Category Archives: Safety

Ocean Shore Condos & Ships Watch request your help over WCCB current expansion plans

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Important Email addresses:

    Mayor & all City Council: CityCouncil@vbgov.com

    Planning Commission Chairwoman: branch.oliver@gmail.com

    Planning Commission: planadmn@vbgov.com

    Staff Planner: WLandfair@vbgov.com

Use this link to Email Planning Commission Chairwoman, Staff Planner, Mayor and City Council.

Partial list of concerns being shared about current WCCB expansion plans:

Dear March 11th Planning Commission participants,

I am sure by now that all of you have sent your letters out to the Mayor, the individuals of the Planning Commission and the City Council. Now it is time for the next step in our process to limit the encroachment of Westminster Canterbury on the Shore Drive District. However, if you have not sent your letter as of yet, it is not too late. Please send your letter and encourage any of your friends and family in Virginia to write a letter opposing the expansion of Westminster Canterbury as it now stands.

There are several things that we need to do in order to continue our fight and increase the pressure on the Planning Commission and then ultimately the City Council.

    1) Please make every effort to attend the Planning Commission on March 11th, 2020, 12:00 pm. The meeting will be at the Municipal Center, building #1. The meeting is scheduled to start at 12:00 pm, but I would like to encourage everyone to be there by 11:00 am. We understand that Westminster Canterbury is going to try to pack the meeting. We would like all of you and anyone else you can bring to be able to be seated in the meeting room. Also, there is a meeting at 9:00 am by the Planning Commission. The 9:00 am meeting will be in the same location as above, but we will not be able to speak at this meeting. The purpose of this meeting is for the Planning Commission to discuss the expansion. I believe it will give us great insight to their thought process. In addition, the more people the Planning Commission sees at the meetings, the more pressure it will put on their decision making process.
    2) We also need to have speakers at the 12:00 pm meeting. If you are willing to speak, please let us know. Please email paulterkeltaub@me.com and let us know your intention to speak. We want you to address the Planning Commission in your own words, but we do have topics that we want to make sure are covered. Listed below are the topics we wish to have individuals talk about in front of the Planning Commission. Please pick one or two topics that you would like to address. We want to make sure all topics are covered. You will have 3 minutes to state your position. All that we ask is that you respond to Paul above and let us know what topic or topics you will be addressing. We want to make sure all of the important points are covered.

The topics that we would like to see addressed are as follows:

    Reduce the height of the building from 22 stories to 14 stories.
    Have the building built of the same type of brick the other buildings are built of instead of glass to keep continuity within the development.
    If the building is built of glass, we would like the City to require them to do a solar study so that we will understand what the implications will be for the surrounding buildings.
    If the building is made of glass, we would like to know the implications of how much light it will put out at night.
    Whether the building is 22 stories or 14 stories, we would like to have a wind study done so we will understand the impact on the surrounding buildings as well as the beach.
    We would like to see a shadow study done to understand the implications for surrounding buildings as well as the beach.
    We would like the parking lot expanded to accommodate more cars. They need to allow two cars for each unit as well as parking for the staff. In addition, the parking lot needs to be designed to accommodate senior drivers.
    The City needs to restrict parking on Starfish and turn this into a 4 lane road having a dedicated right hand turn lane.
    The City needs to elongate the left hand turn lane from Shore Drive onto Starfish due to the increased traffic.
    The City needs to require a current traffic study. The prior study was done before The Overture and The Chesapeake on The Bay Condos, both on Shore Drive and The Pearl off of Great Neck Road by the marina were built. None of these have been leased or sold to capacity at this time.
    We would like to strongly encourage Westminster Canterbury to flip the tower with the assisted living facility.
    We would like them to keep the beach access where it is or at least on their property and not next to Ocean Shore Condos. The way the beach access is being planned, Westminster Canterbury will be creating a private beach for their residents that the public will not be able to access.
    3) The attorney and architect for Ocean Shore Condos will be addressing the technical parts of the project, but we need all of you to help us address the human side of such a large development. This is for all owners and renters in the Shore Drive District.

Please help us to preserve our neighborhood.

Very Truly Yours,

Each of you can change my email and sign this and send out to your perspective communities and organizations. Please feel free to make any changes you would like.

