Category Archives: Communications

Car break ins in Cape Story Sunday night

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From Cape Story’s neighborhood watch:

Last night, Sunday, Oct 9, there were two incidents of cars being entered. In the 2200 block of First Landing a GPS was taken and the glove box was ransacked. In the 2200 block of Wake Forest St. the car was searched but nothing taken. Unfortunately, both residents forgot to lock their cars. If anyone has any information on these two incidents, please call the police and PLEASE remember to lock your cars.

Please remember to call 911 if you see a crime in action and call 385-5000, option 1, to report crimes after they have occurred or to report any suspicious activity. Also, please call or email the NW Coordinator so crime reports and suspicious activities can be shared with all of our residents.

Update:

Here are the latest 2 received:

“One of our cars was opened and looked through last night (Sunday ) in the 2200 block of Bayberry. There was no damage or theft but things within the car were moved around and the car door was not closed well. Police were notified and finger prints were taken.”

2nd Update:

We are up to 7 now. If anyone knows who is doing this or saw anything, please call the police.

“Our car was gone through last night between 9:30 pm and 5:30 am. We left it unlocked accidentally last night . Glove box and center console gone through but they only got two older CD’s .It was parked under the portico and there was is a motion light as well which didn’t stop them. This occurred in the 2300 block of Walke Street, on the bay side.”

“Same thing happened to our cars in the 2200 block of Hatton St. Also nothing taken”

“Last night our car was searched through but nothing was taken. We are on the 2100 block of Sandalwood.”

“I live in the 2600 block of Ocean Shore Ave. and my car was ransacked too. It was such a mess to start with it was hard to tell any difference, but I noticed the glove box open and more junk on the seat. Usually my dog lets me know if someone is outside – but not last night!”

EIGHTOver 12 vehicles were broken into.

Public Hearing For City’s Dredging Program

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Here is the content of an email that I sent to Councilman Wood concerning the dredging program and this public meeting. I hope you can attend this meeting. It is THAT important.
David W.

Councilman Wood,
As you know, the Neighborhood Dredging Program is a very important, make that vital issue to the residents in your district. There is significant opposition to the city’s Neighborhood Dredging Program (NDP) judging from petitions signed, attendance at the BZA hearing, and increased attendance at civic association meetings where this project is discussed. This opposition is continuing to grow as more residents become informed about plan deficiencies, concerns for safety, impact on traffic flow, impact on neighborhoods, SSD financial viability, overall project scope, and its intended operations particularly at Maple Street and Crab Creek. Probably, some time back, the city’s NDP initially looked reasonable and do-able in its early design stage, but when more of the program came to light, it became obvious that there were some neighborhoods that would be significantly impacted with no or little gain to them. Despite attempts by many of us to address these issues at the Beaches and Waterways Advisory Committee meetings, we have either been procedurally gaged, or severely time constrained. While some may think that our opposition to the city’s inadequate Neighborhood Dredging Program will subside, it will not unless significant changes are made. I hope you will find the time to address these issues and answer questions at the Beaches and Waterways public meeting 13 OCT at Great Neck Rec Center, 7 PM.

Warm regards,
David Williams
Pres. SDCC

WAVY covers Chick’s Beach robberies

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More at WAVY including a vid:

According to police, the thieves park their vehicles, ring the doorbell and enter homes from the back.

A flyer is circulating around the neighborhood warning residents to be vigilant.

Judge today affirmed that the city has owned easement rights in the beach behind the Lynnhaven Dunes condominium since 1926.

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From VBGov.com:

Today, Judge Shockley ruled that the same result applies to an adjoining property, the 70-unit condominium Lynnhaven Dunes, which sits immediately to the west of 3232 Page Avenue. The owner had sought $2.8 million from the city.

As in the previous case, Judge Shockley today concluded that the city accepted the beach’s dedication from the developer of Lynnhaven Shores in 1926.

And:

Two more cases along Cape Henry beach are pending. They involve essentially the same facts and law as the case concluded today.

