to compile priorities to be addressed by the BAC in the coming year. The public is welcome to observe. . . .

And:

The Ocean Park Civic League has officially notified the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers of its opposition to making the Lynnhaven Municipal Wharf permanent and is seeking a public hearing on the matter.

SDCC and OPCL Opposition Letters to US Army Corps of Engineers re: Permanent Wharf Permit

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SDCC and Ocean Park Civic League have sent letters of opposition to the US Army Corps of Engineers regarding the City of Virginia Beach’s permit request to make the existing temporary wharf permanent and to use this permanent wharf as a dredge material transfer station to support the City’s neighborhood dredging program.

Click here to read the SDCC letter – SDCC LMW Permit Opposition Letter to Corps

Click here to read the OPCL letter – Letter to ACOE regarding wharf August 2 2018

You are welcomed and encouraged to send letters of your own to the Corps, but unfortunately they need to be sent by the Monday August 6th deadline.  If you can make the deadline, send your letters to scharlene.a.floyd@usace.army.mil

Monday July 30th – SDCC General Meeting and Special Presentation on Historic Seaview Beach

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda 7.30.18 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday July 30, 2018 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Special Presentation – What, Where and When was Seaview Beach? Come out to hear a wonderful presentation on the historic Seaview Beach. Don’t know what/where Seaview Beach was? This is a great opportunity to learn some amazing stories and background of this incredible hot spot situated on Shore Drive.

Sherry Dibari, a Norfolk resident who works on independent projects related to the documentation and preservation of regional traditions and cultures, will discuss her research on Seaview Beach that she gathered while creating a research paper funded with a 2017 Research Grant from the Virginia Beach Historic Preservation Commission.

Officer’s Reports:
Secretary – Kathleen Damon
Treasurer’s Report –Tim Solanic
Vice President – Wally Damon
President – Todd Solomon

Old Business-
Lynnhaven Colony Storm Water Improvements – City Council is moving $1 million from 2018/19 budget designated for land purchase in the Lynnhaven Colony project to a neighborhood in the southern part of the City. The budget will be replaced in the 2019/20 cycle and no delays are expected in the Lynnhaven project.

Short Term Rentals (STR) –City Council is still discussing how to proceed with STRs. Current plans are to send this item back to the Planning Commission to have them gather more public input and provide more structure to Council’s changes.

Bus Route 35: Shore Drive to Oceanfront – Two months of service and ridership numbers are almost double compared to 2017. Please continue to provide SDCC your comments on the route and will collect them to forward to the City and HRT.

New Business –
Lynnhaven Municipal Wharf –The US Army Corps of Engineers are soliciting comments regarding this permit and have set August 6th as the deadline to receive written responses. SDCC would like to make a motion at tonight’s meeting to support an official response. Please be ready to discuss and vote.

Lesner Bridge Replacement – What is the scheduled opening date? What will be the traffic patterns and lane closure details to support the opening? Hopefully we will have some of these details to present.

Coyotes in the Bayfront Area – I spoke to the Director of First Landing State Park and they would be happy to send a ranger to our next meeting to talk about coyotes in our area. If there is interest, I will pursue a presentation for our August meeting.

Community Concerns– Please share any issues or concerns your groups/organizations may have at this time.

***Next SDCC Meeting – Monday August 27, 2018***

“Following a stumbled handoff with city staff turnover, a plan to install bicycle racks at six beach access locations on the Bayfront is back on track.”

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Check out BAC July Baylines 2018:

Ownership of the Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center has changed hands and will be rebranded as a Delta by Marriott after extensive renovations, Stacey Shiflet, a BAC member and executive in the family company that sold the hotel, reported.

Closing on the $19 million sale took place June 15, said Shiflet, who said she has been hired as a consultant during the transition. Some $25 million in renovations are planned.

How to join SDCC for 2018

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We’ve simplified our Membership Form 2018.

Click for Printable PDF

Join us Monday June 25th at 730p at Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad to drop off your form.