Category Archives: Environment

Ocean Park Civic League would like your help in helping Vice Mayor Jones secure funding for Phase 4 for Shore Drive upgrades in Ocean Park.

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Please Email City Council now. You will make a difference at OPCL.org

Dear Mayor, Vice Mayor & City Council Members,

I am petitioning you to fund Shore Drive Phase IV immediately.

Specifically:

1. Please find 50% funding for CIP 2.118.000 Shore Drive Corridor Improvements-Phase 4 in 2018.

2. Please fund 100% of Phase 4 by 2019.

Finishing Phase IV now is critical to the health of Virginia Beach. Why?

The City Council commissioned Urban Land Institute Study of Shore Drive in 1996 and City Council Adopted Comprehensive Plan in 1997 state that:

“(Virginia Beach should) Recognize and improve the Shore Drive corridor as a resort gateway community, not a resort destination.”

“Shore Drive also serves as a tourist gateway for those heading to the oceanfront, offering for many their first glimpse of the City of Virginia Beach. Therefore, it is important to make a good first impression.”

City Council previously recognized the importance of this corridor:
1. City Council created the Shore Drive (Bayfront) Advisory Committee . . .

Click to view OPCL.org page.

Lynnhaven Wharf and Bulkhead

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Permanent City Wharf at the Lynnhaven Inlet

Listening to the presentation given by Mr. Phill Roehrs of the Public Works Department given at the City Council workshop on 23 January, one might believe that this was just routine business as the city declares that the present 400 foot bulkhead located at the Lynnhaven Bay will become a permanent wharf and feature upon the completion of the Lesner Bridge. Not so fast Mr. Roehrs, Mayor, City Council, City Manager, and staff.

 

The Federal Public Notice 12-1169-09 issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District and posted 10/18/2012 states that the Joint Application for Federal and State Permits submitted by the City of Virginia Beach will “include the construction of a temporary bulkhead”.   Further, “Upon the completion of construction, the temporary bulkhead will be removed”. This statement differs factually from what Mr. Roehrs told the Mayor, City Council and staff.

 

If the city’s permit application stating the bulkhead temporary intended for the Lesner Bridge construction, but actually had the intent to make it permanent to bypass certain Federal environmental requirements, than the city should correct their error and complete all the required Federal and state environmental impact studies required by law for such an operation.

 

The city’s most recently adopted Comprehensive Plan (May 17, 2016) “is the official land use policy framework for Virginia Beach…. “to guide responsible use of finite land resources….and protect neighborhoods”. A permanent bulkhead or wharf at the Lynnhaven Basin used for commercial operations and support for large commercial dredge vessels and scows would change the very nature for surrounding neighborhoods and degrade this pristine waterway. To use this bulkhead area as a permanent dredge spoils transfer site and commercial wharf would subject the estuary to unacceptable environmental pressure created by dredge silt then entering the estuary and flowing back into the vary areas where oyster replenishment and natural fish spawning areas have taken so much effort to restore. Harmful water turbidity levels and released pollution will continue to be an environmental issue if such a transfer operation should be permitted at this bulkhead. Mr. Roehrs was correct when he stated that the city should expect some pushback from the residents on this issue.

 

Respectfully,

David M. Williams

Past President and Secretary

Shore Drive Community Coalition

Virginia Beach, VA 23451

 

“With construction of the Lesner Bridge expected to wrap up by the end of summer, Roehrs said it’s time to revisit the issue.”

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View entire article at Pilotonline.com:

In the future, “we don’t want to lose the option to use it as a transfer site for neighborhood dredging,” Roehrs said.

In 1972, the city bought the space – southwest of the bridge and across from a cluster of waterfront seafood restaurants – to stockpile sand for Oceanfront beach replenishment.

E-Cycling at the Virginia Aquarium – Sat. Jan 27th from 9am to Noon

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Click here for more information on this event.

