Category Archives: News

November Baylines from Bayfront Advisory Committee

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View November Baylines 2019 Newsletter.

(PLEASE NOTE: Next Meeting is THURS NOV 21 at 3:30pm at Bayside Rec Center.)

Johnson assured the Commission that funding for the $29.1 million project would not be diverted to other CIP projects. Part of the reason for additional design stemmed from staffing difficulties in the wake of the May 31, 2019, mass shooting at Building 2 in the municipal complex, he said. This resulted in relocating Public Works Department offices, equipment and workers along with turnover due to retirements and transfers.

Another part of the Shore Drive improvements, Phase IV (CIP 2-118), between Marlin Bay Dive and the Lesner Bridge was paused after concept design was completed in 2008. Design is planned to resume next year with a projected March 2024 construction start. Funding for this $15.5 million phase is #1 to the BAC’s high-priority 2019-20 strategic plan.

News includes 18 month delay for Phase 3, Phase 4 delayed again, City seeks public input into Comp Plan & Fire Department services and more.

“We would really like to see the city step up and take care of this area and implement Phase 4 and implement Phase 3 now,” said Ocean Park Civic League President Andrew Broyles.”

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View video & story by Reporter Ali Weatherton at 13NewsNow.com.

“nothing really safe there for pedestrians”

And:

“Shore Drive is the 3rd most traveled road in Virginia Beach”

Did you know it’ll be ~20 years between completing only 2 Phases of bringing Shore Drive up to the standards of the rest of the city.

Let’s step up and take care of this area now.

Please take our new Survey about Route 35 so we can help improve it!

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It should take you less then 3 minutes to complete it.

Start here for Survey.

Note: we will be making the Survey results public.

Thank you!

Route 35 numbers include a September 2019 blowup increase in ridership!

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Woo hoo fans of Route 35!

Please Note: when comparing the totals year over year(YOY) that Fiscal Year(FY) 2020 ends in June 2020.

Pro tip: Route 35 is a fun & easy way to travel around Shore Drive.

Thanks to everyone who continues to work on making Route 35 better!

Our main Route 35 page at SDCC.info.

SDCC General Meeting Agenda – Monday Oct 28th at 7:30pm

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda – 10.28.19 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday October 28, 2019 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall – 3769 East Stratford Rd
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Special Presentation – None

Officer’s Reports

Secretary – Kathleen Damon
Treasurer’s Report –Tim Solanic
Vice President – Empsy Munden
President – Todd Solomon

Old Business-
Route 35 Bayfront to Oceanfront Shuttle – Final ridership numbers showed an average increase of 15% for 2019 over last year. The numbers for 2019 should be leveling off and what can be expected as normal from now on without promotion. This route seems to be a good one and City council would be smart to continue it’s funding for future operation.

Tidal Sluice Gates Automatic Operation Broken – The tidal sluice gates near Citrus and Food Lion have had their automatic operation fixed. Parts are on order for the gate near First Landing Lane. It will be operated manually until fixed. Call Public Work Operations at 385-1470 during a storm event if these gates aren’t working or appear damaged.

Electric Scooters – City Council received position statements from BAC and SDCC requesting eScooter usage be prohibited in the Shore Drive Overlay District. City Council held an informal briefing on Oct 15th to discuss eScooters and how they should be regulated within the entire city. No decision has been made at this time, but staff wants regulations in place by the end of 2019. The Council meeting can be viewed at our website.

Ocean Park Beach Sand Replenishment –The Army Corps of Engineers permit change is now closed. The City will be soliciting bids for the project with a planned construction start set for early 2020.

New Business –
Bonaventure/Windsong Development – The proposed development is scheduled to go before the Planning Commission on Wednesday December 11th at noon. Chesapeake Beach is still in opposition to the 50% increase in density and the adverse impact it will have on traffic along Pleasure House Road.

Shore Drive Improvements Phase 3 – Great Neck to Lesner Bridge – We learned from Public Works Director, Mark Johnson, that this project has been delayed for another year and a half and is now scheduled to start Summer 2021. The delay is due to site acquisition and Dominion Power issues.

Lake Bradford/Chubb Lake Stormwater Improvement Meeting – The City’s Public Works will hold a public information meeting on Thursday November 14th from 6pm to 7:30pm at the Bayside Rec Center (4500 First Court Rd). If your neighborhood drains into Lake Bradford, Chubb Lake and even Lake Joyce, this is a must attend meeting to see how changes may impact your area.

