Category Archives: Safety

SDCC General Meeting Monday March 27th Agenda – Code Enforcement Presentation

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda 3.27.17 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda

Monday March 27, 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 – City Code Violations and Enforcement

Ms. Denise Wethington, Housing & Neighborhood Preservation’s Code Enforcement Inspector, will discuss the code enforcement process and violations in our community.  Inspectors patrol their assigned areas for violations, conduct systematic exterior inspections of neighborhoods on an as-needed basis, notify property owners of violations and take appropriate legal action to obtain compliance. The division addresses code violations through enforcement of the Virginia Maintenance Code and the city’s property maintenance codes.

Officer’s Reports

Secretary – David Williams; Treasurer’s Report -Kathy Pawlak; Vice President – Wally Damon; President – Todd Solomon

Old Business-

Marina Shores Condo/Apartment Proposed Development – The developer plans to make presentations to neighborhood civic groups and will present the revised plan to the Planning Commission in April.  The number of units have been reduced from 261 to 200, no additional entrance will be created, no stop light will be added to the intersection of Great Neck Road and Lynnhaven Drive.

Bayfront to Oceanfront Shuttle Route – Plans to have a trial route this summer are moving forward.  Surveys and public comments have been supportive of this project.  Updates will be discussed and suggestions for promotion of the new service will be welcomed.

New Business –

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

City of Virginia Beach Transportation Survey – Results from the recent transportation survey will be discussed.  Update of Phase IV Shore Drive improvements in Ocean Park between the Lesner Bridge and Marlin Bay Drive will be discussed.

Community Concerns and Suggestions for 2017 – 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 April 24, 2017

 

Remember taking the survey? Transit Planning Public Engagement Summary February ‘17.

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First off, THANK YOU For participating in survey if you did.

Your feedback DOES make a difference.

View entire PDF at VBGov.com here.

View & download entire Transit Planning Public Engagement Summary (86 page PDF)

There are a ton of great well thought out comments in the entire package.

Some sample feedback including 215 first place votes for Shore Drive Ocean Park Phase IV roadway project.

City of VB hosting Transit Planning Workshop – Wed. March 22nd @ 6pm

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Transit Planning Community Workshop – Part II

​​​​​​Let’s get going!  ​​​​​​​​​​Join us Wednesday, March 22 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts to learn about and help plan our transportation future.
Residents are invited to help plan improvements to public transportation in Virginia Beach and throughout our region. This interactive session will review work to date, including feedback from more than 560 survey responses following the first public meeting (Jan-Feb 2017). We’ll look at potential new routes as well as issues involving frequency, schedules and more.

Click here for more details on this workshop

 

Governor McAuliffe Announces Updates to Virginia Flood Risk Information System

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View Press Release:

The new VFRIS was developed by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science’s Center for Coastal Resources Management in partnership with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, the agency responsible for the state floodplain management program.

“Flooding is the most common natural disaster our we experience in the Commonwealth, and our Hampton Roads and Eastern Shore communities are particularly at risk for severe damages caused by recurrent flooding.” said Governor McAuliffe. “It is my hope that VFRIS becomes a mainstay for homeowners, businesses, and communities going forward. March begins Flood Safety Awareness Month and I encourage all Virginians to access VFRIS to see how a flood might affect their home or business.”

View Virginia Flood Risk Information System (VFRIS) info:

Virginia Flood Risk Information System (VFRIS) is a collaboration between DCR and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science’s Center for Coastal Resources Management. VFRIS helps communities, real estate agents, property buyers and property owners discern an area’s flood risk.

Launch VFRIS here.

Click screen shot to Launch VFRIS

Click screen shot to Launch VFRIS

Boat shop in Ocean Park robbed Super Bowl Sunday night. “King is asking anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area between 7 p.m. Sunday night and 2 a.m. Monday morning to call police.”

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Check story including video at WTKR.com.

“When all the damage is done, or how they pulled it out of the dash, all the steering and everything we are talking well over $200,000 of motors,” King told News 3’s Todd Corillo Wednesday.

