Category Archives: Current Concerns

“But a push to fund improvements that will benefit residents who bike, run, and walk could make Shore Drive more popular and safer.”

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View article at Pilotonline.com.

5ad0f2c1a0e8d.image

Photo Credit: Stephen M. Katz | The Virginian-Pilot

In 2007, Virginia Beach leaders divided the Shore Drive project into four phases. The first, between Treasure Island and Marlin Bay drives, was completed in 2008.

The newest phase the city wants to fund is still a ways off from construction – it’s scheduled to start in 2023.

Hopefully, it can be done sooner, said Vice Mayor Louis Jones, who represents that part of the city.

The City Council will hold a workshop to discuss short term rentals on April 17, 2018.

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Online Home Sharing Economy page at VBGov.com has been updated.

City Council held a discussion on short term rentals at their informal meeting on April 3. At this meeting, Vice Mayor Louis Jones distributed a draft ordinance he had prepared. The draft Ordinance . . .

“There are hereby established the following overlay districts: (1) Shore Drive Corridor Overlay District (“SD”)…”

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View entire proposed Resolution. (19page PDF)

City Council Informal Session discussion April 3 ’18.

SDCC General Meeting Monday March 26th at 7:30pm – Special Storm Water and Shore Drive Improvements Presentation

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda 3.26.18 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday March 26, 2018 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Special Presentation – Storm Water and Shore Drive Roadway Improvements East of Lesner Bridge – Mr. Brad Vanderwarker and Mr. Mike Mundy, Public Works Engineers for the City of Virginia Beach, will discuss the City’s upcoming projects starting this Summer to help storm water/flooding issues between the Lesner Bridge and the State Park. They will also discuss the safety and beautification projects along Shore Drive that will start in August 2019. Brad and Mike will have project displays, handouts and will answer questions after their presentation.

Officer’s Reports: Secretary – Andrew Broyles; Treasurer’s Report –Tim Solanic; Vice President – Wally Damon;
President – Todd Solomon

Bayfront Advisory Commission (BAC) News – Mr. Wally Damon will update us on the actions of the Bayfront Advisory Commission.

Old Business-

Addition of “Your Speed Is” Traffic Signs on Shore Drive – We are still waiting to receive City report. Mr. Robert Gey, City Engineer, will be sharing the results of their study performed at the end of 2017. SDCC will share this data and collect comments and questions at our March meeting to present to the City for response.

Short Term Rentals (STR) – City Council approved a 60 day deferral for the final vote on any STR policy at their March 20th meeting. Additional comments can be emailed directly to City Council at ctycncl@vbgov.com One Councilmember has also set up an online survey. Ms. Jessica Abbott’s survey can be found at https://form.jotform.com/jessicapabbott/short-term-rentals-survey

Shore Drive Road Improvements in Ocean Park – Update on Phase 4 – CIP 2.118. The City Manager has included a full funding request for this CIP in the proposed FY19 City Budget. In an effort to show support for this item and official SDCC vote will be taken at our March or April meeting. Please prepare accordingly.

New Business –

Recurrent Flooding and Comprehensive Sea Level Rise – Update on Deputy Manager Tom Leahy’s presentation to the Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organization and City’s plans for what happens next.

Community Concerns– Please share any issues or concerns your groups/organizations may have at this time.

***Next SDCC Meeting – Monday April 30, 2018***
Remember meetings are the LAST Monday of each month and April has 5

City of Virginia Beach to Hold Public Meeting About Flood Risks and Resiliency at Central Library – Sat. March 24th

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The City of Virginia Beach, Public Works Engineering, and the Old Dominion University Resilience Collaborative will be sponsoring a film and interactive community event concerning flooding and ways to respond at the Virginia Beach Central Library on Saturday, March 24, 2018, starting at 1:30 p.m. At 2 pm, there will be a presentation of the film, “Tidewater: Water is Rising, Land is Sinking, and the Military is Here to Stay,” which was produced by Roger Sorkin and the American Resilience Project.

For more information on this event, please click the here

Wharf Permit Modification update including letter to DEQ & ACOE

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Reposted from OPCL.org.

