Category Archives: Current Concerns

City of VB hosting Transit Planning Workshop – Wed. March 22nd @ 6pm

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Transit Planning Community Workshop – Part II

​​​​​​Let’s get going!  ​​​​​​​​​​Join us Wednesday, March 22 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts to learn about and help plan our transportation future.
Residents are invited to help plan improvements to public transportation in Virginia Beach and throughout our region. This interactive session will review work to date, including feedback from more than 560 survey responses following the first public meeting (Jan-Feb 2017). We’ll look at potential new routes as well as issues involving frequency, schedules and more.

Click here for more details on this workshop

 

Governor McAuliffe Announces Updates to Virginia Flood Risk Information System

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View Press Release:

The new VFRIS was developed by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science’s Center for Coastal Resources Management in partnership with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, the agency responsible for the state floodplain management program.

“Flooding is the most common natural disaster our we experience in the Commonwealth, and our Hampton Roads and Eastern Shore communities are particularly at risk for severe damages caused by recurrent flooding.” said Governor McAuliffe. “It is my hope that VFRIS becomes a mainstay for homeowners, businesses, and communities going forward. March begins Flood Safety Awareness Month and I encourage all Virginians to access VFRIS to see how a flood might affect their home or business.”

View Virginia Flood Risk Information System (VFRIS) info:

Virginia Flood Risk Information System (VFRIS) is a collaboration between DCR and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science’s Center for Coastal Resources Management. VFRIS helps communities, real estate agents, property buyers and property owners discern an area’s flood risk.

Launch VFRIS here.

Click screen shot to Launch VFRIS

Click screen shot to Launch VFRIS

There’s a short Survey at VBGov.com that could help get Shore Drive upgraded in Ocean Park.

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Question #9 please choose Shore Drive !

Question #9 please choose Shore Drive !

Help Ocean Park!

Question 9. Please rank the following roadway projects 1-8 in order of priority, with 1 being the highest priority and 8 being lowest. (Project | Unfunded Amount)
Please choose “Shore Drive Corridor Improvements Phase IV as #1 or slide it to top.

Extra bonus points.

Question 8. What else should we consider as we plan the future of public transit in Virginia Beach and the region?
Answer Question #8 by Write in: We want Shore Drive/Oceanfront Trolley Loop

Even more love for Ocean Park & Shore Drive.

Question 10. If you have any additional comments or questions, please write them here:
Write in: PLEASE FINISH SHORE DRIVE PHASE IV NOW

Click to start short survey.

Storm Water Improvement Plan Presentation – Mon. Jan 30th at 7:30pm SDCC Meeting

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Are you concerned about flooding around your home? neighborhood? Shore Drive?

If so, then you won’t want to miss this presentation. The presentation is open to all, so bring your friends and neighbors.

SDCC General Meeting Presentation

Monday January 30, 2017 from 7:30 to 9:00pm

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall

(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

At this Monday’s Jan. 30th SDCC meeting, Mr. Mike Bumbaco, Project Manager with the City’s Public Works/Water Resources Department, will provide updates on the current storm water projects being worked in our area.  He will also discuss additional plans that are in the design phase and could benefit from public input.  The improvements could carry a price tag of $60+ million.  Some of the topics to be covered will include:

  • Sluice Gate installation in Cape Story and Lynnhaven Colony.  How they operate and project timeline.
  • Pump house upgrade at Poinciana in Cape Story
  • Storm water improvements for areas north of Shore Drive
  • Large collection pound for current treed area near Page Ave. and Shore Drive
  • What types of systems could be used along Shore Drive, large pipes and pump stations or gravity drains?

shore-drive-storm-water-improvements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SDCC General Meeting Agenda for Monday December 19th

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda – 12-19-16-sdcc-agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda

Monday December 19th from 7:30 to 9:00pm

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall

(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

 

 Special Presentation – No Presentation

Officer’s Reports  Secretary – David Williams; Treasurer’s Report – Kathy Pawlak; Vice President – Wally Damon; President – Todd Solomon

Old Business-

Community Rating System (CRS) – Update on the City’s progress in joining the HUD-FEMA CRS program that could save 5-20% on Flood Insurance premiums.

Proposed Marina Shores Condominium Development – Update on proposed development of 261 condos to take the place of boat dry storage and commercial building currently located on the site.

Proposed Commercial Development Near 7-11 near Shady Oaks and Shore Drive – Update on the proposed commercial development planned for the portion of land just west of the 7-11.

