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Why Unanswered Questions?
SDCC recently posted the 28 questions that were presented to Chairman Fraim of the Beaches and Waterways Advisory Commission (B&WAC) at the city’s official and only public hearing held OCT 13, 2011. Now, almost one year ago. As some of you who attended this public forum for the Neighborhood Dredging (Spoils) Program, these questions were officially presented in writing to the chairman and were to be officially answered by this officially appointed city commission. The city would like citizens to think that our voices are heard on such important matters as this costly program (potentially $100 million) directly impacting citizen safety and our tax dollars. All that I can say is that SDCC has not received any satisfactory answers from either the city or the B&WAC chairman, although their official report was submitted to the city nine months ago.
Why are the city and the B&WAC chairman so quiet? I believe that they can not answer SDCC’s questions related to neighborhood impact, safety, environmental issues, traffic impact, costs, and operational concerns of this program. If they cannot answer my questions satisfactorily, how can they continue to proceed with the Neighborhood Dredging (Spoils) Program? I have forwarded these questions to Councilwoman Wilson (City representative to the B&WAC) a month ago to see if she could pry required answers out of the city, and so far no response. Bottom line- NO ANSWERS. It may not be that important, but it does concern public safety, impact on neighborhoods, impact on traffic through three major school areas, and your present and future tax dollars. WHY no answers? Maybe there are no responsible answers.
VBGov.com/PHP set up to showcase Ceremony and Celebration
He draws from such inspirations as fellow Augustan, the Godfather of Soul himself, Mr. James Brown. In fact a local radio personality said it best “If Elvis Presley and James Brown had a child, it would be no other than Brandon Bower”.
New page at VBGov.com/PHP.
VBGov.com/PleasureHousePoint for all other info like maps, graphs, polls, Stakeholder meeting minutes, discussion, etc.
Coming out OCT 13 for LRNow Fall Festival right ?
BRANDON BOWER is one of the musicians playing for the Celebration.
Stay tuned to find out who else is.
Great Neck Road and Lynnhaven Dr improvements
From an email from Chris
There were some questions as to the road improvements on Great Neck. Per the City, they are offsetting the turn lanes to improve visibility. There have been 15 accidents at the intersection in just the last 5 years, so apparently it is pretty dangerous. Many of those reported as drivers in the lefts being unable to see oncoming traffic due to vehicles in the opposing left turn lane.
In FY10 the City applied for and was approved to receive federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funds for the project, so it is being funded by the Feds.
The improvements will be completed by early December
Bayfront Advisory Committee Meeting – Thursday Sept. 20th at 3:30pm
The Bayfront Advisory Committee will meet Thursday, Sept. 20, at the Virginia Beach Resort and Conference Center, Lynnhaven Room, 2800 Shore Drive, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Click here for more information http://www.vbgov.com/news/Pages/selected.aspx?release=974
Pleasure House Point Open House for Information on Chesapeake Bay Foundation Plans Tuesday, September 18, 2012 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Bayside Recreation Center
Pleasure House Point
Open House for Information on Chesapeake Bay Foundation Plans
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Bayside Recreation Center, 4500 First Court Road, Virginia Beach
We invite you to an open house to review plans for an Environmental Education Center at Pleasure House Point.
A partnership with Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), City of Virginia Beach, Trust for Public Land, and many citizens from your community successfully protected Pleasure House Point (PHP). Ninety-two percent of the preserved land is now the PHP Natural Area, managed by the City of Virginia Beach. CBF and its partners will utilize the eastern 10 acres for environmental education programs and an environmental center. At the Open House, CBF staff will be available to answer any questions.
Questions? Contact Christy Everett, CBF, at 622-1964 or ceverett@cbf.org.
September 9th – 15th Virginia Bicyclist and Pedestrian Awareness Week
SHARE THE ROAD
Motorists have a responsibility to share the road with those who enjoy biking and walking along Virginia’s roadways.
When you pass a bicyclists slow down and allow at least 2 feet between the bike and the vehicle.
Look for hand signals a bicyclist may use to signal a turn. When approaching a crosswalk, stop for pedestrians.
Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists and should ride with traffic.
Bicyclists should obey all Virginia traffic laws, use flashing lights, and wear bright clothing.
Bicyclists should yield to pedestrians.
If you’re out walking, move against traffic and use sidewalks when possible.
“Sure, the foundation could locate its offices on nearby Shore Drive, Everett said, but it would miss an opportunity to set an example of how to build in an environmentally friendly, sustainable way.”
Read the entire article at Pilotonline.com.
“I am ecstatic with an environmental educational component existing on PHP run by CBF,” he wrote in an email. ” – they can simply do much, much better.”
“Please help us find this little guy’s home! This poor baby was just picked up by a kind stranger who spotted him walking in circles on Shore Dr. “
LEARN MORE AT THIS FACEBOOK THREAD!
[No need to be a member of Facebook.]
“Wildlife Center of Virginia officials will release a peregrine falcon Monday at First Landing State Park. The release will be at 1 p.m. It is free and open to the public.”
“The event will be held on Wednesday, September 12th at First Landing State Park in the Trail Center. “
Hello Volunteers!
