Category Archives: Safety

City Council workshop includes significant STR discussion

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From Tuesday February 27th.

Discussion includes:

    Special event permits,

    Home Sharing by right,

    a Bill moving through Virginia General Assembly that would ban use of Conditional Use Permit(CPU) process for Short Term Rentals,

    overlay districts if a community wanted them,

    noise concerns,

    enforcement,

    grand fathering,

    parking,

    and more.

“Misinformation does not help anybody trying to get anything accomplished.”
~ Mayor Sessoms

Next City Council Workshop/Informal Session discussing this Monday March 6th.
City Council Public Hearing currently planned for March 6th.
City Council vote currently planned for March 20th.

WTKR coverage of STRs

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View coverage at WTKR.com.

“It doesn’t surprise me because Virginia Beach is a huge destination, and that makes me proud,” said Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms.

Now the mayor and city council members are working on a plan to better regulate those rentals.

(Note: The term “illegal” is disputed by many who have been following the move toward intelligent regulation.)

“The Planning Commission on Wednesday voted on regulations that would allow anyone to rent out a room or home for a short stay – as long as the owner registers with the city and pays taxes. The City Council is expected to hold a public hearing on the proposal March 6 and vote on a final version March 20.”

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View article at Pilotonline.com:

Short-term rentals, according to the proposal, would be similar to home-sharing except the owner wouldn’t be living there. For short-term rentals, additional rules include limiting the number of contracts to two per week, submitting a parking plan to the city to show one space for each bedroom and a cap on the number of guests allowed.

Those rentals must also register with the Commissioner of the Revenue and pay occupancy taxes.

“The wharf was approved on a temporary basis back in 2012, as part of the Lesner Bridge construction. Now, the city wants to keep the wharf permanently.”

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Report including video at 13 News Now.

The wharf was approved on a temporary basis back in 2012, as part of the Lesner Bridge construction. Now, the city wants to keep the wharf permanently.

Ocean Park Civic League would like your help in helping Vice Mayor Jones secure funding for Phase 4 for Shore Drive upgrades in Ocean Park.

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Please Email City Council now. You will make a difference at OPCL.org

Dear Mayor, Vice Mayor & City Council Members,

I am petitioning you to fund Shore Drive Phase IV immediately.

Specifically:

1. Please find 50% funding for CIP 2.118.000 Shore Drive Corridor Improvements-Phase 4 in 2018.

2. Please fund 100% of Phase 4 by 2019.

Finishing Phase IV now is critical to the health of Virginia Beach. Why?

The City Council commissioned Urban Land Institute Study of Shore Drive in 1996 and City Council Adopted Comprehensive Plan in 1997 state that:

“(Virginia Beach should) Recognize and improve the Shore Drive corridor as a resort gateway community, not a resort destination.”

“Shore Drive also serves as a tourist gateway for those heading to the oceanfront, offering for many their first glimpse of the City of Virginia Beach. Therefore, it is important to make a good first impression.”

City Council previously recognized the importance of this corridor:
1. City Council created the Shore Drive (Bayfront) Advisory Committee . . .

Click to view OPCL.org page.

Lynnhaven Wharf and Bulkhead

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Permanent City Wharf at the Lynnhaven Inlet

Listening to the presentation given by Mr. Phill Roehrs of the Public Works Department given at the City Council workshop on 23 January, one might believe that this was just routine business as the city declares that the present 400 foot bulkhead located at the Lynnhaven Bay will become a permanent wharf and feature upon the completion of the Lesner Bridge. Not so fast Mr. Roehrs, Mayor, City Council, City Manager, and staff.

 

The Federal Public Notice 12-1169-09 issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District and posted 10/18/2012 states that the Joint Application for Federal and State Permits submitted by the City of Virginia Beach will “include the construction of a temporary bulkhead”.   Further, “Upon the completion of construction, the temporary bulkhead will be removed”. This statement differs factually from what Mr. Roehrs told the Mayor, City Council and staff.