Shore Drive Storm Water Capital Improvement Project – Update on active CIPs 7.151.000-003 are active projects designed to improve storm water collection and removal in the neighborhoods east of the Lesner Bridge along Shore Drive.

New Business –

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

SDCC Vote on Proposed Shore Drive to Oceanfront Shuttle – Membership will vote on proposed trial bus service between Shore Drive and Oceanfront that will operate between May and September 2017.

SDCC Vote on Proposed Friends of Live Oaks (FOLO) Proposal – FOLO is requesting support to save the City’s largest Live Oak grove currently located on City owned property. 

Light Rail Funds to Support Storm Water Improvements – City Council is entertaining the idea of redirecting funds appropriated for Light Rail to help make $500 million worth of storm water improvements.  What do SDCC members think about this proposal?

Community Concerns and Suggestions for 2017 – General discussion of neighborhood and community concerns that may need SDCC attention.  This is an opportunity for all to share information. 

Next SDCC Meeting – Monday January 30, 2017

“Virginia Beach floats idea to use light rail money to pay for $464M in stormwater projects”

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At Pilotonline.com:

One idea presented by budget staff is to use $7.3 million of the $27.3 million light rail fund to jump-start paying for some of the drainage projects. In addition, 1.8 cents of the real estate tax rate that is going toward light rail could be redirected to pay for stormwater improvements.
That would require City Council approval.

Update on CRS

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What’s the CRS again?

Community Rating System (CRS) is to reward communities that are doing more than meeting the minimum NFIP requirements to help their citizens prevent or reduce flood losses. The CRS also provides an incentive for communities to initiate new flood protection activities.

Update from Whitney McNamara, City of Virginia Beach Planning and Community Development:

City Council was briefed on CRS earlier this year – in August. At that time, no formal decisions were made, it was more to make them aware that it is a program the City is exploring. At this time, we are still awaiting final approval of the Hazard Mitigation Plan from FEMA and adoption by City Council. Once it is officially adopted, the plan can be sent to FEMA’s CRS consultant to review for CRS Compliance (FEMA is currently reviewing and approving it as a Hazard Mitigation Plan, not a Floodplain Management Plan). A Floodplain Management Plan is a minimum requirement for participation due to the number of repetitively flooded structures in Virginia Beach. If it is approved as a Floodplain Management Plan, the CRS program will be taken back to Council for a final decision to join or not. If and when we get the official go ahead, it is an 18-24 month process before Virginia Beach will officially be in the program, so the earliest residents would begin to receive the discounts would most likely be in 2019.

So it looks like the earliest you could start seeing Flood Insurance Premium discounts is 2019 if the COVB participates in FEMA’s CRS.

Additional resources:

    500 Series: Flood Damage Reduction
    (Pay special attention to Activity 510)
    Hampton Roads Hazard Mitigation Plan
One slide from presentation

One slide from presentation

NFIP CRS City Council Presentation August 9th 2016 PDF (11pages)

More info at FEMA here:

    Hazard Mitigation Plan info

    Floodplain Management Plan info

More resources at SDCC.info/Hot.

SDCC General Meeting Agenda for Monday Nov. 28th at 7:30pm

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda – 11-28-16-sdcc-agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda

Monday November 28th from 7:30 to 9:00pm

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall

(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Special Presentation –  Update on Proposed Bus Shuttle between Shore Drive and the Oceanfront by Mr. Mark Shea, Transportation Planner for City of VB

Mr. Shea will provide an update on the proposed HRT bus shuttle between Shore Drive and the Oceanfront.  He will discuss cost estimates, stop locations, stop frequencies, dates of operation and next steps for this 2017 trial route.  Question and answers will follow the presentation.

Officer’s Reports  Secretary – David Williams; Treasurer’s Report -Kathy Pawlak; Vice President – Wally Damon; President – Todd Solomon

Old Business-

Online Home Sharing Economy Ad Hoc Committee – Update on committee work from Tim Solanic, committee member and Ocean Park resident.

Proposed Commercial Development Near 7-11 near Shady Oaks and Shore Drive – Update on the proposed commercial development planned for the portion of land just west of the 7-11.  The developer plans to fill in part of Lake Joyce and have the access to the property come through the neighborhood via Woodland Ave 

New Business –

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

Shore Drive Storm Water Capital Improvement Project – CIPs 7.151.000-003 are active projects designed to improve storm water collection and removal in the neighborhoods east of the Lesner Bridge along Shore Drive.  Tidal gates, pump stations, collection ponds are some of the methods being planned/worked.  We will discuss next steps for these projects.

