Category Archives: News

SDCC General Meeting – Monday June 27th at 7:30pm

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda – 6.27.16 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda

Monday June 27, 2016 from 7:30 to 9:00pm

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall

(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

 Special Presentations –  No scheduled presentation. Updates on projects and issues that impact Shore Drive residents will be discussed in the Old & New Business sections.  Topics will include:

  • Temporary Reroute of West Great Neck Road – When, Why and Impact
  • Flag Poles – What happening and why.
  • Parking on Shore Drive between North Great Neck Rd and State Park.  What are the rules?
  • Friends of Live Oaks (FOLO) Meeting Update – Top priorities and how the community can help.
  • Shore Drive Speed Enforcement between North Great Neck Road and State Park – Why? and Results.
  • Beach Event Houses – What has the Beaches and Waterways Commission been doing? 

Officer’s Reports

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

Old Business-

Marina Shores Proposed Development – Update on proposal to rezone the site and construct 261 apartments.  City’s Planning Department evaluation update.  When will the project go before the Planning Commission?  

Beach Event Houses – Update from the Beaches & Waterways Commission overseeing this evaluation.

Friends of Live Oaks (FOLO) – Update on their meeting and discussion of their planned priorities.  

New Business –

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

Tidal Surge Gate Installation – 3 tidal gates are being installed along Cape Henry Drive.  The project has started, updates on impacts to West Great Neck Road will be discussed.

Flag Pole Installation – 4 sets of (4) flag poles have been installed in the Bayfront area.  Learn what the BAC plans for these poles.

Parking on Shore Drive – Residents of Cape Story used City’s See-Click-Fix App to identify possible safety concerns due to restricted visibility from parked cars.  Update will be provided.

VB Police Target Speed Enforcement along Shore Drive in Cape Story – Learn why the police have targeted this area and some of the surprising results so far. 

Community Concerns – Does your neighborhood/condo have any issues that have come up that need help or may be a warning to others?  

Next SDCC Meeting – Monday July 25, 2016

 

 

#LESNERBRIDGE update from Project Manager: “Completion of the bridge’s superstructure is estimated for September 2016 with a partial …”

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June 14th 2016 update:

Aficionados of Bridges, Roads and Beaches:

No chit chat about ice on the roads and salt and sand and that nasty wind whipping off the bay today . . . No sir-eeee . . . you can toss that talk! Now it’s nothing but thoughts of heat and sand and sun and heat and swimming pools and heat and cocoa butter and more heat!! Just soak it up and savor the summer days living in Virginia Beach.

Progress on the Lesner Bridge Replacement Project is moving onward, and I’m sure most of you can see the progress almost on a daily basis.

Below is the latest collection of facts and figures and snappy photos – updated for your reading pleasure – from Chris Wojtowicz, engineer, project manager and smarty pants about all things related to bridges. You’ll want to be sure and add this update to your paperbacks and magazines for great reading while on the beach or sailing on the bay.

Feel free to let Chris or me know if you have any questions or need more information. If you haven’t had the opportunity to watch this construction sequence animation, please check it out.

As a reminder, we are regularly updating information on our WEB page at: http://www.vbgov.com/lesner-bridge. You can also follow us on Twitter at: @lesnerbridge.

If you know of someone who would like to be added to our update list, please have them get in touch with me at this e-mail address and I will be glad to add them. Please feel free to pass this along to others.

Thanks again for all of your interest and patience throughout this project. Enjoy the summer weather, fire up the grill, and avoid those skeeters . . . AND STAY COOL AND SAFE!

Drew Lankford
Media and Communications
Department of Public Works
City of Virginia Beach

dlankfor@vbgov.com
(O) 757.385.8062
(C) 757.409.4353

************************************************************************************

To All:

Yes – that small gap in the center of the new westbound Lesner Bridge is exactly as designed.

On Monday, June 13th, 2016, the last pre-cast concrete segment in the center span of the new westbound Lesner Bridge was set and post-tensioned in place. The remaining 2-foot wide gap is known as the Main Span Closure Segment and will be formed and cast-in-place early next week during the night when the surrounding concrete is at a minimum thermal gradient. The placement of the Main Span Closure concrete will complete the most challenging portion of the bridge construction – building both cantilever sections of the 225’ wide main bridge span; one from the west and one from the east and having them both meet in the middle where they’re supposed to be. Hats off to the FIGG Bridge designers and the precise work of McLean Contracting Company!

While crews work on finishing the main bridge span (setting formwork, placing rebar, installing continuity tendons across the main span, and tendon grouting), the gantry crane will be moved off of the cantilever and to span 7 (of 10). Once the gantry is moved to Span 7, the contractor will begin work on setting the segments atop Pier column #7 while post-tensioning work is being finished in the main span (#5).

