Category Archives: News
“Motorists are advised to avoid Bay Island and Lynnhaven Colony, as both locations are experiencing flooding.”
” The number of high/low tide cycles is now more comparable to the number and elevation we experienced in the 2006 Thanksgiving Nor’easter.”
From an email to Empsy from Council Jim Wood:
Subject: Nor’eastercane SANDY Update #5
The 0900 City Manager and 1000 VDEM updates have revealed Sandy’s impacts to Virginia Beach have slipped further into the start of this coming work week. We are predicting on Monday the City will still be experiencing significant effects of the nor’eastercane which may last into Tuesday. The second significant change we have deduced is that the storm tide impacts projection has lessened slightly. We have attached this morning’s briefing charts.(Editors note: I did not receive these briefing charts as of the time of this post.) Addressing the 5 key parameters, here is the latest:1. Most significant issue remains tidal stacking within the Lynnhaven basin. High risk to low level residential flooding . We will be closely monitoring the endangered neighborhoods and at this time have not issued any evacuation directives. Staff is developing a Sandy specific inundation map utilizing current projections applied to the Corps of Engineers Surge Data map for a Cat 1 storm. The number of high/low tide cycles is now more comparable to the number and elevation we experienced in the 2006 Thanksgiving Nor’easter. We have used the Historical Tidal & Surge Chart to indicate where Sandy’s high tide elevations above Mean Low Water Level will be. We expect to be able to issue specific neighborhood flood warnings Sunday morning.
2. Sustained wind, is still not expected to reach hurricane force (only a 3% chance) and sustained tropical force winds are not expected either (a 9% chance). We do however anticipate tropical force gusts (+35% chance). As the storm remains offshore and is hooking around VB we will begin to experience consistent wind Sunday morning and expect it to last for over 62 hours into Tuesday. This lengthy duration will surely cause tree and debris knock down which in turn will cause power outages. Dominion’s weather advisory of 10:47AM this morning is attached. No change to their amber rating here in Tidewater. Currently 1800 customers are without power in VB.
3. Storm surge poses our third threat. Atlantic wave height projection has grown to +15 feet; Bay wave height has grown to 9 feet. Beach erosion will definitely be significant.
4. Rain is our 4th threat. Some areas of the City may receive up to 6 inches. Surface ponding will occur as runoff will be hindered due to elevated levels of the Lynnhaven, Elizabeth and North Landing Rivers, Back Bay and the many lakes and ponds throughout the City. The intensity projections of the rain may be lessening towards a more consistent downfall for a longer period.
5. Duration of Sandy continues to make this storm a significant event. Weather conditions will deteriorate later than first predicted and stretch into the new work week. Deteriorating conditions will begin after midnight tonight and impact the City thru Tuesday evening. The most intense period of the storm has lengthened and is projected to be Sunday afternoon thru Monday evening. During this intense period will see sustained wind of +30mph for nearly 30 hours. (30/30 effect)
Decisions we are assessing are: Public Schools for Monday, Shelter openings, EOC activation and City operational status for Monday. VBCPS, DHS and the Sherriff Office have been issued an internal warning order to plan/prepare for possible opening the Birdneck ES shelter Sunday morning. The next City Manager staff update is 1500 this afternoon. City staff continues to function under a normal operation status. The EOC is currently operating with EOC staff only except for staff updates. The ECCS 311 staff shifts to 24 hour operations effective 0700 Sunday morning. Current call volume is down and the frequently asked inquiries are: absentee voting and sheltering. Current closings for Sunday include: the Virginia Aquarium and Science Center and the Historic Houses. The VB Visitors Centers at First Landing State Park and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel Center will be closed on Sunday and Monday. Decisions on libraries and rec centers will occur following the 1500 update. US Dept of Homeland Security Advisor Milicich is participating in our staff analysis process. Will keep you advised.
Emphasis ours.
Hurricane Sandy Information
The City and the Bayfront Advisory Committee has provided the following helpful documents regarding the potential impact of Hurricane Sandy to our area.
