Category Archives: Communications

Monday July 27th @ 7:30pm – SDCC General Meeting Agenda

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda

Monday July 27, 2015 from 7:30 to 9:00pm

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall

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

 

Program/Presentation – No Presentations for August.

However, please mark your calendars for these upcoming presentations:

  • August 31st – $3 million Bike Lane Project from Diamond Springs to Greenwell Rd. Mr. Clarke, Public Works, will tell us about the project with particular attention to the area between Pleasure House and Greenwell.
  • September 28th – Shore Drive Improvement Project between Great Neck Rd and Lesner Bridge. Mr. Wilson, Public Works, will update us on the project details including safety, roadway and aesthetics improvement and project scheduling.

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

Old Business–

Bishard Development Approved – City Council approved the development on the old Baylake Pines school (between Citgo and Leaping Lizard). 30 homes and 1 commercial building. 8 homes can have a 12 foot individual pier into Lake Joyce.

NFIP Community Rating System – SDCC has sent support letter to City. The City Manager is reviewing staff’s proposal. SDCC will post updates on our website and ask for community support if required.

New Business –

Bay Beach Grooming – Mark Johnson, City Public Works, is responsible for scheduling. He can be reached at 385-1470 or MAJohnso@vbgov.com Believe it or not, but the following paragraph was part of the 2002 Beach Management Plan (last plan the City created) and still no dedicated funding stream.

“Routine beach grooming is limited to the Resort Area. We recommend its expansion to all beaches. All non-resort area beaches should be groomed at least weekly during the summer months, immediately prior to summer holidays, and after major storm events to remove seaweed, storm debris and reshape the beach. To accomplish this objective, additional resources need to be created or contracted for non-resort area beaches.”

Marine Enforcement Contact – Call the Virginia Marine Police at (800) 541-4646 to enforce boating safety laws, respond to emergency calls, check recreational fishing licenses, inspecting commercial fishermen for compliance, investigating boating accidents and conduct educational programs

Shore Drive to Oceanfront Trolley Loop – Final results of survey have been posted on www.sdcc.info and sent to Bayfront Advisory Committee, City Staff and Hampton Roads Transit. Thank you to all that took the time to voice your opinions.

Community Concerns – Does your neighborhood/condo have any issues that have come up that need help or may be a warning to others? 

Next SDCC Meeting – Monday August 31, 2015

385 Survey Takers Provided Input on a Proposed Shore Drive – Oceanfront Trolley

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In an effort to help the City of Virginia Beach and the Bayfront Advisory Commission research the possibility of a Shore Drive – Oceanfront trolley, the SDCC ran a one month online survey.  385 survey takers provided valuable input as to why and why they wouldn’t use the service.  The results are posted below and have been shared with the Bayfront Advisory Commission, the City of Virginia Beach Staff, City Councilmen Jones, Wood and Uhrin and Hampton Roads Transit.  Thank you to everyone for taking the time to provide your opinions.

Q4 image

Click on the image to read

Click on the documents below to read:

Contact Virginia Marine Police for Marine Violations and Emergencies

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At tonight’s SDCC meeting a member asked who should be contacted to report illegal crabbing on the Bay.  The following may help with this issue as well as other marine violations or emergencies.

Virginia Marine Police check recreational fishing licenses, inspecting commercial fishermen for compliance, investigating boating accidents or conducting educational programs.  They also conduct search and rescue operations, enforce boating safety laws, respond to emergency calls, investigate boating accidents and criminal activity, and provide counter-terrorism patrols to our military installations, shipyards, nuclear power plants, and other high-value maritime assets.

For emergencies, boating accidents and to report violations call the Marine Police Dispatch Center toll free at (800) 541-4646.

For more information, check out the Virginia Marine Police website by clicking here

Upcoming SDCC Meeting – Point Chesapeake Update & Interim Trolley Service Survey Results

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Join Us Monday June 29th at 7:30pm to learn/talk about the following topics:

  • Point Chesapeake Update – Mr. Tuck Bowie of The Terry Peterson Companies will talk to us and answer questions regarding the Point Chesapeake development planned for the old Duck-In property.

