Category Archives: News

SDCC requests City Council defer hearing Planning Item #4 – New Millennium Senior Living Communities.

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From an email sent to City Council:

Dear Mayor Sessoms and City Council Members,

I am writing to request a deferral for the subject agenda item, Planning Item #4 – New Millennium Senior Living Communities, being heard at tonight’s Council meeting. The deferral would allow time for the community and City Traffic Engineers to find a safer design for the proposed additional entrance located at the intersection of Shore Drive and Indian Hill Road.

Residents have expressed concern at both Bayfront Advisory Commission and Shore Drive Community Coalition meetings that adding 2 additional points of conflict at the new entrance intersection will result in an unsafe situation. The existing intersection already creates a two car stacking conflict in the median and the proposed City design could result in a 3 or even 4 car interaction.

The following recommendation has been made for the new traffic pattern and would provide a safer intersection with no adverse impact to the operation of the new development.

At the proposed Indian Hill Road entrance – only allow vehicles heading eastbound on Shore Drive to enter and exit the new development.
Keep operating the existing old building main entrance with 4 way median flow as-is. This entrance is located approximately 500 feet to the west of the proposed Indian Hill Road entrance.
Vehicles leaving the development heading westbound on Shore Drive would use the existing old building entrance or the First Court Road entrance which leads to stop lighted intersections.

Thank you for your continued efforts to make Shore Drive safe for all modes of travel

Sincerely,
Todd Solomon
Shore Drive Community Coalition-President
(757) 667-8533 cell

“Shore Drive, We Love This Place”, check out http://www.sdcc.info

Aerial view of existing conditions. Proposed new Baylake facility will be in grass area on left.

Emphasis added for this post.

“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.

SDCC General Meeting Mon Aug 28 – Disaster Preparedness Presentation

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda 8.28.17 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday August 28, 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 –

Disaster Preparedness in Virginia Beach

Ms. Heather Gordon, Sr. Planner Office of Emergency Management, will discuss Virginia Beach’s plans on how to prepare and recover from potential natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods and tornadoes. Come learn about the new “Know Your Zone” hurricane evacuation designations, Learn where the closest shelters are, Learn the best ways to prepare for a disaster. This meeting is open to the public, so bring a friend, your lives may depend on it.

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
• Bay Lake Assisted Living Facility Expansion
• Resort Conference Hotel Proposal to Convert to Assisted Living Facility
• Mermaid Winery

Community Rating System (CRS) Application to FEMA/HUD – The City Manager has sent a letter to FEMA requesting that Virginia Beach be evaluated for inclusion in the CRS program. Copy of letter is on http://www.sdcc.info

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

VB proposed changes to Route 35 and other bus services – The City’s transportation planners have presented City Council with a draft 2018 plan to improve the City’s mass transit by increasing frequency and reliability. How does this impact test route 35?

Boat Repair Shop Demolition – It appears that the demolition of the boat repair shop on Shore Drive in Ocean Park had little to no oversite from City zoning inspectors. No storm water inlet barricades were used, no protection fencing and other alledged violations were noted by residents. What actions can be taken to prevent this from happening again on future projects?

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 September 25, 2017

News & petition about a unique, beloved live oak in Chics Beach neighbors are trying to save.

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News including video at 13 News Now.

Neighbors are so upset, they started a petition because they say this is history, although the tree is damaged they believe it can be saved.

“Fill it with a material, organic material that would help any increase of the decay,” Morrell said.

Others say this the tree is important and they will do anything to keep it standing.

View the petition at Change.org entitled SAVE A 100+ YEAR OLD LIVE OAK TREE!!!!

There is a lovely old (100-200 year old) Live Oak tree on Virginia Beach city property (in Chics Beach, corner of Chubb Lake & Bayview Avenues). The city has all but decided to take it down…

Update on expanding HRT Route 35 next year

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Exciting stuff !

Draft of 2018 plan includes adding another bus to route to reduce frequency to 30 minutes from 45, and running Route 35 over to HRT transfer station at Pleasure House Road that would help expand service to JEB Little Creek.

View Citywide Transit Planning Update made to City Council this week. (29 page PDF).

More info about Route 35 at this website.

Previously:
385 Survey Takers Provided Input on a Proposed Shore Drive – Oceanfront Trolley

COVB has officially started application process with FEMA for CRS. Yay!

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Here’s the 1 page PDF of the letter sent to FEMA.

You’ll find more info about CRS at Search & Hot on this website.

