Learn more at VBGov.com about YOUR role in shaping the Comprehensive Plan.
Download Comp Plan slide show. (PowerPoint is 7.9MB)
Contact info for Mr Mark Shea Comprehensive Planning Coordinator (757) 385-2908 or meshea@vbgov.com.
Category Archives: Current Concerns
Open House Public Meeting to be held by the Virginia Beach Public Works Department for the Lake Bradford/Chubb Lake CIP (CIP 7-053).
The meeting will be held on Thursday, November 14th from 6:00-7:30pm at the Bayside Recreation Center at 4500 First Court Road.
Official Lake Bradford & Lake Chubb Stormwater page at VBGov.com.
Lake Bradford & Lake Chubb Stormwater
Project Manager contact info:
Matthew Richardson, P.E.
Project Manager
Department of Public Works
Stormwater Engineering Center
City of Virginia Beach
mrichardson@vbgov.com
Phone: (757) 385-8005
Thanks to Mr Richardson for the email of Open House & CIP details!
SDCC General Meeting – Mon Sept 30th at 7:30pm – Special Presentation on City’s Comprehensive Plan
Click here for a printable version of the agenda – 9.30.19 SDCC Agenda
SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday September 30, 2019 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall – 3769 East Stratford Rd
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)
Special Presentation –
City to Begin Comprehensive Plan Update
The City has to update its Comprehensive Plan every 5 years and will be seeking public input. Mr. Mark Shea, City of VB Comprehensive Planning Coordinator, will provide background on the Comp Plan, the update process and how the residents can have input into its modifications. He will have a Q&A after the presentation. SDCC meetings are open to the all, so bring a friend, we have cookies.
Officer’s Reports:
Secretary – Kathleen Damon
Treasurer’s Report –Tim Solanic
Vice President – Empsy Munden
President – Todd Solomon
Old Business-
Route 35 Bayfront to Oceanfront Shuttle – Service for this year stops Sunday Sept 29th at Midnight. We will try to share ridership numbers for the months of May through August to compare with past years.
Hurricane Dorian Impacts – What type of impact did your residents see? How did the Cape Henry Beach sand replenishment hold up? Did Ocean Park Beach lose all of its protection? Was tidal flooding a concern?
Cape Henry Shore Entrance Safety Issue – The entrance/exit to CHS at intersection of Kendall and Shore Drive is being discussed in social media. There has been an increase in accidents and near misses and the residents are asking the City Traffic Engineers to once again look at fixes for this area.
New Business –
Ocean Park Beach Sand Replenishment – The City plans to replenish OP beach in 2020 and has submitted a proposed permit modification to the Army Corps of Engineers to allow the sand to be taken from the Chesapeake Beach Shoals Burrow Area. https://www.nao.usace.army.mil/Media/Public-Notices/Article/1954541/nao-2017-01269/
Tidal Sluice Gates Automatic Operation Broken – The tidal sluice gates installed east of the Lesner Bridge have had their automatic operation temporarily disabled. The components haven’t been working correctly so they have been removed/disabled until a fix is found. Unfortunately this means the gates will have to be operated manually by Public Works during storm events. Call 385-1470 during a storm event.
New Online Weather App – A new online weather app has been found very helpful during storm events. The app can be found at www.Windy.com and has also been linked on the www.SDCC.info/safety page. It provides rainfall predictions, wind speeds and directions, tidal information and other interesting details.
Electric Scooters – At their Sept meeting, the Bayfront Advisory Commission (BAC) took an official position to prohibit the operation of eScooters in the Bayfront area at this time. SDCC should discuss this and take a similar position in support of the BAC decision. Be prepared to discuss and vote.
Community Concerns– Please share any issues or concerns your groups/organizations may have at this time.
***Next SDCC Meeting – Monday October 28, 2019***
American Geophysical Union (AGU) Releases “Surging Waters” Study With Focus on Virginia Beach
According to a recent article in the Virginian-Pilot,
“Yet again Hampton Roads is being singled out by a national group as an example of the perils of rising seas. This time, it’s in a report from the American Geophysical Union that urges investment in science to find solutions to flooding caused by climate change.”
