There will be an opportunity for presentations from the public on other projects in the Bayfront area. The Committee generally concludes its deliberations around 4:30 p.m. The meeting is then opened to the public for comments.
Category Archives: News
We’re going to start 2015 with our first FOLO meeting at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Brock Environmental Center on Pleasure House Point on Monday, Jan. 26th at 3:30 pm.
We’ll be meeting in the Osprey Conference Room, but I’ll be waiting in the foyer. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone and showing you this beautiful new facility.
~ Karen
“The coalition believes Shore Drive can and needs to be safer for pedestrians and drivers. And what has reinforced that in their minds is the recent death of 53-year-old Kenneth Allen. He died last week after being hit while crossing Shore Drive on foot.”
Coverage including video at WAVY.com.
Williams and Brown believe enforcement could lead to more awareness of pedestrians and crosswalk laws. They said this will be part of the Shore Drive Community Coalition’s safety initiative for the coming year, and they plan on bringing it before the city.
Some residents have also called for continuous sidewalks on Shore Drive and more crosswalks.
View comments and add your own to continue the conversation at WAVY TV story. Or comment below by clicking “LEAVE A COMMENT”.
Sorry, oh all knowing and all seeing benevolent Shore Drive Community Coalition, but you are trying to legislate STUPID.
Reduce the speed limit, they more boldly cross without the cross walk
Put up barriers, they will jump them.
I know this will sound harsh, but it is the Darwin theory in effect.
The stupid and week WILL be culled from the gene pool.
Clearly there can be more down to educate the users of this vital multi-modal thoroughfare.
4 examples, did you know:
§ 46.2-923. How and where pedestrians to cross highways.
When crossing highways, pedestrians shall not carelessly or maliciously interfere with the orderly passage of vehicles. They shall cross, wherever possible, only at intersections or marked crosswalks. Where intersections contain no marked crosswalks, pedestrians shall not be guilty of negligence as a matter of law for crossing at any such intersection or between intersections when crossing by the most direct route.
The governing body of any town or city or the governing body of a county authorized by law to regulate traffic may by ordinance permit pedestrians to cross an intersection diagonally when all traffic entering the intersection has been halted by lights, other traffic control devices, or by a law-enforcement officer.
Source: Virginia General Assembly Legislative Information System
§ 46.2-924. Drivers to stop for pedestrians; installation of certain signs; penalty.
A. The driver of any vehicle on a highway shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian crossing such highway:
1. At any clearly marked crosswalk, whether at mid-block or at the end of any block;
2. At any regular pedestrian crossing included in the prolongation of the lateral boundary lines of the adjacent sidewalk at the end of a block;
3. At any intersection when the driver is approaching on a highway or street where the legal maximum speed does not exceed 35 miles per hour.
(contd)
Source: Virginia General Assembly Legislative Information System
Sharing the Road
Drivers share the road with many other users: pedestrians, bicyclists, moped and motorcycle riders, trucks and buses, recreational vehicles and other vehicles of all shapes and sizes. It is your responsibility to adjust your driving to avoid other drivers’ mistakes and assure everyone’s safety.
Source: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, Section 3: Safe Driving (24 page PDF)
Central to this evaluation will be the understanding that Shore Drive serves as the sole east-west transportation corridor in the City north of the I-264 / Virginia Beach Boulevard corridor. As such, from a land use perspective, it needs to be considered as a multimodal corridor and not solely as a vehicular corridor. Increased densities of development in the corridor demand that pedestrian amenities are more fully addressed in all aspects of the development process, from the rezoning and conditional use permit stage through to the development plan approval and inspection stage. The goal of improving the level of transportation services for a wide variety of users – pedestrians of all types, cyclists, in-line skaters, varied recreational users, transit users, as well as vehicle operators – and the interrelationships between these various users and land uses in an area characterized as being first and foremost as a resort community and not as a resort destination is suggested. Accordingly, both public and private proposed development criteria need to be evaluated from a multimodal perspective to ensure that the needs of these varied users are addressed. Since increasing roadway capacity in the area has strict limits, given the City Council directive that Shore Drive remain a four lane facility for the foreseeable future, greater emphasis needs to be placed on reducing intra-corridor trip demand, particularly where non- vehicular transit among various uses in the corridor can be promoted and encouraged.
Note:Emphasis ours.
Source: Excerpt from conclusion of COVB adopted Shore Drive Safety Task Force Recommendations 2006
View, and download Shore Drive Safety Task Force Recommendations from VBGov.com. (18 Page PDF)
Note: This is one document officially adopted by the City of Virginia Beach to be used for planning, construction, design and funding of infrastructure and other amenities for the Shore Drive community.
SHARE THE ROAD
First in a series for 2015.
Find injured or stranded wildlife? Here’s what you can do.
