Learn more at Ocean Park Rescue Squad’s OPVRS News:
Be aware that the proximity of the stoplight may cause traffic to back up in front of the ambulance garages. Please don’t block the box in front of the station.
Category Archives: Photos
“You’re building something that is going to be a permanent landmark on the beach. You want it to be right.”
Video & story at 13NewsNow.com.
The Shore Drive Community Coalition is opposed to the expansion as it is now. They are concerned about the increased height and density. They and many others said there was not enough dialogue.
“In an effort to keep our neighbors, friends and other interested parties informed, this page will be continually updated with fresh information about our expansion project as plans develop.”
Westminster-Canterbury shares info about their expansion plans on their website.
Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay has been a part of the Shore Drive community for nearly four decades.
“It appears that the power supply coming to the lighting system is not “clean power”. It works fine for normal lights, the necklace lighting, etc., but for purposes of the aesthetic lighting on the piers, it’s causing some problems.”
Update about LED aesthetic lighting for Lesner includes:
They’ve noticed that pier lights will go off randomly which means the Building Maintenance staff have to come out and reset the specific breakers. The problem has been that it’s not the same pier going out each time. I would equate this to how the power in your house might flicker during a wind storm and one clock gets interrupted while others aren’t impacted.
The proposed solution is to install some line conditioners to clean up the power supply. It’s not a big deal, it’s just a procurement process that we need to go through to get a contractor to add the components to the system. We expect to have something installed in the next 60 days.
You may remember the plan to change the aesthetic lighting we shared here.
I’m going to talk to them about the programming, since I think it can still run regardless of the pier light issues. If they have to reset breakers anyway (short term), it doesn’t matter what the light color is.
Yes – the street lightening acting randomly is a separate issue from the aesthetic lighting goofs.
All the lighting on Lesner should be resolved within 60 days as Public Works has been working on this for awhile now and are very close to completing the solutions to fix the issues.
Hope it’s fixed soon! People come from miles around – even out of state – to view the pretty lighting.
Drainage Improvements Work to Begin on Starfish Road/North Great Neck Road
Crews will begin work at the intersection of Starfish Road and North Great Neck Road for the first phase. The project will include installing stormwater piping, drainage structures, trenching, along with sidewalk and pavement work.
Questions?
Final Sea Level Wise happening today!
We want YOUR input When it comes to Sea Level Wise public meeting dates.
February 15th 10am – 12pm Cox High School
Address: 2425 Shorehaven Drive
Did you know WCCB is seeking variances to redevelop ~17 acres in the bayfront? PLEASE TAKE OUR SURVEY.
WCCB – Westminster Canterbury by Chesapeake Bay- has been “working with the City for about a year” on redeveloping 16.88 acres in the bayfront.
Planning Commission is scheduled to have a public hearing and vote as soon as MARCH 11 ’20.
CLICK HERE to start 8 question SURVEY.
SURVEY ENDS March 10. PLEASE TAKE IT NOW and share it.
We will be making the Survey results public.
Thank you!
Rendering of proposed redevelopment that needs regulatory approvals.
Proposed Orsted use of Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility including CC presentation.
View Powerpoint presented to City Council Informal Session FEB 4 ’20.
Just 3 of the questions to consider:
Was Parks & Recreation consulted re: the recreational boaters use of LBR&BF boat parking expansion being delayed again?
Was Public Safety & Traffic Engineering consulted re: recreational boaters backing up into the surrounding residential streets and onto Shore Drive in both west & east directions?
Was anyone tasked with studying the loss of revenue from the delay, again, of expanding recreational boat parking especially considering the recent loss of Boatel use?
Note: Questions are simply related to the location at LBR&BF of this proposed plan.
There’s potential expanding LBR&BF recreational boat parking could be delayed even longer as well:
Six (6) months – up to three (3) additional six (6) month terms for a
total of two (2) years
Learn more about Orsted at their website.
Ørsted ranked the most sustainable company in the world
Lynnhaven Boat Ramp could become construction site
View article at Pilotonline.com:
The City Council will hear more about the lease of the 5-acre site on Tuesday. A public hearing will be scheduled soon, said Vice Mayor Jim Wood.
