Category Archives: STR

PHPWMB public hearing Virginia Marine Resources Commission at their public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, February 25, 2025

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View info here.

SUBJECT: City of Virginia Beach Public Works
VMRC #2024-2851
The application for permit, referenced above, will be heard by the Marine Resources Commission at their public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, February 25, 2025, beginning at 9:30
a.m., at 380 Fenwick Road, Building 96, Fort Monroe, Virginia.

CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH, #24-2851 requests authorization to mechanically dredge a 20-foot wide by 63-foot long subtidal area to a maximum depth of minus two (-2) feet mean low water within Pleasure House Creek to create a shallow water channel necessary to provide the hydrological connection to the proposed municipal Pleasure House Point Mitigation Bank in Virginia Beach. This project is protested by nearby property owners.

2040 Comprehensive Plan Update – November Public Workshops. Join us!

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The Public Workshops will consist of a short recap presentation on themes developed in the Focus Groups and the Vision Mapping process. We will then proceed to break out into small groups to provide more direct, specific feedback on each of the draft themes. The Vision Map will take the draft themes of balanced growth, sustainability, connectivity, diversity, and wellbeing, and apply them to areas of the city to create a framework of how the city should grow and develop over time. There will be an interactive planning exercise in our small groups.

The workshops will be held at these times and locations:

  • Saturday, November 4th at 2pm: College Park Elementary School Cafeteria – 1110 Bennington Road
  • Monday, November 6th at 6pm: Kellam High School Cafeteria – 2665 West Neck Road
  • Wednesday, November 8th at 6pm: Bayside Recreation Center – 4500 First Court Road
  • Thursday, November 9th at 6pm: Virginia Beach Convention Center, Suite 3 (2nd Floor; Middle of the Building) – 1009 19th Street

There is no need to RSVP to these workshops. We estimate this meeting to run about 1.5 to 2 hours. Please pass along the information to your friends, family, neighborhoods, colleagues, youth groups, civic leagues, faith groups, etc.

The more engagement we have from the community in this process, the better the plan will be! City Staff and the Consultant Team are eager to hear from as many residents as possible, so we hope to see you there!

Here’s where we are so far.

Focus-Group-Presentation-–-DRAFT-Themes-and-Vision-Map.pdf
Download
Join the next meetings or Comment below!

As always, for more information or if you have any outstanding questions, please reach out to me at RacMiller@vbgov.com or Hank Morrison, the Comprehensive Planning Administrator, at JMorrison@vbgov.com.

You are aware about the reality of sea level rise(SLR) correct?

Link to ODU SLR tool map shared above.

Sea Level Wise at City of VB.

Community Meeting Hosted by Councilmember Chris Taylor

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Mark your calendar!

February 16, 2023, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Great Neck Recreation Center
2521 Shorehaven Drive, Virginia Beach

Councilmember Taylor will host a town hall meeting to update residents on current city projects and issues that impact District 8. City representatives from the Police, Fire, Public Works and Parks and Recreation departments will be in attendance to discuss topics such as stormwater referendum progress, Great Neck Park, traffic updates and more. Attendees will have an opportunity to have their questions addressed.

The meeting will be held in Rooms 1 and 2.

Info at VBGov.com.

“The bills (SB1391 and HB2271) essentially strip cities and localities of some of their power to regulate short-term rentals operated by Virginia realty companies.”

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Excuse me what!?

Article at Pilot.com.

“The bills (SB1391 and HB2271) essentially strip cities and localities of some of their power to regulate short-term rentals operated by Virginia realty companies.”

“A public comment session will be held at 2 p.m. Aug. 9. Then, the council members will vote on the new Bayside representative.”

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View article at Pilotonline.com.

The Virginia Beach City Council reviewed the nine complete applications submitted for the Bayside District City Council vacancy and shortlisted three individuals for interviews. They are:

Delceno Miles
Ronald Ripley
Charlotte Zito

Review their resumes, statement of econmic interests and more at VBGov.com.

Interested in serving on City Council representing the Bayside District?

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As you know, Virginia Beach and the Bayside District lost our long time serving Mr. Louis Jones recently. The citizen appointed by City Council will hold office until Dec. 31, 2022 and must reside in the Bayside District.