When emailing Planning Commission members, Mayor & City Council – anyone with CoVB -be sure to be respectful and truthful.

Important Email addresses:

    Mayor & all City Council: CityCouncil@vbgov.com

    Planning Commission Chairwoman: branch.oliver@gmail.com

    Planning Commission: planadmn@vbgov.com

    Staff Planner: WLandfair@vbgov.com

Use this link to Email Planning Commission Chairwoman, Staff Planner, Mayor and City Council.

Learn more about Planning Commission here.

Don’t Block The Box

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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.

“You’re building something that is going to be a permanent landmark on the beach. You want it to be right.”

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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.”

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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.

Ocean Shore Condos & Ships Watch is having a meeting at OPVRS re:WCCB proposed expansion and you’re invited.

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Public engagement meeting announcement from email:

We try to limit the information we send out on this website because we do not want people to ignore the emails. This email contains 3 items that need your attention. Please act upon them as appropriate.

1) In lieu of a board meeting this month, we will be having a special meeting to update everyone on the latest news about The Westminster Canterbury expansion plans. In addition, we will be offering assistance with ideas and recommendations for anyone that needs help in writing letters to the planning commission, the city council and the mayor with your opinions about the expansion and how it will negatively impact Ocean Shore Condos as well as the surrounding community. The meeting will be held on Thursday, February 27th at 5:30pm at the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Hall, 3769 East Stratford Road. This meeting will be a combined meeting with Ocean Shore Condo and Ships Watch. Please feel free to invite anyone else that you know would be interested in this issue.

2) We would also appreciate it if you would take a few moments to complete the 8 question survey that is attached. In addition, if you would forward this to any other residents in Virginia Beach that you know would oppose the Westminster Canterbury expansion, it would be helpful. We have already had 400 people respond to the survey. https://weloveshoredrive.com/2020/02/13/did-you-know-wccb-is-seeking-variances-to-redevelop-17-acres-in-the-bayfront-please-take-our-survey/

3) This is a meeting that we would like everyone to attend. Once again, if you have any friends or family that are residents of Virginia Beach and can make this meeting please bring them along. We want to not only pack the room for this meeting, we want an overflow crowd. We will have our attorney and are architect at this meeting representing us as well as individuals that will speak on the condos behalf. However, the most important thing is to have bodies at this meeting. Unfortunately, the planning commission meeting is on March 11th, 2020 at 12:00pm. The meeting will take place at The Municipal Center Building 1 on the 2nd Floor. We realize this is in the middle of the work day, but this is so important that I would encourage any of you that are able to take off of work to attend this meeting. If you need transportation to this meeting please contact Paulterkeltaub@me.com or at (757) 630-3774 and we will make sure you have transportation.

OPVRS, or Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Google map.
Enter door opposite Shore Drive.

SDCC General Meeting – Monday Feb. 24th at 7:30pm

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda 2.24.20 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday February 24, 2020 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall – 3769 East Stratford Rd
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Special Presentation – None

Officer’s Reports
Secretary – Kathleen Damon
Treasurer’s Report –Tim Solanic
Vice President – Empsy Munden
President – Todd Solomon

Old Business-
Westminster-Canterbury (WC) High Rise and Memory Center Expansion – Update on WC expansion project that included a 22 story high rise to be built at the Casa del Playa/Old Pier site and a memory center to be located on a current parking lot. All facilities are planned to be connected with pedestrian bridges crossing public streets at Ocean Shore Ave and Starfish Rd. Developer presented to 100 attendees at Lynnhaven Colony Civic meeting. Project will be heard by Planning Commission on Wed. March 11th at Noon. SDCC Survey on proposed development can be taken at

Sea Level Wise (SLW) Public Input – The Department of Public Works concluded their public presentations on the draft SLW plan. Thank you to all who attended. The meeting at Cox HS was largest crowd of all meetings. Next step will be formal adoption of the plan by City Council. Comments will still be accepted through the end of February and can be sent to C.J. Bodnar at CBodnar@vbgov.com

New Business –
Leasing of Lynnhaven Boat Ramp for Commercial Use – City wants to lease part of property for 3 year as commercial use to support off-shore wind turbine construction. An office building, parking spots, 5000 gallon fuel tank and boat mooring are planned. Your comments and questions are needed and will be submitted to Staff for answers prior to a Council vote on Tues March 3rd.