Neighborhood Dredge Spoils Project, Our Constitutional Process

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It is our Democratic process that permits us to freely petition our elected governmental representatives to address an issue that could potentially damage our property and take away from its value. It is our Constitution and our First Amendment rights that allow us the free exercise to peaceably assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Should our own Virginia Beach City government be included in this right to “petition the Government”? I proclaim most strongly “yes” and have, as have so many others, put it all on the line to support and defend our Constitutional Rights.

Should a city appointed board tasked with making recommendations to resolve significant issues accept statements from the city’s staff, but not permit assembled citizens the right to state their position or to redress staff statements? Should derogatory statements that “there is much misinformation out there” be accepted without challenge from the board when the assembled are not permitted to speak to address the sources of that information?

To many citizens, these issues may be of small importance or no consequence, but I think it is vitally important. If we do not hold our local government accountable to us, we perch ourselves on the point of becoming irrelevant as free people with the power to elect. We merely become payer of taxes, not the proponent of our Rights. The rights exercised by City government are as important to us as the headwaters of a river. We must all be engaged and involved. It is our elected government whether it be city, state or Federal. We deserve what we get.

Pleasure House Point Forum

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We have something rare and special before us called Pleasure House Point. We have an opportunity to preserve and restore this property with the help of the city of Virginia Beach, Trust for Public Land, Chesapeake Bay Foundation and much effort by many people. But, what would we like PHP to be now and in our future? This special piece of land has history and significance. What would we like to show our children and grandchildren? Come and let’s talk. Ms. Barbara Duke, Senior Open Space Planner for the city will provide some of the possibilities Monday, 26 Sept at 7:30 PM at the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Station (intersection of Shore Drive and East Stratford Rd. Bring a friend, bring some ideas and let’s see what the possibilities are for PHP.

SDCC General Meeting Agenda - Monday September 26th @ 7:30pm

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda Shore_Drive_Community_Coalition_Sept_2011 Agenda

Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC) General Meeting
Monday 26 Sept 2011
SDCC General Meeting – Monday, Sept 26, 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Station (Intersection of Shore Drive and East Stratford Rd.)

Call to order

Discussion: Pleasure House Point Concepts

Presented by Barbara Duke
Senior Open Space Planner
Planning Design and Development Division
Va Beach Parks & Recreation

Update/Long Creek Dredge Spoils
Beaches and Waterways Advisory Committee

For Important information concerning dredge spoils project and Long Creek
http://www.SDCC.info  and http://www.longcreekwetlands.com

Officers’ Reports
President’s Report – David Williams
Vice President’s report- Thomas Cantwell
Secretary’s Report – Todd Solomon – Minutes of the AUGMeeting
Treasurer’s Report – Carol Collins

Update on issues:
Old Business

New Business

Adjourn

Next SDCC Meeting 7:30 pm Monday OCT 17, 2011

IMPORTANT (PLEASE NOTE Date Change)
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Center

Speaker- Karen Lasley , City of Va Beach Current Planning and Zoning Administrator and Jeryl Phillips on the 5 year Vision and Comp Plan
Please check http://www.sdcc.info for more information on area news and events

Va. Beach zoning board opposes dredge transfer plan - Sept 7th

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On September 7th, the Beach’s Board of Zoning Appeals sided with residents who argued that the city doesn’t own or lease the land off Long Creek and therefore can’t use it for a transfer station. The board overturned a decision by the Beach’s zoning administrator, who had ruled that the city has a long-term easement there for dredging operations and therefore the transfer station was an appropriate use of the land.

Click here to read the rest of the Virginian-Pilot Article http://hamptonroads.com/2011/09/va-beach-zoning-board-opposes-dredge-transfer-plan

City Receives $500,000 for Pleasure House Point Land Acquisition

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I just wanted to highlight my favorite part of the notice “As noted in the grant application, the project has strong local support from community. Organizations and individuals have rallied to raise funds to ensure the entire property is preserved as natural area, rather than having a portion commercially developed.”.  Shore Drive residents are the best.