Start here to learn more about applying to City Clerk Amanda Barnes.

3 items the potential candidate might be interested in advocating for for the Bayside District and Bayfront:

Helping enhance resiliency for SLR & storm water management plus helping leverage resources at Brock Environmental Center for Virginia Beach, Hampton Roads & Virginia.
Accelerating the completion of Phase 4 in Ocean Park.
Actively engage with SDCC, BAC, Civic Leagues & bayfront residents.

City Council public hearing September 7th on STR

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STR Public Hearing starts about 1 hour 58 minutes.

“It’s just the latest actions in what has become a perennial and frustrating issue in the coastal community.”

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News at WAVY.com about yet another change in STR regulations.

Mayor Bobby Dyer, council members John Moss, Aaron Rouse and Sabrina Wooten voted against the new requirements for all current and future short-term rental operators.

“City Council also approved new regulations for how those short-term rentals are to operate if they are approved.”

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Coverage at WAVY.com.

Coverage at WTKR.com.

“After a long night of debate, the city council voted to table the motion until July 13.”

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Coverage at WTKR.com.

“They would not be allowed in other parts of the city unless they’re grandfathered in, but people living in different areas could petition the city to become an overlay district.

During hearings for individual short-term rental applications, people voiced their general support and opposition for short-term rentals in the city.”

REQUESTED BY VICE-MAYOR WOOD AND COUNCILMEMBER TOWER, AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 102 OF THE CITY ZONING ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING SHORT TERM RENTAL OVERLAY DISTRICTS – NORTH END AND OCEANFRONT RESORT

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Combined STR Ordinances.pdfDownload

View new proposed Short Term Rental(STR) Ordinance City Council will vote on soon.

Learn more about STR at VBGov.com.

“I know we are all tired of talking about STRs, but what you are proposing tonight is not the answer,” said Elaine Fekete, a member of the Virginia Beach Short-Term Rental Alliance (VBSTRA.)

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News at WAVY.com.

‘We’re getting close’: Virginia Beach City Council defers vote on new short-term rental rules

“The revised proposal revealed Thursday would completely eliminate any new vacation rentals along the Shore Drive corridor and tighten rules on rentals currently in operation.”

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New STR rules coverage at WAVY.com.

“The debate on short-term rentals continues in the Resort City.”

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Coverage at WTKR.com

Another proposal would allow short-term rentals only in certain parts of the city.

“This was an unregistered short-term rental that basically ruined these people’s weekend. Members of the Planning Commission and City Council need to realize this.”

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News at WAVY.com.

SDCC Riterates Opposition to Short Term Rental (STR) Overlay District for East Shore Drive (Cape Story by the Sea)

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In light of the recent shootout at a STR and the upcoming Planning Commission vote on the STR overlay district for East Shore Drive, the SDCC has sent the following email to the Planning Commission and City Council reiterating its opposition to any STR overlay in the Shore Drive Corridor.

Dear Planning Commission Members,

As we approach your Wednesday hearing on the proposed Short Term Rental ordinance change, I wanted to share this recent occurrence in Chic’s Beach in the Shore Drive area.  Please take a moment to comprehend what you are proposing for the Cape Story by the Sea neighborhood and how similar occurrences can impact well established city neighborhoods.  Your recommendations, similar to those of City Council, will effectively change our residential neighborhood into a tourist destination similar to the oceanfront.

The following statement and attached flyer were provided by 3rd precinct officers.

Additionally, I would like to let you know that the on going issues associated with Air BnBs Rentals was a topic of conversation at the most recent Chiefs meeting. Officers have been informed that they are to forward any Air BnB issues up the chain of command. This will help develop a stronger argument backed with statistics when the issue is addressed by the city.

Again, to date, no reply or data has been provided to our requests regarding the total # of homes, total possible STRs, and explanation as to why the Cape Story neighborhood is targeted as a STR overlay compared to any other neighborhood in VB.  We have asked for information the past 2+ weeks to help with the upcoming hearing.  Since no data or any type of civic engagement outreach has been attempted for this entire process, it is still the Shore Drive Community Coalition’s recommendation to oppose any overlay created in the Cape Story neighborhood, no matter how the boundary is manipulated.

