The Virginian-Pilot is reporting that 3 people were injured in a crash tonight. To read the article, please click here
Category Archives: News
SDCC General Meeting and 82nd District Candidates Forum (DeSteph & Fleming) – Monday Sept 30th
Click here for a printable version of the agenda SDCC Agenda SEP2013
SDCC General Meeting
Monday, 30 SEPT – 7:30-8:30 pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Station (Intersection of Shore Drive and East Stratford Rd.)
Call to order
Meeting Topic:
Hear the Assembly Candidates
82nd District Candidates Bill DeSteph & Bill Fleming
Discuss the Assembly and Governing Process
Questions & Answers
Officers’ Reports:
President’s Report David Williams
Vice President’s report Rick Mercadante
Secretary’s Report Todd Solomon –Aug Minutes
Treasurer’s Report Ann Williams (acting treas.)
Old Business
New Business
Adjourn
Next SDCC- Monday OCT 28, 2013
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Center
Speaker- Councilman Jim Wood speaking about
Storm Water Capital Improvement Project
Please check www.sdcc.info for more information on area news and events
Barbara Duke to Speak at Friends of Live Oaks Meeting Monday Sep. 23rd
Friends of Live Oaks meeting
Monday, Sep. 23rd
at the Bayside Rec Center on
First Court Road.
Barbara Duke, Senior Planner with the Department of Parks and Recreation,
will talk to us about the city’s new Urban Forest Management Plan.
There will be an opportunity for questions.
For more information contact Karen at tomandkarenmurphy@gmail.com
Swimming Advisory Issued for Two Locations on the Chesapeake Bay
Swimming Advisory Issued for Two Locations on the Chesapeake Bay
The Virginia Beach Department of Public Health has issued a swimming and wading advisory for two locations on the Chesapeake Bay: between Ocean View Avenue (5000 block) and Mortons Road, and between Rockbridge Road and Starfish Road. Recent testing conducted by the Health Department showed that bacteria levels in the water exceeded the State Water Quality Standards. The advisory does not affect the Virginia Beach oceanfront or resort area.
For more information click here to read the City’s notice http://www.vbgov.com/news/Pages/selected.aspx?release=1630
Areas in RED are under a swimming Advisory
“Staff will continue to brainstorm ideas with the stakeholders and the contractor (once determined) in order to try to find a resolution to this issue.” Phase 3 construction of Lesner Bridge.
The following information has been received from the city about bicycle and pedestrian access on the Lesner during construction: “Public Works staff has been coordinating with Mr. Wayne Wilcox, who is the City’s liaison to the BTAC. Although several options have been explored to provide temporary pedestrian and bicycle access across the bridge, during Phase 3 of construction, staff has not found a safe, buildable and economically-feasible solution. Phase 3 is the critical phase because the entire width of the bridge is needed to handle the four lanes of traffic, and there is no additional space for a sidewalk or a bike lane. Staff will continue to brainstorm ideas with the stakeholders and the contractor (once determined) in order to try to find a resolution to this issue.”
Friends of Live Oaks (FOLO) will be giving away about 150 live oak trees on Saturday October 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Friends of Live Oaks (FOLO) will be giving away about 150 live oak trees on Saturday October 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Linkhorn Annex (the former Linkhorn Elementary School) at 1413 Linkhorn Road. Live Oaks are the official tree of the City of Virginia Beach, and FOLO members want to assure their survival for future generations to enjoy.
Since its founding three years ago, FOLO has given away about 500 live oaks (approximately 7 feet tall). If you would like to have a live oak for your yard, request forms are available at Virginia Beach public libraries and recreation centers and online at vbgov.com/liveoaks.
Although there is no charge for the trees to be given away on October 12, recipients of the trees ( and those who admire live oaks and want to ensure their presence here for future generations) are encouraged to purchase a yearly membership in Friends of Live Oaks, for only $10.
The tree is one of the most distinctive and recognizable plants in the city and immediately brings to mind our coastal areas and maritime ecosystem. They resist salt spray and storm surges, having survived Hurricane Katrina in areas where everything else was reduced to rubble.
Save a tree and request your live oak tree at this link at VBGov.com.
Prossible New Changes to the once dead SB926
SB926 at SDCC.info previously.