Taken from the City’s News Center on Thursday, September 15, 2011 · 03:30 pm

As part of a large conservation effort to permanently protect the entire Pleasure House Point property located within the Lynnhaven watershed, the City of Virginia Beach has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation.  The grant will help the city acquire 82 acres of coastal wetlands and marine forest.
The property is identified in the Virginia Conservation Lands Needs Assessment as highly threatened by development. The acquisition of Pleasure House Point has been identified as a top priority in the City of Virginia Beach’s Comprehensive Plan.
Efforts to protect the largest undeveloped parcel of land on the Lynnhaven River (122 acres) began in 2010 through a partnership with Trust for Public Land, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the City of Virginia Beach. The Trust for Public Land initiated a plan to purchase the property and sell parcels to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the City of Virginia Beach.
As noted in the grant application, the project has strong local support from community. Organizations and individuals have rallied to raise funds to ensure the entire property is preserved as natural area, rather than having a portion commercially developed. The Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation Foundation is participating as the designated 501(c) (3) organization for fundraising activities. http://www.vbprf.org

Beaches & Waterways Commission Meeting - Thursday September 22nd @ 4pm (Dredging Study)

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The Beaches and Waterways Commission will meet to continue discussion on the City-wide Neighborhood Dredging Plan.  The meetings are open to the public, but the Commission doesn’t always allow public comments to be made.

Click here for a printable version of the notice.  Beaches_and_Waterways_-_Sept_22nd_2011.pdf

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The Beaches and Waterways Advisory Commission will meet Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 4:00 pm in Building 14, 2nd Floor Conference Room at the Municipal Center located at 2449 Princess Anne Road,  Virginia Beach, Virginia.  

For additional information, please contact Rebecca Lear at 385-1948 or rlear@vbgov.com.

Communications Old and New

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On 29 August, three of us, Ms Penny, Todd Solomon, and myself  had a chance at the last SDCC meeting to talk about hurricanes, near misses and some “what if”s. This conversation lead into a discussion on the way we communicate these days and some generational difference. Todd feels very comfortable with a computer and using it as a tool to connect with people and express his thoughts.  He does well with his research, his record keeping, and has contributed greatly to our efforts to keep Shore Drive connected and in the flow of  city information.

I am less comfortable with a computer, and even less trusting.  It is probably illogical, a “love-hate” relationship.  Maybe it is from using computers onboard aircraft for many years that has left me weary. I would always do my own flight calculations for essential items like fuel required, half-way point, and flight time and then check my estimates against the computer’s numbers.  The computer may have never been wrong, but that is not the point.  I used the computer as a tool and did not rely on it to keep me going in the safe direction.  Some of my fellow pilots used the computer as their only tool and it lead them away when it failed.  If this hurricane had taken away our internet, where would we have found ourselves?  To many,  the computer is much more that a tool, almost like the closest of friends.  Many would feel alone without their BFA (that’s Best friend always). If our device’s battery should fail, do we also shut down?

And then we have Ms. Penny. Intelligent, engaged, articulate, and I would respectfully estimate, a most powerful force to verbally challenge over any misplaced or misguided element of civic logic concerning Shore Drive or Virginia Beach. Citizens like Ms. Penny are the backbone and cornerstone of this city.  As for communications, she is not overly fond of computers either. As an organization (SDCC), I think we are missing out on our dialogues when we think that we can accomplish all that we need to do to communicate with just a computer. Computers may be fast and save postage, but I find so much missing without the face to face. I am telling you all these things while I write on my computer.  My computer is a tool, not a BFA yet.  Thanks for the discussion that day after the hurricane, Ms. Penny.  We will try harder to find better ways to stay connected with more people along Shore Drive.

