Saturday February 19, 2011.

Strong winds, dry conditions and fire resulted in a scary situation for Cape Story and Long Creek Cove residents on Saturday.  Luckily, the wind was blowing in a favorable direction to keep the fire from spreading to Cape Story and Long Creek Cove homes as well as the boats at Marina Shores.  The residents are also thankful that Virginia Beach’s finest firefighters were able to put the fire out in a short period of time without incident.

Here are a few photos of the fire.

Read all of Irene Bowers Beacon article at the Pilotonline.com.

A team of Kemps Landing Magnet School eighth-graders and the sixth-grade class at Cape Henry Collegiate School have a shared vision: to preserve the last 10 acres of land at Pleasure House Point through the sale of monument trees.

Be sure to read the entire article:

According to Carol Collins of Shore Drive Community Coalition, the young live oaks are already in the city’s nursery inventory.

“We are striving for $100,000 per monument tree,” Collins said. “But all donations are welcome.”

Cape Henry student Hunter Ramirez targeted New York Mets third baseman David Wright.

“He’s from here, so he might help,” Hunter said.

I goofed when sending this week’s eNewsletter.

The printable Agenda link in the emailed eNewsletter did not work – you can download it here, or at this link in our Blog or this link in the eNewsletter Archive.

I apologize for not testing it, and for the inconvenience.
Tim

Click on this .pdf link for a printable version of the agenda SDCC_Agenda_Jan_2011.pdf

Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC) General Meeting Agenda
Monday, January 31, 2011
7:30pm to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Station (Intersection of Shore Drive and E. Stratford Rd.)

Call to Order

Presentations:
– Pleasure House Point Grant Project; Funding and Support Possibilities by Ann Fitzgibbon
– Pleasure House Point’s Special Biodiversity by Peter Doherty

Officers’ Reports
President’s Report – David Williams
Vice President’s Report – Thomas Cantwell
Secretary’s Report – Todd Solomon – Minutes of December meeting
Treasurer’s Report – Carol Collins

Update on issues:
Marina Shores Expansion Withdrawn
Dredge Spoils Transfer Sites Lynnhaven Bay
Kroger Proposed Fuel Station

Old Business:
New Business:

Dates to remember:
Tuesday, 15 Feb: Bayfront Advisory Subcommittee at Bayside Rec Center,
3 pm, 4500 First Court Rd – Important Topic,Hurricane Evacuation

Thursday 17 Feb 3:30 pm Bayfront Advisory Committee- at Bayside Rec Center,
3:30 pm 4500 First Court Rd

Adjourn

Next Meeting:  7:30 p.m. FEBRUARY 28, 2011.
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Station

The following notice was received from the Cape Story by the Sea Neighborhood Watch.

On Friday night, 1/21, at approximately 12:30 a.m., a resident was walking home on the bike path behind Bloom when he was attacked by 2 males, one black and one white, probably in their early to mid 20’s. They tried to get his wallet but the resident was able to throw a few punches of his own and got away from them.  One of the attackers was somewhat injured (by the victim) and the other ran away.  This is the second incident of this kind in the past few months.  Warning:  please be aware and do not walk alone on the bike path at night. 

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.

Woman attacked in Va. Beach after declining dance
By Kathy Adams
The Virginian-Pilot
© January 21, 2011
VIRGINIA BEACH

Police are looking for a man who attacked a 20-year-old woman after she refused to dance with him at a local bar.

The man asked her to dance at Cabo Cafe, at 2301 Red Tide Road off Shore Drive, but she declined, said Officer Adam Bernstein, a police spokesman.

Then, as the woman was leaving at about 1:40 a.m. Wednesday, he confronted her in the parking lot, Bernstein said. They argued, and the man pulled out a knife and attacked her. She suffered injuries requiring stitches and staples to her forehead, he said.

The man fled, Bernstein said. He’s described as black, between 21 and 28 years old, and 6 feet 3 inches tall with a muscular build. He was wearing a gray skullcap and a gray T-shirt with a black design on it.

