Category Archives: STR

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

 

SDCC’s Short Term Rental Overlay District Opposition Letter to City Council

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Click here for a printable version of the SDCC letter – SDCC STR Opposition Letter

Additional opposition to STR Overlay District in Cape Story by the Sea:

Cape Story by the Sea Civic Association – CSBTS_BACLetter_STR_11192020signed

Bayfront Advisory Commission – BAC STR Overlay Opposition Email

SDCC Opposes STR Overlay District in Cape Story by the Sea and Anywhere Along Shore Drive Corridor

December 31, 2020

Dear Mayor Dyer and City Council Members,

The Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC), a 20 year old organization made up of local civic groups representing residents in the Bayfront area of Virginia Beach, formally requests that the Short Term Rental (STR) Overlay District, randomly created by Vice Mayor Wood, for the Cape Story by the Sea neighborhood (East Shore Drive) be removed immediately from the proposed STR ordinance change.

Similar to the official opposition positions taken by the Cape Story by the Sea Civic Association and the Bayfront Advisory Commission, the SDCC voted unanimously at its November 23rd meeting to “Oppose the creation of a STR Overlay District in the Cape Story by the Sea (East Shore Drive) neighborhood as well as any future STR Overlay Districts 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.”

The Shore Drive Corridor, the most densely populated section of the City, consists of small lots sizes of 5000 and 7500 square feet narrow streets that don’t allow for on-street parking.  These conditions result in area that is not appropriate for the uncontrolled proliferation of “by right” STR business zoning that will be created by the overlay district that is being proposed.

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

 

SDCC General Meeting and Special Presentation on Neighborhood Crime Improvement – Mon Nov. 23rd at 7:30pm

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda 11.23.20 SDCC Agenda

 

SDCC General Meeting Agenda

Monday November 23, 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 – 

Neighborhood Crime and Improvement Survey – Officer M.R. Torrance, Virginia Beach Police Department Third Precinct will update us on neighborhood crime issues and discuss a Neighborhood Improvement Survey his precinct is currently running.  He would also like to hear any additional concerns the residents may have and discuss ways to help.

 

Officer’s Reports

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

 

Old Business-
Proposed Developments –

  • Westminster-Canterbury (WC) High Rise and Memory Center Expansion – City Council and the City were officially served on Nov. 13th. They have 21 days to reply from that date.  The Go Fund Me campaign has raised $22k of the $30k goal.
  • Marina Shores Apartment Expansion – A 60 unit 5 story (65ft tall) building is being proposed along North Great Neck Rd. where the apartment’s tennis courts are currently located. This project is being presented to the Bayfront Advisory Commission on Nov. 19th.  Updates will be provided.
  • Marlin Bay Apartment Complex – 227 units 4 story buildings are being proposed at the intersection of Marlin Bay Drive and Shore Drive. This project is being presented to the Bayfront Advisory Commission on Nov. 19th. Updates will be provided.
  • Windsong Development – 411 units off of Pleasure House Road in Chic’s Beach. This project is scheduled to go before Planning Commission in December.  This project is being presented to the Bayfront Advisory Commission on Nov. 19th.  Updates will be provided.

Short Term Rental Overlay Districts Proposed Cape Story by the Sea – Councilman Jim Wood asked for an ordinance change to create a STR overlay district in Cape Story which will allow “By Right” use of residents for STRs as long as they meet the guidelines in the code.  Cape Story by the Sea Civic Association voted on Nov. 9th to oppose any STR overlay district in its neighborhood.  The BAC will vote at their Nov. 19th meeting on a STR position for the Bayfont.  SDCC will be discussing and voting on a position statement for STR Overlays in the Bayfront.

 

New Business –

City Council Policy for Public Outreach and Engagement – City Council is proposing a new policy for civic engagement for development applications.  Council voted to indefinitely defer the approval of this policy to allow time for adequate public engagement to be held and gather citizens input.  It was suggested the Bayfront/Shore Drive be a focus area for input.  Oh the irony…

  

Next SDCC Meeting – No meeting in December.  Happy Holidays

BAYFRONT ADVISORY COMMISSION PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE IN MEETING LOCATION Virginia Beach Convention Center, Suite 5 1000 19th Street November 19

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Agenda:

REGULAR SESSION CALL TO ORDER – 3:30 pm APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Review and Approval of Minutes from 10/15/2020

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Welcome Guests and Introductions – Phil Davenport, Chair

STAFF REPORTS & UPDATES

COMMITTEE REPORTS & UPDATES

Design – Bob Magoon, Faith Christie, Joe Bovee (volunteer) Communications – Vacant

Public Safety, Transit, Parking & Pedestrian Access – Charles Malbon

PROJECT BRIEFINGS/DISCUSSION ITEMS

1) E and R incorporated, 4600 Lookout Road, (HK on the Bay)

2) Presmont Construction Services, LLC, 4769 Shore Dr. (7-Eleven)

3) MS Virginia Beach, LLC, 2257 Willow Oaks Rd (Marina Shores Apartments.

4) MP Shore, LLC, 3829 & 3785 Shore Drive (Marlin Bay Apts.)

5) Short Term Rental Ordinance and Cape Henry District

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

COMMUNITY REPORTS & UPDATES ADJOURN

Thanks to Mark for the info!

Bayfront Advisory Commission (BAC) Meeting Agenda for Thurs. Oct. 15th at 3:30pm. Councilman Jim Wood has been asked to speak on his Short Term Rental Overlay Ordinance

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Bayfront Advisory Commission (BAC) Meeting

Thurs. Oct. 15th at 3:30pm at Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad

Councilman Jim Wood has been asked to speak on his

Short Term Rental (STR) Overlay Ordinance

Residents of Cape Story by the Sea and Ocean Park (locations of proposed overlay districts) may want to attend since this may be the only public discussion opportunity other than upcoming Planning Commission and City Council public hearings.
***UPDATE – Both Councilmen Wood and Jones have confirmed their attendance per BAC Chair email***
From: Phil Davenport, BAC Chair
Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2020 8:43 AM
Subject: RE: Tomorrow’s BAC meeting
Both CC members, Jones and Wood, are planning to attend today’s BAC meeting. 
Also, because at least one of them needs to leave by 4:30, I will likely move the SRT issue to the first item.
Thank you.

 

Click here for a printable version of the agenda – BAC Agenda 10.15.20

PROPOSED SHORT TERM RENTAL REGULATION CHANGES City Council Briefing September 15, 2020 are controversial in the new proposed Overlay Districts in Bayfront

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View Councilman Jones / Vice Mayor Wood proposal documents presented at City Manager Briefing September 15th[Note: VBGov.com broke the link again. Use Download links below for PDF.]

General overview of changes

■ Allow STRs, by-right, in certain specific locations of the City if they meet criteria
■ No Conditional Use Permits–STRs cannot operate elsewhere in the City
■ Regulations for Sandbridge are not changed
■ Regulations for other areas where STRs are permitted reflect current City Council imposed conditions on STRs with modification on number of rentals and required response by property owner or representative

Download Jones/Wood documents PDF of proposed changes.

View slides presented by Planning Director of STR proposed changes at City Manager Briefing.[Note: VBGov.com broke the link again. Use Download links below for PDF.]

Download PDF Planning Director slideshow.