Questions about towing, your rights, safety and studies about Shore Drive & neighborhood streets?
Tonight is the night!
Be early.
Agenda is here and more info is here.
Bring a friend!
It’s indoors in a/c.
Category Archives: Quality of Life
Police Officers’ Q&A about enforcement, traffic study, illegal parking and tragic pedestrian death on Shore Drive.
We thank Captain M. P. Ronan Commanding Officer, Special Operations and Lieutenant Jeffery E. Wilkerson, MSCJ Special Operations for being our guests at our Monday SDCC Meeting.
They will provide a presentation at the beginning of our meeting so be early. Captain Ronan & Lieutenant Wilkerson will also answer your questions.
Topics will include:
This meeting is held at Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad and begins at 730pm.
Please enter at door from parking lot opposite Shore Drive.
If it’s impossible for you to attend – please post your questions or comments below.
#LESNERBRIDGE : “Police also warned that they will be monitoring the area and will issue tickets for violations.”
No doubt you’ve seen dangerous driving on the Lesner Bridge too.
There will now be a Police presence there.
View article at Pilotonline.com:
Tractor trailers carrying over-sized loads to the site have repeatedly encountered drivers who cut in front of the trucks and then come to a sudden stop, police said in a statement released Friday. Because of the extreme weight of the trucks – about 280,000 pounds – they need a distance that is longer than a football field to be able to come to a stop.
Screen shot of construction camera today. Note Police on Lesner Bridge.
SDCC General Meeting – Monday June 27th at 7:30pm
Click here for a printable version of the agenda – 6.27.16 SDCC Agenda
SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday June 27, 2016 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)
Special Presentations – No scheduled presentation. Updates on projects and issues that impact Shore Drive residents will be discussed in the Old & New Business sections. Topics will include:
- Temporary Reroute of West Great Neck Road – When, Why and Impact
- Flag Poles – What happening and why.
- Parking on Shore Drive between North Great Neck Rd and State Park. What are the rules?
- Friends of Live Oaks (FOLO) Meeting Update – Top priorities and how the community can help.
- Shore Drive Speed Enforcement between North Great Neck Road and State Park – Why? and Results.
- Beach Event Houses – What has the Beaches and Waterways Commission been doing?
Officer’s Reports
Secretary – David Williams; Treasurer’s Report -Kathy Pawlak; Vice President – Wally Damon; President – Todd Solomon
Old Business-
Marina Shores Proposed Development – Update on proposal to rezone the site and construct 261 apartments. City’s Planning Department evaluation update. When will the project go before the Planning Commission?
Beach Event Houses – Update from the Beaches & Waterways Commission overseeing this evaluation.
Friends of Live Oaks (FOLO) – Update on their meeting and discussion of their planned priorities.
New Business –
Bayfront Advisory Commission (BAC) News – Mr. Wally Damon will update us on the actions of the Bayfront Advisory Commission.
Tidal Surge Gate Installation – 3 tidal gates are being installed along Cape Henry Drive. The project has started, updates on impacts to West Great Neck Road will be discussed.
Flag Pole Installation – 4 sets of (4) flag poles have been installed in the Bayfront area. Learn what the BAC plans for these poles.
Parking on Shore Drive – Residents of Cape Story used City’s See-Click-Fix App to identify possible safety concerns due to restricted visibility from parked cars. Update will be provided.
VB Police Target Speed Enforcement along Shore Drive in Cape Story – Learn why the police have targeted this area and some of the surprising results so far.
Community Concerns – Does your neighborhood/condo have any issues that have come up that need help or may be a warning to others?
Next SDCC Meeting – Monday July 25, 2016
#LESNERBRIDGE update from Project Manager: “Completion of the bridge’s superstructure is estimated for September 2016 with a partial …”
June 14th 2016 update:
Aficionados of Bridges, Roads and Beaches:
No chit chat about ice on the roads and salt and sand and that nasty wind whipping off the bay today . . . No sir-eeee . . . you can toss that talk! Now it’s nothing but thoughts of heat and sand and sun and heat and swimming pools and heat and cocoa butter and more heat!! Just soak it up and savor the summer days living in Virginia Beach.
Progress on the Lesner Bridge Replacement Project is moving onward, and I’m sure most of you can see the progress almost on a daily basis.
Below is the latest collection of facts and figures and snappy photos – updated for your reading pleasure – from Chris Wojtowicz, engineer, project manager and smarty pants about all things related to bridges. You’ll want to be sure and add this update to your paperbacks and magazines for great reading while on the beach or sailing on the bay.