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

Civic Engagement Opportunities –
• Comprehensive Plan Survey now live – https://www.publicinput.com/VBCompPlan
• ELECTION DAY – TUESDAY NOVEMBER 5th – REMEMBER TO GET OUT AND VOTE

***Next SDCC Meeting – Monday November 25, 2019***

 

City Council Briefed on Proposed eScooter Regulations

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City Council was briefed by Brian Solis at their Tuesday Oct 15th informal session on proposed regulations regarding operation of eScooters throughout the City.  The SDCC and the BAC both sent position statements to the City Council recommending eScooters be prohibited from use in the Shore Drive Overlay District.

Below is a link to an article in the Virginian-Pilot and a link to the video of the briefing at the Council’s informal session.

  • “Brian Solis, assistant to the city manager, will present a proposal to council members on Tuesday that would cap the number of scooters at 1,000. Technology that automatically slows them down in prohibited areas is being considered for new spots, including along Shore Drive.” – click here to read the entire article by Stacy Parker

 

 

Neighborhood Watch Program Presentation at Cape Story General Meeting Monday Oct 14th at 7:30pm

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A 2nd Precinct Officer will be present to talk about the new rules and regulations for the Neighborhood Watch Program.  This is an open meeting and any neighborhood with an existing Watch or thinking about starting one should definitely attend.

Cape Story by the Sea Civic Association Meeting is on Monday, October 14, starting at 7:30 pm at the Lynnhaven Colony Congregational Church at 2217 W. Great Neck Road.

This month, a representative of the Virginia Beach Police department will explain the concept and process behind the Neighborhood Watch Program. This provides a mechanism to get important crime-related information out to the residents quickly, and in an organized manner.

Comp Plan presentation slideshow from our recent September meeting

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Learn more at VBGov.com about YOUR role in shaping the Comprehensive Plan.

Download Comp Plan slide show. (PowerPoint is 7.9MB)

Contact info for Mr Mark Shea Comprehensive Planning Coordinator​​ (757)​ ​385-2908 or meshea@vbgov.com.

Open House Public Meeting to be held by the Virginia Beach Public Works Department for the Lake Bradford/Chubb Lake CIP (CIP 7-053).

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The meeting will be held on Thursday, November 14th from 6:00-7:30pm at the Bayside Recreation Center at 4500 First Court Road.

Link to Official City of Virginia Beach, VA Public Works Capital Project Detail Sheet 7.053.000: Lake Bradford/Lake Chubb CIP page.

Official Lake Bradford & Lake Chubb Stormwater page at VBGov.com.

Lake Bradford & Lake Chubb Stormwater

Project Manager contact info:

Matthew Richardson, P.E.
Project Manager
Department of Public Works
Stormwater Engineering Center
City of Virginia Beach
mrichardson@vbgov.com
Phone: (757) 385-8005

Thanks to Mr Richardson for the email of Open House & CIP details!

SDCC General Meeting – Mon Sept 30th at 7:30pm – Special Presentation on City’s Comprehensive Plan

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda  – 9.30.19 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday September 30, 2019 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall – 3769 East Stratford Rd
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Special Presentation –

City to Begin Comprehensive Plan Update 

The City has to update its Comprehensive Plan every 5 years and will be seeking public input. Mr. Mark Shea, City of VB Comprehensive Planning Coordinator, will provide background on the Comp Plan, the update process and how the residents can have input into its modifications. He will have a Q&A after the presentation. SDCC meetings are open to the all, so bring a friend, we have cookies.

Officer’s Reports:
Secretary – Kathleen Damon
Treasurer’s Report –Tim Solanic
Vice President – Empsy Munden
President – Todd Solomon

Old Business-
Route 35 Bayfront to Oceanfront Shuttle – Service for this year stops Sunday Sept 29th at Midnight. We will try to share ridership numbers for the months of May through August to compare with past years.

Hurricane Dorian Impacts – What type of impact did your residents see? How did the Cape Henry Beach sand replenishment hold up? Did Ocean Park Beach lose all of its protection? Was tidal flooding a concern?

Cape Henry Shore Entrance Safety Issue – The entrance/exit to CHS at intersection of Kendall and Shore Drive is being discussed in social media. There has been an increase in accidents and near misses and the residents are asking the City Traffic Engineers to once again look at fixes for this area.