SDCC Neighborhood Dredge Position Statement Letter and BZA Hearing Notice Wed Sept 7th @ 2pm

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Everyone,
  This Wednesday, Sept 7 at 2 PM in Virginia Beach City Council Chambers (Second Floor Bldg 1), the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) will hear public comment on whether the Maple Street transfer site should become a permanent transfer site for non-beach grade dredged spoils.  As you know, this site has been used in the past when the Corps of Engineers was dredging the channel to keep it open for navigation.  This was a hydraulic dredge process that would occur for a couple of weeks every couple of years.  This dredging produced beach quality sand which was spread on our beaches along Cape Henry.  What the city is proposing now is to dredge residential tidal areas that have filled in with street silt and make them “deep water access”. These tidal areas will be dredged mechanically, have the spoils placed on a 20-40 cubic yard floating hopper, barge and then transported to one of two sites as of now (Maple St. and Thalia/VB Blvd). The city has proposed other sites for mechanical transfer, but as of now, only Maple St and Thalia are being established as transfer sites.  This mechanical operation is beyond the current permit for Maple St, because this is not beach quality sand and the spoils can not be deposited at Maple Street, Crab Creek (Lesner Bridge area) without a lot more permitting and approvals. This is key to this BZA meeting this Wednesday.  The city would like to say it is within CURRENT zoning limitations for the site, while we firmly believe that it exceeds R7.5 zoning (Residential) as it is presently zoned.  This meeting will determine whether residential zoning laws prevail, or the city changes it to a permanent industrial transfer site.  This is big. If the city has their way, it could forever change Long Creek. Will the city control and enforce safety rules for barge traffic on Long Creek?  Look how well the city enforces current OSHA safety rules concerning harnesses worn by workers doing second story roofing.  Just my point.  We need your support in this meeting.  Email me if you have questions.  It is just our neighborhood way of life and safety that is in hazard.

Click here for the SDCC_Position_Statement_Letter_for_Dredge_Spoils_Transfer_Sites_2011.pdf

Please send me an email if you need more information.

Your neighbor,
David Williams
SDCC President
 
PLEASE CHECK http://www.LongCreekWetlands.com for documented discussions on this major issue that will impact us.  We need your support in City Council Chambers 7 Sept at 2 PM.  This is really important. 

Crab Creek outfall tidal flooding from Irene

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Please email photos of documentation of flooding, and storm drain failures and we’ll post them.

If you have the documentation from flooding, and damage from Nor ‘Ida & Isabel, please include that as well.

CLICK TO VIEW PHOTO IN POP-UP WINDOW

Note: There was no water visible any where on the street, sidewalk, etc ~4:00 to ~4:30pm. 
The flooding you see is tidal from one out fall on Crab Creek.
Photo taken at 5:39pm.
Tidal flooding you see happened in under an hour.
Projected high tide is ~4-5 hours.

Hurricane Preparations

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The weather sources that I have checked indicated that Virginia Beach will probably only receive tropical force winds (39 mph+) and rain, occasionally very heavy at about an inch an hour for about 10 hours. We may have missed some of Irene’s wrath, but as we go about making preparations, we might consider how lucky we are again. Making preparations for a hurricane when the sky is sunny while the storm is east of Cuba may seem like a waste of time, but believe me it is not. As you look at your evac supplies, ever consider how you will get it all in the car along with your spouse and family pet? Preparations for disasters make us consider what is important and what is not. Please be careful as you approach the edge and risk your family’s safety for “stuff”as the late George Carling would say. In all the rain that we are going to get, don’t drive through water any deeper than your tires. Walking in knee deep water can be very hazardous and potentially infectious to your health depending on where that water has come from. Charcoal fires give off carbon monoxide so never start one near living spaces and watch out for downed electrical lines. During the storm, if your lights start to flicker, it may be the result of power surges which can damage your appliances and air conditioning units. So, if the power flickers, turn off your units until conditions improve. Just be careful out there. Hopefully, it will only be a good soaking for the lawns.
For more information, check out the hurricane plan titled “CASPER” on our website. I have to end here. My neighbor is building a large boat and needs some help.