Span 5 of the new Westbound Lesner Bridge – where the east and west cantilever sections of the bridge meet.

Span 5 of the new Westbound Lesner Bridge – where the east and west cantilever sections of the bridge meet.

Now, a brief summary of work that we have completed since the last project update (3/29/2016):

Ø Cantilever Span 5B of the new westbound Lesner Bridge has been completed;

Ø The falsework at pier #6 has been installed at Pier #7 in preparation for the next gantry launch;

Ø The construction of pier columns #9 has been completed;

Ø We completed segment casting for spans 8, 9 and most of 10 (four segments remaining);

Ø Streetlight pilasters have been completed at pier columns 1 and 2;

Ø Preliminary pavement planning was completed on Spans 1, 2, and 3;

Ø Base and intermediate asphalt has been placed at the new bridge approaches.

Construction of the new westbound Lesner Bridge substructure (foundations, footings, and piers) is now complete. Completion of the bridge’s superstructure is estimated for September 2016 with a partial (westbound traffic) traffic switch to the new bridge late September 2016 or early October 2016.

AMI, Inc. in Portsmouth, continues to build the superstructure of the new Lesner Bridge. A total of 164 of the 168 bridge segments have been cast for the new westbound bridge.

Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will:

Ø Launch the gantry to span #7 and set the pier segments on pier column #7;

Ø Deliver (via barge) the Pier #7 bridge segments and install on Pier column #7

Ø Cast-in-place the Main Spain Closure segment in Span #5;

Ø Install and post-tension the main span continuity tendons;

Ø Install temporary trench drains along the north side of each bridge approach.

That’s it for now. 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

Screen shot of Construction Cam eastbound view taken at 437pm June 14th '16

Screen shot of Construction Cam eastbound view taken at 437pm June 14th ’16

“A circuit court judge has ruled in favor of the city of Virginia Beach in the Chic’s Beach case.”

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More at WAVY.com.
More at Pilotonline.com.

A similar case establishing the public state of Cape Henry beach went to the Virginia Supreme Court in 2009. It was decided in the city’s favor and a replenishment project began at that beach the same year.

SHORE DRIVE AT MARLIN BAY NOW. Expect Shore Drive to be closed. 

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Accident involving HRT Bus at stop & 3 other vehicles. 

Ambulance just arrived on scene. 

Expect Shore Drive westbound to be closed. 

“The suspects then sped away from the crash and led police on a pursuit starting at Lookout Rd. in the Chic’s Beach section of the city, but officers were able to set up road spikes at Indian Hill Rd. and stopped the car.”

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Coverage including video at WVEC.com.

Coverage at Pilotonline.com.

Police said the SUV was believed to have been stolen. Several firearms were recovered from the vehicle, according to the release.

Coverage at WAVY.com.

All three tried to run from the car. Police searched the area with a helicopter and K-9’s, and apprehended three suspects.

Live oaks on triangle at Tazewell & East Stratford Road in Ocean Park being cut down. Teachable moment opportunities.

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From City Arborist:

I wanted to let you and the SDCC know that three Live Oak trees at the intersection of Tazewell Rd. and East Stratford Rd must be removed soon by Virginia Beach Landscape Management. The city has been monitoring the trees for a few months and carried out crown cleaning. However the soil in the median where the trees are growing is extremely compacted, and this has led to the decline of the trees and canopy dieback. A strength test was performed on these trees which revealed decay within the shell walls of the trunk. We will be replacing these trees with three more Live Oak trees in our next planting season. One tree will go into the center of the median where the soil is less compacted and the other two trees will be planted nearby.

Thank you for helping us inform the neighborhood residents. Please let me know if there are any additional questions.

Best wishes,

Susan

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

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A couple goals discussed includes staging the live oak lumber some place dry to cure it to create art.
You might have seen live oak lumber used in Brock Environmental Center that was saved from live oaks cut down for a development in Ocean Park to be built. (View some of the art at this link in SDCC.info.)

Other teachable moment opportunities include clearly illustrating why the live oaks had to be cut down and how to ensure yours stay healthy.

VBGov.com was “upgraded” recently and many, many Links we send you to are now broken. Again.

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A screenshot of a 404 Error Message.

A screenshot of a 404 Error Message.

We apologize and wish there was an easy fix on our end.

When you find a broken link at VBGov.com, please Comment in our Post and we’ll do our best to fix it.

Frustrating? Yes! There are best practices that are typically followed to ensure Links are not broken when a website is “upgraded”.

Thank you for your patience.

Note: Feel free to add your conspiracy theory Comments below.