Wharf Permit Modification Letter 3-5-18 (3 page PDF)

Thanks to Mr. Roehrs for also providing the recent email discussion below:

From: “Phillip J. Roehrs”
To: Myles Pocta
Cc:
Bcc:
Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2018 14:31:52 +0000
Subject: RE: [Non-DoD Source] Lesner Bridge Replacement Project, Virginia Beach, Va NAO 2007-3405; VWP 12-1169
Please include Dan Adams. Thanks.

Phill Roehrs, P.E.
Water Resources Engineer
City of Virginia Beach
Public Works Engineering
757-385-8985

—–Original Message—–
From: Myles Pocta [mailto:mpocta@mapenvironmental.com]
Sent: Monday, March 12, 2018 10:31 AM
To: Phillip J. Roehrs ; Chris J. Wojtowicz
Cc: Danny B. Taylor ; David A. Bradshaw
Subject: RE: [Non-DoD Source] Lesner Bridge Replacement Project, Virginia Beach, Va NAO 2007-3405; VWP 12-1169

Phil,

Roger; will do and look to shore up for mid-to-late AM on 3/30 (Friday).
Also, be I’ll be checking with Clark-Nexsen on their availability to host mtg.

Lastly, Is there anyone else at the City you’d like to invite ?
After hearing from you and CN, I’ll send out email invite.

Thanks,

Myles A. Pocta, CEP. REM
President

MAP Environmental Inc.
116 Landmark Square, Suite 101
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452
(757) 498-6131 phone
(757) 498-6132 fax
(757) 615-4929 cell
http://www.mapenvironmental.com

—–Original Message—–
From: Phillip J. Roehrs [mailto:PRoehrs@vbgov.com]
Sent: Monday, March 12, 2018 9:47 AM
To: Myles Pocta ; Chris J. Wojtowicz
Subject: RE: [Non-DoD Source] Lesner Bridge Replacement Project, Virginia Beach, Va NAO 2007-3405; VWP 12-1169

I can do the 30th. Sorry for the delay, I was off Wed-Fri, and forgot to post a notification.

Phill Roehrs, P.E.
Water Resources Engineer
City of Virginia Beach
Public Works Engineering
757-385-8985

—–Original Message—–
From: Myles Pocta [mailto:mpocta@mapenvironmental.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 8, 2018 2:18 PM
To: Chris J. Wojtowicz ; Phillip J. Roehrs
Subject: RE: [Non-DoD Source] Lesner Bridge Replacement Project, Virginia Beach, Va NAO 2007-3405; VWP 12-1169

Thanks Chris. Phil, how does the 30th look for you ?

Myles A. Pocta, CEP. REM
President

MAP Environmental Inc.
116 Landmark Square, Suite 101
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452
(757) 498-6131 phone
(757) 498-6132 fax
(757) 615-4929 cell
http://www.mapenvironmental.com

—–Original Message—–
From: Chris J. Wojtowicz [mailto:CWojtowi@vbgov.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 8, 2018 11:26 AM
To: Myles Pocta ; Phillip J. Roehrs
Subject: RE: [Non-DoD Source] Lesner Bridge Replacement Project, Virginia Beach, Va NAO 2007-3405; VWP 12-1169

Myles,

March 30th is Good Friday and I will be taking both the 29th and the 30th off.

-Chris

—–Original Message—–
From: Myles Pocta [mailto:mpocta@mapenvironmental.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 8, 2018 10:23 AM
To: Phillip J. Roehrs ; Chris J. Wojtowicz
Subject: RE: [Non-DoD Source] Lesner Bridge Replacement Project, Virginia Beach, Va NAO 2007-3405; VWP 12-1169

Good morning Phil,

After Tuesday’s email, Scharlene Floyd (COE) called to briefly talk about the extension/modification.
She thinks a meeting (w/her and Sheri, DEQ) has merit and suggested later this month at Clark Nexsen.

We think its wise to meet and include the following attendees: you, Chris W, Dave, Danny, COE (Scharlene & Greg Steele (?)) and the DEQ.
In terms of venue/date, we suggest mtg. at Clark Nexsen the last week of March (both the COE and DEQ are open Friday, March 30).

Are you amenable & does March 30th work or do we need another date for you ?

Please advise if you want me to canvass others and/or send an email invite ?