We’re fortunate to live in such an amazing neighborhood that includes the Chesapeake Bay, Lynnhaven River, Pleasure House Point & First Landing State Park!
As most of you know, we share this area with a lot of wildlife.
Sometimes our local feathered, finned and furred friends need a little help.
Here’s what you can do.
Virginia Law sez:
Please remember it is illegal to keep or care for orphaned, sick or injured wildlife unless you are a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries website has a searchable data base of Licensed Wildlife Rehabbers including phone numbers. Start here for Virginia Beach.
More resources include:
Aside from having an outstanding core group of wildlife volunteers, The Virginia Beach SPCA boasts its very own Wildlife Treatment Room onsite at the shelter. We are very proud to be one of only a handful of shelters nationwide that have a dedicated room just for wildlife care.
WRI, Hampton Roads oldest Wildlife Rehabilitation Organization, was formed in 1992 by a group of licensed rehabilitators, veterinarians, and other concerned citizens in response to the increasing numbers of wildlife in need of assistance and the lack of people trained and funded to help them.
Hello and thanks for stopping by. Here is a little about me and what we are doing.
We have been rehabbing for about 19 years now. We are doing this primarily due to the loss of habitat due to destruction of wilderness.
Virginia Aquarium Stranding Team
Marine mammals and sea turtles spend their lives in the ocean, allowing only brief glimpses into their intriguing world. Unfortunately, these amazing creatures sometimes end up on our beaches, sick, injured, or dead, or become entrapped and unable to return to their natural habitats. These events are known as “strandings.”
Photo Credit: Tim Solanic
Starting today: “Drivers 75-years and older will now have to renew their driver’s licenses every five years, and it must be done in person. Also, when they do renew, they must pass a vision test. Finally, if a mature driver is found guilty of breaking a traffic law, a judge could require the person to take a crash-prevention course.”
View video and more at WAVY.com.
“We’re actually going to see an increase in safety for all of these drivers,” said Georjeane Blumling, Vice President of Public Relations for AAA Tidewater Virginia.
The new law is named after Darren Morrell, a 32-year-old Oakton man killed in 2011 by an elderly driver who turned into traffic. Darren’s Law makes driving rules more strict for senior citizens.
View the Legislation and notes at Virginia’s Legislative Information System.
Mature driver crash prevention. Provides for a course in mature driver motor vehicle crash prevention and provides that such course is an option for the court in adjudicating defendants. The bill also lowers the age at which drivers are required to appear before the DMV for renewal from 80 to 75 and requires that licenses issued to persons age 75 or older be valid for no more than five years. The bill contains a delayed effective date.
Would you like to use your experience to become a better driver and pay less for you automobile insurance? AAA’s Senior Defensive Driving course is a two-day, four hour per day class designed to reduce crashes involving mature drivers by increasing the understanding of how age affects driving decisions, and how these decisions can alter your risk.
Screen shot of construction cam photo taken at 1200am JAN1 2015. Happy New Year!
AERIES IS REOPENED NOW
Ended peacefully.
“VIRGINIA BEACH – Tactical units from Virginia Beach Police are on the scene of a situation in the 3900 block of Aeries Way, in the Aeries On the Bay neighborhood off of Shore Drive.”
AVOID AERIES NEIGHBORHOOD IN OCEAN PARK. ROAD BLOCK AT WOOD IBIS.
SWAT, ambulances…. on scene happening now.
“Mr.Kenneth Robert Allen, 53, of Pungo passed peacefully in his sleep on December 26th, 2014. He was born in Alameda, Ca and raised in Reston, Va. Ken was a retired paramedic, stockbroker, and business man who was a lifetime member of the Sandbridge Volunteer Rescue Squad.”
Kenneth Robert Allen (1961 – 2014)
View more of Mr. Allen’s obituary.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Sandbridge Volunteer Rescue Squad.
Mr. Allen was the pedestrian struck on Shore Drive Christmas Eve.
53-year-old Kenneth Robert Allen died as a result of his injuries.
We are so very sorry for this tragic event.
Our sincere condolences to all those involved, particularly to Mr. Allen’s family and also to the driver of the vehicle and their family.
Obviously there is more we can do to make Shore Drive safer.
Pedestrian struck on Shore Drive short time again. Critical.
