Category Archives: Quality of Life

Legislative Prorities to Build a Better Virginia Beach. The proposed package is public.

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Read the entire document at VBGov.com.

Read on to learn the city’s stance on key issues, the reason behind the city’s position, and how these issues might impact your life. You can help by contacting your representative to share your thoughts on these important issues.

One example of what the City will be asking of the Commonwealth.

10. Preservation of Private Riparian/Littoral Rights (Title 28.2)
Sponsored by Council Member James L. Wood

Request: The General Assembly is asked to enact a new section in Title 28.2 to clarify the riparian/littoral status of private property owners after public sand replenishment projects on public beaches and waterways.

Why? Virginia Beach has undertaken several sand replenishment projects along our shores, and additional new projects are planned to project homes, business and other infrastructure currently at risk due to erosion and flooding. In Virginia, lands that are submerged below the water line belong to the Commonwealth (§ 28.2-1200), and it has been claimed that when sand is placed on the water’s edge, the Commonwealth continues to own the strip of emerged land caused by the sand placement, thereby severing private property owners’ riparian status. The city offers this legislation as a means to clarify the riparian status after a sand replenishment project and to maintain the status quo for private property rights when public projects involve the placement of sand on public beaches and easements.

Beach replenishment thanks to needed dredging in the Lynnhaven

Beach replenishment thanks to needed dredging in the Lynnhaven

Mon. Oct. 28th at 7:30pm Community Meeting with Councilman Wood – Shore Drive Flooding Issues – Present and Future Solutions

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda SDCCAgendaOCT2013

 

Shore Drive Community Coalition

Monday, 28 OCT – 7:30-8:30 pm

SDCC General Meeting  

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Station (Intersection of Shore Drive and East Stratford Rd.)

 

Call to order:

Meeting topic:   Councilman Jim Wood Discusses Shore Drive Flooding Issues, Present and Future Solutions

                                           

 Officers’ Reports:    President’s Report              David Williams

                                    Vice President’s report       Rick Mercadante

                                    Secretary’s Report               Todd Solomon –SEPT Minutes

                                    Treasurer’s Report              Ann Williams (acting treas.)

 

Old Business  

New Business       

Adjourn

 Next SDCC- Monday NOV 25, 2013               Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Center

 Topic: City Topics (Light Rail, Dredging, Lesner Bridge Construction)

Please check www.sdcc.info for more information on area news and events

2014 Legislative Agenda – Recurring Flooding Item letter from the Mayor

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Read the entire 75 page PDF which includes the Mayor’s letter, slides, etc.

As council is well aware, the recurrent flooding issue is of great concern to our citizens.

So the Mayor is asking City Council to add an additional item for VB’s legislative agenda.

…but to ask to support the authorization of the study.

Legislative Request # 1: The City of Norfolk requests the General Assembly to establish and fund a Joint Study Committee to further investigate and make recommendations on recurrent coastal flooding in Virginia.

A slide from the 75 page PDF

A slide from the 75 page PDF

The VIMS Report concludes Virginia localities are not adequately equipped to address and
implement meaningful flood mitigation strategies required for responding to predicated
relative sea level rise on their own. Within the VIMS Report, there are a series of simulations
that show impacted areas as influenced by: a) storm surge, b) sea level rise, and c) the
recurrences of storms making land fall within the region. All of these factors both individually
and collectively, are anticipated to increase the frequency and the severity of coastal flooding
events. This will increase damages to public and private property, amplify impacts to public
safety, and increase disruption to individuals and the economy. Left unaddressed, the
Commonwealth can reasonably anticipate that it will see significant and profound coastal
flooding now and into the immediate planning horizon.

Lynnhaven Inlet Dredging to Begin in 30 days. Sand to be placed on Ocean Park Beach.

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According to an email City staff sent to Mrs. Dorinda Ennis of 3356 on the Bay, the Lynnhaven Inlet dredging, which was scheduled to take place last year but was delayed because of funding problems, will start within the next 30 days.  Please see the City staff email below

According to David Jarman….

