We are trying to find out why and for how long.
We were told:
Nope. Just on the westbound bridge. You will have to use the eastbound bridge. They need to remove sections of sidewalk on the westbound bridge in order to build the new bridge abutment.
Category Archives: News
“The city of Virginia Beach has recently pulled this information to get an idea of where their citizens are cycling… Also clearly visible, is the use of Shore Drive.”
Learn more about the Bikeways & Trails Advisory Committee at VBGov.com.
Strava Labs is where Strava engineering occasionally releases side projects independent of our product.
Projects may be added, removed, or break at any time, so use them at your own risk.
“Last year, police recorded just two crashes on Shore Drive involving a bike and a car. There were 110 citywide, but only those with injuries or property damage are counted.”
Read part 2 of 7 at Pilotonline.com:
LIFE ALONG THE BAY
This is the second of seven weekly narratives highlighting the beauty, the vibrancy and the struggles of the city’s Chesapeake Bay and Shore Drive communities.
Photo Credit: Share Shore Drive Day July 11 2009
“Life Along the Bay”, Virginian-Pilot Series of Articles to focus on Bay and Shore Drive Communities
Check out the first of a seven article series entitled “Life along the bay” by the Virginian-Pilot
The articles will be weekly narratives highlighting the beauty, the vibrancy and the struggles of the city’s Chesapeake Bay and Shore Drive communities.
The first article “Along river, nature is preserved for wildlife, people” by Kathy Adams can be found here http://hamptonroads.com/2014/07/along-river-nature-preserved-wildlife-people
Friends of First Landing State Park receive grant from Dominion Power
Friends of First Landing State Park received a $10,000 Grant.
View Press Release at Dominion Power website.
Read list of Grant Recipients.
Check article at Pilotonline.com:
Friends of First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach will create an exploration lab to teach visitors about the health of the Chesapeake Bay.
About Friends of First Landing State Park:
FRIENDS OF FIRST LANDING STATE PARK is a non-profit 501c3 group that advocates in the community on behalf of First Landing State Park. Members participate in a variety of ways—advocacy, fundraising, and volunteering. Our mission is to support the park and outdoor stewardship in the community.
Oyster Reef Keepers of Virginia based in Ocean Park received a grant for Oyster Reef Restoration for $20,000.
“The Pleasure House Point Natural Area represents a unique opportunity to showcase the beauty and function of a coastal eco-system in the midst of the highly developed waterfront community in the Bayfront area of Virginia Beach. The property has been manipulated time and time again over the past 50 years. Even with all of this intrusion, the environment has survived and flourished as a prime example of the resilience of a natural eco-system.”
View 88 page PDF online at VBGov.com.
About the Management Plan
This management plan was developed to comply with the conditions of the recorded conservation easement. The recommendations that are contained within the management plan are the result of a year long study of the property. This plan has a horizon of five years. It will be important to measure the progress made annually on the stated goals in the plan and to update the plan every five years.
The Pleasure House Point Natural Area represents a unique opportunity to showcase the beauty and function of a coastal eco-system in the midst of the highly developed waterfront community in the Bayfront area of Virginia Beach. The property has been manipulated time and time again over the past 50 years. Even with all of this intrusion, the environment has survived and flourished as a prime example of the resilience of a natural eco-system. There are many lessons to be learned from this property, as well as many actions we can take to restore and enhance the property. This document was developed with this charge in mind and outlines specific steps and priority projects to ensure that the property is properly managed and maintained for the benefit of both man and nature.
About Management Objectives
The conservation easement is held by the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries (VDGIF). This management plan is being developed to comply with the conditions of the recorded conservation easement and the management plan has been coordinated with VDGIF. The management plan will govern operations and maintenance as well as future improvements and restoration projects on the 84.658 acre parcel known as the Conservation Easement Parcel. The site must be managed consistent with conservation goals used to rank and fund the project as listed below.