SDCC General Meeting Notice - Monday August 29th at 7:30pm

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The August General Meeting of the Shore Drive Community Coalition will take place on Monday August 29th at 7:30pm in the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall.

Topics of discussion will be:

– Update of Dredge Transfer Stations & Neighborhood Dredging Project Beaches and Waterways Study
– Update on Pleasure House Point (Public input to City Staff on what should and shouldn’t be done on the public portion of the site has been scheduled for September 26th SDCC meeting)
– Update on Lesner Bridge Replacement construction
– Update on Shore Drive Road & Safety Improvement from Lesner Bridge to First Landing State Park

Just an FYI, the SDCC meetings take place on the last Monday of the Month unless it falls on a Holiday then the meeting is moved a week earlier.

Sunset Candlelight Memorial for Victoria Anne Marie Shuler - Friday Aug 19th, 7:45pm @ LBR

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A sunset candlelight memorial will be held for Victoria Shuler, daughter of Captain Lee Shuler.  A slide show will end the ceremony.  It is recommend people bring bug spray and umbrellas if chance of rain.  Should there be severe weather, thunderstorms, this will have to be postponed.  Parking is free, but carpooling or walking is recommended.  Cold bottled water will be available.

Memorial Information
Date: Friday August 19th
Time: 7:45pm
Location: Lynnhave Boat Ramp (Sand Dune Area)

Victoria Anne Marie Shuler, 20, passed away on July 21, 2011. Born on June 17, 1991, she was the daughter of Lee M. Shuler. She will be remembered as a loving mother to her one-year old son, Haiden James. Survivors also include her sister and brother-in-law, Maria N. and James Jaskowiak; her brother, James P. Losee, Jr.; her grandmother, Elena M. Lamme of Maine; her aunt and uncle, Lisa and Robert Lamme of Massachusetts. Victoria was a 2009 graduate of Cox High School, loved to fish, and devoted her time to many community activities. Friends and family are invited to attend a sunset, candlelight memorial celebrating her life on Friday, August 19, 2011, at 7:45 PM on the sand dune at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility, 3576 Piedmont Circle, Virginia Beach. In lieu of flower, memorial contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund of Victoria Shuler at Navy Federal Credit Union, P.O. BOX 3000, Merrifield, VA 22119. On-line condolences may be sent to http://www.hdoliver.com.

VBCCO Meeting Thursday Aug 18 at 7pm - Form Based Zoning Presentation

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THE NEXT VBCCO GENERAL MEETING WILL BE HELD
THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2011
IN THE CENTRAL LIBRARY AUDITORIUM AT 7 PM

PROGRAM
The program for the Thursday, August 18, 2011 General Meeting will be a presentation about Form Based Zoning and Neighborhood Zoning Issues. Karen Lasley, Director Zoning Division, and supporting City staff will make the presentation.

Beaches & Waterways WAVY 10 Story - Commission works on site for sludge

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Click here to see the WAVY10 Story

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – A City of Virginia Beach commission has come up with a list of proposed destinations for sludge if they move forward with a dredging project along the Lynnhaven River Basin and Long Creek.

In March, 10 On Your Side told you about the battle brewing between waterfront neighbors in the area.

Folks living along the river want deeper water for bigger boats, but to accommodate larger vessels the city would have to dig up the river bottom and transfer the materials or dredge.

Homeowners previously told us of their concerns about sludge placed on barges and dumped across the waterway in front of their Long Creek homes.

“We’ll never be able to sell them, rent them or live in them without that noise, that pollution, that smell,” said homeowner Lynne Bornstein.

The issue brought out members of the city’s beaches and waterway advisory commission to take an afternoon tour of that site and others.

“If we can find alternatives that’s what we’re all about. It’s fact finding for us,” said Commission Chairman Tom Fraim.

The Commission expects to hear from the public on this issue perhaps as early as next week at its regularly scheduled meeting.

While board’s decision is not expected for several weeks the City Council will have the final say in the matter.