Newest info follows below
Line 98 proposed changes:
Line 98: 10. Governmental activity in wetlands owned or leased or within an easement held by the Commonwealth or a subdivision thereof or in wetlands subject to a local government approved neighborhood navigation dredging project within a special services district adopted by the local governing body in accordance with 15.2-2400, et seq., of the Code of Virginia (“SSD Neighborhood Dredging Project”). Notwithstanding any provision in this chapter to the contrary, any such
special service district neighborhood dredging projectSSD Neighborhood Dredging Project shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission rather than the local wetlands board, if any. In exercising its jurisdiction over neighborhood dredging projects, the Commission shall process permit applications in accordance with the provisions ofthethis chapterand the applicable wetlands zoning ordinance, if any,and shall provide an opportunity for public comment.
Previous 2013 Virginia Beach Legislative Agenda Wording
Link to Previous 2013 version of SB926 as Introduced
SENATE BILL NO. 926
Offered January 9, 2013
Prefiled January 7, 2013
13100867D
A BILL to amend and reenact § 28.2-1302 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the jurisdiction of local wetlands boards.
–––––––––– Patron––McWaters
––––––––––
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
––––––––––2013 SB 926 Wetlands; governmental activity.
01/31/13 Senate: Stricken at request of Patron in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (10-Y )
YEAS–Hanger, Watkins, Puckett, Ruff, McEachin, Petersen, Northam, Marsden, Black, Miller–10.
NAYS–0.
ABSTENTIONS–0.
Pleasure House Point Plant Walk & Children’s Night Hike
Pleasure House Point Plant Walk
Wednesday, September 18, 5:30-7:00 PM
Join us for a nature walk through Pleasure House Point with Vicki Shufer, naturalist, author, and local plant expert. Hear stories about how these plants were used hundreds of years ago and which ones are good to eat. Enjoy the beautiful sunset along the Lynnhaven River as we wrap up the tour at dusk.
Free, but you must register ahead. Email or call 757-962-5398 to register.
Children’s Night Hike
First Landing State Park
Friday, September 20, 7:30-9:30 PM
Bring your children for a exciting night hike in First Landing State Park on the banks of the Lynnhaven River. Search for night creatures, listen to the sounds of the forest at night and look for glowing owl eyes hiding in the trees.
For more information or to register, contact LRNow at 757-962-5398 or Trista@LRNow.org.
“Four lanes of traffic will remain open throughout construction, although there will be a 15-month period during which pedestrians and cyclists will not be able to cross the bridge, Jarman said. The city is looking into options, including busing, to assist pedestrians across Lynnhaven Inlet.”
…there will be a 15-month period during which pedestrians and cyclists will not be able to cross the bridge…
Read the entire article at Pilotonline.com.
After the Lesner Bridge project, Jarman said, the city may consider keeping the bulkhead at Crab Creek permanently and request a permit modification from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
During the first phase of construction, the pedestrian walkway on the westbound span of the existing bridge will be removed. The new westbound span will be built just north of the current bridge, and all traffic will remain open on the old bridge. That could take about 15 months, wrapping up by summer 2015, Jarman said.
Photo Credit: Share Shore Drive Day July 11 2009
Night kayaker or swimmer?
Have you experienced this yet?
The bioluminscence has been world class off our beach all week long. A species of dinoflaggelate (microscopic plankton) that makes a blue/green flash when disturbed under the right conditions is blooming in the lower Bay. Neon blue kayak bow wave. Ball of blue green light with each paddle stroke. Thousands of tiny light specks when you wave your hand through the water.
I highly recommend people go for a night kayak / swim in the Bay over the next several days in hopes that conditions are right and they get to experience the magic. I find that it’s best on moonless nights, generally 50 feet or more from shore and when the water is calm. Currents or conditions change daily, so it may be around for a week, or gone tonight. It’s really neat with or without a mask on.
Maybe you could email this information out because it’s really worth experiencing if it’s still around.
Captain Octopus (Bob)
Be safe if you check it out!
“The Bayfront Advisory Committee will meet Thursday, Sept. 19, at the Resort and Conference Center, 2800 Shore Drive, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.”
Visit VBGov.com to learn more.