Lesner Bridge Lighting Issues – Repairs will be made over the next 60 days to fix lighting problems with the overhead road pole lights, the under bridge pier lights and the Canoes sculpture accent lights.

“Your Speed” Sign – Public Works Engineer Phillip Koetter informed the Cape Story Civic Association that City Traffic engineers plan to install a “Your Speed” radar sign near the intersection of Shore Drive and Kendall Street for cars coming from the State Park heading west. Installation should be this summer/fall.

Shore Drive Community Coalition Future Structure – Revisions to the SDCC Bylaws were presented and reviewed at Jan meeting. The proposed changes are posted online and will be voted upon at this meeting.

Community Concerns– Please share any issues or concerns your groups/organizations may have at this time.

Civic Engagement Opportunities

Sea Level Wise Draft Input – Comments on the draft can be sent to City Public Works Stormwater Engineer C. J. Bodnar at CBodnar@vbgov.com Deadline is Feb. 29th.

Leasing of Lynnhaven Boat Ramp – City Council Meeting Tues March 3rd at 6:00pm in Building 1

Proposed Expansion of Westminster-Canterbury – Planning Commission Meeting Wed March 11th at Noon in Building 1 City Council Chambers. Briefing is held at 9:30am in City Managers meeting room. Take the SDCC Survey at

. Survey closes March 10th.

City Budget Citizen Discussion – Councilman John Moss will be holding public information sessions in the Bayfront area at the following dates and locations. Both meetings are held from 6:30pm to 8:00pm
• Wed March 4th at the Bayside Rec Center & Wed March 18th at Great Neck Rec Center

 

 

Drainage Improvements Work to Begin on Starfish Road/North Great Neck Road

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NEWS RELEASE at VBGOV.com:

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.

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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.

February Baylines from Bayfront Advisory Committee

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View February 2020 Baylines Newsletter.

Bayfront Advisory Commission
Commission meets Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020 4500 First Court Road
Bayside Recreation Center
3:30 p.m.
Tentative Agenda:

CALL TO ORDER
ELECTION OF OFFICERS 2020
MINUTES OF 1/16/20
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT – Charles Malbon, Vice Chairman
STAFF REPORTS & UPDATES
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Design
Communications
Public Safety, Transit, Parking & Pedestrian Access
BRIEFINGS
Comprehensive Plan update – Mark. E. Shea
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
COMMUNITY REPORTS & UPDATES
ADJOURN

Including more updates like:

Briefly…
The City Council has appointed William Hearst to the Bayfront Advisory Commission, replacing Scott Ayers, who retired …

View February 2020 Baylines Newsletter.

Proposed Orsted use of Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility including CC presentation.

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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

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Orsted, the company that will build two test wind turbines off the coast of Virginia Beach for Dominion Energy, wants to lease land next to the Lynnhaven Inlet for a construction base. As seen Friday, January 31, 2020.

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.

“Officials have said the project could be accelerated if more funding became available through a possible $430 million bond referendum this November.”

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View article at Pilotonline.com:

 It also faces the costliest damage from today’s conditions, according to the city’s new sea level rise study. That’s true under short-term and long-term sea level rise projections, too.

Lynnhaven Colony Civic League Meeting – Westminster Canterbury Presentation. “All welcome, need not be a member to attend.”

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Link at Next-Door.com.

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

SDCC General Meeting Monday Jan. 27th at 7:30pm – Storm Water Project Presentation

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda 1.27.20 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday January 27, 2020 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall – 3769 East Stratford Rd
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Special Presentation – Storm Water Projects East of the Lesner Bridge
Public Works Engineers, Mike Mundy and Brad Vanderwarker, will provide an update and answer questions regarding improvement projects planned for the communities between the Lesner Bridge and First Landing State Park. Lynnhaven Colony, Cape Story by the Sea, Areas along Cape Henry Trail and Condos north of Shore Drive will be specifically discussed. Come learn if you area will be included in improvements and if not, what you can do to help influence Councilmembers to allocate a portion of the possible $430mil bond monies to support.