Feel free to let Chris or me know if you have any questions or need more information. If you haven’t had the opportunity to watch this construction sequence animation, please check it out.
As a reminder, we are regularly updating information on our WEB page at: http://www.vbgov.com/lesner-bridge. You can also follow us on Twitter at: @lesnerbridge.
If you know of someone who would like to be added to our update list, please have them get in touch with me at this e-mail address and I will be glad to add them. Please feel free to pass this along to others.
Thanks again for all of your interest and patience throughout this project. Enjoy the summer weather, fire up the grill, and avoid those skeeters . . . AND STAY COOL AND SAFE!
Drew Lankford
Media and Communications
Department of Public Works
City of Virginia Beachdlankfor@vbgov.com
(O) 757.385.8062
(C) 757.409.4353************************************************************************************
To All:
Yes – that small gap in the center of the new westbound Lesner Bridge is exactly as designed.
On Monday, June 13th, 2016, the last pre-cast concrete segment in the center span of the new westbound Lesner Bridge was set and post-tensioned in place. The remaining 2-foot wide gap is known as the Main Span Closure Segment and will be formed and cast-in-place early next week during the night when the surrounding concrete is at a minimum thermal gradient. The placement of the Main Span Closure concrete will complete the most challenging portion of the bridge construction – building both cantilever sections of the 225’ wide main bridge span; one from the west and one from the east and having them both meet in the middle where they’re supposed to be. Hats off to the FIGG Bridge designers and the precise work of McLean Contracting Company!
While crews work on finishing the main bridge span (setting formwork, placing rebar, installing continuity tendons across the main span, and tendon grouting), the gantry crane will be moved off of the cantilever and to span 7 (of 10). Once the gantry is moved to Span 7, the contractor will begin work on setting the segments atop Pier column #7 while post-tensioning work is being finished in the main span (#5).
Span 5 of the new Westbound Lesner Bridge – where the east and west cantilever sections of the bridge meet.
Now, a brief summary of work that we have completed since the last project update (3/29/2016):
Ø Cantilever Span 5B of the new westbound Lesner Bridge has been completed;
Ø The falsework at pier #6 has been installed at Pier #7 in preparation for the next gantry launch;
Ø The construction of pier columns #9 has been completed;
Ø We completed segment casting for spans 8, 9 and most of 10 (four segments remaining);
Ø Streetlight pilasters have been completed at pier columns 1 and 2;
Ø Preliminary pavement planning was completed on Spans 1, 2, and 3;
Ø Base and intermediate asphalt has been placed at the new bridge approaches.
Construction of the new westbound Lesner Bridge substructure (foundations, footings, and piers) is now complete. Completion of the bridge’s superstructure is estimated for September 2016 with a partial (westbound traffic) traffic switch to the new bridge late September 2016 or early October 2016.
AMI, Inc. in Portsmouth, continues to build the superstructure of the new Lesner Bridge. A total of 164 of the 168 bridge segments have been cast for the new westbound bridge.
Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will:
Ø Launch the gantry to span #7 and set the pier segments on pier column #7;
Ø Deliver (via barge) the Pier #7 bridge segments and install on Pier column #7
Ø Cast-in-place the Main Spain Closure segment in Span #5;
Ø Install and post-tension the main span continuity tendons;
Ø Install temporary trench drains along the north side of each bridge approach.
That’s it for now. Please drive safely!
– Chris
Christopher J. Wojtowicz, PE
Project Manager
City of Virginia Beach
Department of Public Works
Engineering Division
2405 Courthouse Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23456-9031
Office: (757) 385-5785
Fax: (757) 385-5668
Email: cwojtowi@vbgov.com
Screen shot of Construction Cam eastbound view taken at 437pm June 14th ’16
30% Design Drawings for pedestrian love at OP Rescue Squad on Shore Drive
“A circuit court judge has ruled in favor of the city of Virginia Beach in the Chic’s Beach case.”
More at WAVY.com.
More at Pilotonline.com.
A similar case establishing the public state of Cape Henry beach went to the Virginia Supreme Court in 2009. It was decided in the city’s favor and a replenishment project began at that beach the same year.
Drive Thru Appeals Tent for Assessment of Personal Property
In case you didn’t know (or read the back of your recent automobile personal property tax bill) the City has a Drive Thru appeals tent for evaluating the condition of your property. You may be able to save $25, $50 or more on your tax bill if you have a high mileage vehicle or one in poor condition.
Check here for the NADA assessment of your vehicle and if there is a reduction due to the mileage or condition, subtract that from the assessed value on your bill. Then multiply total by 0.04 to get your tax. The difference between this number and the Total Tax shown on your bill is your potential savings.