Sanitary gravity mains under Cape Henry Ditch update
From a project manager’s email about Phase 1C.2 stormwater work:
The 15-inch and 27-inch gravity sanitary sewer mains that will be relocated from under the Cape Henry Ditch to underneath Cape Henry Drive will remain gravity systems (not force mains). These mains drain down west all the way down to the Public Utilities Pump Station at Lynnhaven Colony Park.
We will be replacing the Sanitary Gravity Mains from Ebb Tide Road to Starfish Road, quite a long stretch, about 1,488 Linear Feet. The plan is to upgrade the 15-inch to 18-inch currently, but maintain the 27-inch size.
Note: Phase 1C.2 is in red.
Lynnhaven Colony Civic League Meeting – Westminster Canterbury Presentation. “All welcome, need not be a member to attend.”
Lynnhaven Colony Civic League Meeting will have a presentation by Westminster Canterbury of their proposed expansion. They propose building a 22 story building at the former Lynnhaven fishing pier with additional construction.
All welcome, need not be a member to attend.Sat, Feb 8, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Dockside Seafood & Fishing Center
Westminster-Canterbury rendering of proposed 22 story building and more plus Modification of Conditions Application to CoVB files.
View renderings supplied to City. ( 26 page PDF)
View Westminster Canterbury Modification of Conditions Application. ( 15 page PDF )
“Virginia Beach’s new flooding models are as advanced as any in the United States”
If Virginia Beach doesn’t take action to guard the city from more extreme flooding, its bond rating could be affected, officials have said.
After the flood models are completed at the city’s Public Works Stormwater Engineering Center, work begins on designing things like tidal backflow prevention devices. As seen Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. (Stephen M. Katz)
Article has a terrific amount of info.
Our Comments(Discuss) are always open. You may remember Pilotonline.com Commenting has been turned off.
Finally, if you’re familiar with our work preserving Pleasure House Point, you may find a connection in this article.
Sea Level Wise Adaption Strategy Draft Report
Download the entire 306 page 106.6MB PDF report here.
A few highlights.
Executive Summary
In the last five years, the City of Virginia Beach has completed a comprehensive effort to develop strategies to respond to sea level rise and related increases in flooding. The study, known as Sea Level Wise, has produced a wealth of information to understand what challenges the City will face and develop diverse strategies to pro-actively reduce the impacts. This document presents the findings of the Sea Level Wise effort. . . .
Report includes:
A Call To Action
Maintaining Good Credit
The City’s flood risks are also recognized by organizations that rate the financial strength and borrowing ability of municipalities.In 2014, the credit rating agency Moody’s Investors Service Inc. sent a questionnaire to the City. It asked about the City’s sea level rise vulnerabilities, expenses, and plans to address future impacts. Thanks to the newly created Sea Level Wise program, the City was able to speak to proactive flood mitigation efforts underway, stating:
“The City firmly believes that the cost of damage done by ignoring sea level rise will far exceed the cost of mitigation.”
Satisfactory responses to these questions has allowed Virginia Beach to maintain a AAA credit rating. This high credit rating is essential for the affordable financing of City improvement projects through municipal bonds.
Page 8 Introduction.
Page 18 Community Engagement.
Page 46 Aging Infrastructure.
Page 58 Where are the losses occurring. Note Shore Drive area.
Page 72 City-Wide Objectives.
Page 78 Preserve Environmental Assets.
Page 104 Regulate Building and Development.
Page 110 Support Risk Mitigating Interventions. Note: “Priority areas for supporting risk-mitigating interventions at the parcel-level.”
Page 166 Lynnhaven. Note: “Over the last 40 years, this historically
agrarian community has undergone extensive development in both commercial and residential areas. However, the loss of naturalized landscapes has only served to make flooding worse, as development has formed on manufactured land and has surrounded the numerous water ways, rivers, tributaries, and bays that make up this region.”
Page 188 West of Lesner Bridge Neighborhood Alignment.
Page 190 East of Lesner Bridge Neighborhood Alignment.