• Maintain habitat values
• Maintain Coastal Maritime Forests
• Maintain water quality
• Maintain/educational and recreational values not detrimental to other aspects
About Public Engagement
There will be many different opportunities to provide environmental education in partnership with Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Lynnhaven River Now. In addition, the City will be providing outdoor programming in the park. We will continue to keep the neighbors engaged by coordinating regularly with the Bayfront Advisory Committee, the Shore Drive Community Coalition and the Ocean Park Civic League. The Bayfront Advisory Committee is appointed by City Council and provides a forum for residents and businesses in the area to discuss land use, transportation and social issues. The Shore Drive Community Coalition is a volunteer organization that coordinates among various civic groups. The Ocean Park Civic League represents the neighborhood directly adjacent to the site and the members have officially adopted the Pleasure House Point Natural Area and are responsible for conducting at least one trash clean up quarterly on the property. They are also diligent in reporting violations of the pet waste and leash laws.
I encourage you to read and digest the entire document.
It’s fascinating.
SDCC General Meeting – Monday July 28th at 7:30pm
Click here for a printable version of the agenda SDCC Agenda 7.28.14
MONDAY 28 JULY 2014
Shore Drive Community Coalition
SDCC General Meeting
MONDAY 28 JULY 2014
7:30-8:30 pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Station
(Intersection of Shore Drive and East Stratford Rd.)
Call to order:
Meeting topic: National Flood Insurance Program Rates
Home Owner Options
Costs and Requirements to Raise a Home
Officers’ Reports: President’s Report David Williams
Vice President’s report Rick Mercadante
Secretary’s Report Todd Solomon –JUNE Minutes
Treasurer’s Report Paulette Hruska
Old Business
New Business
Adjourn
Next SDCC- Monday AUGUST 25, 2014
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Center
Please check www.sdcc.info for more information on area news and events
Our next FOLO meeting is scheduled for Mon., July 21st at 3:30 pm at Bayside Rec Center.
We will discuss:
Website and new email address – Penny Moulis
Live Oaks along the median of Atlantic Ave. – Penny Moulis
Live Oaks on Lynnhaven Drive
Lynnhaven River NOW fall festival – Oct. 11th – Karen
New Member Orientation – Karen
2014 Live Oak Distribution – StephenNext Meeting: I will be out of town on Aug. 18th – will the 25th work?
Hope to see you there,
Karen
Friends of Live Oaks at VBGov.com.
Friends of Live Oaks in Facebook.
Changes Coming to the National Flood Insurance Program – What to Expect
The City had a briefing recently …
Here’s the PDF of what to expect. (15 pages)
July 16, 2013 Meeting Summary – Rich Sobota, FEMA Region III Insurance Specialist
On Tuesday, July 16, 2013, Rich Sobota, insurance specialist for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region III, briefed City staff on changes to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) as a result of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012. Biggert-Waters extends the NFIP until 2017 and encourages financial stability of the program by increasing flood insurance premium rates to actual risk rates for some subsidized properties.
The two classes of properties that will be affected by these rate increases are 1) Pre-FIRM properties and 2) Grandfathered properties. Pre-FIRM properties are those properties in an area with a 1% annual chance of flooding (100-year floodplain) that were built before the first Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). In Virginia Beach, these are properties built before October 1, 1970. Grandfathered properties are properties that previously had flood insurance, but as the result of a FIRM change are now mapped into a higher risk flood area. In the past, they were allowed to keep paying their old, lower rate.
CHX, OPK, BLP Fireworks officially rescheduled for Saturday July 12th 2014
From Jill Doczi post in Facebook:
TO ALL NEIGHBORS & FRIENDS:
The fireworks committee (made up of representatives from all three civic leagues–CHX, OPK, BLP), along with a member of Virginia Beach Fire Marshall’s office and our shooter met last night to discuss the effects of this storm and the fireworks show. Additional phone discussions involved the Coast Guard, the Virginia Beach department of special events and public safety.
After much discussion regarding the safety of pulling this off, we collectively agreed to move the fireworks to
SATURDAY —- JULY 12 — at 9:15 p.m.Several issues played a part in making this decision. Rain, wind and rough seas would delay loading, which was to happen today and takes roughly 10 hours. Likewise, the high wind from the north, waves and swells on Saturday morning would make it dangerous to leave the dock and travel the slow 10-hour trip to the location. Although the evening looks to be beautiful with a possibility of one-foot waves and 5mph winds out of the north, the procedure of getting to that point is unsafe. Staffing issues within the city to pull this off and safety of all personnel involved also came into play.