Here is the feedback from our Coastal Group that handles the dredging work:

  • The Corps inlet contract has been awarded.   Notice to proceed will be issued 9/10/2013 and work will begin within 30 days.  The dredged sand will be placed on the Ocean Park Beach.  Project completion is anticipated by the end of February.  If necessary, truck hauling from the boat ramp stockpile to the Ocean Park Beach will be available once the Corps dredging project is complete.  This work would begin in March and last for a few weeks, again as needed.
  • Crab Creek bids were opened two weeks ago, work will begin in November, with completion by the end of March.

“This wonderful piece of land, it’s so wonderful. It’s protected because it was slated for very dense development, and now with the cooperation of Virginia Beach, it’s going to be preserved forever and be completely environmentally friendly,” said Macon Brock.

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Watch video coverage at WAVY.com.

 

You can also read about it in the Virginian-Pilot article, click here

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation this morning plans to mark the start of construction at Pleasure House Point on a roughly $5 million environmental education center and office designed to be the greenest in the state.

Barbara Duke to Speak at Friends of Live Oaks Meeting Monday Sep. 23rd

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Friends of Live Oaks meeting

Monday, Sep. 23rd

at the Bayside Rec Center on
First Court Road.

 

Barbara Duke, Senior Planner with the Department of Parks and Recreation,

will talk to us about the city’s new Urban Forest Management Plan. 

There will be an opportunity for questions.
For more information contact Karen at tomandkarenmurphy@gmail.com

What’s happening to Live Oaks re: Bridge Construction?

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From the project manager in response to an email:

Thank you for your attached letter regarding the Lesner Bridge. We are very excited about this project and eager to begin the work next spring.

As you noted in your letter, there are going to be some impacts to the live oaks associated with this project. We do have to remove approximately 12 live oaks to accommodate the new bridge. We have already removed some of these trees with the gas line that was bored under the Lynnhaven Inlet (on the north side of the existing bridges). This work was completed several weeks ago. The remaining trees will be removed when construction begins next spring.

We do recognize that the live oaks are an important natural resource in this area. This point was made clear during the public meetings that were held for this project. In order to mitigate the loss of these trees, we are currently planning to install 25 new live oaks with the project—this equates to a 2:1 replacement ratio. These trees have been incorporated with the overall landscaping plan to ensure that they have the best opportunity for survival in this harsh environment.

With regards to relocating or transplanting the existing trees, I did speak with our Operations staff at Parks & Recreation. They take care of the landscaping maintenance throughout the City. Their experience with transplanting live oaks has not be very positive in this area. Specifically, they noted the following issues:

1. The soil is too sandy for live oaks

2. The live oak root systems are not compact, which makes transplanting difficult

3. The salt environment is harsh on trees in this area

Since our Parks & Recreation staff maintain the landscaping in this area, they do have a lot of firsthand knowledge regarding the survival rate for certain species. We try to incorporate this real world information into our landscaping designs so we can provide the best planting plan for each project. Based on this information, we are not planning to relocate any existing live oaks at this time.

If you have any further questions or need more information, please let me know. Thank you for your time and interest in this project.

Sincerely,

David S. Jarman, P.E.

Transportation Project Management Supervisor

Department of Public Works

City of Virgina Beach

757-385-4144 (direct)

757-385-4131 (main)

Public Meeting on Stormwater Management Program and Floodplain Ordinance Set for Sept. 26

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More at VBGOV.com:

The meeting agenda will include the following:

· The Floodplain Ordinance is being changed to meet the most recent FEMA requirements. An overview of the changes will be presented by city staff.

· Stormwater Management Program changes, including a revised ordinance and technical design criteria, are required by state law.

Swimming Advisory Issued for Two Locations on the Chesapeake Bay

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Swimming Advisory Issued for Two Locations on the Chesapeake Bay  

The Virginia Beach Department of Public Health has issued a swimming and wading advisory for two locations on the Chesapeake Bay: between Ocean View Avenue (5000 block) and Mortons Road, and between Rockbridge Road and Starfish Road. Recent testing conducted by the Health Department showed that bacteria levels in the water exceeded the State Water Quality Standards. The advisory does not affect the Virginia Beach oceanfront or resort area.

For more information click here to read the City’s notice  http://www.vbgov.com/news/Pages/selected.aspx?release=1630

Areas in RED are under a swimming Advisory

 

Swiming Advisory Locations

PHP clean up Saturday

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From Ocean Park Civic League:

As a Civic League, we have undertaken the task of providing cleanup services at this wonderful resource right in our back yard. We hope to do this 3-4 times a year. Our next opportunity is this Saturday. Remember, many hands make for light work. Please come help.Details are below.