Location: East Parking Lot, Virginia Aquarium
Cost: Free to the public (donations welcome!)
Contact: Virginia Aquarium
Phone: (757) 385-FISH (3474)
Upcoming Dates:
Saturday, January 27, 2018 – 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

*Note that cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions cannot be accepted.*
Acceptable personal electronic recyclable items include:
Personal computers and laptops
Telephones, cell phones and PDA’s
Printers
Circuit boards and components
Monitors and flat screens
Fax Machines
Stereo equipment and game systems
Regular recycling materials such as newspapers, bottles and cans will also be accepted

Acceptable Household Hazardous Waste items include:
Up to five gallons of liquids or up to 75 pounds of dry materials
Aerosol spray cans
Automotive fluids
Batteries: Alkaline (AA, AAA, C, D), Boat, Car, Camera, Cell phone, Hearing aid, Lead acid, Lithium, Rechargeable, Trucks
Herbicides
Household cleaners
Gasoline (up to 5 gallons)
Fertilizer
Pool Chemicals
Light bulbs – small quantities of CFLs or fluorescent tubes
Oil and water based paint
Pesticides
Propane tanks (small – up to 20 lb. capacity)

New Stormwater Appeals Board to be appointed at City Council Tuesday January 16th

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View the proposed changes from VBGov.com here. (58 page PDF)

New ordinance starts here:

    783 Sec. 1-1. Purpose and authority.
    784
    785 A. The purpose of this Ordinance is to ensure the general health, safety, and
    786 welfare of the citizens of the City of Virginia Beach and protect the quality and quantity
    787 of state waters from the potential harm of unmanaged stormwater, including protection
    788 from a land disturbing activity causing unreasonable degradation of properties, water
    789 quality, stream channels, and other natural resources, and to establish procedures
    790 whereby stormwater requirements related to water quality and quantity shall be
    791 administered and enforced.

    And includes:

    1149 …The Board shall be appointed by City Council and shall
    1150 consist of six (6) members, one (1) from the Department of Planning, one (1) from the
    1151 Department of Public Works, one (1) from the Department of Public Utilities and three (3) citizen members.

View entire City Council Agenda here.

THE live oak in Chics Beach is getting crown cleaning and branch reduction Tuesday December 19th.

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From an email:

Good afternoon Elisa,

I received word today that our contractor plans to do the crown cleaning and branch reduction tomorrow for the Live Oak at 2512 Bayview Avenue. We are requesting any onlookers to remain well back from city and private property lines in order to insure safety. This should be good timing for the work, as trees have now entered dormancy due to the colder temperatures. Landscape Management has every expectation that the work will go smoothly and be beneficial for the health of this notable tree.

Sincerely,

Susan French
City Arborist
Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation

Landscape Management Division | 4141 Dam Neck Road | Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Phone 757.385.4076 | Fax 757.427.1895|sfrench@vbgov.com | VBgov.com/Parks

View Petition at Change.org that helped get this beloved live oak some extra care.

Coyotes are now your neighbor

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View article including photos at Pilotonline.com.

“Coyotes and wolves and dogs don’t normally get along,” Fies said. “But when a species is expanding its range, and there’s not enough of its own kind for mating, I guess they can get along for long enough.”

Because of that, Fies says, our coyotes are a little bigger than the ones out west, and come in more colors – from blonde to black – which can make them even harder to recognize.

Photo credit: Eric Hauser

Sea Level Rise Public Meetings Schedule for Shore Drive area including fascinating map designating areas.

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Main info page at VBGov.com.

All of the meetings will take place from 6 to 8 p.m.

Shore Drive areas are split into 3,30 & 31.

​Mon., Dec. 11, 2017 ​8, 29, 30 ​
Oceanfront: Beach District and the Lynnhaven east of Great Neck Road ​​
Cooke Elementary School,
1501 Mediterranean Avenue

Thurs., Jan 25, 2018 ​​3, 4 ​
Western Lynnhaven: North of Princess Anne Road; bounded to the east by South Rosemont Road and Little Neck Road ​
Princess Anne High School,
4400 Virginia Beach Blvd.

Mon., Jan. 29, 2018 1,31
Little Creek: Area to the east where Shore Drive meets Northampton Blvd.​ ​
Bayside High School,
4960 Haygood Road

Seems strange Bayfront community was spit up into 3 meetings none held here.

Young humpback whale died & had necropsy on Lynnhaven beach today

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Read and view more photos at Pilotonline.com.

Juvenile humpback whale found dead near Lynnhaven Fishing Pier at 13NewsNow.com.

Dead whale spotted in Chesapeake Bay brought ashore by Virginia Aquarium at WTKR.com.

Dead whale spotted near Chic’s Beach at WAVY.com.

Note: Area where humpback whale was brought to shore is not Chics Beach.

Monday Nov. 27th – SDCC General Meeting – Special Presentation on Shore Drive Improvments Phase 3

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda 11.27.17 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday November 27, 2017 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Special Presentation – Shore Drive Improvements Phase 3 (Lesner Bridge to First Landing State Park) – Mr. Christopher Wojtowicz, PE, Engineering Construction Manager for the City of VB Public Works will provide an update on the Shore Drive Improvement Phase 3 project. This project will add safety improvements, bike lanes, storm water upgrades, curb and gutter and other roadway changes to the section of Shore Drive between the Lesner Bridge and First Landing State Park. The project is 90% ready for construction. The last time the community had a chance to see and comment was at 30%. Come out and see if your past comments have been incorporated and if there are any new items of interest.

