The Beaches and Waterways Advisory Commission will hold a public meeting Thursday, October 13 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Great Neck Recreation Center, 2521 Shorehaven Drive, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
The Commission will answer questions and take comments on the four following topics only:
The feasibility of alternative dredging methods, such as hydraulic rather than mechanical dredging;
The potential for beneficial re-use of spoils;
An analysis of the impact on affected communities (both those receiving dredging and those in the vicinity of the existing and proposed transfer stations) with a focus on identifying sites that are sufficient to support the needs of the project but have the least potential for adverse impact for the community; and
A proposed framework with parameters for operation of the spoils sites, including potential use of the site by the public for dredging by entities or individuals other than the City.
Public comments will be limited to three minutes per speaker, ten minutes if you are representing a group.
Citizens wishing to comment may sign up at the meeting or by contacting Rebecca Lear @ (757) 385-1948, or rlear@vbgov.com.
Category Archives: Current Concerns
Neighborhood Dredge Spoils Project, Our Constitutional Process
It is our Democratic process that permits us to freely petition our elected governmental representatives to address an issue that could potentially damage our property and take away from its value. It is our Constitution and our First Amendment rights that allow us the free exercise to peaceably assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Should our own Virginia Beach City government be included in this right to “petition the Government”? I proclaim most strongly “yes” and have, as have so many others, put it all on the line to support and defend our Constitutional Rights.
Should a city appointed board tasked with making recommendations to resolve significant issues accept statements from the city’s staff, but not permit assembled citizens the right to state their position or to redress staff statements? Should derogatory statements that “there is much misinformation out there” be accepted without challenge from the board when the assembled are not permitted to speak to address the sources of that information?
To many citizens, these issues may be of small importance or no consequence, but I think it is vitally important. If we do not hold our local government accountable to us, we perch ourselves on the point of becoming irrelevant as free people with the power to elect. We merely become payer of taxes, not the proponent of our Rights. The rights exercised by City government are as important to us as the headwaters of a river. We must all be engaged and involved. It is our elected government whether it be city, state or Federal. We deserve what we get.
Communications Old and New
On 29 August, three of us, Ms Penny, Todd Solomon, and myself had a chance at the last SDCC meeting to talk about hurricanes, near misses and some “what if”s. This conversation lead into a discussion on the way we communicate these days and some generational difference. Todd feels very comfortable with a computer and using it as a tool to connect with people and express his thoughts. He does well with his research, his record keeping, and has contributed greatly to our efforts to keep Shore Drive connected and in the flow of city information.
I am less comfortable with a computer, and even less trusting. It is probably illogical, a “love-hate” relationship. Maybe it is from using computers onboard aircraft for many years that has left me weary. I would always do my own flight calculations for essential items like fuel required, half-way point, and flight time and then check my estimates against the computer’s numbers. The computer may have never been wrong, but that is not the point. I used the computer as a tool and did not rely on it to keep me going in the safe direction. Some of my fellow pilots used the computer as their only tool and it lead them away when it failed. If this hurricane had taken away our internet, where would we have found ourselves? To many, the computer is much more that a tool, almost like the closest of friends. Many would feel alone without their BFA (that’s Best friend always). If our device’s battery should fail, do we also shut down?
And then we have Ms. Penny. Intelligent, engaged, articulate, and I would respectfully estimate, a most powerful force to verbally challenge over any misplaced or misguided element of civic logic concerning Shore Drive or Virginia Beach. Citizens like Ms. Penny are the backbone and cornerstone of this city. As for communications, she is not overly fond of computers either. As an organization (SDCC), I think we are missing out on our dialogues when we think that we can accomplish all that we need to do to communicate with just a computer. Computers may be fast and save postage, but I find so much missing without the face to face. I am telling you all these things while I write on my computer. My computer is a tool, not a BFA yet. Thanks for the discussion that day after the hurricane, Ms. Penny. We will try harder to find better ways to stay connected with more people along Shore Drive.
Beaches and Waterways Commission Meeting Thursday
I recently received on the 1st of August an email sent 3:17 PM of that day from Councilman Wood giving notice of the initial meeting of the Beaches and Waterways Advisory Commission. This important meeting will be held 4 August at 4 PM (Thursday) Building 2, Third Floor Public Works Engineering Conference Room at the Municipal Center. This initial meeting will be our first dialog to discuss the dredge spoils removal and transfer stations proposed for the Lynnhaven basin. SDCC and the other attending civic representatives will seek open discussions concerning the design, scope, safety, duration, viability, and the appropriateness of this commercial project for our neighborhoods and residential roads. More about the specific design aspects will be forthcoming after this initial meeting.
City Violates Zoning
In a letter to the Editor entitled “City Violates Zoning” (Sunday 6/18), Ms. Lynn Hume points out rightfully that the city is ignoring (violating) their own zoning protections. What is appropriate for one area may not be appropriate for another area and that is why the city has zoning codes. Would you want a tattoo parlor operating in the middle of a residential area? I did not think so. So, why should the city be allowed to operate an industrial scale dredge spoils transfer site in a residential area? If the city can expect us to accept this zoning violation, they will continue to ignore their city laws, misrepresent us while ignoring our petitions. Do we have a right to be represented by our elected government? I think we already declared our right to a representational form government. Something about “taxation without representation” if I recall.
