Category Archives: News

LMW documents from VB FOIA request by OPCL

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Ocean Park Civic League asked for all the current docs about the Lesner Municipal Wharf & proposed ideas for it’s use.

Lesner Municipal Wharf FOIA Details from May2018. (30 page PDF)

Documents include:

ACTION ITEMS

1. The COE and DEQ will discuss internally and advise on the appropriate permit process for the modification and extension request.
2. The City/Consultant will reconnect w/COE and DEQ the week of April 9th for direction and clarity on the process.
3. The City/Consultant will expand efforts on the permit modification/extension and incorporate COE/DEQ input, as appropriate, for the next submission.

UPDATE

Scharlene Floyd of the COE issued a permit extension on March 30, 2018 to extend the permit effective through May 13, 2022.

The bubbles are potential areas that are proposed to illustrate which neighborhoods might use certain transfer sites.

Route 35 HRT Bus Finder & flyer

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Every 30 minutes from Pleasure House Road & Shore Drive to Rudee Inlet !

Click to visit HRT Bus Finder.

Click to visit official HRT Route 35 flyer.

Monday May 21st SDCC Meeting Agenda – Note this is a week early due to Memorial Day

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda – 5.21.18 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday May 21, 2018 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
***Note this is a week early due to Memorial Day***
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Special Presentation – No presentation scheduled

Seaview Beach presentation rescheduled to Monday July 30th meeting.

Officer’s Reports:
Secretary – Kathy Damon
Treasurer’s Report –Tim Solanic
Vice President – Wally Damon
President – Todd Solomon

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

Old Business-
Short Term Rentals (STR) – It is believed that City Council will sending a recommendation back to the Planning Commission for review, comments and recommendations. After which, the Planning Commission will send City Council their final recommendation for a City Council vote. The Council vote may be as early as June but more likely July/Aug timeframe. No new information has been posted since April, but updates on STRs can be found at https://www.vbgov.com/residents/homes-neighborhoods/Pages/online-home-sharing-economy.aspx

Lynnhaven Municipal Wharf – What happens next. Updates on the City’s request to Army Corps of Engineers and Dept. of Environmental Quality to leave a permanent wharf in place after the Lesner Bridge construction is complete.

Bus Route 35: Shore Drive to Oceanfront – The expanded route began Sunday May 20th and will run until the end of September. It will operate daily from 8am to Midnight through Labor Day and then switch to weekend service until the end of September. Helpful updates will be posted on SDCC’s website as we gather them. https://sdcc.info/bayfront-shuttle-route-35/

New Business –
Addition of “Your Speed Is” Traffic Signs on Shore Drive – The draft report shows these signs helped reduce speeds for sections of Shore Drive from 50 MPH to 45 MPH. SDCC would like to make an official motion to request the City purchase some of these portable signs to be used periodically along high speed sections of Shore Drive.

City Council Approves FY19 Budget – Included in this budget is funding for Shore Drive Road Improvements in Ocean Park – Phase 4 – CIP 2.118 Bus Route 35: Shore Drive to Oceanfront. Thanks to all that showed their support in making this happen.

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

***Next SDCC Meeting – Monday June 25, 2018***

Virginia Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center will become Marriott Brand

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With a sweeping view of the Chesapeake Bay, the Virginia Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center on Shore Drive has long attracted tourists seeking a waterfront retreat.

Now, it’s going to change hands and get a major facelift.

Click here to read the entire Pilot article

BoBo’s Chicken opened on April 17th at old Charlie’s location

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For 70 years and three generations, the Rehpelz family served the people of Virginia Beach with seaside she-crab soup and hushpuppies at their Shore Drive restaurant, Charlie’s Seafood.

Now, a family tradition has just started in the same location. As first reported this winter by The Pilot, Virginia Beach native son Bo Midgett is bringing three generations of his own local family recipes to a new fried chicken and biscuit spot called Bobo’s Fine Chicken.

For more information and to read the Pilot article, click here

New Baylines issue includes Route 35 updates!

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May Baylines 2018 (5 page PDF)

Shuttle Route 35 debuts May 20

A shuttle-bus linking the Bayfront and Oceanfront, with service every 30 minutes, launches Sunday, May 20. This represents an expansion of last summer’s pilot service, both in distance and frequency.

Fares are $2 each way for adults, $1 for seniors age 65+ and free for children under age 17 with a paying adult. Under 17 without a paying adult may ride for $1. Day passes, allowing unlimited rides on the route, sell for $4.50 for adults, $2.25 for seniors age 65+. Three-day, half-fare passes are also available.