The entire article can be found here https://www.pilotonline.com/news/environment/vp-nw-agu-flooding-report-20190924-xp2wqsahtzgwrej5drc2d5pls4-story.html
You can also read the AGU’s report by clicking this link. The section that discusses Virginia Beach starts on page 36. Click here to go straight to the report https://scienceisessential.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2019/09/Surging_Waters_credits_pages_web.pdf
KING TIDE October 27, 2019 Get Out and Track It
Learn more at KingTide.WHRO.org:
Volunteer Opportunities
Ready to help? Sign up to be a (Volunteer) King Tide Mapper, King Tide Captain, or Tide Watcher.
And:
Hundreds more of you mapped again in 2018 along with lots of other first-time volunteers and many students from science classrooms throughout Hampton Roads.
Now, in year 3, we’re gearing up for even-bigger things. We’d like to beat our 2017 record and build momentum toward 1,000 volunteers in 2020. We also welcome you to join one of our newly forming year-round mapping teams.
“Looking like the storm surge and Friday afternoon’s high tide (4 pm here in Norfolk) will coincide – unfortunately.”
Periodically we share updates from some really hard workers.
From an email by Skip Stiles of Wetlands Watch:
Looking like the storm surge and Friday afternoon’s high tide (4 pm here in Norfolk) will coincide – unfortunately. Wind from the NE starts cranking at noon Friday around 30 MPH. 1.5″ of rain on Thurs will be followed by another ~4.5 inches on Friday. Unfortunate coincidence of events.
Newest word from Jeff Orrock at NWS Wakefield is that the tidal waters are likely to hit 6.5 – 7 feet. That’s somewhere between Matthew (6 feet above Mean Lowe Low water) and Irene at 7.6 feet. Plan on 7 feet and hope for less? But the rain will be an issue on all those poorly draining streets and those places where stormwater lines bring water back up into the neighborhood.
Closings are already happening – ODU just announced a Friday closure.
ON THURSDAY – put your cars up somewhere higher if your street floods. Looks like we’ll get a pass on the wind – 30 MPH.
ON FRIDAY – stay home
…except you, Jeff. Thanks for the long hoursSo – Friday afternoon flooding will be bad = tidal flooding up to 7′ (getting close to Irene), rain flooding will be bad everywhere. Wind will not be that strong but downed trees limbs will be a reality. Kids will probably get the day off Friday, so stay home if you can.
Skip
(yes, I know it says 6.2 feet on this chart but if you’re smart you’ll plan for higher because it will probably go closer to 7′)
SDCC General Meeting – Monday Aug. 26th at 7:30pm
Click here to print the agenda – 8.26.19 SDCC Agenda
SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday August 26, 2019 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall – 3769 East Stratford Rd
(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 – Empsy Munden
President – Todd Solomon
Old Business-
Dredging of Lynnhaven Inlet and Broad Bay Channel and Cape Henry Beach Replenishment – Update on project to be discussed. Lynnhaven Inlet and Beach Replenishment complete. Channel work continues.
Route 35 Bayfront to Oceanfront Shuttle – Starting Sept 6th, service switches to weekend only. Ridership numbers for July will be shared.
Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP) – An urban cost-share program that provides financial incentives (usually 75%) and technical and educational assistance to property owners. The program has hired a consultant to help improve service and handle increased demand. The new point of contact will be shared at the meeting.
Dewberry Report Sea Level Rise and Stormwater – Community forums have concluded but an online survey can still be filled out. See SDCC website for more information. Additional community input will be sought toward the end of this year and beginning of 2020.
New Business –
City seeks input for Active Transportation Plan – The city is asking citizens to take a survey and provide input regarding the new 2020 Bikeways and Trails Plan new 2020. This is a great chance for Bayfront residents to add our concerns to the plan.
City to Begin Comprehensive Plan Update – The City has to update its Comprehensive Plan every 5 years and will be seeking public input. We have asked Mr. Mark Shea, City of VB Comprehensive Planning Coordinator, to attend our September meeting to discuss.
Community Concerns– Please share any issues or concerns your groups/organizations may have at this time.