Subcommittees will meet from 2 to 3:15 p.m. at the Resort and Conference Center. The subcommittees will continue their deliberations regarding recommendations for commercial design standards and safety issues along the Shore Drive corridor. The subcommittee meetings will be open for the public to observe, but there will not be an opportunity for the public to participate in the subcommittee’s deliberations.
Photo Credit: Steve Coari at Pleasure House Point
Happy 10 Year Anniversary to SDCC.info!
Pleasure House Point Draft Master Plan to be presented at SDCC Monday Aug 26th meeting
Ms. Barbara Duke, Project Manager for Parks and Recreation will present the latest update on the Pleasure House Point Master Plan.
Last year 25 stakeholders worked with the City’s Parks and Recreation department to gather citizen input on what Pleasure House Point should and shouldn’t become. A draft Master Plan was created and the stakeholder group disbanded. The City has been working on the draft plan with final intentions to make it an official adopted plan for the natural park.
Come out to hear the latest update on the Master Plan for Pleasure House Point and provide comments.
Monday Aug 26th at 7:30pm Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue
Click here for to see the draft master plan from last year. Please be aware the file is 16 Mb and may take a little while to download. http://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/parks-recreation/design-development-projects/current-projects/Documents/php-stakeholder-presentation-7-30.pdf
SDCC General Meeting Agenda – Monday Aug 26th at 7:30pm
Click here for a printable version of the agenda – SDCC Agenda AUG 2013
Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC) General Meeting
Monday 26 AUGUST 2013
SDCC General Meeting – Monday, August 26, 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Station (Intersection of Shore Drive and East Stratford Rd.)
Call to order
Meeting topic:
City’s Draft Plan for Pleasure House Point presented by Ms. Barbara Duke, Project Manager from Parks and Rec Dept For Important information concerning this city, budget issues, Pleasure House Point, dredge spoils project and Long Creek channel maintenance dredging, and much more
Officers’ Reports
President’s Report – David Williams
Vice President’s report-Rick Mercadante
Secretary’s Report – Todd Solomon –May Minutes
Treasurer’s Report- Ann Williams
Update on issues: Discussions
Old Business
New Business
Adjourn
Next SDCC- SEP 30, 2013
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Center
Speaker- To be announced
Please check www.sdcc.info for more information on area news and events
Virginia Beach Audubon Society has a dedicated PHP page
And we linked to it at our dedicated PHP page!
Check out the Audubon Society’s PHP page.
Virginia Beach Audubon has been very active on this property since it was announced in 2012. Field Trips by many especially the visitations by Steve and Julie Coari with help from Dianne Hinch, Keith & Karen Roberts, Jim Marcum, Brian Prendergast and a few others have identified over 122 species to date. Below is a full list of the birds at this site and dates that they were sited. Pictures throughout this page are from PHP shot by Steve, Keith, Brian and Julie.
“Although Bay Lake Retirement Center gave the league permission to use the land, the city’s zoning ordinance specifies that many types of outdoor recreation require a permit.”
Zoning Administrator Karen Lasley said if private land isn’t already zoned for sports league recreation, it requires a conditional-use permit.
“August 19 – August 30: Mobilization of Site Facilities The construction fencing, erosion and sedimentation control, project temporary offices, signage and temporary utilities required to support the construction efforts will be set up on site.”
From the Hourigan Construction Blog about CBF’s Brock Center:
This month begins the jobsite mobilization in support of the construction for Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Brock Environmental Center.
Photo Credit: About CBF’s Brock Environmental Center page
Super exciting stuff!
Article on dredging: “Two years ago, neighborhood residents packed a meeting room to tell city officials not to build a transfer site in a residential area on Maple Street along Long Creek.”
A crane on a barge will scoop mud and sand from the bottom of the Lynnhaven River. The dredged material will be brought ashore at the Thalia Dredged Material Transfer Facility, and trucked to a spoils site off Oceana Boulevard.
“VIRGINIA BEACH–Boaters are calling for warnings to be posted at the Lynnhaven Inlet after several boats have recently run aground.”
The Army Corps of Engineers confirmed the information. They said bidding ends on August 27 and dredging should begin between 30 and 60 days later.
“The city Zoning Board of Appeals declined variances for a man whose Chic’s Beach home has been built to resemble a boat, meaning he may have to dismantle additions he’s added over the years.”
The bow of a salvaged yacht takes the place of a former carport.
Photo credit: Steve Earley