Special Program Dec. 29th – Del. Chris Stolle to Speak at SDCC Meeting
Come out to hear what our State Legislators have accomplished and what they have planned for 2015
Delegate Chris Stolle will be present to discuss the following topics and to answer any questions/concerns
- Virginia Beach’s city package to Assembly
- Commonwealth’s 2015 Budget outlook
- Transportation Bill and funding projections
- Affordable Care Act and State medical insurance expansion
- State’s mitigation programs of sea level rise – Del. Stolle is Chair of the subcommittee on Recurrent Flooding
- Assembly outlook for 2015
- Questions and answers
SDCC General Meeting – Monday Dec. 29th
Click here for a printable version of the agenda – SDCC Agenda DEC 2014
Shore Drive Community Coalition General Meeting
Monday December 29, 2014
7:30 – 8:30 pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Station
(Intersection of Shore Drive and East Stratford Rd)
SDCC Mini-CHRISTMAS Party
(Finger Food, Salad, Soda, Cookies provided by David)
Call to order:
Meeting topic: Delegate Chris Stolle to discuss upcoming Assembly items:
- Virginia Beach’s city package to Assembly
- Commonwealth’s 2015 Budget outlook
- Transportation Bill and funding projections
- Affordable Care Act and State medical insurance expansion
- State’s mitigation programs of sea level rise
- Assembly outlook for 2015
- Questions and answers
Nominations for SDCC Officer’s Slate for 2015
Officer’s Reports: President’s Report David Williams
Vice Pres Report Rick Mercadante
Secretary’s Report Todd Solomon- November Minutes
Treasurer’s Report Paulette Hruska
Old Business: See meeting topics
Adjourn
Next SDCC – Monday January 26, 2015 7:30 pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Station
Please check www.sdcc.info for more information on area news and events
Woman arrested for stealing dropped-off Christmas presents including in Shore Drive area
View report at 13NewsNow.com.
Note: Link has audio from commercial that can not be turned off.
“It’s just kind of disheartening that someone in your neighborhood, someone you’re supposed to know and trust could do something like this during the holiday season,” Farrell tells 13News Now.
Police are asking for citizens to contact Det. Cutrer at 385-2724 to make a police report and to identify the potentially stolen item(s) if they feel as though they have been one of the victims.
“We hope that once the project is finished, the improvements will improve access and visibility so these businesses are affected in a much more positive way.”
“People would have to go to a detour through the neighborhood,” she said. “I had tons of customers email me and say ‘I didn’t think you were open because of the construction.’ They thought I was completely closed.”
The good news is the COVB does not want to cut down 2 live oaks at LBR
The bad news is COVB has hired an arborist to see how much love they need so as not be cut down.
“I-264 LONDON BRIDGE ROAD EXIT RAMP CLOSED DECEMBER 15-19 FOR PAVEMENT REHABILITATION”
View Press Release at VirginiaDOT.org here.
To stay informed of lane closures and alternate routes prior to traveling in a work zone
area, motorists can visit 511virginia.org, virginiaroads.org, RepaveHR.com, call 511, download Virginia’s free 511 mobile app, listen to Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) 1680 AM or call the Traffic Information Line at 757-361-3016 for the most current traffic and travel information. Follow us on Twitter, @VaDOTHR.
“City Seeks Input on Virginia Beach’s Elderly and Disabled Real Estate Tax Relief Program”
To ensure City Council receives the best possible recommendations, the Tax Relief for the Elderly and Disabled Taskforce is requesting input from Virginia Beach citizens through Virtual Town Hall. A short survey has been posted whereby citizens are asked to provide feedback on their knowledge of the Elderly and Disabled Real Estate Tax Relief Program and what they think the perimeters should be. The topic will be available on Virtual Town Hall for public input until 5:00 p.m. on January 9, 2015.
To view the Elderly and Disabled Real Estate Tax Relief Program click here.
Participate in Town Hall by starting here.
This topic has an introduction from the City of Virginia Beach, 25 visitors and 11 responses. The deadline for participation is 12:00 AM on January 9, 2015.
That morning, he’d passed out printed copies of insulting emails about her and was cussing and yelling in the lobby of the Chesapeake House condos on Shore Drive, where they had once shared a home and where Tammy still lived. “It’s not going to stop,” the woman said that day, Dec. 22, 2013. “He said he was going to kill her.”
A follow up at Pilotonline.com.
Forty-five minutes later, Tammy was dead. Dennie had shot her before killing himself.
In the days and hours leading up to the deaths, Dennie was broadcasting his problems, devastated by the breakup of his marriage. A family member says Dennie sought help through the military, and Tammy had called police less than a week before to report his threat of suicide.
Public Info Meeting about offshore wind power. “The BOEM meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 17, 2014, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, 717 General Booth Boulevard, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451.”
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has released an Environmental Assessment (EA) of the proposed Virginia Offshore Wind Technology Advancement Project. The EA addresses the societal and environmental consequences associated with the construction, operation, maintenance, and eventual decommission of the turbines and cables that will deliver power to shore in Virginia Beach. The impacts of noise, presence of structures, bottom disturbance, vessel traffic, and onshore activities are considered.
The comment period is open until January 2. Submission details are listed on the BOEM website. For more information, BOEM will conduct a public information meeting to explain the proposed activities analyzed in the EA and provide additional opportunity for public comment.
#WeLoveShoreDrive 