Join us for another Clean Up at Pleasure House Point(PHP)
Saturday, September 21
9-12 AM
Check-in will be at the first Marlin Bay entrance coming from Shore Drive
Bags and plastic gloves will be provided

Please contact Susie Walston, susieandmac@gmail.com, if you have questions.

“Staff will continue to brainstorm ideas with the stakeholders and the contractor (once determined) in order to try to find a resolution to this issue.” Phase 3 construction of Lesner Bridge.

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The following information has been received from the city about bicycle and pedestrian access on the Lesner during construction: “Public Works staff has been coordinating with Mr. Wayne Wilcox, who is the City’s liaison to the BTAC. Although several options have been explored to provide temporary pedestrian and bicycle access across the bridge, during Phase 3 of construction, staff has not found a safe, buildable and economically-feasible solution. Phase 3 is the critical phase because the entire width of the bridge is needed to handle the four lanes of traffic, and there is no additional space for a sidewalk or a bike lane. Staff will continue to brainstorm ideas with the stakeholders and the contractor (once determined) in order to try to find a resolution to this issue.”

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Latest news about construction at SDCC.info.

VB Parks & Rec wins award for PHP

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Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation is pleased to have received three awards on Monday, September 9, 2013 at the 2013 Virginia Recreation and Park Society (VRPS) Conference in James City County, Virginia.

The Best New Environmental Sustainability Award was presented in recognition of the preservation of Pleasure House Point Natural Area.

This natural area was acquired and preserved in July 2012 by the City of Virginia Beach through a forward-thinking partnership with the Trust for Public Land (TPSL, in collaboration with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). This 118-acre legacy acquisition contains a mile of shoreline on the Lynnhaven River and Pleasure House Creek.

With the assistance of TPF, CBF and the grassroots efforts of the community, the City of Virginia Beach succeeded in preserving one of the last undeveloped parcels of land on the Lynnhaven River.

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Friends of Live Oaks (FOLO) will be giving away about 150 live oak trees on Saturday October 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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FOLO

Friends of Live Oaks (FOLO) will be giving away about 150 live oak trees on Saturday October 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Linkhorn Annex (the former Linkhorn Elementary School) at 1413 Linkhorn Road. Live Oaks are the official tree of the City of Virginia Beach, and FOLO members want to assure their survival for future generations to enjoy.

Since its founding three years ago, FOLO has given away about 500 live oaks (approximately 7 feet tall). If you would like to have a live oak for your yard, request forms are available at Virginia Beach public libraries and recreation centers and online at vbgov.com/liveoaks.

Although there is no charge for the trees to be given away on October 12, recipients of the trees ( and those who admire live oaks and want to ensure their presence here for future generations) are encouraged to purchase a yearly membership in Friends of Live Oaks, for only $10.

You can view the flyer here.

The tree is one of the most distinctive and recognizable plants in the city and immediately brings to mind our coastal areas and maritime ecosystem. They resist salt spray and storm surges, having survived Hurricane Katrina in areas where everything else was reduced to rubble.

Save a tree and request your live oak tree at this link at VBGov.com.

“Four lanes of traffic will remain open throughout construction, although there will be a 15-month period during which pedestrians and cyclists will not be able to cross the bridge, Jarman said. The city is looking into options, including busing, to assist pedestrians across Lynnhaven Inlet.”

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…there will be a 15-month period during which pedestrians and cyclists will not be able to cross the bridge…

Read the entire article at Pilotonline.com.

After the Lesner Bridge project, Jarman said, the city may consider keeping the bulkhead at Crab Creek permanently and request a permit modification from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

During the first phase of construction, the pedestrian walkway on the westbound span of the existing bridge will be removed. The new westbound span will be built just north of the current bridge, and all traffic will remain open on the old bridge. That could take about 15 months, wrapping up by summer 2015, Jarman said.

Photo Credit: Share Shore Drive Day July 11 2009

Photo Credit: Share Shore Drive Day July 11 2009

Article on dredging: “Two years ago, neighborhood residents packed a meeting room to tell city officials not to build a transfer site in a residential area on Maple Street along Long Creek.”