  • Proposed Shore Drive to Oceanfront Trolley Service – Interim survey results will be presented and discussed.  Time permitting an Issues Framing session will also be held to identify any information that the survey may have missed.

SDCC General Meeting Agenda – Monday June 29th @ 7:30pm

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 Click Here for a Printable Version of the Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda

Monday June 29, 2015 from 7:30 to 9:00pm

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall

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

 

Program/Presentation – Mr. Tuck Bowie, President of The Terry Peterson Companies, will provide an update on the Point Chesapeake development project located on the old Duck-In property.  

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

Old Business–

Bishard Development Update – City Council’s June 2nd meeting on proposed development between Citgo and Leaping Lizard.

NFIP Community Rating System – SDCC voted at May meeting to support the CRS program for Virginia Beach. City staff is working on the policy and City Managers are reviewing. This program has possibility to reduce flood insurance policy costs by 10% or 15%.

New Business –

Pedestrian Crossing Improvement near OPVRS – City Traffic Engineers plan to improve pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Shore Drive and East Stratford/Roanoke Ave.

Shore Drive to Oceanfront Trolley Loop – Interim survey results.  Time permitting, we will also hold an Issues Framing session to talk about advantages/disadvantages of this proposed service.

Community Concerns – Does your neighborhood/condo have any issues that have come up that need help or may be a warning to others?   

Citywide Civic Engagement Opportunities –

  • July 4th Fireworks Shows – Ocean Park Barge Show west of Lesner Bridge. Cape Story Show at First Landing State Park east of Lesner Bridge. 

Next SDCC Meeting – Monday July 27, 2015

Lesner Bridge Presentation Sat. June 20th, 9am at Dockside Restaurant

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Lynnhaven Colony Civic League is hosting a talk plus Q & A  on current / future updates on the Lesner Bridge.  Mr. Chris Wojtowicz, City of VB Project Manager, will be the guest speaker.  The session will be held this coming Saturday, June 20,  9:00 a.m. at Dockside Restaurant on Vista Circle.

For those of us that live and drive over the bridge we need to be aware of upcoming lane changes, open walking areas and bike routes.

Guests are welcome.

 

Shore Drive to Oceanfront Trolley Loop Survey – We Want to Hear What You Think

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survey

SDCC has created a short 5 to 10 minute survey regarding the possible Shore Drive to Oceanfront Trolley loop.

Please take a moment to give us your thoughts and to pass the survey link on to others that may be interested in providing their input.

Click here or on the “take survey” icon above to begin the survey.

 

Possible Trolley Loop between Shore Drive and Oceanfront – Virginian-Pilot Article

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trolley 2

Trolleys from resort area could help Chic’s Beach lure tourists, group says

By Kathy Hieatt
The Virginian-Pilot
© June 15, 2015

The Shore Drive corridor along the Chesapeake Bay is a gateway to the Oceanfront for lots of summer visitors, but many simply bypass the area on the way to the Atlantic and don’t return until it’s time to leave.

To read the rest of Kathy’s article, click here

 

“Virginia Beach Strategic Planning Team Takes a Look at Housing and Demographic Trends”

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View the entire study at VBGov.com which includes data like:

Household Composition:

The aging baby boomer generation is reflected in the decline of the number of households with children. From 2005 to 2012, Virginia Beach homes with kids dropped from 39.4 percent to 33.9 percent. Though the number of households comprised of a single person has remained steady, the number of traditional married-couple family households has declined.​

And . . .

Housing:

Age of Housing Stock (2010):
AgeOfHousingStock WEB

May We Always Remember Those That Serve

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On this day and every day,

May we always remember those that help keep our Country

the best in the world.

Cape Story Flag

Big thank you to Bill House for maintaining the flags on Shore Drive.  Bill is always looking for volunteers to help with the flag service.  If you interested, please email me at todd@sdcc.info for more information.

SDCC General Meeting – Monday May 18th at 7:30pm *** (One week early due to Memorial Day)***

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda – 5.18.15 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda

Monday May 18, 2015 from 7:30 to 9:00pm

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall

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

 

Program/Presentation – No presentation planned.