COVB heads to court over beach replenishment 

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Read story at Pilotonline.com.

The filing names more than 50 property owners near the Chic’s Beach shore, but only a handful are actively contesting the city’s assertion. Many residents declined to sign paperwork to opt out of the lawsuit and accepted default status, meaning they would accept whatever the court’s decision is, Boynton said.

SDCC General Meeting – Monday May 23rd at 7:30pm

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda – 5.23.16 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda

Monday May 23, 2016 from 7:30 to 9:00pm

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall

(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

 

Special Presentations –  No scheduled presentation.  This time will be used to discuss which future presentations should be pursued.  Possibilities include:

  • City’s Urban Forest and Tree Oversight (Susan French, City Arborist)
  • Long Range Storm Water Plans for Shore Drive East of Lesner Bridge
  • Update on City’s pursuit of Community Rating System (CRS), a National Flood Insurance Program
  • Update on Shore Drive Safety – Have improvements helped reduce accidents/incidents?
  • Any other community concerns?

 Officer’s Reports 

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

 

Old Business-

Marina Shores Proposed Development – Update on proposal to rezone the site and construct 261 apartments.  City’s Planning Department evaluation update.  When will the project go before the Planning Commission?  

Beach Event Houses – Update from the Beaches & Waterways Commission overseeing this evaluation. 

 

New Business –

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

Community Concerns – Does your neighborhood/condo have any issues that have come up that need help or may be a warning to others?   

Next SDCC Meeting – Monday June 27, 2016

“The Brock Center intends to be an educational platform for all participants and visitors to better learn and act in responsible ways. The result is an exceptionally informed and inspired constituency that values the Bay and its watershed as a living, connected system.”

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Read & view photos of Case Study entitled The Chesapeake Bay Brock Environmental Center:

This site is a fantastic location for an Environmental Education Center, as it provides a wealth of opportunities to study both the ongoing restoration of the landscape and the interface where the land meets the water. The center will be an active demonstration site for important and relevant restoration projects, including living shorelines, oyster, wetland, and other habitat restoration, as well as water quality improvement initiatives.

Photo Credit: International Living Building Institute

Photo Credit: International Living Building Institute

There are 2 errors in the Case Study.
International Living Building Institute have been notified.
Can you find them?

Northampton Boulevard in Virginia Beach closed after crash. Fatality Crash Team at scene. 

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View article & photos at Pilotonline.com. 


Coverage at WAVY.com.

Coverage at WTKR.com.

Congratulations to the newest Certified Living Building in the world – Brock Environmental Center on Pleasure House Point

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From their Facebook page this morning:

We are incredibly excited to announce to you that CBF’s Brock Environmental Center has been named the newest Living Building in the world!

The Brock Center has officially met all requirements of the Living Building Challenge through the International Living Future Institute! Thank YOU for your support in making this happen–truly a celebration for all!

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Congratulations to everyone who helped make this achievement possible!

Learn more about the Living Building Challenge.
Not all of Pleasure House Point is permanently preserved yet.
View map at our Pleasure House Point page.

Cape Henry Beach Replenishment

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The following notice was graciously sent to SDCC by Mr. Phill Roehrs, P.E. Water Resources Engineer with the City of VB Public Works Engineering.  Thank you Phill for keeping us up to date.

Dear Shore Drive Residents:

We wanted to let you know about an upcoming truck haul of sand from the City’s stockpile south of the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility to a section of Cape Henry Beach.

As you know, the sand stockpile area has been the repository for sand dredged from the Crab Creek channel in recent years.  Portions of Cape Henry Beach have experienced erosion over the previous winter, and would benefit from the placement of the sand dredged from Crab Creek.

There is also a need to remove sand from the stockpile area to create capacity for future dredging of Crab Creek and to help alleviate space issues at the staging area for the Lesner Bridge Replacement Project.

As such, the City has begun coordinating a truck haul of up to 30,000 cubic yards of material from the sand stockpile to a portion of Cape Henry Beach for purposes of beach replenishment.

Some of the details are:

Ø Trucks will begin hauling sand as early as May 9, 2016, in an attempt to finish the beach work prior to Memorial Day.

Ø The replenishment area will be the area to the west of  the Lynnhaven Fishing Pier.

Ø The Jade Street beach access will serve as the vehicular access point for trucks hauling sand  to the beach.

Ø This truck haul will result in increased storm protection for portions of Cape Henry Beach just prior to the upcoming hurricane season, and will serve to nourish the beach westward to the Lesner Bridge by natural drift.

If you have any questions or would like further details about this project, please contact Thomas Gay via email at tgay@vbgov.com, or by phone at 385-4838.