Thank you for your review of this information and we hope that you recognize that this whole process is flawed and any recommended overlay along Shore Drive is unjustified and just wrong.

Sincerely,

Todd Solomon

Shore Drive Community Coalition President

Sunday Feb. 28th Shootout at Chic’s Beach Short Term Rental – Police Seek Information

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Police Detectives are circulating the following flyer in hopes to find information regarding a recent shootout that took place early Sunday morning February 28th at 4504 Ocean View Ave.  If you have any information, you are asked to contact Detective Pittman, epittman@vbgov.com

Click here to see the Police flyer Shootout Flyer

Summary: On 02/28/21, at approximately 0538 hours, an unknown type of sedan (possible Toyota Celica) occupied by at least two suspects pictured below appeared to stage outside of a party located at 4504 Oceanview Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA. That vehicle moved slowly westbound appearing to have shots come out the passenger side before driving away being shot at by at least two shooters in the front yard of 4504 Oceanview. The sedan stops at Fentress/Oceanview, driver gets out firing one shot at the direction of 4504 Oceanview; the passenger gets out firing multiple shots in the same direction. Another vehicle, Jeep SUV black in color, comes from the direction of the firing of gunfire to turn off into a parking lot at Fentress/Oceanview. The driver gets out of the black Jeep (pictured below, appears female) and switches to passenger side of vehicle. The Jeep then goes back to the direction of 4504 Oceanview Avenue. Please let Detective Pittman know of any information or identification related to this incident and/or pictures below.

 

Planning Commission Hearing on Short Term Rental Overlay District – Wed. March 10th at Noon.

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The Planning Commission will be voting at their Wed. March 10th meeting to adopt a proposed ordinance change to Short Term Rentals.  The meeting will be held at Noon Wednesday in the VB Convention Center.  The Commission will recommend that Short Term Rentals(STR) be allowed in a Cape Story by the Sea overlay district that includes a section of the Cape Story neighborhood north of Shore Drive between First Landing State Park and the Food Lion shopping Center.  See the image below for the supported overlay district.

All STRs outside of overlay districts will be prohibited in the future if this ordinance is approved.  So that will make Cape Story’s overlay one of only 3 areas in the City that will continue to allow STRs for the future.  The Bayfront Advisory Commission, Shore Drive Community Coalition and Cape Story by the Sea Civic Association have all voted to oppose STR overlays.  So it appears that the Planning Commission and City Council are ignoring the residents and attempting to set up a process that will be detrimental to neighborhood communities.

Anyone opposed to the proposed STR overlay district in the Shore Drive neighborhood is asked to register to speak against the ordinance at the Wednesday meeting.  You can register to speak in person or virtually at the following link.  In-person set up will be limited and socially distanced, so virtual is probably the best option if you plan to speak.

More information regarding the proposed ordinance change and the Planning Commission and City Staff review can be found here Microsoft Word – 20210310PLN-CUR-02-Short Term Rental Ordinance (vbgov.com)

To sign up to speak virtually or in-person, click here Planning Commission :: VBgov.com – City of Virginia Beach

 

Planning Commission Virtual Workshop Tues Feb 23 at 6pm – Short Term Rentals

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The Planning Commission will hold it’s 2nd virtual workshop on Tuesday Feb 23rd at 6pm to continue discussion on the topic of Short Term Rentals and City Council’s recommended ordinance change to create overlay districts which include East Shore Drive (Cape Story by the Sea) neighborhoods.

Residents will not be permitted to talk, but can watch all the action virtually by registering at the link below.  You can submit questions prior to the meeting that the Planning Commission may read and discuss.

More information regarding City Staff, the Planning Commission and City Council’s work on this topic can found at the following link Planning Commission Workshop :: VBgov.com – City of Virginia Beach

 

PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP
SHORT TERM RENTAL PROPOSED ORDINANCES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2021
6:00 pm

Workshop will be held by Electronic Means (WebEx)

Registration Information:

https://vbgov.webex.com/vbgov/onstage/g.php?MTID=e6dc3567b617c4e2d2e2d8a98c74938a0 

Members of the public may view the Workshop in real time as noted above. The public may submit comments to the Commission by sending an email to STR@vbgov.com no later than 5:00 p.m on February 22, 2021.