This has really been a joint effort to pull this off and a joint decision that was tough to make. Much discussion and debate has resulted in what everyone agrees is the best decision. Public safety, fire marshal, Coast Guard, city special events–all have been very gracious and overly helpful in establishing emergency last-minute permits, providing advice, coordinating with us and supporting us.
I know you all are as disappointed as I am but it all comes down to the main reason we have this type of barge show on in the first place—SAFETY. Arthur has created what has always been understood as the worst case scenario. No one ever thought we would have a tropical storm fall on this holiday. In true Shore Drive spirit, I’m recommending we simply have two celebrations now: Arthur parties this weekend and fireworks parties next weekend.
Thank you for your support and understanding.
Jill Doczi
You can still donate to these amazing fireworks too!
Please choose to donate!
Cape Story by The Sea Parade & Fireworks are still scheduled for July 5th.
Learn more at their website.
Hurricane Arthur update from VBGOV.com
Following the National Weather Servic 5pm update the tract of the storm has moved slightly to the west such that the eye of the storm could cross the Currituck Bay west of Hatteras. The expected turn to the NE this evening will still carry the soon to be CAT 2 Hurricane Arthur away from VB. Additional changes from our noon update is a slight increase in the wind gusts possibly reaching 50mph. Winds will increase commencing at 3 am in the morning and are expected to remain thru 6 pm tomorrow. Most of the wind will be from the north. Atlantic wave height could reach 12 feet at day break subsiding during daylight. Beach and dune protection are expected to hold. Bay wave height will increase through the morning reaching 6 feet at 2 pm and falling off rapidly after that. Some bay front waterfront bulkheads will be tested. Rain fall total projection remains under 2 inches. Street flooding is expected to be scattered based on downpours and the high tide reducing the runoff flow. Home inundation will be an anomaly. Tidal flooding impacts will be short lived with only a few habitually low spots subjected. Some roads will have high water signs posted in advance. 311 service will operate under normal operating conditions this evening – shutting down at 11:30 pm and resuming at 7 am on Friday morning. As cell service and our communications and data systems are not expected to be compromised the City leadership will be monitoring the storm system and conducting decentralized management of the event.
“Leo Wardrup, who represented a portion of Virginia Beach in the Virginia House of Delegates for 16 years, died Wednesday night. He was 77.”
Ocean Park, Baylake Pines, Chics Beach fireworks delayed until Sat July 5th
Shore Drive Area Storm Preparations for Arthur
As Virginia Beach seems to be in the sites of Arthur, consider what precautions that you should take. Storm forecasting is still an art and not totally a science. It is possible to be told that it will be “mostly a rain event” with tropical storm winds of gale force, but storms and their tracks change quickly. Sometimes the last minute shift in course or intensity is to our advantage, sometimes not so. Consider the following preparations:
1. Do not leave your car in an area that floods easily. You can relocate your car to North Great Neck Road to one of the school parking lots. The Great Neck area is high enough so it should not flood.
2. Put some water in containers in your freezer in case power is lost. It helps keep things cold if power should be lost, and will also serve as drinking water if needed.
3. Check your flashlights and battery supply. The new LED type flashlights are 4 times brighter and the batteries last 10 times longer. Great source for light. Know where your flashlights are located.
4. Look at the areas around your house which could flood and make sure nothing valuable or potentially hazardous could get wet (lawn fertilizer, pool chemicals, tools etc.). And don’t forget to bring in all the lawn furniture.
5. If a room floods and the wall board gets wet, the wet wall board should be removed quickly so it will not damage more wall board. If the insulation gets wet remove it also, BUT wear gloves as this stuff itches. If you have to remove a lot of insulation, wear a face mask to prevent breathing the insulation fibers.
6. PERSONAL SAFETY. Don’t drive in water that comes to the bottom of your car’s doors (8 or more inches). You can’t plow through it and the water will come up over your hood. If you get water in your engine (sucked into engine intake), you may have to buy a new engine. When you don’t know how deep the water, go around or go back. Don’t use a BBQ grill in the garage or house as the the carbon-monoxide fumes can kill you and your pets. CO fumes are heavier than CO2, so CO fumes will sink and collect in the lower parts of your house. BE careful. Keep a fire extinguisher handy. If there are down power lines, consider them HOT and LETHAL. Tree branches CAN conduct electricity, as can metal fences, so don’t touch them if your neighborhood has a power outage.
