Category Archives: Photos
“The curriculum is focused on hands-on experiments and solving real environmental problems, meant to put students in the world around them every single day, Freeman said.”
In new environmental studies program, Virginia Beach students get a hands-on experience at Pilotonline.com.
“This isn’t a school. This is not at a school setting,” Freeman said. “It’s sort of redefining what a classroom looks like.”
To say we’re excited about this unique learning experience that we’ve been working on making happen since 2003 would be a profound understatement!
The first time the idea was written up in The Virginian-Pilot.
Marina Shores expansion presentation to BAC info
Changes to original presentation posted at SDCC.info here.
Previous 60 unit expansion, now 49 unit that requires a Conditional Use Permit as they’re proffered at maximum units allowed right now.
New traffic light at North Great Neck and Lynnhaven Drive still turned down by CoVB even after more lobbying for it in spite of added minimum dozens of trips per day through that intersection from new condo & apartment development.
HK on the Bay presentation to BAC info
Pleasure House Road 7/11 presentation to BAC info
Pleasure House Road new 7/11.
Not Greenwell Road new 7/11.
Marlin Bay presentation to BAC info
“At the last general membership meeting, the OPCL voted to match Ocean Park residents’ contributions to the Stop Westminster Canterbury legal fund.”
If you would like to make a matched contribution, use the link below and forward your email confirmation to the OPCL Treasurer or board member by Jan 31.
OPCL is matching up to $1,000.
Learn more about The Lawsuit & GoFundMe info here.
$19,505 has been raised so far.
Public Works – Stormwater Engineering has scheduled a virtual open house meeting for the Lake Bradford / Chubb Lake (CIP 7-053) project on Thursday, November 12, 2020 between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Email update:
Folks/Bradford-Chubb Project Followers:
The City of Virginia Beach’s Public Works – Stormwater Engineering has scheduled a virtual open house meeting for the Lake Bradford / Chubb Lake (CIP 7-053) project on Thursday, November 12, 2020 between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. For information to join the meeting virtually, please visit the project website: http://www.vbgov.com/LakeBradford.
Due to the Covid-19 public health crisis this meeting will not be held in-person and instead we will utilize a virtual platform to host this meeting and continue providing project updates and introduce the upcoming construction projects.
As most of you know, we held an open house/public meeting in November 2019 to hear from residents in the area regarding their flooding concerns and to assist in developing a program of drainage improvements. We received valuable input and feedback from the community and are looking forward to our continued coordination.
Since we met last November, the City and RK&K have made progress on the drainage study and develop a concept of improvements to help mitigate flooding. This concept requires further analysis and the drainage study is anticipated to be completed by the end of next summer.
This will be an informal open house public meeting and will begin with a 30 minute presentation providing an update on the Lake Bradford/Chubb Lake Drainage Study as well as introduce the upcoming Lake Pleasure House Outfall and Lake Bradford Dredging construction projects. Public Works representatives from the City of Virginia Beach will be available to answer questions via the virtual platform following the presentation.
After the presentation, we request attendees complete an online survey to provide feedback on the presentation as well as any comments or concerns for the upcoming construction projects. A link to this online survey will be provided on the project website. Our previous survey was very successful and provided valuable input on flooding concerns in the area.
Again, we want to thank each and every one of you who have participated in some way: attending the meeting, marking maps, taking the survey, emailing us your thoughts and comments, and all the other ways you have contributed. We feel strongly that this can be a very successful project with your suggestions and feedback.
Please contact us at lakebradford@vbgov.com with your comments and questions. Also, go to our website at http://www.vbgov.com/lakebradford for updated information.
If you have any pictures of flooding, please email them to stormpics@vbgov.com. Please include the location, date, and time the picture was taken.
Again, thank you for your participation in this project and we look forward to continue working with all of you. Please stay safe during this difficult time.
Matthew Richardson, Project Manager
Lake Bradford / Chubb Lake Drainage Study (CIP #7-053).