There’s a short Survey at VBGov.com that could help get Shore Drive upgraded in Ocean Park.

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Question #9 please choose Shore Drive !

Question #9 please choose Shore Drive !

Help Ocean Park!

Question 9. Please rank the following roadway projects 1-8 in order of priority, with 1 being the highest priority and 8 being lowest. (Project | Unfunded Amount)
Please choose “Shore Drive Corridor Improvements Phase IV as #1 or slide it to top.

Extra bonus points.

Question 8. What else should we consider as we plan the future of public transit in Virginia Beach and the region?
Answer Question #8 by Write in: We want Shore Drive/Oceanfront Trolley Loop

Even more love for Ocean Park & Shore Drive.

Question 10. If you have any additional comments or questions, please write them here:
Write in: PLEASE FINISH SHORE DRIVE PHASE IV NOW

Click to start short survey.

#LESNERBRIDGE 1 lane each direction Wednesday Feb 1 from 9a-3p

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From an email from Bayfront Advisory Committee:

BOTH directions of Shore Drive over the Lesner Bridge will be reduced to ONE LANE between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb.1, as crews repair a leaking 16-inch water main line. Affected lanes for this closure will be the INSIDE lanes both east and west bound, said Christopher J. Wojtowicz, project manager. Repairs will be done on Shore Drive at Vista Circle eastbound and at Page Avenue westbound.

114-136 (1)

“Westbound traffic on the Lesner Bridge will be reduced to one lane at Shore Drive and Page Avenue tomorrow, Tuesday, Jan. 31, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m….”

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From Bayfront Advisory Committee email:

“. . .said Christopher J. Wojtowicz, project manager for the bridge replacement. The outside, right lane, will be closed while repairs are made to a shock-absorber-like “impact attenuator” that had been hit and to fix the concrete collar around one of the drainage inlets in that lane closest to the sidewalk. Plans call for the work to be completed and the lane reopened no later than 3 p.m.”

Screen shot of construction cam at 100pm January 30th 2017.

Screen shot of construction cam at 100pm January 30th 2017.

Storm Water Improvement Plan Presentation – Mon. Jan 30th at 7:30pm SDCC Meeting

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Are you concerned about flooding around your home? neighborhood? Shore Drive?

If so, then you won’t want to miss this presentation. The presentation is open to all, so bring your friends and neighbors.

SDCC General Meeting Presentation

Monday January 30, 2017 from 7:30 to 9:00pm

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall

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

At this Monday’s Jan. 30th SDCC meeting, Mr. Mike Bumbaco, Project Manager with the City’s Public Works/Water Resources Department, will provide updates on the current storm water projects being worked in our area.  He will also discuss additional plans that are in the design phase and could benefit from public input.  The improvements could carry a price tag of $60+ million.  Some of the topics to be covered will include:

  • Sluice Gate installation in Cape Story and Lynnhaven Colony.  How they operate and project timeline.
  • Pump house upgrade at Poinciana in Cape Story
  • Storm water improvements for areas north of Shore Drive
  • Large collection pound for current treed area near Page Ave. and Shore Drive
  • What types of systems could be used along Shore Drive, large pipes and pump stations or gravity drains?

shore-drive-storm-water-improvements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E-Cycling and Hazardous Waste Disposal at the Virginia Aquarium: Sat. Jan. 28th from 9am to 1pm

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Location: Virginia Aquarium East Parking Lot

Cost: No charge (donations are always welcome)

Contact: Virginia Aquarium

Phone: (757) 385-FISH (3474)

Upcoming Dates:

  • Saturday, January 28, 2017 – 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, in partnership with Goodwill Industries, the City of Virginia Beach Public Works and TFC Recycling, will offer its semi-annual E-cycling event Saturday, January 28, 2017, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Virginia Aquarium East Parking Lot. There is no fee to drop off items, but donations are always appreciated.