***Next SDCC Meeting – Monday September 30, 2019***
Update on Broad Bay Channel Dredging with Deposit on Maple St. Spoils Site
The following is an email update from the US Army Corps of Engineers Project Manager regarding the Broad Bay Channel Dredging.
It is my understanding that the material being dredged from Broad Bay Channel with placement in Maple St. is beach quality sand. Historical maintenance dredging from Broad Bay Channel has been beach quality sand and based on recent site visits I have no reason to believe otherwise. I was out at the site last week and the material looked great for use as emergency sand on the Bayfront. A couple of pictures are attached for reference of the sand that is being stockpiled there currently.
The water in the site may look cloudy which may cause confusion and create the appearance of a lack of beach quality sand. This is just attributed to the slurry mixture of material that is created during the dredging operations. The sandy material settles out of the slurry leaving the quality sand in the site while the effluent water exits the site. We have been testing the effluent water while the Contractor has been working in Maple St. Tests have shown that the Contractor is within the effluent State water quality threshold requirements. The Contractor is currently letting the site dewater and will begin pumping into Maple St. again later this week as they continue dredging in Broad Bay Channel on the west side of the Bay Island/Great Neck Bridges.
Please let me know if you have further questions.
Regards,
Chris
Christopher B. Tolson
Design Section, Operations Branch
Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Office: (757) 201-7012
City of Virginia Beach Asks for Citizen Input on eScooters – Take City Survey
E-scooters are a new shared mobility service in Virginia Beach that offer an additional transportation option for residents and guests. Data from your survey participation will add to the community’s voice in establishing policy that properly aligns the business of e-scooters with Virginia Beach’s expectations.
This survey will be open through Tuesday, 9/3/19.
Click here to take the City’s survey on eScooters – https://publicinput.com/E-Scooters
City Council Votes to Ban eScooters at Oceanfront
City Council voted this Tuesday to ban the use of eScooters (Lime, Bird, etc.) east of Artic Ave. For more details you can read about it in this Virginian-Pilot article
City Seeks Citizen Input on Active Transporation Plan
The City is asking citizens to participate in an online survey by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department on its 2020 “Active Transportation Plan.” The plan will focus on promoting safety and accessibility of walking and bicycling in Virginia Beach. The survey invites residents to provide feedback on their bicycling and walking habits, and it also includes an interactive map that will help determine where the greatest needs exists for a pedestrian and bicycle network throughout the city. To access the survey, click here https://tooledesign.github.io/5538.02_VAB_participation_map/
Public Information Meeting for Dredging Lynnhaven Drive Canal – Tuesday Aug. 20th from 5pm – 7pm at First Landing Fire Station
The following letter was sent to residents near Cape Henry and Lynnhaven Drive. If you live in this area or frequently travel these roads you may want to attend this meeting to see how the project may result in road closures.
The official letter can be found by clicking here Lynnhaven Drive Canal Drainage Imp._W_Attach (CIP-7-055.001)_2019-07-24.docx2
Subject: Lynnhaven Drive Canal Drainage Improvements (CIP-7-055.001)
Dear Property Owner:
This letter is to inform you the City of Virginia Beach Department of Public Works Operations will be performing dredging operations of Lynnhaven Drive Canal within the Lynnhaven Colony neighborhood area between October 30, 2019, and December 31, 2019, as part of the referenced project. The approximate limits between West Great Neck Road and Cape Arbor Drive bounded from the north Cape Henry Drive and 1,100 feet south to Lynnhaven Drive. The primary goal of the project is to proceed with the interim flood control drainage improvements for the Lynnhaven Drive Canal before the permanent flood control drainage improvements for the Lynnhaven Colony Neighborhood.
The City of Virginia Beach Public Works Operations, Public Works Engineering with Waterway, Surveys, and Engineering, Inc. will hold a public meeting to discuss the project including but not limited to project limits, daily hours of operations during the dredging operations, traffic control concerns, erosion and sediment control concerns, and other associated concerns with the proposed project.