Public Works – Engineering
757-385 -4131
“ The council doesn’t have enough votes for this action as three of 11 council members have declared conflicts of interest and can’t vote on issues related to Westminster-Canterbury.”
Local coverage of THE LAWSUIT against WCCB & City of Virginia Beach continues at Virginian-Pilot:
“If this decision is allowed to stand, it could set a precedent for City Council to ignore zoning regulations in any neighborhood in any part of the city,”
13NewsNow continues local press coverage of the Shore Drive community coming together to stop the precedent setting subjective approval that clearly violates the City’s Zoning Ordinance & other development guidelines of Virginia Beach.
View story including video at 13NewsNow.com:
“hold city council accountable for what the codes, and rules and guidelines are”
VOTE!
“There were many more people who were interested in participating in the action but as a practical matter, the number of clients needs to be manageable and these 4 Petitioners are very representative of those adversely effected [sic] by Westminster Canterbury’s approved expansion,” Lauer wrote.
First coverage at 13NewsNow.com:
In the last six days, a GoFundMe launched to raise money for the petitioners has raised more than $13,000.
Multiple Shore Drive Condominium Associations has organized a GoFundMe FUNDRAISER & LAWSUIT vs City of Virginia Beach & WCCB to stop precedent setting high rise in Shore Drive community subjectively approved by 5 City Council members
Westminster Canterbury Expansion-Stop City Council GoFundMe FUNDRAISER link:
Virginia Beach City Council has approved plans to allow a 22 story building expansion of Westminster Canterbury. This will create a structure rivaling Town Center and potentially supporting other high rise development in the Bayfront neighborhoods along Shore Drive. This precedent setting decision was based solely on the opinions of 5 Council Members and not based on quantifiable City codes or requirements.
VIEW LAWSUIT v. VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL, CITY of VIRGINIA BEACH, WESTMINSTER-CANTERBURY on Chesapeake Bay ( 29 page PDF )
Over $11,000 has been raised in just a couple days.
Join us & many others who don’t want to see the Shore Drive community & potentially other areas of Virginia Beach have an explosion of density & high rises due to this arbitrary decision made by 5 people.
Westminster Canterbury Expansion-Stop City Council GoFundMe FUNDRAISER link:
Virginia Beach City Council has approved plans to allow a 22 story building expansion of Westminster Canterbury. This will create a structure rivaling Town Center and potentially supporting other high rise development in the Bayfront neighborhoods along Shore Drive. This precedent setting decision was based solely on the opinions of 5 Council Members and not based on quantifiable City codes or requirements.
“Between now and when the first shovel hits the ground, we’re in ‘let’s stop this thing as it stands’ mode”
Story including video at 13NewsNow Ali Weatherton report.
Mayor Bobby Dyer said his goal is to form a group with community members and the developer to talk about the plans and to keep everyone in the loop.
That’s great news Mayor!
That group being formed now would only makes sense if City Council voted to RECONSIDER.
Horse leaving the barn already & all that.
Bay Vista on Shore Drive in Ocean Park was RECONSIDERED in 2003.
“Mass, density” & “precedent setting” were several items RECONSIDERED by a thoughtful City Council once they learned more.
Councilmember Sabrina Wooten said, “Thank you for your inquiry. Please note that I have not been briefed on this matter in detail. I am not aware that the vote was ruled or determined to be unfair in any way. Thank you for your kind attention to this matter.”
We’d love your reply Councilmembers:
Council Members Berlucchi and Wooten should explain their reasons for support. Since the approval of the WC expansion was based solely on Council opinion, all the members provided explanation for their votes except Council members Berlucchi and Wooten. A decision that changes the future of the Bayfont demands that they explain why they ignored the community’s concerns and voted in favor of the project.
“Under question is the 250-foot height of the proposed tower, which is taller than would typically be allowed for senior living housing. Planning Director Bobby Tajan has said that the council has the option to waive height requirements through the conditional use permit process.”