NOAA Briefing Overview with helpful weblinks – Click here to read the overview NWSWakefield_SandyBriefing_Oct25
Storm Surge – Surge potential of 2-3 feet will combine with astronomically high tides resulting in moderate coastal flooding. Highest potential for moderate flooding is along the entire coast and lower Bay (including Hampton Roads) Sun/Mon.
Dominion Weather Statement – the item to note in this statement is the predicted storm surge for the Sunday morning and evening tides. The past noreasters were surges of 8 feet plus. Click here to read the statement DWxC_Statement_-_20121025_1024
High tides near the mouth of the Bay will peak between roughly three and four feet, while in the Outer Banks Atlantic tides will peak between roughly four and five feet.
SDCC General Meeting – Monday Oct. 29 at 7:30pm
SDCC Agenda OCT 2012
Shore Drive Community Coalition
Monday 29 OCT 2012
SDCC General Meeting
SDCC General Meeting – Monday, 29 October 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Station (Intersection of Shore Drive and East Stratford Rd.)
Call to order
Meeting topic: Discussion of proposed Constitutional Amendments; Eminent Domain, and Revised Assembly Schedule; and Advisory Referendum on the Tide Light Rail
Officers’ Reports
President’s Report David Williams
Vice President’s report Grace Moran
Secretary’s Report Todd Solomon –Sept Minutes
Treasurer’s Report Carol Collins
Update on issues: Open questions from the floor
Old Business Nominations for Officers for SDCC Executive Board
New Business
Adjourn
Next SDCC- Monday November 26, 2012
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Center
Speaker- TBA
Please check www.sdcc.info for more information on area news and events
“Stocks of menhaden along the Atlantic coast have plummeted to their lowest levels on record. Commission data show that menhaden are currently being overfished and have been for 32 of the past 54 years. Clearly, something must be done to better protect menhaden, a natural resource important to the Bay’s ecology and Virginia’s economy.”
CBF’s Virginia update on critical action the State Legislature needs to take. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD CLOSES NOVEMBER 16. Help protect menhaden population in the Bay.
As a companion article in this newsletter details, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) is now considering steps to protect and begin restoration of the Atlantic menhaden population. Ensuring that menhaden remain abundant in the Atlantic and the Chesapeake Bay is critical. Described as the “most important fish in the sea,” menhaden provide a major food source for other fish, marine mammals, and birds.
The companion article mentioned above.
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is pushing for fair and reasonable changes to the management plan in order to rebuild the menhaden population and boost opportunities for watermen, anglers, and wildlife:
A 25 percent reduction of the menhaden catch as a first step toward eliminating overfishing.
Achieving the target level fishing mortality within five years.
To avoid undue harm to local fishermen catching menhaden for bait, the allocation scheme should split the new quota 70:30 between the industrial fishery and the local bait fisheries.
SUBMIT YOUR COMMENT BY NOVEMBER 16th TO HELP PROTECT MENHADEN.
Many people have never even heard of this boney, oily, unappetizing fish (also known as bunker or pogy).
But without this little unsung hero, the Bay’s ecosystem would likely collapse.
New electronic billboard for 7 story fast food place going up at Greenwell.
Just kidding.
The sign that just popped up supported by the large silver pole instead of a black pole is part of the Virginia Beach Dynamic Message Signs and System Detector Project. The construction at Greenwell and Shore Drive is for the new LEED certified Fire Station.
