Category Archives: Quality of Life

Communications Old and New

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On 29 August, three of us, Ms Penny, Todd Solomon, and myself  had a chance at the last SDCC meeting to talk about hurricanes, near misses and some “what if”s. This conversation lead into a discussion on the way we communicate these days and some generational difference. Todd feels very comfortable with a computer and using it as a tool to connect with people and express his thoughts.  He does well with his research, his record keeping, and has contributed greatly to our efforts to keep Shore Drive connected and in the flow of  city information.

I am less comfortable with a computer, and even less trusting.  It is probably illogical, a “love-hate” relationship.  Maybe it is from using computers onboard aircraft for many years that has left me weary. I would always do my own flight calculations for essential items like fuel required, half-way point, and flight time and then check my estimates against the computer’s numbers.  The computer may have never been wrong, but that is not the point.  I used the computer as a tool and did not rely on it to keep me going in the safe direction.  Some of my fellow pilots used the computer as their only tool and it lead them away when it failed.  If this hurricane had taken away our internet, where would we have found ourselves?  To many,  the computer is much more that a tool, almost like the closest of friends.  Many would feel alone without their BFA (that’s Best friend always). If our device’s battery should fail, do we also shut down?

And then we have Ms. Penny. Intelligent, engaged, articulate, and I would respectfully estimate, a most powerful force to verbally challenge over any misplaced or misguided element of civic logic concerning Shore Drive or Virginia Beach. Citizens like Ms. Penny are the backbone and cornerstone of this city.  As for communications, she is not overly fond of computers either. As an organization (SDCC), I think we are missing out on our dialogues when we think that we can accomplish all that we need to do to communicate with just a computer. Computers may be fast and save postage, but I find so much missing without the face to face. I am telling you all these things while I write on my computer.  My computer is a tool, not a BFA yet.  Thanks for the discussion that day after the hurricane, Ms. Penny.  We will try harder to find better ways to stay connected with more people along Shore Drive.

Lesner Bridge Now Funded

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Lesner Bridge has now been funded according to a conversation I had with a city official in Public Works. The Commonwealth of Virginia conducted an audit and found approximately $250 million dollars in unspent transportation funds. The city official stated that the bridge will have a northern alignment and the width and lane issues have been resolved. Construction should start within 12-16 months.

Marina Shores P1 Rezoning Ltr Councilman Wood

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March 2, 2011
Mr. James L. Wood
Councilman District 5- Lynnhaven
Virginia Beach City Council
City of Virginia Beach
Municipal Center, Building 1
2401 Courthouse Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23456-9001

Dear Councilman Wood:

Shore Drive Community Coalition is requesting your direct assistance in finalizing the administrative action to designate as P-1, the 4.221 acre estuary directly east of the present Marina Shores Marina property as previously agreed to in 1987.  Due to an administrative error in that year, Virginia Beach City Council never applied P-1 zoning to this property as agreed to by the present business owner, Ms. Gail Levine-Higgs.  As was specifically agreed, that subject property:

“not be developed in any manner other than a for walkways, bird nests and bird feeders, and shall be preserved as a nature conservancy. The Grantors hereby concur and give their consent to any motion which may be made by the City of Virginia Beach to rezone Parcel 1 to P-1, Preservation District. By this restriction, it is the Grantors intent that the marchlands on Parcel 1 shall be protected and that the entire parcel shall remain in a natural state, free from development other than that stated herein….”

Any excavation of the land or development impacting the present estuary would clearly violate the original agreed to proffer. The residents of Cape Story By the Sea, and Cape Henry Shores consider the expansion of Marina Shores Marina eastward into the estuary as both a violation of the original legal agreement and a potential safety and environmental threat to their subdivisions. Any decrease to the current tidal flushing of the estuary would result in degradation of the ecosystem due to increased pollutant buildup from storm water drainage piped into the estuary. When a significant tidal event occurs as in November 2009, water flow out of the estuary would be impeded resulting in prolonged and potentially damaging residential flooding in the adjacent communities.

The members of Shore Drive Community Coalition seek your support and corrective administrative action to zone the subject 4.221 acre estuary property as P-1 as legally agreed to by all parties in 1987.

Most respectfully,

David M. Williams
President, Shore Drive Community Coalition

Letter to Mayor re/Marina Shores Marina Expansion

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3 February 2011
Mr. William D. Sessoms
Mayor
City of Virginia Beach
Municipal Center, Building Number 1
2401 Courthouse Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23456-9001

Dear Mr. Mayor:

As Water Boxes LLC (Miss Gail Levine-Higgs) seeks to expand the Marina Shores Marina by adding 184 feet of 50 foot floating docks into Long Creek, I respectfully request that the Mayor and City Council members to remember the original conditions agreed upon on June 1, 1987 by Ms. Levine to restrict the use of parcel 1 (4.221 acres) to:

“not be developed in any manner other than a for walkways, bird nests and bird feeders, and shall be preserved as a nature conservancy. The Grantors hereby concur and give their consent to any motion which may be made by the City of Virginia Beach to rezone Parcel 1 to P-1, Preservation District. By this restriction, it is the Grantors intent that the marchlands on Parcel 1 shall be protected and that the entire parcel shall remain in a natural state, free from development other than that stated herein….”