2017 SDCC Membership List

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The current list of 2017 paid organizational members has been added to the website’s membership page.  Dues are only $25 per organization and are for the calendar year January to December.  If you don’t see your organization on the list, you are welcome to pay at our SDCC meetings or by sending a check to our mailing address.

For the mailing address and more information about membership, check out the membership page by clicking this link.

2017 Paid Members

3556 On the Bay
Aries on the Bay Civic League
Cape Henry Shores Civic League
Cape Henry Towers
Harbour Gate Owners Association
Lynnhaven Beach Condo Association
Lynnhaven Dunes Condo Association
Mariners Mark Condo Association
North Shore Condo Association
Ocean Park Civic League
Seagate Colony
Seashell Villa Condo Association
Ship’s Watch Condo Association
Westminster-Canterbury

CBF and Pleasure House Brewing Partner to Create Rain Barrel Beer

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Amazing and wonderful things just keep happening for our Bayfront Community.  The Virginian-Pilot recently reported that the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) and Pleasure House Brewing will partner to create a new beer for CBF’s 50th Anniversary.

To read the entire article at pilotonline.com, click the intro below

For Hampton Roads beer fans who might be prone to cursing the rain after a seemingly never-ending storm, there’s new reason to be thankful for the bounty that falls from those dark skies – Kimberly Pierceall, The Pilot 

Shore Drive Scores Top 2 for Best Steamed Shrimp

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Congratulations to Dockside and CP Shuckers, two local Shore Drive restaurants, for placing 1st and 2nd in a recent Virginian Pilot taste test.  Just another reason to love our Bayfront Community.

You can read the Pilot article by clicking the intro link below:

Steamed shrimp is one of summer’s simplest pleasures. To find the area’s best, we chose four readers as testers (culled from a big pile of applications) and spent a sweltering Saturday afternoon scoring piles of shrimp from the three restaurants most nominated by readers. Here’s what the testers found. – Lorraine Eaton, The Virginian-Pilot

 

Update on proposed parking lot for kayak launch on Pleasure House Point

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View 2017_0606 PLAN11-019-20 REV1 with CE (1 page PDF)

From an email about tree inventory & parking lot design revision:

The parking layout provides 2 ADA parking spaces with the required access aisle area between the two spaces. The minimum access aisle between ADA spaces for vans is 8ft so that is why it appears to be able to accommodate 3 vehicles. The ADA spaces are on the east side of the drive aisle. The 3 parking areas for 15 minute only to drop off equipment are on the west side of the drive aisle.

We do not have a separate tree inventory. The consultant was asked to survey the location and size of trees 2” caliper and larger in the area of the construction entrance/parking lot and provide that information on a plan sheet.

From an email about ADA requirements:

The ADA standards do not have a specific chapter addressing kayak launches. We use Chapter 2 Section 235 as a guide for the parking requirements. Then follow the applicable requirements in Chapters 2, 5 and 10 for accessible routes, parking space sizes, etc.

This link is to Chapter 2-Scoping Requirements.

Within Chapter 2;

  • Section 206 addresses the accessible routes required
  • Section 208 addresses the “shortest accessible route” requirement between the facility and the parking.
  • Section 235 addresses the parking requirements for “Recreational Boating Facilities”. The parking requirements are based on a marina’s number of boat slips. We are required to provide 1 ADA space. Providing 2 spaces seemed reasonable given the minimal amount of space needed to add the second parking stall and the likely use of a fully ADA accessible launch site in this area of the Lynnhaven.

This link is to Chapter 5-General Site and Building Elements.

  • Section 502 addresses the dimensions of the parking spaces and access aisles.

This link is to Chapter 10-Recreation Facilities.

  • Section 1003 addresses recreational boating facilities requirements

Monday July 31st – SDCC General Meeting Special Presentation and Agenda

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda 7.31.17 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday July 31, 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 – Proposed Urban Winery on Shore Drive – Jennifer Eichert, owner and operator of Mermaid Winery in Norfolk, will discuss her plans to open a winery at 4365 Shore Drive. The plans include an outside seating area with fire pits and a tasting room that will be available for private parties. The project was scheduled to be heard by the Planning Commission on July 12th.

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

 

Old Business-
Route 35, Bayfront Shuttle – Update on ridership numbers and HRT’s ideas to expand and make this route more effective. Thoughts and feedback welcomed. Send comments to Todd@sdcc.info Comments will be collected and forwarded to City and HRT.

Pleasure House Point Management Plan – City Staff met with an Ocean Park Civic League steering committee to discuss the planned parking lot, ADA requirements and the wetland mitigation bank.