Below is the information regarding the City’s Drive Thru service. For more details, click here
As a convenience to the taxpayer, appeals are conducted in a “Drive-thru Appeals Tent” located in the parking lot across North Landing Road from Courthouse Drive. This annual service is available only after bills are mailed in May, weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., and on the last Saturday before bills are due in June from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m
Live oaks on triangle at Tazewell & East Stratford Road in Ocean Park being cut down. Teachable moment opportunities.
From City Arborist:
I wanted to let you and the SDCC know that three Live Oak trees at the intersection of Tazewell Rd. and East Stratford Rd must be removed soon by Virginia Beach Landscape Management. The city has been monitoring the trees for a few months and carried out crown cleaning. However the soil in the median where the trees are growing is extremely compacted, and this has led to the decline of the trees and canopy dieback. A strength test was performed on these trees which revealed decay within the shell walls of the trunk. We will be replacing these trees with three more Live Oak trees in our next planting season. One tree will go into the center of the median where the soil is less compacted and the other two trees will be planted nearby.
Thank you for helping us inform the neighborhood residents. Please let me know if there are any additional questions.
Best wishes,
Susan
Susan French
City Arborist
Virginia Beach Parks & RecreationLandscape Management Division | 4141 Dam Neck Road | Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Phone 757.385.4076 | Fax 757.427.1895 | sfrench@vbgov.com | VBgov.com/Parks
A couple goals discussed includes staging the live oak lumber some place dry to cure it to create art.
You might have seen live oak lumber used in Brock Environmental Center that was saved from live oaks cut down for a development in Ocean Park to be built. (View some of the art at this link in SDCC.info.)
Other teachable moment opportunities include clearly illustrating why the live oaks had to be cut down and how to ensure yours stay healthy.
COVB heads to court over beach replenishment
Read story at Pilotonline.com.
The filing names more than 50 property owners near the Chic’s Beach shore, but only a handful are actively contesting the city’s assertion. Many residents declined to sign paperwork to opt out of the lawsuit and accepted default status, meaning they would accept whatever the court’s decision is, Boynton said.
SDCC General Meeting – Monday May 23rd at 7:30pm
Click here for a printable version of the agenda – 5.23.16 SDCC Agenda
SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday May 23, 2016 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)
Special Presentations – No scheduled presentation. This time will be used to discuss which future presentations should be pursued. Possibilities include:
- City’s Urban Forest and Tree Oversight (Susan French, City Arborist)
- Long Range Storm Water Plans for Shore Drive East of Lesner Bridge
- Update on City’s pursuit of Community Rating System (CRS), a National Flood Insurance Program
- Update on Shore Drive Safety – Have improvements helped reduce accidents/incidents?
- Any other community concerns?
Officer’s Reports
Secretary – David Williams; Treasurer’s Report -Kathy Pawlak; Vice President – Wally Damon; President – Todd Solomon
Old Business-
Marina Shores Proposed Development – Update on proposal to rezone the site and construct 261 apartments. City’s Planning Department evaluation update. When will the project go before the Planning Commission?
Beach Event Houses – Update from the Beaches & Waterways Commission overseeing this evaluation.
New Business –
Bayfront Advisory Commission News – Mr. Wally Damon will update us on the actions of the Bayfront Advisory Commission.
Community Concerns – Does your neighborhood/condo have any issues that have come up that need help or may be a warning to others?
Next SDCC Meeting – Monday June 27, 2016
“The Brock Center intends to be an educational platform for all participants and visitors to better learn and act in responsible ways. The result is an exceptionally informed and inspired constituency that values the Bay and its watershed as a living, connected system.”
Read & view photos of Case Study entitled The Chesapeake Bay Brock Environmental Center:
This site is a fantastic location for an Environmental Education Center, as it provides a wealth of opportunities to study both the ongoing restoration of the landscape and the interface where the land meets the water. The center will be an active demonstration site for important and relevant restoration projects, including living shorelines, oyster, wetland, and other habitat restoration, as well as water quality improvement initiatives.
Photo Credit: International Living Building Institute
There are 2 errors in the Case Study.
International Living Building Institute have been notified.
Can you find them?
Congratulations to the newest Certified Living Building in the world – Brock Environmental Center on Pleasure House Point
From their Facebook page this morning:
We are incredibly excited to announce to you that CBF’s Brock Environmental Center has been named the newest Living Building in the world!
The Brock Center has officially met all requirements of the Living Building Challenge through the International Living Future Institute! Thank YOU for your support in making this happen–truly a celebration for all!
Congratulations to everyone who helped make this achievement possible!
Learn more about the Living Building Challenge.