The project team includes employees of the City of Virginia Beach Public Works Operations, Public Works Engineering, Waterway, Surveys, and Engineering, Inc., and Carolina Marine Structures. Members of the project team will be in your neighborhood performing the referenced work.
The dredging work will mainly be located within the City Drainage Easement, and City Right-of-Way but will include traffic control on Lynnhaven Drive for trucks entering the roadway during the construction hours of 9:00 am until 4:00 pm Monday through Saturday.
The place and time for the public meeting are August 20, 2019, at the City of Virginia Beach First Landing Fire and Rescue Station Number One located at 2837 Shore Drive Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm.
We are committed to conducting the dredging activities in the least disruptive way as possible. If you have any questions or concerns about the actions of the field personnel or other project issues, please contact Mr. Frank Janes directly at fjanes@vbgov.cokm or 385-4834 or Mr. Mark Jones at MAARJone@vbgov.com or 385-1470.
Sincerely,
Francis X. Janes, Jr.
Public Works Operations
Dredging of Inlet and Replenishment of Cape Henry Beach Complete. Dredging of Broad Bay Channel Started
The following is taken from an email update provided by the project coordinator….
It does not look like the Contractor will make it to Oak Street given the remaining volume they have in the turning basin in the re-dredge areas. Will have a better idea of things when I receive their daily report from today’s operations. They are quickly finishing up these areas and following the Government’s acceptance of the dredging work (may take about a week plus a couple of days max), will remove pipeline from Cape Henry Beach and be complete with this placement area.
Long Creek dredging will not be a part of this contract. We have a few dredging areas within Broad Bay Channel. The material from these dredging areas will be going to our upland placement site at Maple St. The site has been prepped to receive material and dredge pipeline is in place to being dredging in Broad Bay Channel. These operations will begin soon following the Contractor’s completion of dredging in the Basin. This will be 24/7 operations with specifications that the contractor, to the maximum extent practicable, limit or try to reduce noise from 7PM – 7AM.
There will be a dredge pipeline in Long Creek to transport dredged material from the Broad Bay Channel dredging areas, but this will be the only thing operational in Long Creek.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Regards,
Chris
Christopher B. Tolson
Design Section, Operations Branch
Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Office: (757) 201-7012
Milling and Paving Started – Shore Drive Between Greenwell Rd and Lesner Bridge
Virginia Beach Public Works has announced that crews began roadway improvements on Shore Drive beginning Sunday, August 11, 2019.
The project will include milling, paving and pavement marking improvements which will begin on Shore Drive, both eastbound and westbound lanes, from Greenwell Road to the Lesner Bridge
Crews will be working beginning at 7 p.m. and will end at 5 a.m. each day.
The project is expected to be completed by Friday, September 20, 2019.
The milling and paving operation is likely to produce traffic delays, congestion and some construction noise. Advanced warning signs will be clearly posted advising motorists of lane closures. Citizens are urged to use alternate traffic routes when possible.
All scheduled work is weather permitting.
Virginia Paving is the contractor for the project. For additional information, please contact Lonnie Minson with Virginia Paving at (757) 675-8714, or Dennis Simon at (757) 385-1470.
To read the official City news release, click here Shore Drive – Greenwell to Lesner – August 2019
Fox Attacks Jogger Along Cape Henry Trail in Cape Story
Wedndesday Aug 14th at 5:20am a fox attacked a jogger along the Cape Henry bike trail. It appears the fox was later run over and killed by a car as it darted across one of the streets in Cape Story. The following comments were copied from a post in Nextdoor.com. The entire conversation can be found here https://nextdoor.com/news_feed/?post=120700051
I was jogging down the Shore Drive landside path this morning around 5:50am and a fox jumped me. I was somewhere around Oak or Maple heading toward Great Neck Road. I had to kick him 6-8 times, HARD, before he would stop coming after me. I did get bit and went to Beach General for shots, etc. Stay alert when on the path and be ready for anything when you see wildlife. Yep, that’s what the fox says…
I was leaving for work at 7:20 am this morning heading north on Wake Forest St just past Poinciana when a Fox ran straight towards my vehicle and under the front end. Sadly it died from the impact. Maybe the same one?