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

Old Business–

Bishard Development Update – City Council’s May 5th review meeting was deferred. New date is expected to be June 2nd. Baylake Pines Civic League is meeting with Mr. Bishard to discuss changes/proffers. City Traffic Engineers informed that sidewalk will be installed along Shore Drive, a turn lane will be installed at the existing median cut across from gas station to allow westbound cars to “U-turn” to head eastbound, stacking should not be a problem.

Lesner Bridge Replacement– New animated construction video posted on www.sdcc.info. Walkway protection to be added to east side of bridge to prevent restaurant parking from blocking sidewalk.

New Business –

Proposed City Tree Task Force – SDCC is working with City Staff/Arborist to create a task force to discuss ways to help protect the City’s official tree (Live Oak) and maintain residential property rights.  Roadway encroachment lead to the planned removal of trees (200+ years old) at Shore Drive & Kleen St.

Community Concerns – Does your neighborhood/condo have any issues that have come up that need help or may be a warning to others?

Citywide Civic Engagement Opportunities –

  • June 9, 2015 Republican Party primary election for the Virginia Senate in the 8th district (East of Lesner Bridge). First use of new optical scanner voting machines

NEXT SDCC Meeting – Monday June 29th at 7:30pm

The COVB State of the Urban Forest Report is out and we get a C.

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It is great see to the brutal honesty of the amount of work left to do to protect and increase our precious tree canopy.

Subscribe to The Advocate to learn more about what we'll be announcing soon to help

Subscribe to The Advocate to learn more about what we’ll be announcing soon to help

Start here to Subscribe to The Advocate – your resource for the latest news & info about the Shore Drive community.

Learn more about the Urban Forestry Management Plan, and the State of the Urban Forest Report at VBGov.com here.

The creation of this plan not only lays the framework for sustainable urban forest management in Virginia Beach, it indicates a high level of commitment to protecting trees and sharing knowledge about the important environmental, economic and social roles trees play in building healthy sustainable communities. The benefits of trees can be maximized when both professional management resources and an educated public coexist.

Protecting Pleasure House Point was used as a good example of what to do

Protecting Pleasure House Point was used as a good example of what to do

TRACKING DOWN HISTORY – Beacon Article by Irene Bowers

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TRACKING DOWN HISTORY –  Before Lesner Bridge, crossing Lynnhaven Inlet was the work of a trestle and trolley car  

By Irene Bowers 

A lot of water has passed under the bridges at Lynnhaven Inlet, with railroad companies playing a large role in their history.   

But local lore suggests the need for bridges is relatively new, and Adam Keeling can be blamed for that.

Click here to read the Virginian-Pilot Beacon article

Starbuck’s at Shore Drive & Vista Circle to Close

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Read more about our local coffee house moving on in a recent Virginian-Pilot Beacon article by Irene Bowers

SAYING GOODBYE TO COFFEE, AND CONVERSATION   By Irene Bowers 

     After 16 years, the conversation will be tabled at 3273 Shore Drive Starbucks. 

Since its opening in 1999, a loyal contingent of coffee lovers has found the perfect blend of people and place, beneath the billboard at the foot of Lesner Bridge. With its May closure looming, the shop’s longest running coffee klatch is savoring every drop.

Click here to read more

Monday March 30th – SDCC General Meeting Agenda

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda 3.30.15 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda

Monday March 30, 2015 from 7:30 to 9:00pm Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall

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

Program/Presentation –  Mr. Clay Bernick – Administrator City of Virginia Beach Environment and Sustainability Office, will inform us of the City’s efforts to join the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) and what residents can do to help make it happen.  Depending on the level of participation, home owners that live in flood zones could see insurance premiums reduced by 5%-15%.

Officer’s Reports

Secretary – David Williams

Treasurer’s Report -Kathy Pawlak

Vice President – Wally Damon

President – Todd Solomon

Old Business–

Bishard Development Update – Old Baylake Pines School properties. Both change of zoning requests were “Indefinitely Deferred” at the March 11th Planning Council meeting.

Lesner Bridge Renaming Survey – Update of results and next steps presented at the Bayfront Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting.

City Comprehensive Plan – Update on plan review and how we can continue to stay involved.

 

New Business –

Proposed Trolley Service from Shore Drive to Oceanfront – The BAC has asked City Council to explore the possibility of extending the trolley service during the Spring and Summer months.  Should and how can SDCC support? 