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At Pilotonline.com:

A crane on a barge will scoop mud and sand from the bottom of the Lynnhaven River. The dredged material will be brought ashore at the Thalia Dredged Material Transfer Facility, and trucked to a spoils site off Oceana Boulevard.

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Preserving Pleasure House Point “was the wisest move the city has made in decades.”

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Be sure to read Candy Hatcher’s piece in the Pilot entitled Treasure at Pleasure House Point.

Now we can walk down a suburban street that becomes a trail that winds along the water, by dunes, through a maritime forest. We can go there to think. Or simply to appreciate the tranquility. It’s why we live here. At least, it’s one of the reasons.

RELATED!

Be sure to be careful traveling around Marlin Bay Drive – road next to Pleasure House Point, and in Pelcian Dunes, around Woodlawn Avenue – there’s a number of young Yellow Crowned Night Heron’s wandering around the streets.

Photo Credit: Kevin O'Hara

Photo Credit: Kevin O’Hara

Interactive water quality map for beaches

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Thanks to CBF for the tip about this site.

Maps at NRDC website.

In the early 2000s, Virginia expanded the beach monitoring program to include all major beaches in the state. The VDH recognizes that contamination of beachwater due to sanitary sewer overflows, breaks in pipes, boat discharges, stormwater runoff, and wildlife poses a risk to human health. The goal of the program is to inform the public and protect recreational swimmers from contaminated water.

Screenshot of interactive map

Screenshot of interactive map

Emphasis ours.

ATTEND OUR MEETING MONDAY! “Come hear the City’s interim plan to fix stormwater problems for areas east of the Lesner Bridge. There will also be an $80+ million project that could impact homes and businesses. You will definitely want to attend and learn the study details.”

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Meeting at:

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad

STARTS 730pm

VIEW MEETING AGENDA at SDCC.info

Dave L. Hansen – Deputy City Manager will be making the presentation.

As article below mentions, City Council will be voting on the recommendations in August 2013.

They plan to present the idea to the Shore Drive Community Coalition on Monday before taking it to the council in August, Hansen said…But [Todd Solomon] said the city should explore some less-expensive solutions, such as using inflatable pipe plugs to prevent tidal flooding, like the one installed in Ocean Park before Hurricane Sandy.” at SDCC.info

They plan to present the idea to the Shore Drive Community Coalition on Monday before taking it to the council in August, Hansen said…But [Todd Solomon] said the city should explore some less-expensive solutions, such as using inflatable pipe plugs to prevent tidal flooding, like the one installed in Ocean Park before Hurricane Sandy.”

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Read entire article at Pilotonline.com:

Solomon, who lives on First Landing Lane in Cape Story, said he thinks it is. He estimates 130 homes could benefit from the interim project, especially in clearing roads for access by emergency vehicles.

But he said the city should explore some less-expensive solutions, such as using inflatable pipe plugs to prevent tidal flooding, like the one installed in Ocean Park before Hurricane Sandy.

3 Comments at article:

As a long time resident of Lynnhaven Colony who is blessed to live on higher ground, I have witnessed my neighbors deal with the annual flooding along Lynnhaven Drive and Cape Henry Drive. These are not high end residences in most cases but one story brick homes built as Virginia Beach developed into a City many years ago. Many of the residents in the flood zone, are older or retired and are unable to simply pick up and move as one poster suggests. Mr. Hanson and his team met with the Civic League some years back and throughly explained the proablem facing residents when double nor’easters back up the tides in Broad Bay causing the flooding in LC and other neighborhoods. These are taxpayers and something needs to be done to help them.

A great deal of the issue is rainwater, but a floodgate would be a huge help in my mind, and it would seem easier. Especially since Lesner is way overdue on replacement anyway

Let them all move. They live/moved there for proximity to water views and waterfront property and now they have it. The bay was there first. The City should NOT spend once cent on helping those who made poor choices in where to live.

Map Credit: Pilotonline.com

Map Credit: Pilotonline.com

Previously at SDCC.info:

    Catastrophic storm plug for Crab Creek outfall prevented widespread tidal flooding in Ocean Park.
    Flooding in Cape Story caused by backflow through First Landing outfalls
    SDCC.info/HOT.