Click Here for more information on the event

Click here for a map to the East Parking Lot of the Aquarium

Acceptable personal electronic recyclable items include:

  • Personal computers and laptops
  • Telephones, cell phones and PDA’s
  • Printers
  • Circuit boards and components
  • Monitors and flat screens CRT TVs (Cathode Ray Tube TVs) – MUST be smaller than 32”* Flat Screen TVs
  • Fax machines
  • Stereo equipment and game systems
  • Regular recycling materials such as newspapers, bottles and cans will also be accepted.

Acceptable household hazardous waste items include:

  • Up to five gallons of liquids or up to 75 pounds of dry materials
  • Aerosol spray cans
  • Automotive fluids
  • Batteries: Alkaline (AA, AAA, C, D), Boat, Car, Camera, Cell phone, Hearing aid, Lead acid, Lithium, Rechargeable, Trucks
  • Herbicides
  • Household cleaners
  • Gasoline (up to 5 gallons)
  • Fertilizer
  • Pool Chemicals
  • Light bulbs – small quantities of CFLs or fluorescent tubes
  • Oil and water based paint
  • Pesticides
  • Propane tanks (small – up to 20 lb. capacity)
  • For further tips visit www.VBgov.com/landfill

*CRT TVs larger than 32” MUST be taken to the City of Virginia Beach Resource Recovery Center, located at 1989 Jake Sears Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23464. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 7a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

#LESNERBRIDGE update: “…traffic switch is tentatively scheduled for next Thursday December 29th. As always, this schedule is dependent upon the weather, as well as when …”

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Email December 21st 2016:

Friends, Residents, Elves and Everything in Between (not that I want to know what THAT is!)

Despite being knee-deep in Christmas shopping and wrapping, not to mention going through egg nog like it’s water, Kingfish Chris, the bridgemaster, has passed along an update about the always interesting Lesner Bridge. And although it’s a bit uncomfortable trying to sit down and type this in an elf costume, I’m doing so because feel sure you would like to have this info before we get too deep into the holiday spirit.

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.

Our last bit of advice: If someone approaches you claiming to be one of Santa’s elves, ask to see some ID. It could be one of those punks over at Keebler trying to pull a fast one!

Thanks to you all for your support, patience and questions. Enjoy the holidays with family and friends, and please stay safe, look out for each other, and put the phone down while you’re driving.

Drew Lankford
Media and Communications
Department of Public Works
City of Virginia Beach

dlankfor@vbgov.com
(O) 757.385.8062
(C) 757.409.4353

*********************************************************************************************

To All:

As many of you have seen, a lot of work has been going on at the intersections of Shore Drive/Vista Circle and Shore Drive/East Stratford Street in preparation for the Phase 4 traffic switch of eastbound Shore Drive traffic over to the new bridge. So, before we all head off into the long holiday break, we wanted to provide you this brief project update of what to expect at the Lesner Bridge over the next few weeks.

First of all, the traffic switch is tentatively scheduled for next Thursday December 29th. As always, this schedule is dependent upon the weather, as well as when the paving contractor can be at the site to place the temporary asphalt at the widened bridge approaches.

In addition, pedestrians can now use both the new westbound Lesner Bridge AND the existing sidewalk on the eastbound Lesner Bridge to cross the Lynnhaven River.

On Tuesday, January 3rd (2017), the sidewalk on the existing eastbound Lesner Bridge will be CLOSED in preparation for bridge demolition. This means that pedestrians wishing to cross over the Lynnhaven Inlet will have to use the temporary pedestrian path located on the north side of the new westbound Lesner Bridge between Page Avenue and East Stratford Street. The 4-foot wide temporary path might feel a little cramped between the new handrail and the safety screening. Don’t worry . . . . the finished path will be widened to 10 feet at the completion of the project and the temporary safety screening will be removed to provide much more room for pedestrians and cyclists to comfortably share this pathway.

Cross-Section of Completed Westbound and Eastbound Lesner Bridges

Cross-Section of Completed Westbound and Eastbound Lesner Bridges

Have a Happy and Safe Holiday!

– 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 construction cam from Dec 21 2016 430p.