Have photos of Lime scooters parked, being used, anywhere ? Share them!
From a request:
If you have any photos of “good” and “bad” scooter riding or staging examples, please feel free to pass them along. I may use them in upcoming presentations. I have plenty from the Resort Area.
Thank you.
-BrianBrian S. Solis, AICP
Assistant to the City Manager – Special Projects
2101 Parks Avenue, Suite 500, Virginia Beach, VA, USA 23451
bsolis@vbgov.com | 757-385-2907
Please cc: tim@sdcc.info or todd@sdcc.info also so we can share them as well.
Photos only. No videos please.
Monday July 29th @7:30pm SDCC Presentation – Lime Scooters at the Bayfront – 2nd/3rd Precinct Police Captains Will Discuss
Lime Scooters have made there way on to the Shore Drive landscape. Social media has blown up with comments praising and condemning them. The Virginian-Pilot recently discussed the resulting impact of scooters with an increase in hospital injury visits https://pilotonline.com/news/local/article_747ba370-ad59-11e9-b1d1-4b34e57df79f.html
Police Precinct Captains Wichtendahl-2nd and Hatfield-3rd have graciously offered to attend our Monday July 29th SDCC meeting to talk to us about our concerns. They will also provide the current City requirements governing electric scooters in the Bayfront area. They will also update us on any City plans regarding the their future.
So if you have questions about rules of operation, parking requirements, who to call with problems, what can and can’t be done to regulate them, what can be done to make them safer for users and the community. Please come out Monday evening to discuss.
SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday July 29, 2019 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall – 3769 East Stratford Rd
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)
SDCC General Meeting – Monday July 29th at 7:30pm – Lime Scooter Presentation
Click here for a printable version of the agenda 7.29.19 SDCC Agenda
SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday July 29, 2019 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall – 3769 East Stratford Rd
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)
Special Presentation – Lime Scooters and Their Operation in the Bayfront Area
Police Precinct Captains Reo Hatfield-3rd and Shannon Wichtendahl-2nd will discuss the recent inundation of electric scooters along Shore Drive. Come find out What is and isn’t legal for their operation? Does the City plan to regulate their operation? Who can residents and business owners call with issues? Where can electric scooters be legally operated? These and other questions you may have will be addressed.
Officer’s Reports:
Secretary – Kathleen Damon
Treasurer’s Report –Tim Solanic
Vice President – Empsy Munden
President – Todd Solomon
Old Business-
Cape Henry Beach Replenishment – We have asked the USACE project manager for an update on project. Issues, Estimated Completion Date, etc.
4th of July Fireworks for Cape Henry Beach – The City never responded to the community request to take over the event, so as a result the show did not happen this year.
Shore Drive Improvements in Ocean Park – Updates and estimated completion date will be discussed.
New Business –
Route 35 Bayfront to Oceanfront Shuttle – Service will continue to operate until the end of September. HRT and the City have shared ridership numbers for May and June. We will discuss.
Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP) – An urban cost-share program that provides financial incentives (usually 75%) and technical and educational assistance to property owners. SDCC is working with local VCAP organizers to have a presentation at our August meeting.
Dewberry Report Sea Level Rise and Stormwater – Community forums have been rescheduled. The remaining four meeting are listed below and more information can be found on our website. * are closest for Bayfront residents.
Monday, July 29, 6-8 PM — Creeds Elementary School, 920 Princess Anne Rd
*Tuesday, July 30, 6-8 PM — Thalia Elementary School, 421 Thalia Drive
Wednesday, July 31, 6-8 PM — Kellam High School, 2665 West Neck Road
*Saturday, August 3, 10 AM – 12 PM — Cox High School, 2425 Shorehaven Drive
Community Concerns– Please share any issues or concerns your groups/organizations may have at this time.
***Next SDCC Meeting – Monday August 26, 2019***
New Sea Level Rise (SLR) Meetings Scheduled – Please Attend One To Make Your Voice Heard
City of Virginia Beach — Comprehensive Flooding Response Plan Meetings
Four Meetings, Each in a Different Area of the City
The City Wants Your Input
When it comes to Sea Level Rise…
What actions can we take as a community?