 

If the city’s permit application stating the bulkhead temporary intended for the Lesner Bridge construction, but actually had the intent to make it permanent to bypass certain Federal environmental requirements, than the city should correct their error and complete all the required Federal and state environmental impact studies required by law for such an operation.

 

The city’s most recently adopted Comprehensive Plan (May 17, 2016) “is the official land use policy framework for Virginia Beach…. “to guide responsible use of finite land resources….and protect neighborhoods”. A permanent bulkhead or wharf at the Lynnhaven Basin used for commercial operations and support for large commercial dredge vessels and scows would change the very nature for surrounding neighborhoods and degrade this pristine waterway. To use this bulkhead area as a permanent dredge spoils transfer site and commercial wharf would subject the estuary to unacceptable environmental pressure created by dredge silt then entering the estuary and flowing back into the vary areas where oyster replenishment and natural fish spawning areas have taken so much effort to restore. Harmful water turbidity levels and released pollution will continue to be an environmental issue if such a transfer operation should be permitted at this bulkhead. Mr. Roehrs was correct when he stated that the city should expect some pushback from the residents on this issue.

 

Respectfully,

David M. Williams

Past President and Secretary

Shore Drive Community Coalition

Virginia Beach, VA 23451

 

“Why not devote some energy as well as funds to finish the horrible mess known as Shore Drive.”

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Opinion/Letter to the editor.
From an unedited email to us:

Hearing about the millions of dollars being discussed for the various proposed projects at the Beach astounds me. Why not devote some energy as well as funds to finish the horrible mess known as Shore Drive. The Lesner Bridge project is likely over 1 year behind schedule and much over budget. Shore Drive has to my knowledge never been completely resurfaced. The median strips east of the bridge have never been landscaped, sidewalks appear and disappear randomly and bike paths are non existent. Potholes remain untouched for years and after recent storms who knows when repairs will begin.

I see the major problem as the lack of representation from this area on city council. There is no one on the council that lives in this area. The Lesner Bridge splits our community into two zip codes and we have no one on city council that lives, works and transits this area on a daily basis. Bridge lighting works sporadically, trash on sidewalks on the bridge and sand and orange cones make it bicycle and pedestrian unfriendly.

One of the most traveled access points to the Beach deserves better as do the thousands of taxpayers. New roads, sidewalks and bike paths cover the oceanfront and the south side but sadly Shore Dr gets no attention at all.

Don Allen
Virginia Beach

“With construction of the Lesner Bridge expected to wrap up by the end of summer, Roehrs said it’s time to revisit the issue.”

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View entire article at Pilotonline.com:

In the future, “we don’t want to lose the option to use it as a transfer site for neighborhood dredging,” Roehrs said.

In 1972, the city bought the space – southwest of the bridge and across from a cluster of waterfront seafood restaurants – to stockpile sand for Oceanfront beach replenishment.

“BOTH EASTBOUND AND WESTBOUND TRAFFIC CROSSING THE BRIDGE WILL BE REDUCED TO A SINGLE LANE IN EACH DIRECTION.” Saturday 10am to 10pm #LesnerBridge Update.

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PLEASE SHARE ENTHUSIASTICALLY !

Expect delays caused by single lane in both directions from 10am to 10pm.

From an email update from Project Manager:

Folks:

In the last project update (11/22/2017) we mentioned that we had issues with one of the 10 drilled shaft foundations for Pier #5 of the new eastbound bridge. Between the holidays, cold weather, and a longer than expected duration for remediation of drilled shaft #1 at Pier #5 construction of the EB bridge superstructure had been temporarily suspended. That was the bad news.