Advance passes may be purchased at the following retail locations:
• Sunsations at 500, 812,1116, 1400, 2300, 2500, 3020 and 3300 Atlantic Avenue
• Virginia Gift Shop at 702, 1706 and 2412 Atlantic Avenue.
• Sports Alley at 2900 Atlantic Avenue
• Virginia Beach Visitors Bureau at 2100 Parks Avenue
• First Landing State Park Campground Visitor’s Center at 2500 Shore Drive and
• Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center at 2800 Shore Drive
Exact-change fares can be paid at each shuttle stop.

“This is a great opportunity for residents to get to the Oceanfront” as well as for Oceanfront residents and visitors to sample Bayfront attractions, said Kal Kassir, chairman of the Bayfront Advisory Commission.

Last year’s pilot program stretched only between the Lesner Bridge and 19th Street and ran every 45 minutes. Ridership was high enough that the city and Hampton Roads Transit agreed to make it a permanent summertime route. Shortening the gap between buses to every 30 minutes and extending the route to allow passengers to connect more easily with other HRT routes should increase ridership, officials have said.

Route 35 will run daily through Labor Day. From Sept. 7-30, the bus will run Friday-Sunday only.

Visit VBGov.com to view SHORE DRIVE CORRIDOR:PAST, PRESENT, & FUTURE APRIL 19, 2018BAYFRONT ADVISORY COMMISSION

Save the Date – Monday July 30th – Historic Seaview Beach Presentation by Sherry DiBari

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This presentation originally scheduled for May 21st has been moved to July 30th.

You are all invited to the next SDCC General Meeting on Monday July 30th to hear a wonderful presentation on the historic Seaview Beach.  Don’t know what/where Seaview Beach was?  This is a great opportunity to learn some amazing stories and background of this incredible hot spot situated on Shore Drive.

Sherry Dibari, a Norfolk resident who works on independent projects related to the documentation and preservation of regional traditions and cultures, will discuss her research on Seaview Beach that she gathered while creating a research paper funded with a 2017 Research Grant from the Virginia Beach Historic Preservation Commission.

Click here for more information about her research

The SDCC meeting will begin at 7:30pm at the Ocean Park Rescue Squad Hall.

Congratulations to Mayor Louis Jones and Vice Mayor James Wood !

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Pilotonline.com:

On Tuesday, the City Council voted 9-0 to appoint Louis Jones as acting mayor until a special election is held Nov. 6.

Vice Mayor Wood was also selected unanimously.

Hooray for Shore Drive community!

Learn more about Mayor Jones & Vice Mayor Wood at VBGov.com.

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

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda 4.30.18 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday April 30, 2018 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 scheduled

Officer’s Reports: Secretary – Andrew Broyles; Treasurer’s Report –Tim Solanic; Vice President – Wally Damon; President – Todd Solomon

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

Old Business-
Addition of “Your Speed Is” Traffic Signs on Shore Drive – VB City Traffic Engineering has completed a draft report for the results of the study. SDCC has shared the report on our website. We will discuss the report results and next steps/actions. Come join the conversation.

Short Term Rentals (STR) – City Council deferred a final vote on any STR policy until late May timeframe. On April 3rd Councilman Jones proposed a draft ordinance that permits home-sharing by-right and only requires registration with the Commissioner of Revenue Office. Short term rentals are permitted by-right in the Sandbridge SSD, Ocean Front Resort District, and the North End overlay. In all other parts of the City, short term rentals would require a conditional use permit. Where short term rentals are permitted by-right or where they require a conditional use permit, they must adhere to 11 conditions. Updates on STRs can be found at https://www.vbgov.com/residents/homes-neighborhoods/Pages/online-home-sharing-economy.aspx

Lynnhaven Municipal Wharf – Updates on the City’s request to Army Corps of Engineers and Dept. of Environmental Quality to leave a permanent wharf in place after the Lesner Bridge construction is complete.

New Business –
Shore Drive Road Improvements in Ocean Park – Phase 4 – CIP 2.118 is still proposed for full funding in the upcoming FY19 City Budget. In an effort to show support for this item, an official SDCC vote will be taken at our April meeting. Please prepare accordingly.

Bus Route 35: Shore Drive to Oceanfront – The City Manager has allocated transitional funding to allow the expansion of this route for the 2018 season. The route will begin service the weekend before Memorial Day (Fri May 25th) and operate until the end of September. Replacement funding for this service is being requested as part of the proposed FY19 City Budget. In an effort to show support for this item, an official SDCC vote is recommended. Please prepare accordingly.