Disaster Preparedness
March 15 was Tornado Preparedness Day across the Country, but we know that we in Virginia Beach will probably not be hit by one. Well, except for the one that hit Suffolk and the water spout that was sighted in the Chesapeake just off the beach near the Lesner Bridge. My point, we don’t think we will be impacted because most of us do not have a personal experience with one of these events, BUT this area has come close. Should we also think that a hurricane will probably not hit us here? We might want to reconsider that line of thought. I am not a weather man, but realize that the U.S. has had a very rough winter and we should most likely expect an equally rough summer. What would it take to have a simple level of preparedness? A simple kit might have three days of food and water, basic first aid kit, and some emergency supplies, all kept in a closable plastic container for easy carrying. And the MOST important part of your emergency kit? Your Family Emergency Plan. More about that next month.
Lesner Bridge Now Funded
Lesner Bridge has now been funded according to a conversation I had with a city official in Public Works. The Commonwealth of Virginia conducted an audit and found approximately $250 million dollars in unspent transportation funds. The city official stated that the bridge will have a northern alignment and the width and lane issues have been resolved. Construction should start within 12-16 months.
Marina Shores P1 Rezoning Ltr Councilman Wood
March 2, 2011
Mr. James L. Wood
Councilman District 5- Lynnhaven
Virginia Beach City Council
City of Virginia Beach
Municipal Center, Building 1
2401 Courthouse Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23456-9001
Dear Councilman Wood:
Shore Drive Community Coalition is requesting your direct assistance in finalizing the administrative action to designate as P-1, the 4.221 acre estuary directly east of the present Marina Shores Marina property as previously agreed to in 1987. Due to an administrative error in that year, Virginia Beach City Council never applied P-1 zoning to this property as agreed to by the present business owner, Ms. Gail Levine-Higgs. As was specifically agreed, that subject property:
“not be developed in any manner other than a for walkways, bird nests and bird feeders, and shall be preserved as a nature conservancy. The Grantors hereby concur and give their consent to any motion which may be made by the City of Virginia Beach to rezone Parcel 1 to P-1, Preservation District. By this restriction, it is the Grantors intent that the marchlands on Parcel 1 shall be protected and that the entire parcel shall remain in a natural state, free from development other than that stated herein….”
Any excavation of the land or development impacting the present estuary would clearly violate the original agreed to proffer. The residents of Cape Story By the Sea, and Cape Henry Shores consider the expansion of Marina Shores Marina eastward into the estuary as both a violation of the original legal agreement and a potential safety and environmental threat to their subdivisions. Any decrease to the current tidal flushing of the estuary would result in degradation of the ecosystem due to increased pollutant buildup from storm water drainage piped into the estuary. When a significant tidal event occurs as in November 2009, water flow out of the estuary would be impeded resulting in prolonged and potentially damaging residential flooding in the adjacent communities.
The members of Shore Drive Community Coalition seek your support and corrective administrative action to zone the subject 4.221 acre estuary property as P-1 as legally agreed to by all parties in 1987.
Most respectfully,
David M. Williams
President, Shore Drive Community Coalition
Letter to Mayor re/Marina Shores Marina Expansion
3 February 2011
Mr. William D. Sessoms
Mayor
City of Virginia Beach
Municipal Center, Building Number 1
2401 Courthouse Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23456-9001
Dear Mr. Mayor:
As Water Boxes LLC (Miss Gail Levine-Higgs) seeks to expand the Marina Shores Marina by adding 184 feet of 50 foot floating docks into Long Creek, I respectfully request that the Mayor and City Council members to remember the original conditions agreed upon on June 1, 1987 by Ms. Levine to restrict the use of parcel 1 (4.221 acres) to:
“not be developed in any manner other than a for walkways, bird nests and bird feeders, and shall be preserved as a nature conservancy. The Grantors hereby concur and give their consent to any motion which may be made by the City of Virginia Beach to rezone Parcel 1 to P-1, Preservation District. By this restriction, it is the Grantors intent that the marchlands on Parcel 1 shall be protected and that the entire parcel shall remain in a natural state, free from development other than that stated herein….”
Obviously, any excavation along Long Creek adjacent to the P-1 estuary to permit large 50 foot motor boats to dock would require sufficient draft to allow adequate propeller clearance with the bottom at low tide. The amount of dredged material to permit these large boats along the north side of Long Creek and the relocation of the dredged channel to accommodate the required turning clearances will have a major impact on the P-1 parcel. The proposed excavation along the north bank will degrade the shore stability resulting in a gradual collapse of the bank unless bulkheading is provided. No bulkheading is indicated in the current permit application. If bulkheading were to be used, change to the current tidal flushing of the P-1 estuary would result in the degradation of the estuary due to increased pollutant buildup from city storm water drainage into the estuary. If a significant tidal storm event should occur as in November 2009, water flow out of the estuary would be restricted resulting in prolonged residential flooding in the adjacent Cape Story By the Sea and Cape Henry Shores communities.
Clearly, any expansion of the present Marina Shore Marina will violate the signed proffer of the original rezoning agreement, degrade the fragile ecological stability of the estuary and pose a flood threat to two major communities. The proposed expansion of the Marina Shores Marina should be rejected and the P-1 zoning for the estuary should be vigorously instated and maintained.
Most respectfully,
David M. Williams
President, Shore Drive Community Coalition
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
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