Interested in serving on City Council representing the Bayside District?

As you know, Virginia Beach and the Bayside District lost our long time serving Mr. Louis Jones recently. The citizen appointed by City Council will hold office until Dec. 31, 2022 and must reside in the Bayside District.

Start here to learn more about applying to City Clerk Amanda Barnes.

3 items the potential candidate might be interested in advocating for for the Bayside District and Bayfront:

Helping enhance resiliency for SLR & storm water management plus helping leverage resources at Brock Environmental Center for Virginia Beach, Hampton Roads & Virginia.
Accelerating the completion of Phase 4 in Ocean Park.
Actively engage with SDCC, BAC, Civic Leagues & bayfront residents.

Thanks to VB Parks & Rec for the friendly reminder!

Friendly reminder to keep dogs on a leash in our parks and natural areas to protect our environment and other wildlife, especially during nesting season as eggs and hatchlings from vulnerable diamondback terrapins can be threatened by unleashed dogs 🐢🐢🐢

We also want to remind folks when non-biodegradable confetti or microplastics are used to make popular gender reveal announcements, the wildlife habitat at our parks and natural areas suffers greatly. This harmful litter also pollutes our waterways which affects our community and our environment. 

It is critical that we all do our part to leave no trace and help protect and preserve our environment, waterways, and wildlife 🌎🌾🍃🐢🦮🐾

“I think the biggest complaint we’re going to have now is how far they’re going to have to travel to get to the water.”

13NewsNow coverage of Ocean Park sand!

Permanently preserve open space on PHP you may think is preserved but is not or condos?

1 of the survey stakes.
Permanently preserve or condos?

Council Adopts FY2022-23 Budget

From City Page at VBGov.com.

FY2022-23 budget has no increases to the solid waste fee, water service charges, sewer charges, stormwater charges, and avoids a real estate tax rate increase.

With the exception of a few fee increases for permits within the department of Planning and Community Development, the FY2022-23 budget and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) are supported through natural growth in citywide revenues. Below are some of the key elements in the upcoming budget.

Ocean Park sand replenishment starts about May 30

“Due to the recent set of storms and the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend the Ocean Park sand nourishment project is scheduled to begin after the holiday, approximately May 30th.“

Info at OPCL.org.

FINAL Reminder Eastern Shore Drive Drainage Improvements – Public Information Meeting May 11th – 6-8pm – Bayside Recreation Center

Update about meeting!

Press release about meeting.

Eastern Shore Drive Drainage Improvements page.

“Definitely happening in May extending into June”

About Ocean Park beach being “truly restored” like Chix Beach was:

“This is a substantial volume of sand.”

Watch discussion by Jim White & Dan Adams with Prez of OPCL.

About “truly restored” vs “placement sites” for beach nourishment:

“Then we’re going to turn our sights on Cape Henry Beaches.”

About the pile of sand at Lynnhaven Boat Ramp:

“We plan on doing a truck haul, & place that material between Page Avenue & the gazebo at Duck Inn.”

About volume of sand:

“Truly restored” Ocean Park beach is getting ~ 400,000 cubic yards, LBR holds ~ 60,000 cubic yards, when Lynnhaven Inlet is dredged – happening soon – that yields ~ 100,000 cubic yards.

More info here.

Wed. May 11th Public Meeting on Eastern Shore Drive Storm Water Improvements – Additional Background Documents

The following document is being provided as additional background information for the planned City public information meeting to be held on Wednesday May 11th to update the residents on planned storm water projects for Eastern Shore Drive.

Please check the links contained in this document to get to the detailed plans for each project. They will explain engineering processes for how designs were chosen as well as detail possible site/home acquisitions or eminent domain alternatives.

Wed May 11th – Va Beach Public Works to Hold Public Meeting Update on Eastern Shore Drive Drainage Project

Va Beach Public Works to Hold Public Meeting Update on Eastern Shore Drive Drainage Project

The Virginia Beach Public Works – Stormwater Engineering program has scheduled a public meeting for the Eastern Shore Drive Drainage on Wednesday, May 11th, 2022, between 6 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at the Bayside Recreation Center, 4500 First Court Road. 

This will be an informal public meeting, beginning with a 30-minute update presentation on the Eastern Shore Drainage Project – Phase (CIP 7-151) – as well as group discussions about key issues in the project area. Representatives from Public Works will be available to answer questions following the presentation and group discussions.

Attendees will also be asked to complete an online survey to provide feedback on the presentation, as well as any comments or concerns.  

“UPDATE FOR CXB ON LITIGATION CHALLENGING CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF REZONING AND REDEVELOPMENT OF WINDSONG APARTMENT SITE ALONG PLEASURE HOUSE ROAD”

MARCH 21, 2022

On January 19, 2021, over objections of our Civic League, City Council approved (7 to 3) Collier’s application to rezone the 15-acre Windsong Site, and to redevelop it increasing the number of residential units there from 272 to 411, a 51% increase, decreasing the amount of land capable to absorbing stormwater, providing fewer parking spaces than standard zoning rules require, permitting construction of two 4-story apartment buildings 10 feet from Northampton Boulevard, and one 3-story apartment building 5 feet from Pleasure House Road.

Approval was made with scant consideration as to whether the approved redevelopment would urbanize and transform the character of our long-established community, impair the efficacy and safety of our roadways, and cause stormwater runoff damage to our roads and our residences.