Obviously, any excavation along Long Creek adjacent to the P-1 estuary to permit large 50 foot motor boats to dock would require sufficient draft to allow adequate propeller clearance with the bottom at low tide.  The amount of dredged material to permit these large boats along the north side of Long Creek and the relocation of the dredged channel to accommodate the required turning clearances will have a major impact on the P-1 parcel. The proposed excavation along the north bank will degrade the shore stability resulting in a gradual collapse of the bank unless bulkheading is provided. No bulkheading is indicated in the current permit application. If bulkheading were to be used, change to the current tidal flushing of the P-1 estuary would result in the degradation of the estuary due to increased pollutant buildup from city storm water drainage into the estuary. If a significant tidal storm event should occur as in November 2009, water flow out of the estuary would be restricted resulting in prolonged residential flooding in the adjacent Cape Story By the Sea and Cape Henry Shores communities.

Clearly, any expansion of the present Marina Shore Marina will violate the signed proffer of the original rezoning agreement, degrade the fragile ecological stability of the estuary and pose a flood threat to two major communities. The proposed expansion of the Marina Shores Marina should be rejected and the P-1 zoning for the estuary should be vigorously instated and maintained.

Most respectfully,

David M. Williams
President, Shore Drive Community Coalition
Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Op-Ed from Chairman of Dollar Tree thanks SDCC for work on PHP so far

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Read entire Op-Ed by Mr. Macon Brock at ePilot.com:

But thanks to this partnership and the many groups such as Shore Drive Community Coalition, Lynnhaven River NOW and other members of the community who worked hard to prevent intensive development on this land, it is encouraging to know this treasure will have the best, most capable, caring environmental stewards — if the rest of the needed funds to purchase the property materialize.

Saving Pleasure House Point

Virginian-Pilot, The (Norfolk, VA) – July 31, 2010

By MACON BROCK

THE PLEASURE House Point land deal between the city of Virginia Beach, Wells Fargo Bank, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Trust for Public Land is exciting news and a tremendous accomplishment.

This excellent collaboration has been a godsend, and all involved deserve the community’s thanks for working diligently to try to preserve one of the last remaining undeveloped tracts of land on the Lynnhaven River. If it comes to pass, the protection and preservation of Pleasure House Point will be a wonderful asset to Hampton Roads residents and visitors for generations to come, and a vital boost to the water quality of our treasured Lynnhaven River and Chesapeake Bay.

However, we can’t celebrate yet because there are still millions of dollars that need to be committed by Oct. 31 in order to purchase the property and make sure this rare and precious open space is protected for good.

The conservation partners have applied for $3 million in federal grant money from the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program, but the grant’s success is still uncertain.

Three million dollars will go a long way toward the purchase and is a small price to pay to protect, restore and preserve such a vast area of wetlands, maritime forest and beautiful shorelines and waterways.

Each of us should encourage our congressional representatives to do everything they can to ensure that the CELCP is adequately funded at $60 million so the Pleasure House Point grant application has a better chance of being favorably received.

Pleasure House Point could have had a sad ending, with development destroying its natural beauty and introducing more runoff pollution into the Lynnhaven River and Chesapeake Bay.

But thanks to this partnership and the many groups such as Shore Drive Community Coalition, Lynnhaven River NOW and other members of the community who worked hard to prevent intensive development on this land, it is encouraging to know this treasure will have the best, most capable, caring environmental stewards – if the rest of the needed funds to purchase the property materialize.

This beautiful area provides a unique opportunity for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and partners to conduct oyster restoration and research projects, preserve living shorelines and conduct upland restoration.

In addition, CBF can expand its award-winning Bay education programs for thousands of area students and teachers. Pleasure House Point is the perfect place to serve as a lower Chesapeake Bay community environmental/education center, an asset that would benefit everyone in this region.

The public wins by getting access to the wetlands, beaches and waterways. CBF and other local watershed groups will benefit from the ability to house offices and conduct programs and leverage much of the good work that many in the community have been partnering on for years. And the river and Bay will have improved water quality.

The city of Virginia Beach has done its part in looking out for the citizens’ best interests. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s vision and persistence have been paramount. The Trust for Public Land’s experience has been vital. And Wells Fargo Bank’s generosity and public spiritedness have been truly commendable, especially considering the unstable economy.

Let’s all help make sure this deal gets completed in time. Then, this pending ecological victory can finally be celebrated.