Community Concerns – General discussion of neighborhood and community concerns that may need SDCC attention.  This is an opportunity for all to share information. 

 

Next SDCC Meeting – Monday December 19, 2016

Note this is a week early due to Christmas

Brock Environmental Center vandalized last night. Can you help?

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Info so far:

Good morning all. We don’t know the exact time frame, but the Brock Center was vandalized on the concrete pilings, doors, and wind turbine. It was found this morning, and it appears there is one girl in particular being bullied. A few names were mentioned and some numbers were used. If you have a child with any of these names and they are getting bullied or you have any information, please reach out to us. We are hoping to catch the kids that did this.

We also heard from a visitor that there were kids on the roof this weekend who appeared to be of middle school age.

The numbers written were 220276 and 220270.

The names written included:

Jacob Santorius (or Sartorius)
Jacum
Kyra (most frequently found with strong, vulgar language)
Katelyn

It appears that many of the places Kyra’s name was mentioned were scratched out with a different marker, so she may have been with or near them.

Please call the Brock Center with any information at 757-622-1964. Thank you.

SDCC General Meeting Monday Oct. 24th at 7:30pm. Special Presentation on Habitat for Humanity

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SDCC Meeting Oct. 24th one week early due to Halloween

Sorry for the short notice

Please click here for the printable version of the agenda – 10-24-16-sdcc-agenda

 

SDCC General Meeting Agenda

Monday October 24 from 7:30 to 9:00pm

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall

(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Special Presentation –  Joshua K. Dove IV, Director of ReStore Operations, Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads

Mr. Dove will tell us about Habitat for Humanity and will discuss ReStores, Volunteering and Team Build opportunities in our area.  He will also hold a question and answer session after the presentation.

Officer’s Reports  

Secretary – David Williams; Treasurer’s Report -Kathy Pawlak; Vice President – Wally Damon;President – Todd Solomon

Old Business-

Beach Event Houses – Update from the Beaches & Waterways Commission overseeing this evaluation.

Online Home Sharing Economy Ad Hoc Committee – Update on committee work from Tim Solanic, committee member and Ocean Park resident.

New Business –

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

Proposed Commercial Development Near 7-11 near Shady Oaks and Shore Drive – There is a proposed commercial development planned for the portion of land just west of the 7-11.  The developer plans to fill in part of Lake Joyce and have the access to the property come through the neighborhood via Woodland Ave.

Storm Water and Emergency Management Concerns – What problems did your neighborhood have during the Hurricane Matthew storm?  What improvements or actions would you like to see?  SDCC will be compiling a list to give to the City for consideration and action.

Citizen Engagement Opportunities –  

  • Vote November 8, 2016.  In person absentee voting available at Great Neck and Bayside Rec Centers from Oct 24th to Nov. 5th (9am to 4pm weekdays and 10am to 2pm weekends)  

Next SDCC Meeting – Monday November 28, 2016

FEMA/USACE Debris Removal Guideline

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The following FEMA/USACE Debris Removal Guideline may be helpful for those that have major clean up as a result of Hurricane Matthew. 

You can also click on the following link to read the entire 51 page controlling FEMA document – fema_debris_removal_guidelines

debris-removal-guidelines-flyer

If you click on the image above it will take you to a printable picture of the flyer.  It looks best if you print it in landscape format.

“I wish them luck,” Whittecar said. “They are essentially trying to lower the water table.” He added: “It will eventually drop. It’s likely to take awhile.”

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Article and more pics at Pilotonline.com:

He described the whole Cape Henry area as “one big, thick pile of sand.”

“It just soaks up the water that falls on it,” he said.

Water is stored in the space between the sand grains.

“Sediment grains, whether they are like beach balls or little round BBs, those curved surfaces leave a lot of space in between,” Whittecar said.

Photo Credit" Virginian-Pilot

Photo Credit” Virginian-Pilot

It was clear in both directions this afternoon.

Matthew Updates at VBGov.com including Forms.

Property Damage Form
If your home or business suffered damage from Hurricane Matthew, PLEASE CALL YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY FIRST! Your agent can determine what is covered by insurance.

THEN, please fill out this form. It will help Virginia Beach property owners qualify for FEMA assistance. The city must demonstrate a certain amount of damage before FEMA will offer help to individual property owners. Every report helps our city qualify for assistance…

List of Public Works Capital Improvement Projects for the Bayfront Area

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The following is an excellent list of Pubic Works Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) for the Bayfront area.  The list was created by the City’s Public Works Department and presented to the Bayfront Advisory Commission at their 8-18-16 general meeting.