Now the good news. Shaft #1 at Pier #5 has been fully remediated, all 10 drilled shafts in this footing have been cut down to the correct elevation, and all of the reinforcing steel for the footing has been placed. The footing is now ready to receive the 400 cubic yards of concrete which is planned for tomorrow, February 3rd, 2018. The concrete will be delivered to this footing via two concrete pumper trucks parked near the center span of the Lesner Bridge eastbound lanes.

This, unfortunately, means lane closures on Lesner Bridge for most of the day tomorrow, Saturday February 3, 2018. Here are the details:

Beginning tomorrow, 2/3/2018 at approximately 10:00 AM single lane closures will be setup on Shore Drive approaching eastbound Lesner Bridge between DuPont Circle and Vista Circle. Single lane closures will also be setup during this time for westbound Shore Drive traffic approaching Lesner Bridge between Page Avenue and East Stratford Street. BOTH EASTBOUND AND WESTBOUND TRAFFIC CROSSING THE BRIDGE WILL BE REDUCED TO A SINGLE LANE IN EACH DIRECTION. BOTH eastbound lanes on Lesner Bridge will be CLOSED until the concrete placement operations are completed. All work and temporary lane closures on Shore Drive at Lesner Bridge are expected to be cleared by 10:00 PM Saturday night, February 3rd, 2018. Be advised that, in addition to the lane reductions on the bridge, there will also be flaggers present that will intermittently STOP all traffic in BOTH directions on the bridge to allow the arrival and departure of concrete delivery trucks.

There will be a lot of activity on the bridge tomorrow so please plan accordingly and drive slowly when crossing the bridge.

Once Pier #5 is complete, we will launch the gantry across the inlet, set the pier segments on Pier #5 and then launch to Pier #6 and set the pier segments on Pier column #6. Span #6 will then be assembled by picking segments off a barge moored in this location. After Span #6 is completed, the gantry will be back-launched toward the channel to complete the other half of the cantilever section of Span #5 that crosses the channel.

Footing Reinforcing Steel being placed at Pier #5 EB Bridge (Completed Pier Column #6 shown in background)

View looking East from East Stratford Street at the recently graded area for the 10-foot wide multi-use path that will cross the new EB Bridge.

Since the last update other work on the project continued while waiting for Pier #5 to be completed. The following work has been completed since the November 22, 2017 update:

· 4 additional segments of cantilever Span #5 have been constructed for the new EB bridge (8 total);

· The footing and column at Pier #7 have been completed;

· The cofferdam around the footing for Pier #8 has been installed and the and the area around the drilled shafts excavated;

· All four drilled shafts at Pier #9 have been installed (ALL DRILLED SHAFT INSTALLATION FOR THE PROJECT IS NOW COMPLETE);

· Abutment B for the EB bridge has been completed;

· Grading for the new 10-foot wide multi-use path between the new EB Bridge and East Stratford Street has been completed;

· The remaining two street lights (four total) on the western bridge approach have been installed;

Completed Abutment B EB Bridge. Forms being removed.

Completed Footing and Column at Pier #7 new EB Bridge (Forms shown being removed).

Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will:

· Complete the footing and column at Pier #5;

· Place reinforcement steel for the footing at Pier #8;

· Backfill Abutment B and complete MSE wall #5 located in front of the Virginia and Maryland Pilots Association;

· Install falsework for gantry launch at Pier #5;

· Complete concrete multi-use path along MSE wall #2 between East Stratford and the new EB Bridge; and

· Complete curb & gutter and median curb on the west side of the bridge between East Stratford Street and the new EB Bridge.

That’s it for now!

Drive Safely!

-Chris

Christopher J. Wojtowicz, PE
Engineering Construction 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

SDCC General Meeting – Mon Jan 29th at 7:30pm – Working Meeting on Issues and Priorities

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda – 1.29.18 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday January 29, 2018 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Special Discussion – This month’s presentation time will be used for a working group discussion to help identify community issues and priorities. What are your group’s biggest concerns? What Shore Drive issues are most important and need addressed immediately? Come help us prioritize our efforts for 2018.