7. Watch out for one another. BE GOOD Neighbors and don’t create wakes on your road. These wakes can do damage to adjacent homes. If you are going away from the area, let your neighbor know in case of damage to your house.
Let us all hope for the best. Our lawns need some rain, but let’s hope the winds are mild and the rains are only refreshing.
Cape Story Parade and Fireworks on the Bay (East of Lesner Bridge) Moved to Sat. July 5th
Cape Story by the Sea’s 51st Annual 4th of July Parade and Fireworks on the Bay (East of the Lesner Bridge) have been moved to Saturday July 5th due to forecasted impact of tropical storm/hurricane Arthur.
For more information on the rescheduled events, please check out Cape Story’s website at the following links:
Reschedule Information – http://capestory.wordpress.com/2014/07/02/cape-story-parade-and-fireworks-moved-to-saturday-july-5th-due-to-impending-weather-conditions/
Parade/Firework Specifics – http://capestory.wordpress.com/2014/07/02/1217/
In Due Course: 2014 Changes to Virginia’s Laws – list of new laws that take affect today, July 1 2014
The Division of Legislative Services is the legislative branch agency created statutorily by the General Assembly to provide nonpartisan legal and general research services to members of the General Assembly and its standing committees in the House of Delegates and Senate of Virginia.
A few highlights:
SB 74. Real estate loans; flood insurance. The law prohibits a lender from requiring a borrower to provide flood insurance coverage against risks to improvements on real property securing its loan in an amount that exceeds the replacement value of the improvements.
HJ 8/HB 46. Constitutional amendment and voter referendum; real property tax exemption for spouses of soldiers killed in action. The law provides that if the constitutional amendment is approved by voter referendum at the November 4, 2014, general election the General Assembly may provide a real property tax exemption for the primary residence of surviving spouses of members of the military who are killed in action. The tax exemption may not be claimed by a surviving spouse who has remarried.
HB 791. Condominium and Property Owners’ Association Acts; rule enforcement. The law provides that associations may file or defend a legal action in general district or circuit court to seek an order to require that any violation of the condominium instruments or duly adopted rules be corrected. The law provides that before any action is taken to enforce rules violations, the owner shall be given a reasonable opportunity to correct the alleged violation. The law provides that in the event of a legal action involving rule enforcement, the prevailing party is entitled to recover court costs and reasonable attorney fees. Currently, only the association is entitled to recover such costs and fees.
HB 771. Mature driver crash prevention. The law provides for a course in mature driver motor vehicle crash prevention and allows the court to order the course in adjudicating defendants. The law also lowers the age at which drivers are required to appear before the DMV for license renewal from 80 to 75 and requires that licenses issued to persons age 75 or older be valid for no more than five years.
And ….
3 FEET PLEASE. It’s Virginia Law.
“As we see more people choose to ride bikes or walk rather than drive their cars, this extra foot of clearance makes streets much safer for cyclists” according to Champe Burnley, President of the Virginia Bicycling Federation (VBF) who supported the legislation. “We hope that drivers will use extra care when they pass a rider and avoid potential crashes.”
Virginia law currently requires a motorist to pass a bicyclist by two feet. The Commonwealth is the twenty-first state to pass a three foot law.
“Battalion Chief Jack Crandell with Virginia Beach Fire-Rescue said the fire was reported in the 2300 block of Osprey Villa Court near the Lesner Bridge”
“According to police spokeswoman Tonya Borman, two bodies were discovered in a home in the 2200 block of Chick’s Beach Court around 3 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon.”
MONDAY 30 JUNE 2014 Shore Drive Community Coalition SDCC General Meeting MONDAY 30 JUNE 2014 7:30-8:30 pm
Where: Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Station (Intersection of Shore Drive and East Stratford Rd.)
Call to order:
Meeting topic: Ongoing Shore Drive Issues and Overview of Virginia Beach’s STRATEGIC PLAN 2040
Officers’ Reports:President’s Report David Williams
Vice President’s report Rick Mercadante
Secretary’s Report Todd Solomon –MAY Minutes
Treasurer’s Report Paulette Hruska
Old Business
New Business
Adjourn
Next SDCC- Monday JULY 28, 2014
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Center
Please check http://www.sdcc.info for more information on area news and events
#WeLoveShoreDrive 