 

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

Bay Lake Assisted Living Facility Expansion – The owners of Bay Lake plan to expand by adding new buildings to their vacant lot at the corner of First Court and Shore Drive. The plan requires a Conditional Use Permit and may be heard by the Planning Commission as early as August. The site layout shows an entrance off Shore Drive across from Indian Hill Rd and another off First Court.

Resort Conference Hotel Proposal to Convert to Assisted Living Facility – VB Planning received a Conditional Use Permit application for the transition of the VB Resort and Conference Center to become Housing for Seniors and Disabled Persons. The request is to specifically convert the hotel into independent, assisted and memory care units. A hearing may be as early as September.

 

Community Concerns and Suggestions – 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 August 28, 2017

Swimming Advisory Issued for Cape Henry Area

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Swimming Advisory Issued for Cape Henry Area
Fort Story to Starfish Road Including First Landing State Park

The Virginia Beach Department of Public Health has issued a swimming and wading advisory for the Cape Henry area of Virginia Beach between Fort Story and Starfish Road, including First Landing State Park. Recent testing conducted by the Health Department showed that bacteria levels in the water exceeded the State Water Quality Standards.

Recreational waters are monitored for bacteria using indicator organisms such as Enterococcus, the indicator of choice in estuarine and marine waters.

“The coastal waters of Virginia are generally very clean, and we test them weekly from May through September,” said Heidi Kulberg, M.D., director of the Virginia Beach Department of Public Health. “On the occasions when waters fail to meet the standards, we need to protect public health by letting residents and visitors know.”

Signs will be posted on the beach between Fort Story and Starfish Road to alert the public of the swimming and wading advisory. The signs will read:

WARNING! SWIMMING ADVISORY
Bacteria levels do not meet state water quality standards
Swimming and wading are prohibited until further notice

Virginia Beach has conducted these tests since the mid-1970s. Health officials will continue testing the site until the water quality meets the state water quality standards. When the sampling test results meet the standards, the signs will be removed.

Enterococci are a group of organisms used to determine the extent of the fecal contamination of recreational waters. While they do not cause illness, scientific studies indicate that their presence is closely correlated to the presence of other disease-causing organisms. People swimming or playing in waters with bacteria levels higher than the standard have an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal illness, as well as skin, eye and respiratory infections.

“We encourage the public to protect their health by complying with this advisory,” said Kulberg. “Typically an advisory of this nature is temporary and will be withdrawn once the bacteria levels have returned to safe levels.”

The results of this and all other sampling are located on the Virginia Department of Health Web site at http://www.vdh.state.va.us/epidemiology/DEE/BeachMonitoring.

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

“The Planning Commission will hear Eichert’s application for a winery on Shore Drive July 12. Mermaid Winery at the Beach could open on Nov. 1.”

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From Pilotonline.com:

Plans for the winery in a vacant restaurant building on Shore Drive near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel include an outside seating area with fire pits. A tasting room will be available for private parties.

“It’s a good fit,” said Jimmy McNamara, staff planner for the city.

Norfolk location.
Photo Credit: Mermaid Winery Facebook page.

A presentation was made to the Bayfront Advisory Committee meeting in June ’17.

BAC Capital Improvement Projects’ Briefing

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View and download PDF of presentation briefing. (27 page PDF)

PDF includes info such as:

Completed Projects FY17

Shore Drive Bike Facilities CIP 2-300.101
• EB & WB On road bike lanes from Diamond Springs Road to
Northampton Boulevard, approx. 3 miles.
• Completed February 2017
• Total Project Cost: $4.4M
Crab Creek & Long Creek Dredging CIP 8-011 • Spot dredging to address shoaling
• Completed February 2017 • Total Project Cost: $285K
Lynnhaven Inlet Maintenance Dredging • Minor dredging to address shoaling
• Completed August 2016
• Annualized Payments to USACE – $363K
CIP 8-013

#LESNERBRIDGE update from Project Manager: “Thursday July 6th, beginning at 12:01 AM and ending at 4:00 AM – Shore Drive at Lesner Bridge will be reduced to a single lane.”

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Update from Email:

Folks:

Last week we successfully accomplished a major milestone in the project – moving the gantry crane from the north side of Shore Drive to the south side of Shore Drive and into position to begin assembly of the eastbound bridge superstructure segments. To do this, we had to close Shore Drive and setup a long detour until the move could be completed. The last piece of this move is to remove the two beams that are currently located on the western end of the bridge crossing Shore Drive.