Officer’s Reports: Secretary – Andrew Broyles;Treasurer’s Report –Tim Solanic; Vice President – Wally Damon; President – Todd Solomon

Bayfront Advisory Commission (BAC) News – Mr. Wally Damon will update us on the actions of the Bayfront Advisory Commission.

 

Old Business-
Addition of “Your Speed Is” Traffic Signs on Shore Drive – Temporary trailer signs were used for 2 weeks in December. The City has been contacted to brief us on the results. Stay tuned.

Short Term Rentals – Update on City of Virginia Beach’s public input session and next steps for Short Term Rental (Airbnb, etc.) property.

Storm Water/Sea Level Rise Public Input Meetings – The last of 6 public meetings is being held on Jan. 29th at Bayside HS. SDCC will contact the City for more information regarding the next steps in this effort.

4-Way Intersection at Indian Hill Rd. – Update on City’s planned expansion on this intersection into a non-traffic lighted 4-way intersection to support the new entrance of the recently approved retirement community expansion.

 

New Business –
Shore Drive Road Improvements in Ocean Park – Update on Phase 4 – CIP 2.118. An onsite meeting with City Manager has been requested. Plans to attend an Open Mic night to request budget funding are being made and need community support. The current construction date of 2026 is not acceptable.

Lesner Bridge Update – Would anyone be interested in attending a tour of the bridge? SDCC would be happy to try and set this up. We are also trying to have the Project Manager attend an SDCC to provide us an update on the project which should finish sometime this year.

Community Concerns– This will be addressed in the Special Discussion section.

***Next SDCC Meeting – Monday February 26, 2018***

New Stormwater Appeals Board to be appointed at City Council Tuesday January 16th

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View the proposed changes from VBGov.com here. (58 page PDF)

New ordinance starts here:

    783 Sec. 1-1. Purpose and authority.
    784
    785 A. The purpose of this Ordinance is to ensure the general health, safety, and
    786 welfare of the citizens of the City of Virginia Beach and protect the quality and quantity
    787 of state waters from the potential harm of unmanaged stormwater, including protection
    788 from a land disturbing activity causing unreasonable degradation of properties, water
    789 quality, stream channels, and other natural resources, and to establish procedures
    790 whereby stormwater requirements related to water quality and quantity shall be
    791 administered and enforced.

    And includes:

    1149 …The Board shall be appointed by City Council and shall
    1150 consist of six (6) members, one (1) from the Department of Planning, one (1) from the
    1151 Department of Public Works, one (1) from the Department of Public Utilities and three (3) citizen members.

View entire City Council Agenda here.

Planning Commission December 13th meeting that includes STR and Event Home discussion.

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You can watch the 3 hours and 55 minute video below.

When Minutes are posted, they will be available at VBGov.com here.
Official page for Online Home Sharing Economy here.*
(*Please note: Broken links remain on page as of the time of this posting.)

THE live oak in Chics Beach is getting crown cleaning and branch reduction Tuesday December 19th.

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From an email:

Good afternoon Elisa,

I received word today that our contractor plans to do the crown cleaning and branch reduction tomorrow for the Live Oak at 2512 Bayview Avenue. We are requesting any onlookers to remain well back from city and private property lines in order to insure safety. This should be good timing for the work, as trees have now entered dormancy due to the colder temperatures. Landscape Management has every expectation that the work will go smoothly and be beneficial for the health of this notable tree.

Sincerely,

Susan French
City Arborist
Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation

Landscape Management Division | 4141 Dam Neck Road | Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Phone 757.385.4076 | Fax 757.427.1895|sfrench@vbgov.com | VBgov.com/Parks

View Petition at Change.org that helped get this beloved live oak some extra care.

PEDESTRIAN STRUCK ON SHORE DRIVE at MARLIN BAY. Life threatening injuries.

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HAPPENING NOW

First news at WAVY.com.