Thanks,

Myles A. Pocta, CEP. REM
President

MAP Environmental Inc.
116 Landmark Square, Suite 101
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452
(757) 498-6131 phone
(757) 498-6132 fax
(757) 615-4929 cell
http://www.mapenvironmental.com

—–Original Message—–
From: Floyd, Scharlene A CIV USARMY CENAO (US) [mailto:Scharlene.A.Floyd@usace.army.mil]
Sent: Tuesday, March 6, 2018 10:45 AM
To: Myles Pocta
Subject: RE: [Non-DoD Source] Lesner Bridge Replacement Project, Virginia Beach, Va NAO 2007-3405; VWP 12-1169

After our phone discussion, would it not make sense to have a meeting to discuss this proposal after our discussion about Elbow Road? Thanks, S

—–Original Message—–
From: Myles Pocta [mailto:mpocta@mapenvironmental.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 6, 2018 9:19 AM
To: Floyd, Scharlene A CIV USARMY CENAO (US) ; Kattan, Sheri (DEQ) ; Worrell, Justin (MRC)
Cc: Chris J. Wojtowicz ; Phillip J. Roehrs ; David A. Bradshaw ; Danny B.
Taylor ; Kelly Waldrop ; Mack Frost ; Hal Pitts ; Joe Wallenfelsz
Subject: [Non-DoD Source] Lesner Bridge Replacement Project, Virginia Beach, Va NAO 2007-3405; VWP 12-1169

Good morning Scharlene and Sheri,

As recently discussed, please see the attached letter requesting an extension and modification to the City’s existing permits.

Please review and advise if you require additional information or wish to meet and discuss.

We appreciate your review and look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

Myles A. Pocta, CEP. REM

President

MAP Environmental Inc.

116 Landmark Square, Suite 101

Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452

(757) 498-6131 phone

(757) 498-6132 fax

(757) 615-4929 cell

http://www.mapenvironmental.com

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: “Chris J. Wojtowicz”
To: Daniel Adams
Cc: “Phillip J. Roehrs”
Bcc:
Date: Tue, 9 Jan 2018 18:43:31 +0000
Subject: RE: Council Briefings
Dan,

The cost was $1,138,799.24 to construct and was designed by Clark-Nexsen (A&E)

There is also a line item to remove this wharf in the amount of $32,142.47

There is about 753,000 lbs. of salvageable sheet pile in the temporary wharf. At $0.20/lb of scrap value that would equate to $150,600.

So, we expect a change order to be approximately ($150,600-$32,142) $118,000.

Thanks,
-Chris

From: Daniel Adams
Sent: Tuesday, January 9, 2018 9:31 AM
To: Chris J. Wojtowicz
Cc: Phillip J. Roehrs
Subject: FW: Council Briefings
Importance: High

Chris,

Need some cost information and history on the wharf.

What was the cost to construct?

What is the estimated cost for it to remain? (assume we are due a credit for removal labor and disposal cost minus any salvage value)

Was the facility designed by the project A/E or did the contractor design it based on their operational needs and equipment?

That is all.

Thanks,

Dan

From: Tom Leahy
Sent: Monday, January 8, 2018 5:54 PM
To: Mark A. Johnson
Cc: Tonia P. Alger ; Greg Johnson ; Shanda H. Davenport ; Charles Bodnar ; Bradley W Vanderwarker ; Phillip J. Roehrs ; Daniel Adams ; Shandra L. Cummings
Subject: Council Briefings

Stormwater was scheduled to provide a briefing on Ashville on January 16. That has been cancelled pending the development of more details of the cost sharing with HomeFed. However, please start roughing a presentation out. We may have to do it on February 6.

In its place on January 16, Coastal will provide a briefing on the Lesner Municipal Wharf. Dave does want some cost information about how much this cost us to construct, and how much it will cost us to make it permanent.

The Central Beach District Briefing will have to occur on February 6 because that is the day that Dave is taking the ordinance to City Council. I will discuss with him February 20, but don’t count on that. I will help work on this presentation. We will need to address the issues raised the last time we tried this. My notes of the November 21, 2017 Council meeting are included below:

Thanks,
Tom

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: “Steele, Gregory C CIV USARMY CENAO (US)”
To: “Phillip J. Roehrs”
Cc:
Bcc:
Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2018 14:44:20 +0000
Subject: RE: Lesner Municipal Wharf
Thanks, Phill!