Unlike the first two phases of this gantry crane move, a detour WILL NOT be required to remove these two beams. NEXT Thursday July 6th, beginning at 12:01 AM and ending at 4:00 AM – Shore Drive at Lesner Bridge will be reduced to a single lane and a flagger operation will control the direction of traffic across the bridge. Therefore, motorists should be PREPARED TO STOP on their approach to the bridge during this time period.

Bridge crossing delays of up to 15 minutes should be expected and motorists may want to plan an alternate route while these two beams are removed.

Area of Work and Restricted Traffic on Lesner Bridge July 6, 2017 12:00 AM to 4:00 AM

Please note that on Wednesday July 5th, beginning at 10:00 PM Shore Drive at Lesner Bridge will be reduced to a single lane in each direction in preparation for the flagger operation that will begin at midnight.

We appreciate your patience regarding these traffic interruptions along Shore Drive at Lesner Bridge!

Have a Happy and Safe Independence Day! …and of course Please Drive Safely!

-Chris

Christopher J. Wojtowicz, PE
Project Manager
City of Virginia Beach
Department of Public Works
Engineering Division
2405 Courthouse Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23456-9031
Office: (757) 385-5785
Fax: (757) 385-5668
Email: cwojtowi@vbgov.com

New Bayfront Shuttle – Route 35 Information Webpage

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This will be a work in progress and is being compiled by a crack staff of volunteers (Tim and Todd).  We are working with existing HRT information and trying to put it into a usable format.  So if you have any corrections are would like to have additional information added to the page, please email Todd at todd@sdcc.info and we will try to accommodate your requests.

Bayfront Shuttle – Route 35 Webpage – Click here

Special Presentation – VB Participation in CRS Program – Monday June 26th at 7:30pm

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SDCC General Meeting – Special Presentation

A presentation on Virginia Beach’s participation in the FEMA/HUD Community Rating System (CRS) will be made by Ms. Whitney McNamara, City’s Environment and Sustainability Office.  Ms. McNamara will be providing an update on City’s progress in joining this program that will help residents save money on their flood insurance premiums and help improve overall city flood management plans.

The meeting is open to the public and will be held on Monday June 26th at 7:30pm in the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad hall (3769 E Stratford Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23455)

Additional background information regarding CRS program and efforts to date can be found below:

We hope you can attend this informative meeting on a very important topic for the Bayfront neighborhoods.

Monday June 26th – SDCC General Meeting Agenda

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda – 6.26.17 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday June 26, 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 – Community Rating System (CRS) for Residents in Flood Zones – Ms. Whitney McNamara, City Planning Department will provide an update on the City’s application to FEMA/HUD’s CRS program. This is the program that all but 2 cities in Hampton Roads participate and can bring a 5% to 30% reduction in your flood insurance premiums.

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

Old Business–
Marina Shores Condo/Apartment Proposed Development – Brief update. Presentation made by developer to Bayfront Advisory Committee (BAC) at June meeting. Project lawyer informs that the dredge transfer easement will be included in the zoning boundary that includes the wetlands and open space.

Proposed Development West of 7-11 near Marlin Bay Drive/Shore Drive – Variance request was scheduled for Monday May 22nd at Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Board. Request was withdrawn. No new date has been scheduled.

Route 35, Bayfront Shuttle – Thoughts and feedback welcomed. Send comments to Todd@sdcc.info Comments will be collected and forwarded to City and HRT. Route operating times shown below.
Daily, May 21 – Labor Day, 8:00 a.m. until Midnight, every 45 minutes.
Fri-Sat-Sun, September 8 – October 1, 8:00 a.m. until Midnight, every 45 minutes

Pleasure House Point Management Plan – SDCC has asked City staff for the most up to date information regarding the management plan and the CIP that identifies the creation of a wetlands mitigation bank, parking lot, rest rooms and kayak launch. SDCC has also requested the reconvening of the PHP Management Task Force that helped create the draft of the management plan.

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

Community Concerns and Suggestions for 2017 – General discussion of neighborhood and community concerns that may need SDCC attention. This is an opportunity for all to share information.

Civic Engagement Opportunities:
Community Meetings to discuss options for the new City Hall (more info here)

July 26 5-6 pm  Virtual – on Facebook Live
July 26 6-8 pm  Virginia Beach Convention Center
August 23 6-8 pm  Westin Hotel Ballroom, Town Center

Upcoming Presentations:
July 31st – (Proposed but not confirmed) – Mermaid Winery development planned for the old Foon’s restaurant next to Beach Buggy car wash. Existing building would be used for a Winery and Restaurant.

Next SDCC Meeting – Monday July 31, 2017