Short Term Rental Ordinance Change – Planning Commission Public Hearing – Wed. Feb. 10th at Noon

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The Short Term Rental (STR) ordinance proposed by City Council will be heard by the Planning Commission at their Wed. Feb. 10th Noon meeting.  Due to COVID restrictions, the meeting will be virtual only.  Anyone wishing to participate needs to sign up to speak by 5pm on Tuesday Feb. 9th.  You can sign up by clicking the following link https://vbgov.webex.com/vbgov/onstage/g.php?MTID=e0aca5338abc082119d4666dda389d9a1

You can read the full meeting agenda here https://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/planning/boards-commissions-committees/Documents/PC/2021/02%20February/20210210-PLN-CUR-Agenda.pdf

The City Council proposed ordinance recommends a “by right” overlay district for East Shore Drive that covers 60% of the Cape Story by the Sea neighborhood.  “By right” means if approved, all 450 homes in this overlay can apply to run STRs through the City permitting process.  More information about the ordinance can be found here https://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/planning/Pages/Short-Term-Rentals.aspx

The Shore Drive Community Coalition opposes the current ordinance change that would allow all homes to be used as short term rentals.  Unlimited creation of STRs will lead to demise of the neighborhood character that is so special along Shore Drive.

The Cape Story by the Sea Civic Association, the Bayfront Advisory Commission and the SDCC have all voted to oppose “by right” overlays for any Shore Drive neighborhood.  Vice Mayor Jim Wood has stated he will request the removal of East Shore Drive as an overlay when the ordinance comes back to City Council from Planning Commission review.  

SDCC has sent the following letter to the Planning Commission asking for the East Shore Drive overlay to be removed.  The letter is copied below with the email from Vice Mayor Jim Wood as an attachment

January 27, 2021

Subject:. Request to Remove “East Shore Drive” as an overlay district from proposed STR Ordinance Amendment

Dear Planning Commission Members,

On behalf of the Shore Drive Community Coalition, I formally request that you recommend the removal of the East Shore Drive (ESD) “Cape Story by the Sea” Overlay District from the proposed Short Term Rental (STR) Ordinance amendment sent to you by City Council on October 21, 2020.

East Shore Drive, like any neighborhood in the Shore Drive Corridor, is not compatible for the large volume “by right” proliferation of weekly rentals that this recommendation would create.  There are many specific reasons why this overlay district is a bad idea, but I am just going to list a few of the most overarching ones.

  • Vice Mayor Jim Wood, the creator of this proposed overlay, has stated he will ask for this overlay to be removed from the amendment.  Mr. Wood’s email has been attached for information.
  • The West Shore Drive overlay, originally proposed by Councilman Louis Jones, was removed prior to the amendment being finalized and sent to the Planning Commission.  All of the same reasons the West Shore Drive overlay was eliminated are the same reasons the East Shore Drive overlay is unacceptable.
  • The Cape Story by the Sea Civic Association voted unanimously to oppose the ESD overlay.
  • The Bayfront Advisory Commission (BAC) voted unanimously to oppose the ESD overlay and any STR overlay in the Shore Drive Corridor.
  • The Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC) voted unanimously to oppose the ESD overlay and any STR overlay in the Shore Drive Corridor.
  • The Shore Drive Corridor Plan states, “The Shore Drive area is first and foremost a residential community, comprised primarily of residential neighborhoods…It is envisioned that this predominance as a residential community should continue to form the backbone of land use for the area.”

Thank you for your consideration of this request and I hope you see the wisdom in making the recommendation to remove the ESD overlay from the STR Ordinance Amendment.

If you have any questions, I can be reached at 667-8533 Cell or todd@sdcc.info

 

Sincerely,

Todd R. Solomon

Shore Drive Community Coalition, President

 

Attachment to SDCC Letter to Planning Commission dated January 27, 2021

From: James L. Wood [mailto:JLWood@vbgov.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 5, 2021 4:11 PM
To: emunden@aol.com; Todd Solomon <todd@sdcc.info>
Subject: Eastern shore drive overlay

I’m going to request that this area be removed from the overlay proposal.

 

Jim Wood, Vice Mayor

Virginia Beach City Council

757-366-1011 mobile & text

Sent from my mobile account