Page 200 Residential Community Education.
Page 284 Planning and Coordination.
There is a massive amount of information in this report.
“To prepare for the threat of sea level rise in the coming decades, Virginia Beach will have to consider multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects, restricting new development in some parts of the city and purchasing properties in danger of flooding, according to a new report.”
Guess one of the top areas of VB at risk.
View article at Pilotonline.com:
Flooding in Virginia Beach is influenced by a host of factors. More intense rainfall, increased development on vulnerable lands and aging infrastructure have all contributed to more severe floods in recent years.
Technically, the 22 story building that could be coming to Shore Drive is not a skyscraper.
Westminster-Canterbury, a retirement community on the Chesapeake Bay that has been gobbling up adjacent properties to expand its campus, is moving forward with an ambitious proposal to the dismay of some of its neighbors.
VBCPS is now accepting applications from current 10th grade students interested in attending the Environmental Studies Program, a new innovative program opening at the Brock Environmental Center in September 2020.
10th graders, start here to begin application process:
Application Process
Before entering grade 11, students will apply for admission to the program in the fall of their sophomore year. An essay formulated around the topics of Sustainable Economics and Business Innovation, Social Sustainability and Environmental Sustainability and Natural Resource Stewardship will be included in the application and will be used to identify candidates who show a passion for and interest in the fields of study. . . .
Editors note: Dream big and never quit. You never know what you’ll be able to accomplish in spite of it being “impossible”.
Sea Level Wise Adaptation Strategy Public Meeting schedule includes one near Shore Drive!
February 15, 2020 – Cox High School – 2425 Shorehaven Drive – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
View Comprehensive Sea Level Rise page at VBGov.com.
It is well documented that sea levels have been rising over the last century. This impacts coastal communities as virtually all human infrastructure will experience some risk. The story of Sea Level Rise and how it effects the City of Virginia Beach is detailed below:
The threat of sea level rise is a very real one, and it’s one that coastal regions like Hampton Roads must face and prepare for. . . .
Graphic from just one idea that was discussed.
#LesnerBridge wins 4th place in Roads & Bridges’ Top 10 Bridge awards for 2019
“People really love coming to the bridge—more than just crossing over the top, it becomes an experience sitting underneath the bridge and seeing the lights from the beach,” Wojtowicz said. “It’s very majestic looking from the beach, seeing these aesthetic lights. It makes an impression on folks that see it.”
Screen shot of construction cam December 22 ’18.
Update on PHP kayak launch & wetland mitigation bank
From an email:
We are now anticipating a fall 2020 construction start for the PHP wetland restoration and mitigation bank project. Our Mitigation Banking Instrument (MBI) has been approved subject to a few minor clarifications. We expect final approval in late January and will begin the JPA process and prepare final bidding documents. We should be in a position to detail a firm construction schedule at that time.
“A classroom at Pleasure House Point opens a world of exciting possibilities that will have a ripple effect on the community and beyond for years to come. I’m so proud to support this mission.”
The energy & excitement by students & VB Schools staff at the Ground Breaking Ceremony yesterday was incredible!
“Future legislators, scientists, engineers, and architects will walk these halls, explore these beautiful grounds, learn in this sustainably-built classroom, and ultimately change the world,” said VBCPS Superintendent Dr. Aaron Spence. “Where better can students experience our city’s and our division’s unique educational opportunities than here at the Brock Center, truly a monument to environmental design and sustainability.”
When will the classroom be built?
Construction will begin in early 2020, with completion during the summer of 2020. Students will begin attending the Environmental Studies Program after Labor Day, 2020.
It’s amazing how much has been accomplished since “RESIDENTS ANNOUNCE PLAN TO BUY PLEASURE HOUSE POINT Virginian-Pilot, The (Norfolk, VA) – Tuesday, February 25, 2003 Author: SCOTT HARPER THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT” was published:
The foundation will solicit public and private money and seeks to preserve the property for environmental education[.]
Yet, there is much more work to do as not all of what you think is PHP is permanently preserved yet.
#WeLoveShoreDrive 