Screen shot construction cam from Dec 21 2016 430p.

SDCC General Meeting Agenda for Monday December 19th

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda – 12-19-16-sdcc-agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda

Monday December 19th from 7:30 to 9:00pm

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall

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

 

 Special Presentation – No Presentation

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

Old Business-

Community Rating System (CRS) – Update on the City’s progress in joining the HUD-FEMA CRS program that could save 5-20% on Flood Insurance premiums.

Proposed Marina Shores Condominium Development – Update on proposed development of 261 condos to take the place of boat dry storage and commercial building currently located on the site.

Proposed Commercial Development Near 7-11 near Shady Oaks and Shore Drive – Update on the proposed commercial development planned for the portion of land just west of the 7-11.

Shore Drive Storm Water Capital Improvement Project – Update on active CIPs 7.151.000-003 are active projects designed to improve storm water collection and removal in the neighborhoods east of the Lesner Bridge along Shore Drive.

New Business –

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

SDCC Vote on Proposed Shore Drive to Oceanfront Shuttle – Membership will vote on proposed trial bus service between Shore Drive and Oceanfront that will operate between May and September 2017.

SDCC Vote on Proposed Friends of Live Oaks (FOLO) Proposal – FOLO is requesting support to save the City’s largest Live Oak grove currently located on City owned property. 

Light Rail Funds to Support Storm Water Improvements – City Council is entertaining the idea of redirecting funds appropriated for Light Rail to help make $500 million worth of storm water improvements.  What do SDCC members think about this proposal?

Community Concerns and Suggestions for 2017 – 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 30, 2017

“Virginia Beach floats idea to use light rail money to pay for $464M in stormwater projects”

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At Pilotonline.com:

One idea presented by budget staff is to use $7.3 million of the $27.3 million light rail fund to jump-start paying for some of the drainage projects. In addition, 1.8 cents of the real estate tax rate that is going toward light rail could be redirected to pay for stormwater improvements.
That would require City Council approval.

Mazda racing down Shore Drive at ~ 90MPH + flips and crashes in front of Chesapeake House. Driver flees scene.

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Happened last night, Monday, about 855pm.

We were going to link to news coverage but there is none. (You can read that sentence again.)

Unbelievably no one was hurt. No idea the condition of the driver for this post.

Driver still not apprehended:

The description was a white male, shaved head wearing a black jacket with writing or a picture on the back.

Photo credit: Ocean Park Facebook Page thread on accident

Photo credit: Ocean Park Facebook Page thread on accident

Photo credit: Ocean Park Facebook Page thread on accident

Photo credit: Ocean Park Facebook Page thread on accident

Photo credit: Ocean Park Facebook Page thread on accident

Photo credit: Ocean Park Facebook Page thread on accident

“Virginia Beach Public Works has announced that crews will begin roadway improvement on Shore Drive beginning Sunday, December 4, 2016. The project will include both the eastbound and westbound lanes on Shore Drive from Independence Boulevard to Greenwell Road.”

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From an email update:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT:
December 2, 2016 Drew Lankford, (757) 385-8062
(757) 409-4353
dlankfor@vbgov.com

Roadway Improvements for Shore Drive to Begin Sunday Night

Virginia Beach Public Works has announced that crews will begin roadway improvement on Shore Drive beginning Sunday, December 4, 2016.

The project will include both the eastbound and westbound lanes on Shore Drive from Independence Boulevard to Greenwell Road.

Crews will be milling, paving, and pavement marking from 7 p.m. until 5 a.m. each day.

If any day time work is needed, the hours will be from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Any weekend work – if needed – will be from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.

The work is scheduled to be completed by December 31, 2016.

The project and the milling and paving operation is likely to produce traffic delays, congestion and some construction noise. Advanced warning signs will be clearly posted advising motorists of lane closures.

Citizens are urged to use alternate traffic routes when possible.

All scheduled work is weather permitting.