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

Future SDCC meeting presentation suggestions – The History of Seaview Beach by Historian Sherry DiBari. More information about this topic can be found at https://sdcc.info/2018/04/19/familiar-with-seaview-beach-amusement-park/

***Next SDCC Meeting – Monday May 21, 2018***
Please Note – This meeting is a week early due to Memorial Day

REAL-TIME ELECTRONIC SPEED FEEDBACK DISPLAYS EVALUATION: SHORE DRIVE TEST CASE

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The Traffic Engineering Division of the City of Virginia Beach (CVB) has conducted a test to evaluate the effectiveness of “Real-Time Electronic Speed Feedback Displays” (RTESFDs) at improving compliance with the posted speed limit. Shore Drive in the Cape Story area was utilized as the test case area and the CVB’s existing trailer mounted RTESFDs were utilized for the evaluation. The purpose of the study was to determine if the devices are effective at improving compliance with the posted speed limit, and if so, to what degree is speed of traffic modified, and is the change sustainable. Locally, the City of Norfolk has utilized these devices, however before and after data were not collected so the performance could not be evaluated.

The draft of this report can be read by clicking this link SHORE DRIVE ELECTRONIC SPEED DISPLAY SIGNS – Draft FINAL REPORT

The eastbound 3600 block of Shore Drive near the intersection of Dinwiddie Road has been reduced to one lane for emergency water main repairs.

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Emergency Water Main Repair Affecting Shore Drive
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
​VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (April 25, 2018) — The eastbound 3600 block of Shore Drive near the intersection of Dinwiddie Road has been reduced to one lane for emergency water main repairs. Warning signs are posted advising motorists of the utility work. Motorists are strongly encouraged to seek alternative routes.

Water service has been interrupted for some customers in the immediate service area. For additional information, please contact Robert Wheeler with Virginia Beach Public Utilities at 757-621-6072.

A 16″ water main apparently broke about 1255am.

From Pilot article:

There was a 16-inch water line break, said Robert Wheeler with the city’s public utilities department. He said they don’t know what caused it.

Water service has been intrrupted for some customers in the immediate area.

Drivers in the area are encouraged to seek alternative routes.

It’s expected to take five to six hours to repair, Wheeler said.

How to Share Your Feedback and Review Budget Details City Council will vote on the budget on May 15; here are ways you can get more information and provide feedback.

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How to Share Your Feedback and Review Budget Details at VBGov.com.

Watch Budget Presentations Online:​​

City Council will vote on the FY2018-19 Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program during the May 15 meeting at 6 p.m. in City Council Chambers (2401 Courthouse Drive).​

Start here to review current budget proposals at VBGov.com.

Click graphic to visit VBGov.com.

Will Sessoms is set to announce Wednesday that he will resign as Virginia Beach mayor to take a position with the Northam administration, sources said

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13 News Now reporting.

“But a push to fund improvements that will benefit residents who bike, run, and walk could make Shore Drive more popular and safer.”

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View article at Pilotonline.com.

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Photo Credit: Stephen M. Katz | The Virginian-Pilot

In 2007, Virginia Beach leaders divided the Shore Drive project into four phases. The first, between Treasure Island and Marlin Bay drives, was completed in 2008.

The newest phase the city wants to fund is still a ways off from construction – it’s scheduled to start in 2023.

Hopefully, it can be done sooner, said Vice Mayor Louis Jones, who represents that part of the city.

The City Council will hold a workshop to discuss short term rentals on April 17, 2018.

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Online Home Sharing Economy page at VBGov.com has been updated.

City Council held a discussion on short term rentals at their informal meeting on April 3. At this meeting, Vice Mayor Louis Jones distributed a draft ordinance he had prepared. The draft Ordinance . . .

“There are hereby established the following overlay districts: (1) Shore Drive Corridor Overlay District (“SD”)…”

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View entire proposed Resolution. (19page PDF)

City Council Informal Session discussion April 3 ’18.

“It has taken decades of planning and a court case for the city to be ready to add sand to the rapidly eroding Chesapeake Beach. And crews could start work as soon as next month, if the city borrows $1 million set aside for beach replenishment at the Oceanfront.”

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Article at Pilotonline.com:

It’s been eroding for years, said coastal manager Phill Roehrs, and the shrinking beach poses a threat to properties facing the Chesapeake Bay.

Photo Credit: Bill Tiernan The Virginian-Pilot