Police ask that anyone with information on this case call Crime Solvers at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP

The application for expanded wetslips and a permanent dredge spoils transfer station has be WITHDRAWN.  See email excerpt from City below.

This is to advise you that the applicant’s agent has requested that the Joint Permit Application, (VB09-101) for Marina Shores Marina be withdrawn.  The project will be redesigned for a future submittal of a new Joint Permit Application.

Accordingly, this is to advise you that the application will not be considered by the Wetlands Board at the January 18, 2011 Wetlands Public Hearing.

Lonnie Warren
Coastal Zone Inspector
City of Virginia Beach
Environment and Sustainability Office

The Wetlands Hearing for the Marina Shores Marina Proposed Wet Slip Expansion and Permanent Dredge Spoils Transfer Station was deferred until Tuesday Jan. 18, 2011.  Note the change in day from Monday to Tuesday as a result of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.    WITHDRAWN
 
Wetlands Board meeting
Tuesday January 18, 2011
10:00am City Council Chambers
 
To see the January 18th agenda, Click here, Wetland Board Agena for January 18th
 

To see the dredge transfer station and wet slip plans submitted by the developer, Click here, Marina_Shore_Boat_Slip_Expansion.pdf

Comments on the proposed development regarding impact to wetlands can be emailed to the Wetlands Board at eso@vbgov.com
 

Other helpful information regarding this proposed project:
1) 1987 Rezoning information.  City Council approved rezoning for marina, businesses and apartments.  They also made it a condition to keep the property in question on this request as a nature preservation (P-1 zoning) and have no residential or commercial development.
    a. City Council approval minutes for 1987 rezoning request –  Pages_from_JUNE_1,_1987_MINUTES.PDF
    b. Signed deed modification – Zoning_Agreement_July_1987.pdf
    c. Developer agreement document – Marina_Shores_Rezoning_1987.pdf
 

2) Federal and State Organization Comments to current application.
    a. Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) and US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) – CITY_ATTORNEYWilson-2.pdf
 

3) Location of alternate dredge transfer station.  Site is owned by City of VB and requires zero wetlands impact.  (Red X shows alternate site, Yellow X shows proposed site) –

Read their entire list at Pilotonline.com:

HIT Preservation jackpot

A plan to buy Pleasure House Point, the largest piece of undeveloped waterfront property on the Lynnhaven River, will preserve vital open space in Virginia Beach, improve the health of wetlands and maritime forests and help to restore the oyster fishery. The city, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and The Trust for Public Land agreed over the summer to buy 122 acres at the confluence of Pleasure House and Crab creeks for $13 million, a steal at less than half what developers paid for the property in 2007. They’re still raising money to ensure that none of the land will have to be sold for development, but it’s a smart investment.

Thanks to the Pilot for continuing to recognize what a big deal preserving 100% of PHP is.

Video from Charlie Harrelson, Michael Horth, John Murrell and Jack Meyers created for Pleasure House Point! We’d love to see what others have done to help spread the word about this important cause. If you have a video, poster, song, poem or any other creative piece that helps to bring attention to Pleasure House Point, email Tim and we’ll share it.

From Cape Story Neighborhood Watch, fyi:

> Dear Fellow Neighbor-
>
> Just wanted to inform everyone that there have been 52 break-ins over the
> past few weeks in the Great Neck corridor (from Reagan Ave up to Great Neck
> Point and all neighborhoods in between). The burglars are not taking
> anything w/a serial number that can be traced and seem to be largely
> targeting the master bedrooms and taking expensive jewelry. They are
> professional criminals that seem to be working in a pair and have a
> communication device to look out for law enforcement.  The police seem to
> think they are staking out the neighborhoods, even ringing doorbells to see
> if people are home and might even be acting like a home repair “company”.
> They are looking for signs of nobody home, ie no cars in driveway and all
> the lights out, etc. It appears they are attempting to gain access largely
> by trying back/garage doors that might be either already open or
> unlocked!!!
>
> It seems that they are driving an older model green sedan car, such as a
> Camry. It has been reported there are 2 men, one Black male and the other
> male either Hispanic or Black very light skinned.  They have been targeting
> homes in the daytime and very early evening hours.
>
> BE VIGILANT AND CALL THE POLICE if ANYBODY comes to your home in an attempt
> to sell you anything that does NOT have a Peddler’s business license issued
> by the VB Commissioner of Revenue. You can call the non-emergency number to
> the VBPD at 385-5000 and then pressing option “1”. If you see a older model
> green car driving through the neighborhood very slowly looking, and not
> wanting to purchase houses for sale, also please call the police.
>
> These are professional burglars, as they are not taking items that can be
> traced when taken to a pawn shop, nor are they students that are truant from
> school. Fyi, NO HOMES HAVE BEEN BURGLARIZED yet that have a barking dog in
> the house. I just received this information from a friend who is on the VBPD
> and wanted me to know what’s going on, that is why I am passing it on to
> you, as it is NOT rumor and IS what the VBPD is currently looking for.
>
> Hope this information helps everyone!
>
> Again, Happy Holidays to all our neighbors!!!

Additional info:

Referenced email was generated by an area Civic League that I can’t identify being it was forwarded to me.  I just went to the VBPD crime log and counted over 80 break-ins in our precinct from 1 November.

Wild River Outfitters as a dealer of Patagonia can apply for a grant every year for environmental causes. Patagonia has awarded $1,500 toward PHP for 2011.
The funds will be donated to Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Foundation.

You too can donate.

Thanks to Lillie, Wild River Outfitters & Patagonia!

1% For The Planet at Patagonia.com.

Thanks to the generosity of Lynnhaven River Now for donating what would have been their donations to PHP!

Learn more about the fabulously famous Marina Shores Marina Million Dollar Rockfish Challenge.

From Lynnhaven River Now:

Pleasure House Point Fundraiser
Volunteers Needed
  Marina Shores is hosting a Million Dollar Rockfish Tournament and will donate all of the proceeds from the beer sales to the Pleasure House Point Fundraising effort.  All we have to do is provide some volunteers to help serve beer.  All volunteers will be able to participate in the excitement of the tournament and both the Amateur and the Professional Rockfish Cookoffs!
  Volunteers are needed for the following days and times:
Sunday, Dec. 26, 2-7 pm; Tuesday, Dec. 28, 3-7 pm;
Wednesday, Dec. 29, 11am-5 pm; and Thursday, Dec. 30, 10 am -3 pm and 5:30-11:00.
  Can you spare a few hours to help raise money for Pleasure House Point?  Please call, 757-962-5398, or email and let us know when you can help.
  Thank you for your generous support!

AAA Tow To Go Service:

Motorists, bartenders, restaurant managers, party hosts or passengers of a drinking driver can call (757) 631-1700 between these dates and request a free Tow To Go home during this holiday season. Callers simply tell the dispatcher, “I need a Tow To Go,” to receive both the free tow and ride home.

Can’t make the Marina Shores Marina Million Dollar Rockfish Challenge and still want to donate?
Head over to the Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Foundation website.

The 2 metal gates in Crab Creek that were part of the storm water pond to pump station system in Ocean Park were removed. Public Works removed them and is monitoring the new change.

Join the First Colonial High School Green Team & Guitar Club to help raise funds and awareness for saving Pleasure House Point.

$5 Donation – starts at 630pm in the First Colonial Auditorium.

SDCC General Meeting – Monday, November 29, 7:30 to 9:00 pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Station (Intersection of Shore Drive and E. Stratford Rd.)

Call to Order

Present and adopt agenda

Presentation:  Princess Anne Garden Club.  Preview the Home for the Holidays Christmas Bazaar, details to be found at

Officers’ Reports
President’s Report:  Grace Moran
Vice President’s Report:  Dave Williams
Secretary’s Report:  Todd Solomon
Treasurer’s Report:  Steve Kohler

Update on issues: Pleasure House Point
        Presentation of the 2011 Slate of Officers

Election of Officers

New Business: Wetlands Board Hearing, December 20… Marina Shores

Dates to remember:  Rock the Dunes.   The most recent SDCC eNewsletter had the date right, but the day wrong.  First Colonial kids will have their event at the First Colonial HS Auditorium on December 7, as reported, which is a Tuesday, not a Saturday, as originally announced.  Admission $5 at the door to benefit Pleasure House Point.