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

Old Business-
Bayfront Development Projects Update –
• Marina Shores Marina Apartments – Approved at Oct. 11th meeting of the Planning Commission. Will most likely be heard by City Council in December.

Addition of “Your Speed Is” Traffic Signs on Shore Drive – SDCC sent resolution to City Council to purchase signs to be used specifically on Shore Drive. Councilman Wood has acknowledged the request and stated that City’s Public works has portable sign trailers. SDCC will continue dialogue with Councilman for purchase of Shore Drive signs.

Short Term Rentals – Update on City of Virginia Beach’s public input session and next steps for Short Term Rental (Airbnb, etc.) property.

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

Storm Water/Sea Level Rise Public Input Meetings – The City of Virginia Beach recognizes challenges and is exploring solutions to the issues caused by sea level rise and recurrent flooding. The public is encouraged to attend one of several upcoming meetings where city representatives will provide residents with the opportunity to share their views and concerns. The information collected from the meetings will be used to develop the City’s long-term plans for sea level rise and recurrent flooding. Click here for more information on these meetings

  • Mon., Dec. 11, 2017 8, 29, 30 Oceanfront: Beach District and the Lynnhaven east of Great Neck Road Cooke Elementary School, 1501 Mediterranean Avenue
  • Thurs., Jan 25, 2018 3, 4 Western Lynnhaven: North of Princess Anne Road; bounded to the east by South Rosemont Road and Little NEck Road Princess Anne High School,4400 Virginia Beach Blvd.

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 18, 2017***
This meeting is a week early due to Holiday Season
SDCC Elections are coming up. Please let an officer know of your interest.

Saving Trees, “Norm” Not the Exception

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At the 30 OCT 2017 SDCC monthly meeting, the environmentally astute Tim Solanic said that saving the city’s Live Oaks should be “The Norm, not the exception”.  Is that a voice in the city’s wilderness speaking out?  Destroying a magnificent tree that has taken a century or more to grow to make way for a structure that probably will not last a hundred years seems to point out our short-sightedness at the expense of long term goals for our city.  What do we want for our city and for our future generations?  Think about what you want to show your great grand children and talk about.  We should all want a remarkably durable city of quality with a deep sense of history.

David Williams

 

“Venerable Live Oak” in Chics Beach is saved!

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Congratulations to everyone involved with helping to preserve the “venerable Live Oak”!

Special thanks to Frank Fentress & Susan French of COVB, Elisa Morrell, Michelle Zimmerman, Chesapeake Beach Civic League, Friends of Live Oaks and all those who support treating of our precious live oaks instead of destruction.

Here’s the update at the Change.org Petition set up for her.

Envision Virginia Beach 2040 info including meeting dates

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Thanks to Cindy & Jennifer for a great presentation & discussion last night at our meeting about Envision Virginia Beach 2040!

Envision Virginia Beach 2040 next meeting is November 17th (3rd Friday, 1:00-3:00) in Town Center at 4525 Main St Suite 710.

Learn more about Envision Virginia Beach 2040 at VBGov.com.

How do you envision Shore Drive in 2040? Join us at their next meeting.

Swimming Advisory Lifted for Two Areas: Along the Bay from Little Creek to Fort Story and along the Oceanfront from 8th to 22nd Streets

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Swimming Advisory Lifted for Two Areas: Along the Bay from Little Creek to Fort Story and along the Oceanfront from 8th to 22nd Streets

The Virginia Beach Health Department has lifted the swimming and wading advisories that were issued yesterday, Wednesday, Sept. 20, along the Bay from Little Creek to Fort Story and along the Oceanfront from 8th to 22nd streets.

After re-sampling showed that the bacteria level in the water was once again safe for swimming and wading, the advisories were lifted and signs at both locations that had previously alerted the public of the advisory have now been removed.

Recreational waters are monitored for bacteria using indicator organisms such as enterococci, the indicator of choice for estuarine and marine waters. Enterococci are a group of organisms used to determine the extent of fecal contamination of recreational waters.

While enterococci do not cause illness, scientific studies indicate that their presence is closely correlated to the presence of other disease-causing organisms. People swimming or wading in waters with bacteria levels higher than the standard have an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal illness and skin, eye and respiratory infections.