Thank you for your time and please share this information.

 

“Help is on the way, as surveying is complete on a $1 million project to alleviate flooding in several neighborhoods south of Shore Drive. Installation of three sluice gates in the Cape Henry Ditch will commence shortly.”

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Check article and photos at Pilotonline.com:

When the project is complete in January 2017, sensors that monitor water height along the ditch will signal the gates to move up or down, a process that typically takes 10 to 15 minutes, according to Mike Mundy, water resource program manager for the city. Though the gates are primarily for protection from tidal water, they will also be monitored to prevent heavy rainfall from causing flooding when they’re closed.

Graphic Credit: Virginian-Pilot

Graphic Credit: Virginian-Pilot

“These funds have allowed us to build 58 acres of sanctuary oyster reef in partnership with the US Army Corps of Engineers in the Lynnhaven River and stock them with 20 million spat on shell oysters. These sanctuary reefs have contributed greatly to the resurgence of our native oyster population and to the improvements in water quality and habitat.”

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Obviously a clean Lynnhaven River makes the world a much better place for all of us!

Learn more about the Virginia Beach Oyster Heritage Fund at LRNow.org:

The shells that have accumulated at the landfill over the past six years are slated to be used to build a 1.5 acre sanctuary reef in Eastern Branch of the Lynnhaven River in spring 2017.

Pelicans on Athey Oyster Reef

Monday April 25th SDCC General Meeting Agenda – Special Comprehensive Plan Presentation

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda – 4.25.16 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda

Monday April 25, 2016 from 7:30 to 9:00pm

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall

(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

 

Special Presentations –  City Comprehensive Plan Update – City staff members Jeryl Phillips, Comprehensive Planning Coordinator, and Steven White, City Planning Evaluation Coordinator, will provide an update of the 2016 Comprehensive Plan with a focus on the Bayfront area.  The Comp Plan is the City visioning document that guides progress in 5 year increments.  In 2015, Bayfront residents provided a large number of comments to the plan at an open house held in John B. Dey ES.  Come out to hear how your comments made a difference to this important planning document.

 Officer’s Reports

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

Old Business-

Shore Drive to Oceanfront Bus Loop – First Landing State Park and City are working on a plan to create a stop on the beachfront parking area.  This plan looks possible and if executed will allow the test route to take place in 2017. 

Marina Shores Proposed Development – Update on proposal to rezone the site and construct 261 apartments.  City is evaluating parking requirements.  Eastern access road doesn’t look possible due to environmental/Army Corps impact.  

New Business –

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

Beach Event Houses – The City is evaluating an ordinance to control the use of rental property that is being used for short term events.  Single family homes are being rented for durations less than a week and being used for large events without following current event permit requirements.  Sandbridge is the biggest impact area, but what impact would this have on the Bayfront area? 

Community Concerns – Does your neighborhood/condo have any issues that have come up that need help or may be a warning to others?

Civic Engagement Opportunities-

Comprehensive Plan Comments –

  • City Council Hearing – Tues. May 17th, 6pm City Council Chambers 

City Budget Comments –

  • Public Hearings –Tues. April 26th, 6pm City Council Chambers
  • Online Opportunities – Virtual Town Hall, Balancing Act (links at www.sdcc.info) 

Common Ground for Action – National Issues Forum – Climate Choices online dialogue opportunity.  There will be 2 opportunities to participate in an online conversation regarding Climate Choices.  Wednesday April 27th from 10am to Noon and Friday April 29th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.  Go to www.sdcc.info to sign up.  The event is free.

Next SDCC Meeting – Monday May 23, 2016

PLEASE NOTE MEETING DATE MOVED ONE WEEK DUE TO MEMORIAL DAY

“The city’s Public Works department has the sand, equipment and manpower to do erosion repair on Cape Henry beach after the tough winter.”

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Read article at Pilotonline.com:

Crews will focus on the area west of the Lynnhaven Fishing Pier and north of Fort Story.

Virginia Beach used to have a permanent fund for beach replenishment, but stopped putting money in it during the recession, which began in December 2007. Since then, Public Works has shifted money around as beaches have needed erosion repair.

““Keep your pets on the leash and we have no problems,” wrote one person.“What we need is more dog control, licensing, permits, certifications, posted signs and laws,” wrote another.”

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Read & comment at Pilotonline.com:

Among the proposed messages: “Keep your dog from running up uninvited to unfamiliar people, unfamiliar dogs, or leashed dogs,” and, “Dogs off leash might claim balls that do not belong to them, which can lead to aggression. If a fight breaks out, pull dogs apart from the back. Call Animal Control 757-385-5000 ext. 2.”