Community Concerns – Does your neighborhood/condo have any issues that have come up that need help or may be a warning to others?

 Citywide Civic Engagement Opportunities

  • City Budget Hearings:
    • April 23 at 6 p.m., Green Run High School, 1700 Dahlia Drive
    • April 28 at 6 p.m., City Council chamber, 2401 Courthouse Drive
  • Transit Extension Study Hearings:
    • Monday, April 13, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library, 4100 Virginia Beach Blvd.
    • Thursday, April 16, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Linkhorn Park Elementary School, 977 First Colonial Road
    • Monday, April 20, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Virginia Beach Higher Education Center, 1881 University Drive
    • Saturday, April 25, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Renaissance Academy, 5100 Cleveland St.

 

  • VB Library Use Focus Groups – The VB Public Library need 40 volunteers to discuss ways to improve their service. Focus groups will meet April 20th or 21st. Submit name, email address, phone number, zip code to KHanderh@vbgov.com by April 6th

Next SDCC Meeting – Monday April 27th, Presentation on Flood Mitigation and Flood Insurance by Mike Vernon of Flood Mitigation Hampton Roads and Scott Hunter of Comparity.

SAVE THE DATE – Monday March 30th @7:30pm – City Presentation on CRS Flood Program

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With the recent talk of property tax rate increases, wouldn’t it be amazing if the City could join a program that reduces insurance premiums for residents in Flood Zones?

On Monday March 30th at 7:30pm, Mr. Clay Bernick – Administrator City of Virginia Beach Environment and Sustainability Office, will be attending the SDCC general meeting to discuss the City’s efforts to join the National Flood Insurance Program(NFIP) Community Rating System(CRS) program and what  residents can do to help make this happen.

  • 14,000 homes with potential flood insurance savings
  • Average insurance premium saving ($100/year)
  • 7 other Hampton Roads cities participate in CRS program, VB has never participated.

 

SDCC General Meeting

Monday March 30th at 7:30pm

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall – 3769 E Stratford Rd (Click for map)

 

Background documents on NFIP’s CRS program:

  1. 2014 Evaluation of CRS by City of VB Public Works – White paper on why it may not be beneficial for VB to join program (Click the link to read – CRS in Virginia Beach Mar 2014 PW Evaluation)
  2. CRS Communities and their ratingsCRS HR City List 2014
  3. NFIP’s CRS Program website – Click here – This site has a lot of good information on the program in general.
  4. CRS Coordinator’s Manual – Click here – This document explains the program in detail and what requirements localities have to meet to join.

“For example, to view information about a specific transportation project, such as the Lesner Bridge replacement, visit Budgetexpenditure.vbgov.com and click on the budget category “Quality Physical Environment” on the green graph to the right.”

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Thanks to everyone who helped make the #LESNERBRIDGE updates and transparency about the project possible!

From the News Release yesterday at VBGov.com:

“Open VB marks a major step forward in increasing public transparency in our budget and capital improvement projects,” said city Budget Director Catheryn Whitesell. “We implemented Open VB because citizens have a right to know how fund are being raised and allocated.”

Here’s the link to the #LESNERBRIDGE at the new Open VB website.

Here’s the Shore Drive Corridor Improvements Phase IV hot link.

Click screen shot to visit hot link at Open VB website.

Click screen shot to visit hot link at Open VB website.

The Search function in upper right hand corner of page seems to need exact name of the Project to find it.
It is a lot easier to scroll on the interactive map, and drill down/zoom in to find road projects you are interested in.

There is also a great way to find projects using the CATEGORY function.
As an example, it was easy to find the vital Sewer Pump Station Flow Monitoring & Date Storage page by drilling down in the CATEGORY function. Here’s that page.

Here’s an example of drilling down into the SERVICE function.
It was easy to find the Eastern Shore Drive Drainage Phase I page.

Thanks again to everyone who works so diligently on making government and it’s processes transparent.

Thanks to everyone at the COVB who makes it easy for the public to find it.

VB City Page is out … “Real Estate Assessor’s Annual Report Reveals Property Values Are Increasing” and more.