Environmental health officials sample recreational beach water on a weekly basis during the swimming season from May through September.

For additional information, contact Brad Delashmutt, Virginia Beach Health Department, at (757) 518-2727.

SDCC General Meeting – Monday Sept. 25th at 7:30pm

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda.9.25.17 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday September 25, 2017 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Special Presentation – None Planned

Officer’s Reports

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

Old Business-
Bayfront Development Projects Update –
• Marina Shores Marina Apartments – Deferred until the Oct. 11th meeting of the Planning Commission. Presentation made to Cape Story by the Sea Civic Association. Updates will be discussed.
• Bay Lake Assisted Living Facility Expansion – Approved by City Council with an 11-0 vote. One speaker voiced concerns over adding two new left turns that cross Shore Drive at the intersection of Indian Hill Road. City Traffic Engineers said the low traffic volumes and slow speed limit of 35mph won’t make extra conflict points a safety hazard.
• Resort Conference Hotel Proposal to Convert to Assisted Living Facility – No new details
• Mermaid Winery – Approved by City Council. Scheduled to open by the end of 2017.

VB proposed changes to Route 35 and other bus services – Bus route operation is now only Friday-Sunday until Labor Day. The City continues to make plans to run the route next summer with shorter wait times and improved service. Community support for increased budget of $100k for an extra bus may be required.

Pleasure House Wetland Mitigation Program – Project includes a wetlands mitigation bank for City projects, ADA access and parking lot for 5 vehicles and public water access. Planning is 60% complete and construction is set to start in December 2018. Ocean Park Civic League has taken lead on this and is working with the City to create a project that will work for the neighborhood.

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

Baylake Pine Lower School Development – Planned office/business space at old school location at Treasure Island Dr and Shore Dr intersection. The developer will be speaking at a special Baylake Pines Civic League meeting on Tuesday Sept. 26th.

Beach Sand Replenishment Projects – A replenishment of Chesapeake Beach is scheduled for early 2018. The $4.8mil will widen the beach 100-150 feet. Continued replenishment is set for a 4-5 year cycle. Lynnhaven Inlet dredging with replenishment to Ocean Park and Cape Henry beaches is scheduled for Fall 2018.

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 October 30, 2017
Special Presentation – 2040 Vision to Action Community Coalition Commission
The group conducts public outreach, monitors and reports on the City’s progress for achieving the vision

CASPER update family disaster prep & recovery plan.

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Thanks to David for the timely update to CASPER – Coastal Action Plan Storm Emergency Response.

View & download CASPER version 7. (28 page PDF)

DISCLAIMER
The statements, recommendations, and procedures provided in this planning guide are those of the author and Safety Net Consulting, Incorporated. This guide does not necessarily reflect all the available options for emergency planning, or preventing property loss or personal injuries associated with natural or man-made disasters. The material presented in this document reflects multiple accredited sources and the accumulated best practices of those involved in emergency planning and disaster recovery…

A snippet:

Many emergency agencies estimate that only 10-15% of the residents living in the coastal areas affected by hurricanes have an emergency plan. Without a plan, a family could be caught in a “lose- lose” situation not having considered the major problems that nature could present. Too late to leave, but without sufficient preparations to stay, you could be stranded in a dangerous situation. This Coastal Area Storm Plan Emergency Response (CASPER) is “bare bones” without lengthy explanations except when essential for a point. The CASPER is divided into three major sections; Long Term Planning and Preparation, Pre-Hurricane Warning Stage, and Post Storm Recovery. This plan contains buy lists to aid gathering the needed supplies…

unexpected damage at Lynnhaven Boat Ramp from Sandy Oct 2012

“Thousands want to save a live oak tree in Chesapeake Beach but a tree expert says it’s decaying”

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View article including photos at Pilotonline.com.

“That tree is just gorgeous,” Morrell said. “It’s like a breath of fresh air.”

Since the residents’ petition surfaced, the city has delayed removing the tree and is seeking a second opinion, said Susan French, an arborist for Virginia Beach.

The resident who owns property impacted by the towering oak’s branches asked the city to inspect the tree a few months ago, French said.

Photo credit: Bill Tiernan | Virginian-Pilot

We’ll be discussing this tonight at our meeting.

Join us at Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad at 730pm!

Info & the Agenda located here.

More news about a beloved live oak in Chics Beach.

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Coverage at WAVY.com including video.

Morrell would like to see a compromise. She’s proposed the city perhaps remove a portion of the tree.

“Can we look at options other than just whacking it?” she asked.