New Business –
Ocean Park Beach Sand Replenishment – The City plans to replenish OP beach in 2020 and has submitted a proposed permit modification to the Army Corps of Engineers to allow the sand to be taken from the Chesapeake Beach Shoals Burrow Area. https://www.nao.usace.army.mil/Media/Public-Notices/Article/1954541/nao-2017-01269/

Tidal Sluice Gates Automatic Operation Broken – The tidal sluice gates installed east of the Lesner Bridge have had their automatic operation temporarily disabled. The components haven’t been working correctly so they have been removed/disabled until a fix is found. Unfortunately this means the gates will have to be operated manually by Public Works during storm events. Call 385-1470 during a storm event.

New Online Weather App – A new online weather app has been found very helpful during storm events. The app can be found at www.Windy.com and has also been linked on the www.SDCC.info/safety page. It provides rainfall predictions, wind speeds and directions, tidal information and other interesting details.

Electric Scooters – At their Sept meeting, the Bayfront Advisory Commission (BAC) took an official position to prohibit the operation of eScooters in the Bayfront area at this time. SDCC should discuss this and take a similar position in support of the BAC decision. Be prepared to discuss and vote.

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

***Next SDCC Meeting – Monday October 28, 2019***

E-Cycling and Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event Saturday Sept. 28th from 9am to Noon at Virginia Aquarium

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Click here to read the entire notice

Fall E-Cycling Event Saturday, Sept. 28 from 9 a.m. to Noon
Fall cleaning is a great time toget rid of those old electroinics. The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, in partnership with Goodwill Industries, Virginia Beach Public Works and TFC Recycling, will offer its semi-annual E-cycling event Saturday, Sept. 28, from 9 a.m. – noon at the Virginia Aquarium East Parking Lot. There is no fee to drop off items, but donations are always appreciated

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.
***Note that cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions and alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D) cannot 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: 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)

 

 

American Geophysical Union (AGU) Releases “Surging Waters” Study With Focus on Virginia Beach

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According to a recent article in the Virginian-Pilot,

“Yet again Hampton Roads is being singled out by a national group as an example of the perils of rising seas. This time, it’s in a report from the American Geophysical Union that urges investment in science to find solutions to flooding caused by climate change.”

The entire article can be found here https://www.pilotonline.com/news/environment/vp-nw-agu-flooding-report-20190924-xp2wqsahtzgwrej5drc2d5pls4-story.html

 

You can also read the AGU’s report by clicking this link.  The section that discusses Virginia Beach starts on page 36.  Click here to go straight to the report https://scienceisessential.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2019/09/Surging_Waters_credits_pages_web.pdf

Driftwood Arch at Brock Center Burns Down Friday Sept 20th

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The popular and often photographed driftwood arch burnt down on Friday Sept. 20th.  You can read about the incident in the Virginian-Pilot article at this link https://www.pilotonline.com/news/vp-nw-drifwood-arch-20190920-ejge63ggfjg6nn4gnzdls3gpn4-story.html

You can also see the story covered by Wavy TV 10 here https://www.wavy.com/news/driftwood-arch-at-brock-environmental-center-goes-up-in-flames/

 

KING TIDE October 27, 2019 Get Out and Track It

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Learn more at KingTide.WHRO.org:

Volunteer Opportunities
Ready to help? Sign up to be a (Volunteer) King Tide Mapper, King Tide Captain, or Tide Watcher.

And:

Hundreds more of you mapped again in 2018 along with lots of other first-time volunteers and many students from science classrooms throughout Hampton Roads.

Now, in year 3, we’re gearing up for even-bigger things. We’d like to beat our 2017 record and build momentum toward 1,000 volunteers in 2020. We also welcome you to join one of our newly forming year-round mapping teams.

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September Baylines from Bayfront Advisory Committee

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View September 2019 Baylines Newsletter:

Next Meeting
Thursday, September 19, 2019 3:30 p.m.
Bayside Community Recreation Center
4500 First Court
***NOTE NEW LOCATION***

Lots & lots of news including:

Dredging ran out of Cape Henry sand, officials studying options

The sand replenishment project on Cape Henry Beach wrapped up short of reaching Oak Street because the contractor ran out of sand from dredging out the Lynnhaven Inlet, BAC commission member Phillip A. Davenport reported to the commission. “Nourishment is complete.”

Army Corps of Engineers’ contractors are still dredging in Long Creek and the spoils are being taken to the storage site off Maple Street. Dredging and replenishment projects involve specific sources for sand and destinations. The contract for the Cape Henry project ended Aug. 30., although city officials are looking at whether the stored sand on Maple Street can be used on eroded areas of Ocean Park or to add to the Cape Henry beach.