Bayfront Advisory Committee and Subcommittees are rescheduled one-time-only.  BAC will meet at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 9, at the Bayside Recreation Center, 4500 First Court Road. The Public Safety Transit, Parking & Pedestrian Access Subcommittee and Design Subcommittee will meet at 3 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 7, at the Bayside Recreation Center.

More dates to remember in the next eNewsletter.

Please check http://www.sdcc.info for details as they become available

December 20 – Wetlands Board meeting. – Project to add commercial pier and to affect wetlands in CSBTS and Long Creek between CSBTS/CHS and Bay Island

Along Long Creek near Maple Street there is sign posted indicating a December 20, 2010 Wetlands Board meeting to:

– Construct 1026’ x 12’ Floating Pier with 45 Boat Slips to Marina Shores Marina
– Construct 80 feet of bulkhead, east of existing bulkhead;
– Establish a commercial pier along the river all the way down to Wake Forest Street, starting at the Marina Shores parking lot
– Relocate the existing boat channel 35’ to the south closer to Bay Island to so the new commercial pier will fit all of the new boats; (This portion is being coordinated with the Department of Public Works.)
– Dredge 3,797 cubic yards;
– Impact 1220 sf of wetlands to create a barge inlet to serve a dredge spoil site (long-term)
– Construct a Dredge Spoil Transfer Facility
– Rezone the property from residential(R7.5) to commercial.

Project area shown below or at the following link http://www.vbgov.com/file_source/dept/planning/I03.pdf [Dead link as of Sept 26 ’14]

Project Plans can be viewed by clicking on this .pdf link. Marina_Shore_Boat_Slip_Expansion [14 page PDF re-posted Sept 26 ’14.]

The meeting is at City Hall on Monday December 20 at 10:00 am.

For more information, call Lonnie Warren, City Coastal Zoning Inspector at 385-8246.

WTKR 3 report:

City records show that nearly 40 Virginia Beach drivers have killed bicyclists and pedestrians in the past 10 years and faced not even a traffic ticket.

And:

“I understand how a lot of people feel like, if I kill somebody in my car, they are going to charge me with a felony crime,” said Harvey Bryant, the city’s Commonwealth’s Attorney. “And the answer to that is not necessarily.”

Bryant says Virginia law does not give him choices in fatal crashes like these. To charge a driver with manslaughter, Bryant says that driver must be operating a car so carelessly and recklessly that a deadly outcome is probable. Driving drunk counts, he said, but not paying full attention doesn’t meet the law’s burden.

Emphasis mine.

TAKE SURVEY NOW | Print & Mail Survey [PDF]

In an effort to allow community input to be part of the speed limit reduction evaluation planned for the end of this year, SDCC has created an evaluation survey.  The survey can be taken online or filled out on a hard copy and sent to Dave Williams. 

The City has hired a consultant to perform an evaluation study of the speed limit reduction.  Results of this evaluation will be presented to City Council in a report presented in December or January.  This evaluation doesn’t take into account public input or dialogue.  THe survey below will help to capture your opinions.  SDCC will collect and submit all surevey results, so please take the time to fill in the “other” or “comment” boxes.

This link will take you to the online version of the survey. Click here to take survey

Hard copy version of survey to be mailed in Speed_Limit_Evaluation_Survey.pdf

From Pilotonline.com:

The auction, part of the foreclosure process, doesn’t alter the bank’s plan to sell the land to conservation groups and the city for preservation, said Kristy Marshall, a spokeswoman for Wells Fargo.

“In order for us to get possession of the property, it needed to go into foreclosure,” Marshall said. “It’s just a formality, and we can now move forward with our plans.”

She said she expects the bank to be the sole bidder.