The accident is being investigated by VBPD Fatal Crash Team.

SDCC General Meeting – Monday Dec. 18th at 7:30pm – Holiday Gathering

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda 12.18.17 SDCC Agenda

Please note the early date of the meeting.  It has been moved a week early to avoid conflict with Christmas.

SDCC General Meeting Agenda

Monday December 18, 2017 from 7:30 to 9:00pm

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall

(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

 

Special Presentation – Holiday Gathering – Come get to know your neighbors.  We will also be thanking our officers David Williams and Kathy Pawlak for their wonderful service to SDCC and will wish them well on their future endevours.

Officer’s Reports: Secretary – David Williams, Treasurer’s Report -Kathy Pawlak,Vice President – Wally Damon, President – Todd Solomon

Bayfront Advisory Commission (BAC) News – Mr. Wally Damon will update us on the actions of the Bayfront Advisory Commission.

Old Business-
Addition of “Your Speed Is” Traffic Signs on Shore Drive – They City has placed temporary “Your Speed Is” trailers east of Great Neck Road.  These signs and speed counter strips are being use to help slow down vehicles and to capture data for additional usage of signs.

Short Term Rentals – Update on City of Virginia Beach’s public input session and next steps for Short Term Rental (Airbnb, etc.) property. Planning Commission is holding a public workshop and hearing on this issue.

Storm Water/Sea Level Rise Public Input Meetings – The City of Virginia Beach recognizes challenges and is exploring solutions to the issues caused by sea level rise and recurrent flooding. The public is encouraged to attend one of several upcoming meetings where city representatives will provide residents with the opportunity to share their views and concerns. The information collected from the meetings will be used to develop the City’s long-term plans for sea level rise and recurrent flooding.  The City has held 4 meetings and will hold 2 more in January 2018.  Shore Drive residents are encouraged to attend a meeting to have your concerns be captured.

New Business –

SDCC Officer Elections – We are in great need of volunteers to step up and serve as officers for SDCC.  All positions are welcomed, but we are in immediate need of a Secretary and Treasurer for 2018.  We will be accepting names from the floor and will vote once we have nominees. 

Community Concerns– General discussion of neighborhood and community concerns that may need SDCC attention.  This is an opportunity for all to share information.

 ***Next SDCC Meeting – Monday January 29, 2018***

Sea Level Rise Public Meetings Schedule for Shore Drive area including fascinating map designating areas.

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Main info page at VBGov.com.

All of the meetings will take place from 6 to 8 p.m.

Shore Drive areas are split into 3,30 & 31.

​Mon., Dec. 11, 2017 ​8, 29, 30 ​
Oceanfront: Beach District and the Lynnhaven east of Great Neck Road ​​
Cooke Elementary School,
1501 Mediterranean Avenue

Thurs., Jan 25, 2018 ​​3, 4 ​
Western Lynnhaven: North of Princess Anne Road; bounded to the east by South Rosemont Road and Little Neck Road ​
Princess Anne High School,
4400 Virginia Beach Blvd.

Mon., Jan. 29, 2018 1,31
Little Creek: Area to the east where Shore Drive meets Northampton Blvd.​ ​
Bayside High School,
4960 Haygood Road

Seems strange Bayfront community was spit up into 3 meetings none held here.

Updated CIP Phase 3 page with all files

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Thanks to Chris Wojo for the great presentation last night!

He also uploaded all the files for Phase 3 also known as 2.117.000.

Here’s the Official Phase 3 2.1117.000 page.

As you heard last night, some highlights of Phase 3 includes:

    Stormwater work including saving live oaks at the new pond at Shore Drive & Page Ave.
    Stormwater work that’ll also tie into the CIP on the Cape Henry Ditch.
    Stormwater work on the north side of Shore Drive problem areas.
    Wider sidewalks on both the north and south side.
    Bike lanes on both the north and south side.