Gregory C. Steele, P.E., WRCP
Chief, Water Resources Division
Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
803 Front Street
Norfolk, VA 23510

(757) 201-7764 office
(757) 805-4259 cell

Gregory.C.Steele@usace.army.mil

—–Original Message—–
From: Phillip J. Roehrs [mailto:PRoehrs@vbgov.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2018 9:21 AM
To: Steele, Gregory C CIV USARMY CENAO (US)
Subject: [Non-DoD Source] Lesner Municipal Wharf

Greg,

Thanks for meeting with me Friday. Here’s the letter regarding the wharf, just sent this morning.

Phill Roehrs, P.E.

Water Resources Engineer

City of Virginia Beach

Public Works Engineering

757-385-8985

Have questions about work on Shore Drive & storm water on east side of Lesner ? Join us March 26th!

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Thanks to Mr. Vanderwarker for answering a few questions from our meeting last week:

Gentlemen,
Here are a few follow-up answers for questions you had on Friday.

· SAND DUNES and SHORE DR. FLOODING FALL 2016
Mr. Damon, your observations are correct. Cape Henry Beach historically had a wider taller dune field and was a “stable” to “accretional” beach for many years. Historically the toe of dune and shoreline position have been slowly advancing bayward over time.

CIP 8-020 Bay Beaches Resiliency was established in the FY 18 CIP to study and address erosion along Cape Henry and Ocean Park beaches. We are in the early study phase. This projects initiates the preliminary planning, design, and permitting framework necessary for instituting a beach management program for Cape Henry and Ocean Park beaches. The project will determine the required beach profile to provide protection to upland structures, apply for State and Federal permits, and development of a funding strategy for a long-term erosion control and storm protection project.

Regarding the lag effect of groundwater that percolated and inundated some parts of Shore Drive in the Fall of ’16; for a storm of this magnitude, we believe there is little to no correlation between the dune erosion and rainfall flooding. Keep in mind that Tropical Storm Hermine and Tropical Storm Julia supersaturated the soils prior to Hurricane Matthew’s arrival just two weeks after Julia. We understand that neither Isabel nor Nor’Ida (Nor’ida having the largest tidal inundation we’ve seen) were as bad as Matthew for this condition. Citizens have also reported the upward movement of groundwater even over at Cape Story By the Sea at the lower elevation properties (3.5 to 4), as there are adjacent higher properties near 10.0. See attached.

If you have any further questions, please direct them to Mr. Dan Adams, Office 757-385-4783 or DAdams@vbgov.com.

· SHORE DRIVE CITY WEBSITE
Yesterday I provided the Project Manager’s name, Mr. Bill Purcell, (757) 385-4887, WPurcell@vbgov.com if you wish to publish just the plan sheets to the website.

· SHORE DRIVE PH III DRAINAGE NEAR THE ROW LINES
For our meeting with the SDCC March 26th, I will bring you a few Shore Dr. PH III plan sheets and cross sections to show how the project handled drainage near the roadway toe of fill areas, and how either supplemental drainage structures were provided or small ditch systems. (Emphasis ours.)

· NEW DITCH TECHNOLOGIES – NEW PRODUCTS TO ENCOURAGE GREEN BUT BE MAINTENANCE FRIENDLY
Ditches will always need maintenance, as sedimentation is a foregone conclusion… But to fulfill both objectives above is very tough… a concrete lined channel may (not always) be easier to maintain for cleaning, but they are not green. If they break up or deteriorate though, a stream restoration project is usually needed to mitigate.

While natural ditches are green, and can grow vegetation, but in this coastal environment they can try to turn into a wetland area.

While some proprietary products are “hybrid” ditches that allow growth “through” concrete blocks and have a protective lining, sediment still has to be removed. During maintenance operations, the danger is that some of the excavator’s bucket “teeth” can grab the material, thus pulling it up, which can be a nightmare since the mats are overlapped (shingled).

PW OPERATIONS did not have new technology solutions that would fit your request.

· ACCEL/DECEL LANE NEAR WESTMINSTER CANTERBURY
There is a proposed dedicated 150’ right turn storage lane with a 150’ taper transition into the Westminster Canterbury site…beyond that entrance, there is continuous accel/decel lane all the way down to Kleen St.

Best Regards,

Brad

Bradley W. Vanderwarker, P.E.
Project Manager

City of Virginia Beach
PW/Stormwater Eng. Center
2405 Courthouse Drive, Suite 353
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
(757) 385-4131 (main)
(757) 385-8556 (direct)
bvanderwarker@vbgov.com

City Council will be deferring vote on STR scheduled for March 20th

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There is still a lot of details that need worked out to create appropriate regulations that are fair & enforceable.