Virginia Beach Dynamic Message Signs and System Detector Project
An email about the electronic signs:
The Virginia Beach Dynamic Message Signs and System Detector Project will consist of the installation of 11 motorists advisory Dynamic Message Signs (DMS), overhead sign support structures, equipment cabinets, and communication equipment. The DMS’s will have three line displays. Each line will consist of 12 inch height, LED (Light Emitting Diode) characters. The DMS’s will be installed at eight locations within the City. The DMS’s will be installed at the following locations:
1. Princess Anne Rd and Elson Green Ave, southbound
2. General Booth Blvd at the KOA Campground, northbound
3. Shore Dr and First Landing State Park, westbound
4. Shore Dr and Bayville Rd, back to back DMS’s – photo above
5. Northampton Blvd and Bayside Rd, eastbound
6. Northampton Blvd and Shell Rd, westbound
7. Independence Blvd and Wakefield Dr, back to back DMS’s
8. Shore Dr near 83rd St, back to back DMS’sThe project will also include the installation of two types of vehicle detectors. The vehicle detectors will consist of wireless transmitters, and micro loop sensors. The detectors will be installed at 46 locations within the City. Vehicle detector communication equipment will be installed in the existing traffic signal cabinets. There will also be the installation of one CCTV camera on this project. All of the project equipment will be configured to communicate with the City of Virginia Beach Traffic Management Center.
The DMS’s will convey traffic condition information to the roadway motorists. The vehicle detectors will be capable of instantaneously detecting changes in traffic flow patterns. With the construction of this project, the Traffic Management Center will add to its capability of facilitating the application of technology and engineering, to managing traffic, and disseminating traffic related information to the motoring public.
Meeting, February 9, 2012
A Pre-Construction Meeting was held for the stakeholders of the above mentioned construction project. Construction on this project will commence during the spring of this year. The construction team members of this project included;
1. Midasco, specialty infrastructure contractor, the primary Contractor
2. MBP, a construction and program management firm, the lead inspection team
3. URS, lead engineering design firm
4. Public Works/ Traffic Engineering, inspection and traffic control
5. Public Works/ Construction Engineering, inspection
6. Traffic Management CenterThe Virginia Beach Dynamic Message Signs and System Detector Project, CIP 2-039 (Capital Improvement Program), completed its bid opening on October 27, 2011. The Engineers Estimate for the Project was $2.616 million. The bidding was won by Midasco, for $1,616,616.
By the way, stakeholders on Shore Drive were apparently told once about this project a couple years ago. No one remembers being invited to the February 2012 meeting mentioned above.
Here is the Official CIP Project Page for the new LEED certified Fire Station.
This project replaces the existing 9,760 square foot facility supporting 4 Fire and 2-to-5 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel, 1 fire engine and 1 ambulance on a daily basis, and various other pieces of equipment that are infrequently used (ranging from fire trucks to zodiac boats).
Todd has been trying to get architectural drawings of the new facility to share.
Update on new Lesner Bridge public notices for required permits
From an email:
Sent: Fri, Oct 19, 2012 10:01 am
Subject: Lesner UpdateKal,
Just wanted to make you and the BAC aware of a few things that are occurring with the Lesner Bridge Project.Public Notices for Permitting
The Corps of Engineers, DEQ, VMRC, and Coast Guard are advertising public notices for the construction permit on this project. The Corps of Engineers public notice has already been advertised and can be found at: http://www.nao.usace.army.mil/Media/PublicNotices.aspx
We know there has been some concern about the City putting in a bulkhead at the boat ramp site. We just want the BAC and the Shore Drive community to understand that the current public notices are for the construction of the Lesner Bridge only. This will include a temporary bulkhead at the boat ramp. Any effort made to change the scope of the construction permit (e.g., make the temporary bulkhead permanent) will require a separate application and approval from the permitting agencies. We want to be clear with the BAC and the Shore Drive community that this current application is only for the construction needs of the bridge project. This is consistent with the approach that we discussed with the BAC and the SDCC in early 2012.
Drilled Shaft Load Test at the Boat Ramp
Our design team is currently mobilizing a contractor to perform a drilled shaft load test. This effort will consist of drilling a 4’ diameter hole approximately 110’ deep, placing reinforcing steel, and backfilling with concrete. Once the concrete has cured, the contractor will jack against the drilled shaft until it fails. This test will give us actual field information about how well the drilled shaft will perform. With this information, we can finish the foundation design for the bridge using the most economical drilled shaft design. You will likely see the contractor on site starting next week. We just wanted to make you aware of this in case there are any questions from the community.