Click here or on the image below to see more details and status of the projects.

pw-list-of-cips

SDCC General Meeting – Monday Sept. 26th at 7:30pm – Del. Chris Stolle, 83rd Presentation

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda 9-26-16-sdcc-agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda

Monday September 26 from 7:30 to 9:00pm

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall

(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Special Presentation –  Delegate Chris Stolle, 83rd District

Delegate Chris Stolle will be our special guest presenter and will talk to us about the past 2016 General Assembly session.  Del. Stolle will also tell us about some of the possible items coming up in the 2017 GA session.  He will also provide a question and answer session at the end of his presentation.

Officer’s Reports

Secretary – David Williams; Treasurer’s Report -Kathy Pawlak; Vice President – Wally Damon; President – Todd Solomon

Old Business-

Marina Shores Proposed Development – According to the City Planners, the developer is in discussions with the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) regarding possible environmental impacts that may result from the required emergency road on the east side of the development.  Any ACOE approval will have to be run through the City and we will be informed if the proposal moves forward.

Ocean Bay Homes Proposed Development – The property at Shore Drive and Roanoke Ave. in Ocean Park has been requested to be rezoned to allow 8 townhomes be built where HM Boats is currently located.  The Planning Commission is scheduled to hear the deferred proposal at their Oct. 12th hearing.

Beach Event Houses – Update from the Beaches & Waterways Commission overseeing this evaluation.

Online Home Sharing Economy Ad Hoc Committee – Wed. Sept 28th meeting to be held at 6pm at City Council chamber at City Hall, 2401 Courthouse Drive.  The committee is expected to finalize its policy recommendations at the meeting. The City Council is tentatively scheduled to hear a presentation from the committee on Oct. 4, and to hear public comments and vote on the recommendations Oct. 18.

New Business –

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

Community Concerns – Does your neighborhood/condo have any issues that have come up that need help or may be a warning to others?

Citizen Engagement Opportunities –  

  • The City has a 2 question survey posted on Virtual Townhall that is studying possible regulations for short-term home rentals, like those promoted on Airbnb and other sites. Deadline Sept. 29th. You can find the link on www.sdcc.info
  • River Clean-up @ Pleasure House Point – Sun. Oct 2nd from 9am-Noon. Email Dana@lrnow.org to sign up
  • City Council Candidate Forum – Thurs. Oct. 20th from 6:30pm-8:30pm @ Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library 4100 Virginia Beach Blvd

 

 

Next SDCC Meeting – Monday October 24, 2016

***Note this date is a week early due to the conflict with Halloween***

Join us at our meeting August 29th and chat with Captain Ronan & Lieutenant Wilkerson from Police Dept

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This is rescheduled from our July meeting to August 29th. We meet at the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue squad from 730p-900p.

Join us!

Email from Captain Ronan:

Good afternoon Mr. Williams,

First, thanks again for the invitation for Lieutenant Wilkerson and I to present to the Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC) on Monday, August 29, 2016, which we will accept. Since receiving the first invitation on July 20, 2016 from Mr. Solomon to attend on a SDCC meeting, we are prepared to discuss the following items requested:

o Accidents and deaths at Shore Drive and Kendall
o Results/trends/solutions of speed enforcement checks on Shore Drive between North Great Neck and State Park
o Pedestrian death on Shore Drive near Kroger’s intersection
o Traffic signal study for Lynnhaven Drive and North Great Neck Road. Possible impact from proposed development of Marina Shores.
o Illegal parking on Shore Drive between North Great Neck and State Park.

In regard to the last bulleted item, I have periodically been monitoring the Shore Drive corridor in regard to the noted parking issues noted of Illegal parking on Shore Drive between North Great Neck and State Park. As a result, I have been in contact with our City’s Traffic Engineer, Mr. Robert K. Gey, to determine what, if anything can be improved upon. Additionally, I have contacted the Second Police Precinct and requested additional patrols to address any illegal or inappropriate parking along Shore Drive. Traffic Engineering received a call and is addressing, a recent complaint from a citizen in regard to parking on Shore Drive at Sandalwood Road, which is causing a visibility obstruction (attached picture).

In terms of the impacts of the few development sites mentioned, the Police Department will continue to support the community, patrol & respond to calls for service, and enforce laws in the Shore Drive community as we do with the rest of the City. As the Shore Drive section continues to grow and develop, since it’s a desirable area, the traffic will continue to grow as well. The Police Department is not in a position to stop or hinder future development anywhere in the City. On the contrary, our efforts are to continue making the City of Virginia Beach the Safest City in the United States, where citizens wish to live, work, and raise a family, as well as, where visitors want to visit.