You can watch live City Council videos by starting here.

No doubt you will hear more news about this soon.

Coastal CIP Presentation to City Council – March 6, 2018 if you missed it

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Some slides pulled from presentation:


View entire Coastal CIP FY 2018-2024 presentation. ( 32 Page PDF)

SHORE DRIVE CORRIDOR: PAST, PRESENT, & FUTURE presentation to City Council scheduled for MARCH 13, 2018

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View entire 39 page slideshow. (PDF)

You can watch it live at this link on Tuesday March 13th at 4pm.

“Residents disagree on how to handle vacation rentals in Virginia Beach”

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View article and comments at Pilotonline.com.

The Planning Commission recommended an ordinance to allow short-term rentals and home-sharing anywhere in the city if the owners register and pay occupancy taxes to the Commissioner of Revenue.

Additional requirements for short-term rentals include limiting the number of contracts to two per week, submitting a parking plan to the city to show one space for each bedroom and a cap on the number of guests allowed.

“While residents have raised concerns over traffic, noise and “bad behavior” tied to the rentals, the crowd was split on whether or not to implement rules to be enforced by the city.”

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Coverage at WAVY.com about Short Term Rental public hearing at City Council last night.

The city council did not take any action.

A vote is scheduled for later this month, however a bill making its way through the General Assembly is aimed at rolling back regulations to give renters more freedom. House Bill 824, if approved, would supersede any local ordinances. On Tuesday, the House rejected the bill and the Senate requested the bill go back to a committee.

City Council is currently scheduled to vote at their March 20th meeting.

Lesner Municipal Wharf audio presentation including Q&A

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Start here to visit audio link at Google Drive.

Thanks to Mr. Phill Roehrs, P.E. Water Resources Engineer for the City of Virginia Beach Public Works Engineering, for coming out at our February 26th meeting to present and answer questions about the Lesner Municipal Wharf.

Here’s an old photo.

Thanks to the City Manager for requesting City Council Fund 100% of Phase 4 in FY2019-2024 Budget.

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Big thanks also goes out to everyone who helped lobby for this!

No need to TAKE ACTION Tuesday evening.

If you were planning to attend City Council Open Mic night tomorrow night you can change your plans.

Phase 4, when completed, will bring Shore Drive up to date with sidewalks, bike lanes, etc.

Please be sure to thank City Manager Hansen, the Mayor, Vice Mayor and City Council for doing this!

You are invited to attend meeting where a Peer Recovery Specialist from the City’s new ‘Opioid Warm Line’ will make a presentation and have a Q&A.

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MONDAY MARCH 12 at 730PM at the VB Resort Hotel 2800 Shore Drive.

A Peer Recovery Specialist from the City’s new ‘Opioid Warm Line’ has offered to present information on opioid abuse treatment and its related revive-training opportunity at our CSBT Civic League meeting next Monday night.

Opiate use and accidental overdoses are becoming more and more prevalent in today’s society. Our presenter will share information on what the City is working on, and what we as citizens can to to assist during these crises.

Although this e-mail is sent to the Civic Association members, ALL residents are welcome and encouraged to attend this meeting to find out more about this latest epidemic. Please share this information with your neighbors, friends and others especially, those who have children or know (or are) young adults.

The CSBTS Civic League meeting starts at 7:30pm, on Monday, March 12, at the Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center, across from Cape Henry Shopping Center. The special presentation will start at 7:30pm; those who are there only for this are free to leave afterwards, before we begin the official meeting.

Thank you,
Diana/the CSBTS Civic Association Officers

City Council workshop includes significant STR discussion

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From Tuesday February 27th.

Discussion includes:

    Special event permits,

    Home Sharing by right,

    a Bill moving through Virginia General Assembly that would ban use of Conditional Use Permit(CPU) process for Short Term Rentals,

    overlay districts if a community wanted them,

    noise concerns,

    enforcement,

    grand fathering,

    parking,

    and more.

“Misinformation does not help anybody trying to get anything accomplished.”
~ Mayor Sessoms

Next City Council Workshop/Informal Session discussing this Monday March 6th.
City Council Public Hearing currently planned for March 6th.
City Council vote currently planned for March 20th.