In February 2021, about 40 of us filed an action in Circuit Court seeking to have approval of the Windsong Site rezoning and redevelopment plan declared unlawful. We contended that approval violated specific provisions of the Virginia Beach Zoning Ordinance and its Comprehensive Plan.

The City Council and Collier challenged our right to judicial review.

On August 5, 2021, without any explanation, Circuit Court dismissed our action denying us access to judicial review of City Council’s approval.

On December 13, 2021, we filed our petition for appeal to the Virginia Supreme Court, asking the state Supreme Court to permit us to appeal.

The City Council and Collier challenged our right to judicial review.

On August 5, 2021, without any explanation, Circuit Court dismissed our action denying us access to judicial review of City Council’s approval.

On December 13, 2021, we filed our petition for appeal to the Virginia Supreme Court, asking the state Supreme Court to permit us to appeal.

On March 9, 2022, the Supreme Court scheduled a 10-minute period after 9 a.m. during the morning of April 5, 2022, for us to make oral argument in Richmond to support our petition. George Squires will argue. Although they prohibit the in-person attendance of observers, except attorneys for City Council and Collier, they permit anyone to hear a live feed of the argument by using the following link:

http://www.vacourts.gov/courts/scv/home.html

SDCC General Meeting – Monday February 28th @ 7:30pm

SDCC’s amended bylaws have reduced the number of in-person meetings from monthly to three (3) scheduled per year and additional emergency meetings as necessary. Our first in-person meeting will be held on Monday Feb. 28th. Come out and tell us what your organizations have are doing and hear updates for planned Bayfront projects.

“Dyer encourages people to come out to the Planning Commission public hearings to have their voice be heard.“We made a commitment, we intend to honor that commitment,” Dyer said.”

Coverage at WAVY.com.

In September, City Council unanimously approved a resolution saying they would make the change within three weeks if voters approved of the city raising real estate taxes to borrow $567.5 million to fund 21 flood protection projects. The referendum passed by nearly 73%.

“Public Meeting on Community Revitalization Guidelines to be Held Feb. 23. The Community Revitalization Guidelines will be developed to consider environmental sustainability and the overall health, safety, and welfare of the community.”

Press release at VBGOV.com.

The Virginia Beach Department of Planning and Community Development, in partnership with consultant Work Program Architects (WPA), will host the meeting to gather community input and recruit volunteers to serve on focus groups to help develop various components of the guidelines. It will allow for in-person and virtual audiences.

Community Revitalization Guidelines info. (CRG)

What is the CRG and why do we need it?
Along with many other major cities, Virginia Beach is experiencing changing demographics, shifting residential and retail market preferences, environmental changes, and technological advances. These changes are impacting the form and function of our major commercial shopping centers and corridors. Neighboring residential communities are present along these major commercial areas and are also impacted by these changes. These impacts warrants strategic plan and action by us to keep our major commercial shopping areas beautiful and functional, while maintaining the stability of our neighborhoods.

General Public Engagement Schedule
Meeting 1: February 2022 (Hybrid: In-person and Virtual)
Citywide community input through a hybrid meeting

Meetings 2, 3, & 4: March 2022 (In-person/Virtual)
Individual focus group meetings

Meeting 5: May 2022 (In-person/Virtual)
Combined meeting with focus groups to present Draft Report

Meeting 6: July 2022 (Ideally In-Person)
Community presentation of final document Draft

August –October 2022
Formal Planning Commission/City Council Adoption

Community Revitalization Guidelines – Focus Group Participation Form

“There’s a delay in plans to construct Virginia Beach’s [tallest] building along Shore Drive.”

News at WAVY.com.

“A group of neighboring condo owners is continuing a fight to stop the construction permanently. After a circuit court judge dismissed claims that City Council unlawfully approved the $250-million expansion project in 2020, they recently appealed their case to the Supreme Court of Virginia.”

Ocean Park beach replenishment operation starts April 2022 maybe probably

Learn more at OPCL.org here.

Hooray!

It’ll be amazing when completed!

Hopefully no major storms between now & potential completion in June.

Public Works to Hold Public Meeting Updates on Lake Bradford – Chubb Lake Projects Weds Nov 10 6p-730p Bayside Rec Center

From NEWS RELEASE:

The Virginia Beach Public Works – Stormwater Engineering program has scheduled a public meeting for the Lake Bradford / Chubb Lake (CIP 7-053) project on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Bayside Recreation Center. The center is located at 4500 First Court Road.

This will be an informal public meeting, beginning with a 30-minute update presentation on the Lake Bradford/Chubb Lake Drainage Study, as well as introduce the upcoming Lake Pleasure House Outfall and Lake Bradford Dredging construction projects.

Representatives from Public Works will be available to answer questions following the presentation.

We will also ask the attendees to complete an online survey to provide feedback on the presentation, as well as any comments or concerns.

Please go to our website at www.vbgov.com/lakebradford for more information or contact us at lakebradford@vbgov.com.

City Council Workshop Oct 26 incl fascinating presentation plus a Q&A of Stormwater REGULATORY & INSPECTIONS PROGRAM AUDIT

“At city council chambers Tuesday night, the developer’s attorney Lisa Murphy said the plan was withdrawn in an effort to hit the reset button on the project.”

News at 13NewsNow.com