City Traffic Engineer, Robert Gey advises there are two projects programmed for Shore Drive, which the SDCC is aware of; Shore Drive Phase III(construction 2018-2021) and Shore Drive Phase IV(construction 2026-2028). Phase IV is not currently funded. There is no increase in the number of lanes or roadway capacity with either of these projects as is the desire of the Shore Drive community.

Feel free to contact Lieutenant J. E. Wilkerson or me should you have any additional questions or concerns. Otherwise, we’ll see you and members of the SDCC on Monday, August 29, 2016, at 7:30 p.m. at the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall on Shore Drive.

Best regards,

Mike

Captain M. P. Ronan
Commanding Officer, Special Operations
Virginia Beach Police Department
2667 Leroy Drive
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23456
Spec Ops (757) 385-4606
Direct (757) 385-8957
Fax (757) 385-4406
mronan@vbgov.com

“The survey questionnaire (see link below) provides an opportunity for Hampton Roads residents to share opinions and participate in the ongoing mitigation planning process taking place with Hampton Roads communities.”

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Start here at VBGov.com to complete the: Hampton Roads Hazard Mitigation Plan Survey.

Both the survey and the August draft will be “live” through August 17, 2016, at which time we will compile the survey results and comments received for the committee to review and act upon.

​The survey will be available through August 17, 2016. Additional opportunities to review the draft plan and provide written feedback, or to ​​​​​attend a public meeting​ are in the planning process. Stay tuned for additional information.

Emphasis ours.

The Draft Plan includes language like:

Mitigation actions should go beyond recommending structural solutions to reduce existing vulnerability, such as elevation of structures, retrofitting, and acquisition projects. Local policies that guide community growth and development, incentives tied to natural resource protection, and public awareness and outreach activities should be considered to reduce the region’s future vulnerability to identified hazards.

This afternoon before the City Council Meeting tonight there is also a briefing on the Community Rating System:

MAYOR WILLIAM D. SESSOMS, JR. PRESIDING
I. CITY MANAGER’S BRIEFINGS – Conference Room – 4:00 PM
. . .
B. NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM and
REGIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN Whitney McNamara – Planning
. . .

View 1 page PDF of City Council Agenda here.

More Posts at SDCC.info about Community Rating System or CRS here.
More info at SDCC.info about Flood Mitigation at our Hot Page.

20140425-142805.jpg

Questions?

Please add them in Discuss below.

Confirmed Officer Price will also be at our meeting tonight!

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Questions about towing, your rights, safety and studies about Shore Drive & neighborhood streets?

Tonight is the night!
Be early. 
Agenda is here and more info is here. 

 Bring a friend!
It’s indoors in a/c. 

Police Officers’ Q&A about enforcement, traffic study, illegal parking and tragic pedestrian death on Shore Drive.

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We thank Captain M. P. Ronan Commanding Officer, Special Operations and Lieutenant Jeffery E. Wilkerson, MSCJ Special Operations for being our guests at our Monday SDCC Meeting.

They will provide a presentation at the beginning of our meeting so be early. Captain Ronan & Lieutenant Wilkerson will also answer your questions.

Topics will include:

  • Mr. Jacob Bollard’s death on Shore Drive near Kroger’s intersection.
  • Accident and death at Shore Drive and Kendall.
  • Results/trends/solutions of speed enforcement checks on Shore Drive between North Great Neck and State Park.
  • Traffic signal study for Lynnhaven Drive and North Great Neck Road. Possible impact from proposed development of Marina Shores.
  • Illegal parking on Shore Drive between North Great Neck and State Park.

    • 11695908_10153501632034243_7228739334256669125_n

    This meeting is held at Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad and begins at 730pm.

    Please enter at door from parking lot opposite Shore Drive.

    If it’s impossible for you to attend – please post your questions or comments below.

    Changes to dredging program. Not near Bayfront area. 

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    At Pilotonline.com:

    Another 16 homes were taken out of the Hurd’s Cove district because permitting agencies said it would cause too much damage to wetlands, said coastal manager Phill Roehrs.
    The city can work on some wetlands, Roehrs said, but federal environmental agencies require the city to replace them somewhere else. Replacing the damaged wetlands in Hurd’s Cove would almost double the cost of the $2.9 million dredging program.