For additional information, please contact Oneil Clarke at (757) 385-2015

# # #

News Release: www.VBgov.com/PublicWorks

#LESNERBRIDGE traffic news for this week from Project Manager

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Email December 5th 2016:

Folks:

With all of the new lane closures coming up, we wanted to provide another update so everyone will know what is going on out there . . . traffic-wise . . . throughout the week.

Feel free to let Chris or me know if you have any questions or need more information.

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.

Thanks again.

Drew Lankford
Media and Communications
Department of Public Works
City of Virginia Beach

dlankfor@vbgov.com
(O) 757.385.8062
(C) 757.409.4353

************************************************************

To All:

We know that traffic on Shore Drive in the vicinity of Lesner Bridge has been a challenging at times this week. We all appreciate your patience as we continue with the median work in preparation for moving the eastbound Shore Drive traffic onto the new bridge. Our current traffic move date for this eastbound traffic is December 21, 2016.

LEFT TURN LANE closures and LEFT THRU lane closures on Shore Drive at Lesner Bridge will continue into next week. So, in order to help you plan your daily commute, here is what to expect the traffic condition to look like on Shore Drive at Lesner Bridge beginning TODAY, Monday, December 5th:

Monday, December 5th, 2016: The LEFT THRU lane on eastbound Shore Drive at Vista Circle will be CLOSED between the hours of 9:00 am and 3:00 pm;

Tuesday, December 6th, 2016: The LEFT TURN lane on eastbound Shore Drive at Vista Circle (to get to Page Avenue) will be CLOSED between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM;

Wednesday, December 7th, 2016: The LEFT TURN lane on eastbound Shore Drive at East Stratford Street will be CLOSED between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM.

In addition, it is possible that depending on where the actual water line is located, the eastbound LEFT THRU lane on Shore Drive at East Stratford Street may also be CLOSED during this same time period.

Thursday, December 8th, 2016: The LEFT THRU lane on eastbound Shore Drive at East Stratford Street will be CLOSED between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM.

Phase 4 Pavement Widening on the West Side of the New Lesner Bridge

Phase 4 Pavement Widening on the West Side of the New Lesner Bridge

Phase 4 Pavement Widening on the East Side of the New Lesner Bridge

Phase 4 Pavement Widening on the East Side of the New Lesner Bridge

Again, thank you for your patience during this difficult phase of changing traffic patterns. If all goes as planned, we’ll all be celebrating more than the New Year on January 1st!

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

Update on CRS

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What’s the CRS again?

Community Rating System (CRS) is to reward communities that are doing more than meeting the minimum NFIP requirements to help their citizens prevent or reduce flood losses. The CRS also provides an incentive for communities to initiate new flood protection activities.

Update from Whitney McNamara, City of Virginia Beach Planning and Community Development:

City Council was briefed on CRS earlier this year – in August. At that time, no formal decisions were made, it was more to make them aware that it is a program the City is exploring. At this time, we are still awaiting final approval of the Hazard Mitigation Plan from FEMA and adoption by City Council. Once it is officially adopted, the plan can be sent to FEMA’s CRS consultant to review for CRS Compliance (FEMA is currently reviewing and approving it as a Hazard Mitigation Plan, not a Floodplain Management Plan). A Floodplain Management Plan is a minimum requirement for participation due to the number of repetitively flooded structures in Virginia Beach. If it is approved as a Floodplain Management Plan, the CRS program will be taken back to Council for a final decision to join or not. If and when we get the official go ahead, it is an 18-24 month process before Virginia Beach will officially be in the program, so the earliest residents would begin to receive the discounts would most likely be in 2019.

So it looks like the earliest you could start seeing Flood Insurance Premium discounts is 2019 if the COVB participates in FEMA’s CRS.

Additional resources:

    500 Series: Flood Damage Reduction
    (Pay special attention to Activity 510)
    Hampton Roads Hazard Mitigation Plan
One slide from presentation

One slide from presentation

NFIP CRS City Council Presentation August 9th 2016 PDF (11pages)

More info at FEMA here:

    Hazard Mitigation Plan info

    Floodplain Management Plan info

More resources at SDCC.info/Hot.