Project Manager Change
Chris Wojtowicz is taking over this project for Toni Alger. Toni is still in our group, however she was selected for a supervisor position and her duties have expanded beyond managing projects. Chris is getting up to speed and will be taking care of the day to day responsibilities. Chris has been doing a great job managing the Laskin Gateway project and will bring a lot of experience to the table as we get closer to construction. I will still be involved and available for questions as well so we will have continuity during this transition.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please let us know.
David S. Jarman, P.E.
Transportation Project Management Supervisor
Department of Public Works
City of Virginia Beach
757-385-4144 (direct)
757-385-4131 (main)
Cape Story Oyster Roast – Sunday Nov. 4th from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at O’Leary’s
Lots of food and drink. $30 advance tickets. $40 at the door.
Click here for the flyer and additional information. CSBTS 2012 Oyster Roast
Shellfish Company Fall Fest – Sat. Oct. 20th from 1-4pm (Proceeds benefit LRNow)
Shellfish Company Fall Fest (Proceeds benefit LRNow)
Shellfish Company Fall Fest
Saturday, October 20, 1-4 PM at 3323 Shore Drive, Shellfish Company
Portion of Proceeds donated to LRNow
Get together with friends and family and join us for a party on the deck overlooking the Lynnhaven River. Live entertainment, door prizes, roasted oysters, Carolina BBQ, steamed shrimp, beer and more!
Tickets are $25 in advance. Tickets are limited, so get them early! Tickets are available at Bubba’s, Shellfish Company and The Back Deck.
BAC Meeting Notice and Newsletter – Thursday Oct. 18th
Click here for the Bayfront Advisory Committee Newsletter VisionNewsletter 2 10
Bayfront Advisory Committee to Meet October 18
The Bayfront Advisory Committee will meet Thursday, October 18, at the VIRGINIA BEACH RESORT AND CONFERENCE CENTER, Lynnhaven Room, 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.
Bayfront Advisory Subcommittees
The Bayfront Advisory Subcommittees will meet Thursday, October 18, at the VIRGINIA BEACH RESORT AND CONFERENCE CENTER, Lynnhaven Room, 2800 Shore Drive, from 2:00pm-3:15pm. The subcommittees will continue their deliberations regarding recommendations for commercial design standards along the Shore Drive corridor, communication with the public, and citizen safety in the corridor.
First Landing State Park Fall Fest – Sat. Oct. 20th, 2pm to 6pm
Dear Shore Drive Residents,
Our Annual Fall Fest at First Landing State Park is Saturday, October 20th from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm and I would like to invite you to participate as a volunteer. I have attached a flyer. Please feel free to forward the flyer to your family and friends!
If you have any questions, please let me know!
Thanks!
Kim Y. Miller
Volunteer and Events Coordinator
First Landing State Park
2500 Shore Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Phone: 757-412-2308
Fax: 757-412-2315
Cell: 757-536-0088
Thanks to everyone who helped make the LRNow Fall Festival on PHP magnificent! This post is to especially thank the musicians who played.
You can still donate, and hire the incredibly talented musicians who played yesterday on Pleasure House Point at the Lynnhaven River NOW Fall Festival.
Head over to SavePHP.org now to learn more.
Brandon Bower and his band played a rocking, soulful, non-stop hour and a half set on a perfect day of celebration, learning, and hoola-hooping.
LRNOW Fall Festival and magnificent music by Rick, Morrgyn, Kayce, Brandon…
“All of these organizations and the city worked so hard to preserve what we thought was 100 percent of Pleasure House Point. That’s how it was advertised to everybody.”
Brian Solis of Parks & Rec answers questions about CBF’s proposed building for PHP
Brian Solis, of the Virginia Beach Department of Parks & Recreation responds to questions posed by residents interested in further details about the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s proposed educational center to be located at Pleasure House Point.
What LEED levels will be required? See http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=3330
Certified 40–49 points
Silver 50–59 points
Gold 60–79 points
Platinum 80 points and above
Response: There are not requirements for level of LEED-certification; however, CBF has indicated that the building will achieve LEED-Platinum status. CBF’s headquarters in Annapolis, MD was the first LEED-Platinum certified building in the world.