City Staff Members are teaming up with ODU to get your input at a series of community meetings!
What will you learn?
What is your flood risk?
What are the options for city wide response?
What can you do on your property that could help?
Hear about what the city is considering.
Give the City Your Opinion!
There will be interactive information plus children’s activities
and a drawing for a $50 and a $25 Amazon Gift Card
Meetings in red below are closest for Bayfront residents
Monday, July 29, 6-8 PM — Creeds Elementary School, 920 Princess Anne Rd
Tuesday, July 30, 6-8 PM — Thalia Elementary School, 421 Thalia Drive
Wednesday, July 31, 6-8 PM — Kellam High School, 2665 West Neck Road
Saturday, August 3, 10 AM – 12 PM — Cox High School, 2425 Shorehaven Drive
Can’t come in person? Participate online at http://shorturl.at/chKO8
Find out more about the flooding response plan at www.vbgov.com/pwslr
Email questions and comments to SLR-comments@vbgov.com
Cape Henry Beach Replenishment Q&A from USACE
Here is a brief update regarding questions that were asked by our residents at the last SDCC meeting and since then. The questions are followed by the answers received from the US Army Corps of Engineers project manager Chris Tolson.
Q1) Is the dredge slurry (water/sand) mixture discharge being monitored or sampled for hazardous materials? if so how is it sampled, in the pipe or in the bay? or if not sampled are you relying on the bay water testing to determine if the dredge material is causing any harm? I believe the concern stems from the discolored foam floating in the bay an on the beach near the discharge site.
A1) The maintenance dredged material and sediment for this project has been tested in the past and there is no concern for hazardous materials. This maintenance material is mainly sand with medium-large grain size. Hazardous metals and harmful organic compounds typically have a higher affinity for smaller grain size sediment (silt and fines). There is minimal fine material with this dredging project. The testing for this comes from the in-situ sediment prior to dredging, not the water or the slurry at the discharge.
We maintain the effluent water quality standards associated with this dredging as permitted by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and Virginia Marine Resources Commission where we ensure that effluent water returning is below the turbidity threshold. However, this water quality standard is not for beach placement, and only required and tested for the upland placement we have at Maple St. Upland Site into the connecting waters. The testing of the maintenance material that we’ve done should not cause any concern to contribute to a decrease in water quality.
Regarding the discolored foam near the discharge site, the dredge slurry is aerated as it passes through the pipeline and flocculates into the foam at the discharge point which should dissipate in the swash zone.
Q2) Will orange sand fence be used as the perimeter of the 500 ft safety area? initial safety area just used sand fence poles and one line of caution tape. some neighbors were concerned that unleashed dogs may be able to run under the tape and be run over. Also thought a fence would deter people from ducking under to cut across work area.
A2) Orange fence will be established around the entire perimeter of the 500 foot working zone on the beach. This is a requirement in our specifications and if the contractor does not have this in place we will ensure they do, in addition to the beach watches. With that, we recommend that beach users take caution while in the vicinity of Cape Henry Beach. Children should be kept close and dogs should be kept under control and away from the working zone.
Q3) In areas were residential beach access use stairs at the dune line, will sand just be piled up over the bottom steps burying them in lieu of the steps being removed? residents were concerned that steps would be removed. And will sand be placed over pipe at private as well as public beach accesses?
A3) If necessary (within our placement prism), sand will be piled on top of existing stair structures rather than removal.
We have a requirement that the contractor construct sand ramps over the dredge pipe at a maximum distance of 500 feet between ramps. The contractor is not required to place a sand ramp over the pipeline at every private access point. Should the Osprey Villa beach access lie exactly in the middle of two sand ramps that are at the maximum distance from the other, there should only be 250 feet of distance between their beach access and a ramp. But we will measure and make sure the contractor is following this specification with the next inspection. If the contractor is found to be non-compliant we will work to get Osprey Villa a sand ramp of closer distance than what is currently established. I imagine there is one at Jade Street public access for the contractor which is about ~150 feet from Osprey Villa.
#WeLoveShoreDrive 