Dr. Douglas Tallamy, Professor and Chair of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware and the author of the book Bringing Nature Home is the featured speaker at the Go Native! plant symposium.
The event will be held on Wednesday, September 12th at First Landing State Park in the Trail Center. Tickets are $20 each and includes parking and refreshments. A portion of the proceeds will go to First Landing State Park.
If you are interested in attending or would like additional information, please contact Renee’ Wampler at 757-425-0724 or email pagcrw@cox.net.
Thank you,
Kim Y. Miller
Volunteer / Events Coordinator
First Landing State Park
Phone: 757-412-2308
Cell: 757-536-0088
Fax: 757-412-2315
“A Child Safety Town Hall Meeting, sponsored by Virginia Beach City Councilmember James L. Wood, will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 26 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library, 4100 Virginia Beach Blvd. “
More at VBGov.com News Center.
FBI Special Agents from the Norfolk Field Office will provide detailed and interesting information on threats from child predators.
“FREE Hampton Roads Solar & More Tour – Saturday & Sunday October 6 & 7. In conjunction with the American Solar Energy Society’s National Home Tour, folks across the country including Tidewater will have the opportunity to view and investigate local green building technologies incorporated into homes and businesses the first weekend of October. “
The Joint Expeditionary Base will be hosting an Open House to the Public at JEB/Little Creek on August 24, 2012, featuring the band, Kansas. Entry will be at Gate 3, with the gate open to the public at 5 p.m., concert at 7 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m.
Pilotonline.com coverage of CBF’s plans on PHP
“The idea is to leave no trace, minimize impact and create a building that will be used for years to come by the community,” said William Almond, the project’s landscape architect.
Read the entire article and view a video at Pilotonline.com.
“Our vision quite simply is to create one of the most environmentally sustainable buildings in the world at Pleasure House Point,” said CBF Hampton Roads Director Christy Everett. “We want it to be an international model that demonstrates how to build, work, learn, and play responsibly beside a natural treasure like the Chesapeake Bay. Our goal is a facility the entire Hampton Roads community can be proud of, and we are actively seeking the community’s feedback on our Pleasure House Point vision.”
Read the entire Press Release at CBF.org.
Hopefully CBF will conduct intense studies about using wind turbines safely since so many birds love PHP and it’s vital habitat in the Atlantic Flyway. Photo credit: CBF
Editors note: Impossible dreams come true.
239 photos of the 4th Annual Cape Story Paddle Race
Tons of photos from LRNow Clean up on PHP AUG4
Marlin Bay Extension to PHP – Resident Question and City Answer
Resident question – Regarding the proposed Marlin Bay road access, will this allow for future option for the land trustees and or adjacent land owners the ability to develop the remaining number of lots available if Marlin Bay Road is extended? Can you inform us if the land trustees/owners will be donating the land over to CBF or VBgov or are their future intention to develop the remaining number of lots?
City answer – Another Ocean Park resident emailed Christy and I with similar questions over the weekend. The short answer is that the adjacent property owner to the north of the 118-acre Pleasure House Point site are not interested in donating their property. We have been told that the intention is to develop those lots.
Whether Marlin Bay Drive extended is built with the CBF project or not, the right-of-way already exists today and can be built. Since the right-of-way has already been dedicated, there have been preliminary discussions about the City working with all parties to consider a design that is as pervious as possible and as green as possible.
This is what I told the other resident who inquired over the weekend:
There are a few areas adjacent to the 118 acres that the Trust for Public Land was able to acquire (108 acres of which was conveyed the same day to the City and the other 10 acres is under lease/option to purchase with CBF), that are undeveloped and have underlying zoning that allows for future development. As you noted, those areas are in yellow adjacent to the subject 118 acres as shown here: http://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/parks-recreation/design-development-projects/current-projects/Documents/php-existing-land-use.pdf
We had to pull all of the resources we could to leverage City funding toward grants from the US Fish & Wildlife Service (through the VA Dept of Game and Inland Fisheries); Virginia Land Conservation Foundation; Dominion Foundation; and a low-interest loan from the VA Dept of Environmental Quality with the grass roots support of primarily Shore Drive area residents through the Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation Foundation to preserve the 118 acres from development.
Collectively, with all of the partners, we had to prioritize the property to acquire with limited resources and we believe we achieved the most we could with the pulled resources.
While we may never know for sure if the Indigo Dunes project with nearly 1,100 units could have been permitted, it stands to reason that the property may have yielded up to 1,000 units ultimately based on the underlying zoning. The City and the Trust for Public Land is applying to down-zone all 118 acres to P-1 Preservation from the PDH-1 Planned Development zoning over the last quarter of this year.
The yellow areas may end up together adding up to just a fraction >; (1-5%) of what could have been developed in the area. Unfortunately, there are no public funds designated to acquire the remaining privately-owned property in the area. However, while the lots have certain vested rights, the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area ordinance and flood plain regulations could limit some of the yellow areas in terms of number and type of units that can be developed there.
When Christy gets back into the office next week, she may have something additional to offer.