Not all of Pleasure House Point is permanently preserved yet.
View map at our Pleasure House Point page.
Cape Henry Beach Replenishment
The following notice was graciously sent to SDCC by Mr. Phill Roehrs, P.E. Water Resources Engineer with the City of VB Public Works Engineering. Thank you Phill for keeping us up to date.
Dear Shore Drive Residents:
We wanted to let you know about an upcoming truck haul of sand from the City’s stockpile south of the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility to a section of Cape Henry Beach.
As you know, the sand stockpile area has been the repository for sand dredged from the Crab Creek channel in recent years. Portions of Cape Henry Beach have experienced erosion over the previous winter, and would benefit from the placement of the sand dredged from Crab Creek.
There is also a need to remove sand from the stockpile area to create capacity for future dredging of Crab Creek and to help alleviate space issues at the staging area for the Lesner Bridge Replacement Project.
As such, the City has begun coordinating a truck haul of up to 30,000 cubic yards of material from the sand stockpile to a portion of Cape Henry Beach for purposes of beach replenishment.
Some of the details are:
Ø Trucks will begin hauling sand as early as May 9, 2016, in an attempt to finish the beach work prior to Memorial Day.
Ø The replenishment area will be the area to the west of the Lynnhaven Fishing Pier.
Ø The Jade Street beach access will serve as the vehicular access point for trucks hauling sand to the beach.
Ø This truck haul will result in increased storm protection for portions of Cape Henry Beach just prior to the upcoming hurricane season, and will serve to nourish the beach westward to the Lesner Bridge by natural drift.
If you have any questions or would like further details about this project, please contact Thomas Gay via email at tgay@vbgov.com, or by phone at 385-4838.
Thank you for your time and please share this information.
“Help is on the way, as surveying is complete on a $1 million project to alleviate flooding in several neighborhoods south of Shore Drive. Installation of three sluice gates in the Cape Henry Ditch will commence shortly.”
Check article and photos at Pilotonline.com:
When the project is complete in January 2017, sensors that monitor water height along the ditch will signal the gates to move up or down, a process that typically takes 10 to 15 minutes, according to Mike Mundy, water resource program manager for the city. Though the gates are primarily for protection from tidal water, they will also be monitored to prevent heavy rainfall from causing flooding when they’re closed.
Graphic Credit: Virginian-Pilot
“These funds have allowed us to build 58 acres of sanctuary oyster reef in partnership with the US Army Corps of Engineers in the Lynnhaven River and stock them with 20 million spat on shell oysters. These sanctuary reefs have contributed greatly to the resurgence of our native oyster population and to the improvements in water quality and habitat.”
Obviously a clean Lynnhaven River makes the world a much better place for all of us!
Learn more about the Virginia Beach Oyster Heritage Fund at LRNow.org:
The shells that have accumulated at the landfill over the past six years are slated to be used to build a 1.5 acre sanctuary reef in Eastern Branch of the Lynnhaven River in spring 2017.
“Have you ever seen a site like this anywhere in the world?” McAuliffe asked.
Everett said the Brock Center has exceeded her expectations most in drawing people to it. The foundation invites visitors to come inside, and in its first year 24,000 did – four times more than predicted.
Gov. Terry McAuliffe looks at art made of a live oak tree during a tour . . . Photo Credit: Steve Early | Virginian-Pilot
A bunch of us have always thought the “site” had great potential. ;-)
Article in Virginian-Pilot Feb 2003.
“The city’s Public Works department has the sand, equipment and manpower to do erosion repair on Cape Henry beach after the tough winter.”
Read article at Pilotonline.com:
Crews will focus on the area west of the Lynnhaven Fishing Pier and north of Fort Story.
Virginia Beach used to have a permanent fund for beach replenishment, but stopped putting money in it during the recession, which began in December 2007. Since then, Public Works has shifted money around as beaches have needed erosion repair.
““Keep your pets on the leash and we have no problems,” wrote one person.“What we need is more dog control, licensing, permits, certifications, posted signs and laws,” wrote another.”
Read & comment at Pilotonline.com:
Among the proposed messages: “Keep your dog from running up uninvited to unfamiliar people, unfamiliar dogs, or leashed dogs,” and, “Dogs off leash might claim balls that do not belong to them, which can lead to aggression. If a fight breaks out, pull dogs apart from the back. Call Animal Control 757-385-5000 ext. 2.”
What is going on at Lynnhaven Colony Park?
Check story with photos at Pilotonline.com:
The park, at 3125 Shore Drive, is being prepared for installation of new playground equipment.
#WeLoveShoreDrive 