Officer’s Reports

Secretary – Kathleen Damon
Treasurer’s Report –Tim Solanic
Vice President – Empsy Munden
President – Todd Solomon

Old Business-
Bonaventure/Windsong Development – Project update and when it go before the Planning Commission.

Electric Scooters – E-scooter will be coming back to the Bayfront area starting April 1st. Rules for operation will be restricted from last year. Learn more about the new requirements.

New Business –
Westminster-Canterbury High Rise and Memory Center Expansion – At the Nov. BAC meeting, WC presented an expansion project that included a 22 story high rise to be built at the Casa del Playa/Old Pier site and a memory center to be located on a current parking lot. All facilities are planned to be connected with pedestrian bridges crossing public streets at Ocean Shore Ave and Starfish Rd.

Shore Drive Community Coalition Future Structure – SDCC officers met and have put together a revision to our Bylaws. Some of the key changes include: tri-annual (3 times) meetings instead of monthly meetings; eliminating $25 membership dues; making officer positions flexible from minimum 2 to 4. These revisions will need to be voted on at the next upcoming meeting TBD.

Community Concerns– Please share any issues or concerns your groups/organizations may have at this time.

Civic Engagement Opportunities

Cape Henry Trail Kendall St. Retention Pond Meeting- Monday Feb. 10th the City will discuss this retention pond at the Cape Story by the Sea General Civic meeting. The meeting is held at the Lynnhaven Congregational Community Church on West Great Neck Rd at 7:30pm, all are welcome.

Sea Level Wise Public Input – The Department of Public Works will be holding six public meetings regarding the Sea Level Wise Adaptation Strategy. The closest meeting to the Bayfront will be:
February 15, 2020 – Cox High School – 2425 Shorehaven Drive – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

City Budget Citizen Discussion – Councilman John Moss will be holding public information sessions in the Bayfront area at the following dates and locations. Both meetings are held from 6:30pm to 8:00pm
• Wed March 4th at the Bayside Rec Center
• Wed March 18th at Great Neck Rec Center

 

We want YOUR input When it comes to Sea Level Wise public meeting dates

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February 15th 10am – 12pm Cox High School

Address: 2425 Shorehaven Drive

Westminster-Canterbury rendering of proposed 22 story building and more plus Modification of Conditions Application to CoVB files.

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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”

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Article at Pilotonline.com:

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.

Stormwater Engineering Center page at VBGov.com has many resources

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View page at VBGov.com here:

The stormwater staff of the Public Works Department work to minimize flooding and protect the quality of Virginia Beach’s waterways by managing stormwater.

Resources include:

Stormwater Master Planning

The City of Virginia Beach is currently updating its citywide stormwater master plan, which was first completed in the early 1990’s.

Lake Bradford & Lake Chubb Stormwater (CIP 7-053)

Current Update

RK&K was chosen to provide technical engineering services and will analyze the City’s Master Drainage stormwater model for Watershed 31 to identify drainage improvements within the Lake Bradford Drainage Basin. The stormwater model was recently completed and RK&K have begun their analysis. Lake Bradford and Chubb Lake were identified as part of Targeted Area 4 in the Norfolk and Virginia Beach Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) developed between Norfolk, Virginia Beach, the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC), and several U.S. Navy installations including Joint Expedition Base (JEB) Little Creek. Engineering design work has begun for two early drainage improvement projects.​

Eastern Shore Drive Drainage Improvements

UNFUNDED DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS​

Section 1F – Neighborhood Storm Drain Improvements North of Shore Drive

Section 1G – Neighborhood Storm Drain Improvements South of Cape Henry Drive

Phase I, Section II Poinciana Pump Station and Outfall (Cape Story By The Sea): This project includes replacing the existing pump station on Sandalwood Road. Collection system improvements will be constructed along Sandalwood Road, Bayberry Street and Poinciana Drive. The current proposed outfall force main alignment is down the center of Maple Street.​​

Sea Level Wise Adaption Strategy Draft Report

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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.

Download the entire 306 page 106.6MB PDF report here.

“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.”

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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.

View the entire PDF report here.