Just a reminder that the next Hearing currently scheduled for the proposed Indigo Dunes is before the Ches Bay Area Preservation Board on June 25th.

We imagine the project might not be heard. Stay tuned.
Previously at SDCC.info.

“I’m surprised,” said R.J. Nutter II, the attorney who represented brothers Art and Steve Sandler.

Read the entire article “Wetlands Board rejects Indigo Dunes project” and comment at Pilotonline.com.

A tragic accident where ?Either he had a big fish or something snagged it away from the bottom,? Nedelka said, ?but he went in the water for the pole.?

The man?s companion, watching from the boat, apparently became worried that his friend was in distress, so ?he went in after him.?

Shortly after, however, the second man slipped below the water?s surface.
Read entire article at Pilotonline.com.

Reprinted here with permission:

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Imagine L.E.A.R.N. on Pleasure House Point

Imagine L.E.A.R.N. The Lynnhaven Environmental Area Research Network or the McLesky Center for Learning, or the Sandler Center for Learning or another appropriate name for it’s mission: Restoring historical Pleasure House Point[PHP] to its environmental glory.

July 1945 Princess Anne County Soil Survey. “T” = Tidal Wetlands
View larger image.
[Image added May 22nd.]

Though the applicant has stated in the joint permit application (JPA) that 1,063 residential units are necessary to make the project financially viable, no economic analysis has been provided to justify this level of build-out. The scale of the development directly affects the degree to which avoidance and minimization measures are successful in limiting impacts to tidal and nontidal wetlands.

Permit 06-2601 revised comments. [4pg pdf]

“I don’t feel like this is an adult issue,” she said. “It’s our future. It’s our Virginia Beach.”They have organized a seven-hour concert Saturday [Sunday] at Relative Theory Records in Norfolk. All proceeds will go toward the effort to oppose Indigo Dunes, including environmental studies, legal fees and research on alternative uses for the 69 acres.

Read entire article & comment at Pilotonline.com.
About the concert.

Here is a one page flyer [pdf], which gives a brief overview of how the proposed revisions will affect R5R properties.

Interested in speaking at the Wetlands Board Hearing Monday?

[encode=NoIndigoDunes@gmail.com?Subject=WB Speaker]Email this link with your full name, address & phone number[/encode] and we’ll submit it for you.
Note: We will only share this information with the City Clerk at the Hearing Monday.

The next meeting of the Bayfront Advisory Committee will be held at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, May 17, at the Bayside Community Recreation Center. More at VBGov.com.

Just a reminder for those who noticed there was no public notice today in the Beacon for the hearing Monday – it is confirmed, deferred items, like Indigo Dunes, are not re-advertised in the paper.

See you all down there Monday.

In the 2400 block, where the curves are most dramatic, everybody’s got a story about the time a car landed in the front yard. Or, in the case of the Conner and Wagoner families, the time a car landed inside the house. “The problem is not the 94 percent who drive the speed limit,” Mary Wagoner said. “It’s the rest of them; they all end up in my yard.”
Read entire Pilot Warrior article.

Meeting canceled. New date not yet chosen. The citizens of Virginia Beach are invited to the Bayside Public Library on Wednesday, May 30, at 7 p.m. for an informational briefing on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers? Norfolk District?s plans for native oyster restoration in the Lynnhaven River. 

The Army Corps, in conjunction with its federal, state and local partners, plans to embark on the first phase of the multi-year restoration efforts this summer. 

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the so called R5R Debate has been changed to a presentation & questions & answer forum. The Building Area Ration or B.A.R. will be presented from inspiration behind the idea to the current details of the proposed changes. Public information & discussions related to the process & current results will also be discussed. Plan on attending this month’s meeting to learn more.

A mostly silent City Council cut the real estate tax rate to 89 cents Tuesday night over the pleas of 19 residents and two council members who wanted to slash the rate further. The council agreed to the rate as it adopted its $1.7 billion budget for fiscal 2008.

Read entire article & comment at Pilotonline.com.

In Virginia Beach, contact the Voter Registrar’s O ffice, 2449 Princess Anne Road, Municipal Center, Building 14. Call (757) 385-8683 or e-mail voter@vbgov.com. Office hours are 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Read entire article at Pilotonline.com.

In an effort to provide the community information on both sides of an important issue, please check out the following information related to this years budget and tax rate.  The City staff initially suggested a 6 cent reduction which has now changed to a 10 cent reduction.  As mentioned in the second write-up below, City Council has stated that they haven’t heard from anyone regarding the 10 cent reduction recommendation.

Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC)- General Meeting, Monday May 21, 2007,  (note this is a week early due to Memorial Day) at 7:30pm to 9:00pm in Ocean Park Fire & Rescue Hall.

Please note, there was an error in this month’s program on the agenda.  The discussion on R5R will only be presented by a committee representative that supports the proposed change (Mark Walker/John Wilson).  Their was some miscommunication and the agenda was sent out before the representatives opposing the change had a chance to confirm.  After the agenda was sent out, we learned that they could not support the debate. 

You are still encouraged to attend, ask questions and become informed.  The SDCC may be asked to take a vote on this issue in the future.

Thursday – May 17th
Time:  12 – 6 pm
Place:  Sandpiper Recreation Center at Fort Story

There will be free prizes, giveaways, snacks, face painting and lots more fun for the entire family.  A drawing will be held every hour. 

For more information, call 422-7472 or [encode=rmmaphis@cox.net]email[/encode].

Thanks!
Rog Maphis

The City Council is poised to shave a dime off the real estate tax rate – to 89 cents per $100 of assessed value – giving Virginia Beach the lowest rate in South Hampton Roads.

Read entire article at Pilotonline.com.