Sincerely,
Brian
Brian S. Solis, AICP, LEED Green Associate
Planning, Design and Development Administrator
Twenty-seven (27) unresolved questions that SDCC had submitted in writing to the Chairman of the Beaches and Waterways Advisory Commission at the formal public hearing conducted by that Commission on October 13, 2011.
Posted unedited from SDCC’s submitted document:
Shore Drive Community Coalition
Questions Related to the Neighborhood Dredging Program
Impact on Neighborhoods:
NOTE: IF IT IS NOT DONE SAFELY, IT WILL IMPACT NEIGHBORHOODS, therefore Neighborhood Impact Related1. Will there be or has there been a city SAFETY IMPACT STUDY of issues related to the Neighborhood Dredging Program related to COMBINING HEAVILY LADEN DUMP TRUCKS WITH the NORMAL TRAFFIC FLOW ON N. GREATNECK Rd. through three major school traffic and pedestrian areas?
2.What are the professional safety qualifications and previous experience of the city’s person doing this NDP associated SAFETY IMPACT STUDY?
3.Will there be or has there been a city SAFETY IMPACT STUDY of issues related to the Neighborhood Dredging Program related to TRAFFIC FLOW WITH NORMAL TRAFFIC ON N. GREATNECK through three major school traffic and pedestrian areas?
4.Will there be or has there been a city SAFETY IMPACT STUDY of issues related to the NDP related to burdened barge traffic along narrow or congested channels ?
5.What are the professional safety qualifications and previous experience of the city’s person doing this NDP associated BARGE TRAFFIC ON THE WATERWAYS SAFETY IMPACT STUDY?
6.What safety precautions will be implemented and monitored to provide for adequate safety for work-tug and barge traffic anchored in the waterway during night and inclement weather?
7.As there are 4 or more crosswalks along N. Greatneck Road between Shore Drive and Virginia Beach Blvd, will the present 45 mph speed limit be reduced to 35 mph to provide for increased dump truck-vehicle safety?
8.What are the professional safety qualifications and previous experience of the city’s person evaluating the contracted companies Traffic and Safety Plans associated with this NDP? associated SAFETY IMPACT STUDY?
9.Who in the city will monitor spoils loaded dump trucks to ensure DOT Weight limitations for that vehicle are maintained?
10.Who in the city will monitor spoils loaded dump trucks to ensure DOT, State and city Weight Limitations for that designated truck route (primary roads/neighborhood roads) are not exceeded?
11.Who in the city will monitor spoils loaded dump trucks to ensure DOT and State Weight Limitations are not exceeded for the Lesner Bridge prior to its replacement?
12.How will tug-barge traffic be managed between city contracted barges and privately contracted barges approaching and at dredge transfer sites?
13.Who in the city will monitor, mitigate, correct, and report safety violations?
14.How will these safety records be maintained?
15.Will the public have access to these safety violations records?
16.What will be the process for citizens who sustain damage(s) to their property to have that damage repaired in the case of broken street pipes, broken sewage lines, broken storm water drains, or damage to their residential roadbed?
17.What will be the process for citizens who sustain damage(s) to their residential property associated with NDP dump trucks and equipment to have that damage repaired in the case of damaged foundations, or slabs, interior walls due to cracking, or sewage or water backup due to broken street drains, or damage to their residential roadbed?
18.What qualifications does the City’s Attorney have to accept the tasking of the B&WAC to conduct a SAFETY STUDY of the NDP related to significant associated safety issues?
OPERATIONAL PLANNING
1.What is the City’s BREAK-EVEN COST POINT for the initial cycle of the Neighborhood Dredge Spoils Program (where the cost of City’s dredging equals the revenue generated by the City’s Special Service District contract revenue)?
2.How will individuals who privately contract to have dredge spoils removed from their private dock turnaround to the city spur pay for the hauling and removal of those private spoils?
3.Will the city dredge spur channels to areas that have not signed SSD agreements?
4.Will the city dredge spur channels to Remote Areas when adjacent areas have not signed SSD agreements?
5.What will be the City’s Cost Determination to Construct a SPUR channel into areas that do not have a signed nor approved SSD agreements?
6.If the SSD process is incorrectly calculated, cost under estimated, or optimistically over assessed, who will identify these additional costs to the taxpayers and take responsibility for the increased tax rates to cover these NDP expenses?
7.Should the Beaches and Waterways Advisory Committee Study Report to be submitted to City Council serve as a COMPREHENSIVE study of the majority issues related to the NDP?
8.Should the Beaches and Waterways Advisory Committee Study Report to be submitted to City Council serve as an INDEPENDENT study of the majority issues related to the NDP?
9.IF the Beaches and Waterways Advisory Committee Study Report to be submitted to City Council serves neither as an INDEPENDENT nor Comprehensive study of the majority issues related to the NDP, when will such an independent and comprehensive study be funded and conducted?Submitted by:
David M. Williams
Pres. Shore Drive Community Coalition
Recently from SDCC.info:
“On the first day of dredging sand from the bottom of the creek on Long Creek in Virginia Beach, a containment box holding sand ended up on the bottom of the creek.”