Will the 10,000 SF CBF building be in accordance with the Living Building Challenge (LBC) requiring its own energy and waste processing? See https://ilbi.org/lbc/LBC%20Documents/LBC2-0.pdf
Response: Yes. The details are being worked through CBF, the Planning Department and several other state and City agencies through the conditional use permit and design process.
Can a 10,000 SF building be justified when the LBC is committed to stopping the continued spread of sprawl development that threatens the few wild places that remain?
How can the 10,000 SF building be justified when the LBC prohibits construction on sensitive ecological habitat and/or a 100-year flood plain?
The architectural rendering on display was a long rectangular building devoid of the features the LBC prescribes:
• Elements that nurture the innate human attraction to natural systems and processes.
• Environmental features
• Natural shapes and forms
• Natural patterns and processes
• Design features intended solely for human delight and the celebration of culture, spirit and place appropriate to its function.
• Integration of surrounding tidal ponds, bird houses, and indigenous animals (frogs, lizards, turtles) into the immediate vicinity of the building for view, education, and environmental compatibility.
Response: The majority of the Pleasure House Point site is a previously-disturbed site. The building will also need to meet minimum building code standards as well as those related to flood plain issue. The detailed design of the Education Center will reveal addressing the majority, if not all, of the above criteria.
So was this it, or did the plan evolve through a proper Charrette (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charrette) that looked at several designs and space requirements in consultation with all stakeholders?
Response: CBF’s part of the Education Center evolved near the end of the site master plan process.
As part of the environmental impact assessment (EIA), to minimize square footage, will (or were) investigations undertaken to evaluate other near-by public facilities that could be used for meetings, public gatherings, educational classes, and training?
Response: The 10,000 s.f. building program is approximately 2% of CBF’s site. It is my understanding that CBF did evaluate building spaces in the vicinity of both Norfolk and Virginia Beach to meet their needs before undertaking this opportunity. Based on where the building is located and the educational programs and minimal staff offices proposed for the space, we do not find the building program to be unreasonable. Also, the building is sited at the most landward location while still staying outside of the 200’+ Resource Protection Area (RPA) buffer areas that CBF is enforcing on itself (normal RPA buffer requirement is a 100’ setback).
I also just need to reiterate the City’s commitment to working with the Trust for Public Land and Chesapeake Bay Foundation under the Council-adopted Memorandum of Understanding to achieve a number of goals for the entire site in a way that compliments each other: preservation, restoration, education and public access.
And remember – Ribbon Cutting tomorrow at 11am and Fall Festival Saturday from 11-4 on PHP!
Baylake Pines Fall Oyster Roast November 3rd Saturday 4-8p
Proceeds benefit Baylake Pines Civic League,
Foodbank of Southeastern VA and VA Bch Crime Solvers
Tickets and Information contacts:
John Borum 757-363-9132 or 757-289-6348
Kevin Montgomery 757-268-4733
Dell Young 757-460-2863
Also Available at the Leaping Lizard Café
Printing courtesy of Gay Borum of Konica-Minolta
A Life bird was spotted this past weekend on Pleasure House Point
Read, see, and hear more at SavePHP.org.
There were at least 6 birders out on PHP this morning. Probably hunting for the Say’s Phoebe, the life bird spotted that normally hangs out in the western states & Alaska.
What: Virginia Beach Mayoral and City Council Candidates’ Forum. When: Wednesday, October 17th, 7-9 PM, doors open at 6:30. Where: Cape Henry Collegiate School Dreyfus Auditorium, 1320 Mill Dam Road, Virginia Beach.
Sponsors: Lynnhaven River NOW, Council of Garden Clubs, Shore Drive Community Coalition, Back Bay Restoration Foundation, Princess Anne Garden Club, and the Virginia Beach Garden Club
Free and open to the public. No pre-registration required.
BE INFORMED
#WeLoveShoreDrive 