Category Archives: News

Changes Coming to the National Flood Insurance Program – What to Expect

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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

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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!

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

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More at 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.​

Shore Drive Area Storm Preparations for Arthur

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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

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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

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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.

    View the entire list of new laws that take affect today.
    View 10 page PDF.

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.

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.

“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.”

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More at WVEC.com.
More at WAVY.com.
Coverage at WTKR.com.

MONDAY 30 JUNE 2014 Shore Drive Community Coalition SDCC General Meeting MONDAY 30 JUNE 2014 7:30-8:30 pm

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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

“Parking was already limited, and illegal no-parking signs placed by some residents trying to reserve the street spaces in front of their homes made the situation even worse, said Kal Kassir, chairman of the Bayfront Advisory Committee.”

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More at Pilotonline.com.

“People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is offering $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever has been shooting gulls and geese with darts.”

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Read the article & view a photo of a shot Ring-Billed Gull.

Photo of gull with black dart at foot of Lynnhaven Pier

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20140619-222958-80998688.jpg

This was taken at the foot of the Lynnhaven Pier June 3rd. I don’t know if this seagull was ever captured. Looks to be a black dart. Sure hope this person is caught. Very senseless.

Thanks for sharing Trish.

Hope it helps catch them.

Birds shot with blow darts in Shore Drive area JUNE 19, 2014 at SDCC.info

Birds shot with blow darts in Shore Drive area

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This is sick and the people doing this will surely get caught and prosecuted.

From WAVY.com:

Gipson said Virginia Beach Animal Control is aware of the problem, but there have been no witnesses to the bird shootings — which are federal crimes. Gipson said every bird that’s been found injured has been federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Radiographs of a gull with a yellow-tip dart piercing it’s lung. (Photo provided by Barbara Gipson)

Radiographs of a gull with a yellow-tip dart piercing it’s lung. (Photo provided by Barbara Gipson for WAVY)

Baylake Pines School on Shore Drive is closing. Property will be developed for residential housing.

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View story & video at WAVY.com.

Residents aren’t happy because they’re worried about their property values, saying the single family homes could back up to a lake that’s next to the school.

WAVY.com checked in with the City of Virginia Beach. The treasurer’s office said the property is still owned by the Eckerts. The Virginia Beach Planning Commission said it’s been zoned residential since the 1970s. The owners have had a conditional use permit for the school since 1983. Any changes haven’t reached the administrative level of the planning commission, yet.

Marquis small 50

Cape Story July 4th Parade & Fireworks + July 26th Paddleboard race info

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JULY 4th: 10 AM neighborhood Parade THEME: “UNDER THE SEA” — starts at BEECH street (off Shore Drive by the Food Lion) – ends at the Cape Story Park – with Music, Brunch, awards for Floats, Ice Cream – GRAND MARSHALL – MAYOR SESSOMS
and
FIREWORKS at 9:20 PM on the Chesapeake Bay (fired off the Beach at First Landing State Park)— completely funded by local community (residents, civic leagues, merchants)-Donations to CSBTS— mail to FIREWORKS ON THE BAY – PO BOX 700, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451 (Rain Date: Sat. July 5 at 9:20 PM).

and on JULY 26- the 6th Annual Paddleboard Race- see attached flyer for Details

ALL ARE invited – please share with your organizations and members- Empsy

Empsy Munden, Pres
Cape Story by the Sea (CSBTS)

capestoryjuly4

Bayfront Advisory Committee Newsletter – next meeting June 19th

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Read Vision News from Bayfront Advisory Committee (3 pg PDF).

An update about that bridge project thing:

The Bridge Over Lynnhaven Waters

Progress Update

Construction Staging

Step 1. The sidewalk on the north side of the westbound span will be removed; traffic configuration will be maintained with two lanes in each direction.

Step 2. The new westbound bridge will be built north of the existing bridge; east and westbound traffic lanes will be striped; barriers and pedestrian railings will be placed; traffic will be switched to the new bridge. Estimated construction time is fifteen months.

Step 3. After traffic is moved to the new bridge, demolition of the old bridges will begin and is expected to take three months.

Step 4. The second new bridge will be built; traffic lanes will be striped; barriers and pedestrian railings will be placed; eastbound traffic will be switched to the permanent configuration. Estimated construction time is fifteen months followed by three months of clean up.

Please note that all times are estimated and actual times will be publicized once the contractor’s schedule is received. Total construction time is estimated to be 36 months.

April, 2014. The contract for construction has been awarded to McLean Contracting Company, Baltimore, MD.

ConstructionArea-LesnerBridge

Bridge Construction

Lesner Bridge Construction to begin in June. A pre-construction meeting is set for May 14 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Notice-to-Proceed is set for June 2, and McLean Construction is currently submitting shop drawings for review and approval.

And Now It Begins

Phase One of the bridge construction has begun and is scheduled for completion by August 1 of this year. The first signs of this phase will be establishing of the construction staging area. This will include the erection of temporary signs, installation of sediment and erosion control measures, erection of security fencing around the construction staging area and designating construction area roadways.

As the month progresses, actions on Shore Drive will become noticeable. Chain link fences will be erected, some guard rails will be removed and others will be installed, demolition will start to take place, traffic signals will be modified, utility/light poles will be relocated, test borings will be made and sheet pilings will be driven.
If you have any questions regarding this project, please direct them to me and I will do my best to get answers and publish them as part of a question and answer section here.

Bayfront Advisory Committee to Meet June 19, 2014
The Bayfront Advisory Committee will meet Thursday, June 19, 2014, at the Resort and Conference Center, 2800 Shore Drive, from 3:30pm- 5:30pm

The agenda for the meeting will include the following:

    Update on public and private projects in the Bayfront area
    Update on committee activities in the Bayfront area

Senator McWaters’ 2nd annual “Flag Day” Event needs a few more volunteers – “Flag Day” = 4th of JULY in this case

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Thanks to Christen Faatz, Legislative Aide to Senator McWaters for sharing the info about this patriotic event!

    Senator McWaters’ 2nd annual “Flag Day” Event
    Friday, June 27 – starting at 8am at Planet Pizza on Laskin Rd
    Looking for volunteers to walk/drive and help place flags by the mailboxes in neighborhoods in the 8th Senatorial District. Kids out of school and need something to do? Need some exercise? Come walk with us!
    Also looking for volunteers in the office to help bundle and label the flags ahead of time.
    Contact Christen@JeffMcWaters.com or call 757-965-3700 to help out.
    *We are distributing these American flags in honor of the 4th of July not the Flag Day holiday.

American Flag with POW Flag

POSTPONED: Join Governor McAuliffe at First Landing State Park June 12th at 2pm

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UPDATE: as of June 10th Tues 523pm the event has been postponed.

Governor McAuliffe will be signing an executive order creating the Climate Change and Resiliency Update Commission on Thursday and folks are welcome to attend.

Event details:
Thursday, June 12th

2pm-2:45pm

Trail Center at First Landing State Park

2500 Shore Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Feel free to spread the word to others in the community.