View article at Pilotonline.com:
“We don’t want a Town Center on Shore Drive,” Solomon said. “Once developers know they can get council to buckle, the developers will start lining up to build high rises on Shore Drive.”
Briefing about beach replenishment using sand dredged from CBBT channel
Briefing includes delay of sand for Ocean Park & no mention of using sand from Lynnhaven Boat Ramp stock pile which is located there to be used for emergency beach replenishment work according to City Staff in Public Works.
View briefing slides that will be presented to City Council tomorrow.
“Use limitations, restrict the height to 165 feet” in WCCB 1998 Conditional Use Permit Application
Download & view FOIA Docs from WCCB 1998 Application
It is mind boggling City Council will be having a Public Hearing and vote on this Application next Tuesday September 22 2020 considering:
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Since 1998 WCCB & City of VB acknowledge there is a 165 foot maximum height requirement.
“The lack of attention to detail is astonishing” in this entire process.
A profound lack of civic engagement to fine tune the proposal so it meets the Shore Drive Corridor Plan, Shore Drive Overlay District & Comprehensive Plan Guidelines and compliments not destroys the residential neighborhood the Shore Drive community is.
THE ONLY LOGICAL CHOICE FOR THIS PRECEDENT SETTING FAR OVER REACHING PROPOSAL IS TO DENY IT
PROPOSED SHORT TERM RENTAL REGULATION CHANGES City Council Briefing September 15, 2020 are controversial in the new proposed Overlay Districts in Bayfront
View Councilman Jones / Vice Mayor Wood proposal documents presented at City Manager Briefing September 15th[Note: VBGov.com broke the link again. Use Download links below for PDF.]
General overview of changes
■ Allow STRs, by-right, in certain specific locations of the City if they meet criteria
■ No Conditional Use Permits–STRs cannot operate elsewhere in the City
■ Regulations for Sandbridge are not changed
■ Regulations for other areas where STRs are permitted reflect current City Council imposed conditions on STRs with modification on number of rentals and required response by property owner or representative
Download Jones/Wood documents PDF of proposed changes.
View slides presented by Planning Director of STR proposed changes at City Manager Briefing.[Note: VBGov.com broke the link again. Use Download links below for PDF.]
Download PDF Planning Director slideshow.
Garden Club to host fundraiser for OPVRS
View details at Ocean Park Rescue Squad website:
September 26th, 9am-12pm at the Shore Drive Farm Market.
“It’s so tiny that it’s going to immediately diffuse into the environment. And plastics last, depending on the plastic, hundreds or thousands of years. That’s why we say it’s effectively permanent”
“It was horrible. It was all bunched into all of the grasses, getting into the water. Just clearly a detriment to the animals around here. So, it was upsetting, to say the least.”
“At our August monthly meeting of the Bayfront Advisory Commission, we discussed your upcoming consideration of the Westminster Canterbury expansion and determined it important to bring to your attention illustrations and descriptions of “Setbacks and Massing””
Letter Bayfront Advisory Committee (BAC) sent to City Council about the WCCB enormous 22 story “iconic” building proposal & campus expansion.
Dear Mayor Dyer and City Council Members,
At our August monthly meeting of the Bayfront Advisory Commission, we discussed your upcoming consideration of the Westminster Canterbury expansion and determined it important to bring to your attention illustrations and descriptions of “Setbacks and Massing” on Page 111 of the Shore Drive Corridor Plan.
Specifically, at the bottom of the page, it depicts “Encouraged” and “Not Encouraged” images of building massing and relationships.
The adjoining text states:
“Low and moderate buildings in height should be encouraged throughout the corridor. Rationale: Building in moderate height may better reflect the residential character and neighborhood scale of the corridor.”
The Shore Drive Corridor Plan was adopted by the City Council of Virginia Beach on March 28, 2000.
A copy of Page 111 of the Shore Drive Corridor Plan is attached for your reference.
Respectfully,
Phillip A Davenport
Chairman
Bayfront Advisory Commission
Emphasis ours.
#WeLoveShoreDrive 