Decisions on that will depend on how Bay beaches fared during Hurricane Dorian.

Photo taken Saturday Sept 7 ’19 508pm. High tide was 456pm here.

“Looking like the storm surge and Friday afternoon’s high tide (4 pm here in Norfolk) will coincide – unfortunately.”

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Periodically we share updates from some really hard workers.

From an email by Skip Stiles of Wetlands Watch:

Looking like the storm surge and Friday afternoon’s high tide (4 pm here in Norfolk) will coincide – unfortunately. Wind from the NE starts cranking at noon Friday around 30 MPH. 1.5″ of rain on Thurs will be followed by another ~4.5 inches on Friday. Unfortunate coincidence of events.

Newest word from Jeff Orrock at NWS Wakefield is that the tidal waters are likely to hit 6.5 – 7 feet. That’s somewhere between Matthew (6 feet above Mean Lowe Low water) and Irene at 7.6 feet. Plan on 7 feet and hope for less? But the rain will be an issue on all those poorly draining streets and those places where stormwater lines bring water back up into the neighborhood.

Closings are already happening – ODU just announced a Friday closure.

ON THURSDAY – put your cars up somewhere higher if your street floods. Looks like we’ll get a pass on the wind – 30 MPH.

ON FRIDAY – stay home
…except you, Jeff. Thanks for the long hours

So – Friday afternoon flooding will be bad = tidal flooding up to 7′ (getting close to Irene), rain flooding will be bad everywhere. Wind will not be that strong but downed trees limbs will be a reality. Kids will probably get the day off Friday, so stay home if you can.

Skip
(yes, I know it says 6.2 feet on this chart but if you’re smart you’ll plan for higher because it will probably go closer to 7′)

Update on Broad Bay Channel Dredging with Deposit on Maple St. Spoils Site

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The following is an email update from the US Army Corps of Engineers Project Manager regarding the Broad Bay Channel Dredging.

 

It is my understanding that the material being dredged from Broad Bay Channel with placement in Maple St. is beach quality sand. Historical maintenance dredging from Broad Bay Channel has been beach quality sand and based on recent site visits I have no reason to believe otherwise. I was out at the site last week and the material looked great for use as emergency sand on the Bayfront. A couple of pictures are attached for reference of the sand that is being stockpiled there currently.

The water in the site may look cloudy which may cause confusion and create the appearance of a lack of beach quality sand. This is just attributed to the slurry mixture of material that is created during the dredging operations. The sandy material settles out of the slurry leaving the quality sand in the site while the effluent water exits the site. We have been testing the effluent water while the Contractor has been working in Maple St. Tests have shown that the Contractor is within the effluent State water quality threshold requirements. The Contractor is currently letting the site dewater and will begin pumping into Maple St. again later this week as they continue dredging in Broad Bay Channel on the west side of the Bay Island/Great Neck Bridges.

Please let me know if you have further questions.

Regards,
Chris

Christopher B. Tolson
Design Section, Operations Branch
Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Office: (757) 201-7012

 

 

City of Virginia Beach Asks for Citizen Input on eScooters – Take City Survey

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E-scooters are a new shared mobility service in Virginia Beach that offer an additional transportation option for residents and guests. Data from your survey participation will add to the community’s voice in establishing policy that properly aligns the business of e-scooters with Virginia Beach’s expectations.
This survey will be open through Tuesday, 9/3/19.

Click here to take the City’s survey on eScooters – https://publicinput.com/E-Scooters

 

City Council Votes to Ban eScooters at Oceanfront

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City Council voted this Tuesday to ban the use of eScooters (Lime, Bird, etc.) east of Artic Ave.  For more details you can read about it in this Virginian-Pilot article

https://www.pilotonline.com/government/local/vp-nw-scooter-ban-approved-0822-20190821-fp4flonsjvh7hfwb2urz5y6ede-story.html

Citizen Input Still Sought Regarding Sea Level Rise Plan – Take a Survey to Help

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In addition the recent public input meetings held by the City of Virginia Beach, the City is asking citizens to take an online survey to help capture your ideas and comments on the Draft Sea Level Rise and Recurrent Flooding Plan.  The survey can be found at the following link.  Please feel free to share this survey with anyone else that may live or work in Virginia Beach.

Click here or on the image above to access the survey https://sites.wp.odu.edu/asert/vb2019/