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View magazine online at VBGov.com.

Budget Workshop and Public Meeting Schedule Now Available
Learn more about the city’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year and take advantage of two opportunities to share your input in person.

Get Your Tickets for the Annual East Coast She Crab Soup Classic
Popular among local seafood enthusiasts, this event highlighting a Coastal Virginia favorite returns to the 24th Street Park on April 11.

. . . and more.

Click to go to VBGov.com

Click to go to VBGov.com

#LESNERBRIDGE update from Project Manager – “The dredging of Crab Creek and the area in front of the temporary wharf at the Lynnhaven Dredge Material Storage Site (LDMSS) continues today, but will be complete by tomorrow, 2/28/2015.”

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February 28th 2015 update:

Is anybody ready for spring? The Lesner Bridge project team is!

The recent spate of snow, ice, and cold has had a negative impact on the project schedule which we hope to make up once the weather warms up. This doesn’t mean that that all work has stopped though.

The dredging of Crab Creek and the area in front of the temporary wharf at the Lynnhaven Dredge Material Storage Site (LDMSS) continues today, but will be complete by tomorrow, 2/28/2015.

image001-2

Ø Construction of the retaining wall along the entire length of the new eastern bridge approach (former Duck Inn property) continues and is about 50% complete;

Ø The foundation for the new traffic signal pole at located at the corner of Page Avenue and Shore drive was installed;

Ø Pier column #1 for the new WB bridge has been completed;

Ø The foundations for bridge piers 2 and 3 have been completed;

Ø The reinforcing steel for Pier column #2 has been tied and is ready for placement on the completed foundation;

Ø The contractor is preparing material for the temporary cofferdam to be built around the foundation for water Pier #3

Ø Equipment and material have been mobilized to bridge pier #4 and the temporary equipment trestle is nearing completion in preparation for installed of the foundation shafts;

Ø Four more bridge segments have been built at the casting yard which brings us past the halfway mark for Span #1 (there are 10 spans per bridge);

image002-2
Over the next two weeks, work will continue on the east side of the bridge as we continue to build the retaining wall, and install storm drain/other utilities. Drilled shaft installation for the foundations at pier #4 will resume on Monday, 3/2/2015. Also next week we anticipate standing the rebar cage for Pier #2 and begin the formwork installation in preparation for placement of the concrete. The installation of the foundation for the new traffic signal pole at the corner of Vista Circle and Shore Drive (across the street from Starbucks) is also expected to take place next week..

That about wraps it up for now. Stay warm, stay dry, and drive safely!

-Chris

Christopher J. Wojtowicz, P.E.
Project Manager
City of Virginia Beach
Department of Public Works
Municipal Center-Bldg 2
2405 Court House Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23456-9031
Phone: (757) 385-5785
Fax: (757) 385-5668
email: cwojtowi@vbgov.com

Screen grab of construction cam shot taken on Feb 26th 2015 2am

Screen grab of construction cam shot taken on Feb 26th 2015 2am

SDCC General Meeting Agenda for Monday Feb. 23rd

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda 2.23.15 SDCC Agenda
SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday February 23, 2015 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall (parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

 

Program/Presentation –

  • Informative Sand Dune Signage Project, Ms. Whitney McNamara, City Sustainability Office, will explain the importance of sand dunes and the update us on the City’s new dune signage project.
  • Proposed Housing & Commercial Development Project – Mr. Steven Bishard will provide an update of development plan for the old Baylake Pines School properties.

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

Old Business–

CIP 2.118 – Shore Drive Improvements Ocean Park: Update on efforts to schedule safety improvements earlier than current construction start date of January 2023.

Lesner Bridge Replacement Safety Issues – City/Community walkthrough of issues being scheduled. Turning light at Shore-Vista, Speed bump at same intersection have been identified. Do you have any additional safety concerns?

New Business –

Arrive Alive Awareness Campaign – Recent 3 deaths on Shore Drive appear to be alcohol related.  Is a restaurant table top notice campaign a worthwhile effort?  A design contest and possible grant funding could be used.  Partnership with businesses would be a must.  Thoughts and discussion.

Community Concerns – Does your neighborhood/condo have any issues that have come up that need help or may be a warning to others?