Shore Drive gets shafted yet again. So far.
While OceanFront again secures infinite funding, the Bayfront Shuttle budget gets SLASHED IN HALF.
“Route 35 Bayfront – The frequency will be modified to operate every 60-minutes. Route 35 will not provide service to Parks Avenue/19th Street. Service will be streamlined along Pacific Avenue. Route 35 will service the Edgar Cayce A.R.E on 67th St.”
BAYFRONT SHUTTLE ROUTE 35 at HRT.
Equitable safety improvements for cyclists & pedestrians like contiguous sidewalks & bike lanes are coming to Shore Drive!
Read the news here where Vice Mayor Jones was quoted:
“I think the council is committed to getting the improvements done[.]”
* Remember when the powers that be tried making Shore Drive 6 LANES in the 90s?!
Remarkably, the then named Shore Drive Advisory Committee(SDAC) heard the presentation from the Shore Drive Safety Task Force at their April 20th 2006 meeting.
Highlights:
Here is the entire report from the Shore Drive Safety Task Force from April 20 2006. [LOL CITY OF VB BROKE THAT LINK. AGAIN. CUZ NEW WEBSITE. 🤡]
SHORE DRIVE SAFETY TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS ADOPTED BY CITY COUNCIL 2006. (PDF open in new tab)
SDAC, now named the Bayfront Advisory Commission(BAC) has their public meeting today at 330pm at the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad where they will be grappling with the news of yet another PROPOSED delay in upgrading circa 1950s infrastructure in the “Gateway to the OceanFront & Virginia Beach” while the OceanFront continuously receives virtually infinite money for almost every idea proposed there.
Coverage of Shore Drive by WTKR’s Angela Bohon.
“Decades long controversy”
PUBLIC COMMENT on PROPOSED BUDGET TOMORROW
“Residents wishing to make comments during the hearings must register with the City Clerk’s Office by calling 757-385-4303 prior to 5 p.m. on the day of the hearing. If participating virtually, please also register via WebEx.”
Start here for PROPOSED Budget.
First 27 minutes 30 seconds is discussion about why no presentation.
~ 27 minutes 35 seconds starts “Budget Reduction Options”.
~ 2 hours 53 minutes starts Presentation for Proposed CIP for Transportation Section including Phase 4 Deferred/Delay. Lower your expectations accordingly.
All you people who came out against 6 lane Shore Drive have delayed 2 miles of contiguous sidewalks in the 2nd most densely populated area in VB for 30 years.
The Gateway to Virginia Beach, which is located on the Chesapeake Bay, has now become a high priority on par with the Oceanfront.
Woo hoo!
Thanks to Hank for the Agenda.
Two important items:
1) Discussion of proposed Noise Ordinance – City Attorney Mark Stiles will be available to answer questions regarding the City’s proposed changes to the Noise Ordinance.
STAFF REPORTS
Commercial Area Pattern Book Status Update – this is about guidelines for future redevelopment of Bayfront area & VB.
BAYFRONT ADVISORY COMMISSION(BAC) meets at Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad(OPVRS) at 3769 E. Stratford Drive. (enter on side opposite Shore Drive)
Thanks to Hank for providing the Agenda & the “Shore Drive section of the draft Commercial Area Pattern Book” update. “WPA is working on an updated draft and have told me they will send it over by next week, so hopefully I will be able to send you all an updated version of the document prior to BAC on Thursday.”
Commercial Area Pattern Book at VBGov.com. Several slides re: Shore Drive from draft PDF below.
Draft PDF including Shore Drive slides available here at VBGov.com.
Subject: Proposed Noise Ordinance – SpeakUpVB
On behalf of Council Member Tower and myself, we invite you to participate as a stakeholder and provide your feedback on this issue. City Council is soliciting input regarding the proposed amendments to the City of Virginia Beach’s noise ordinance through a survey that is now available online.
The survey can be accessed here https://publicinput.com/noiseordinance. If you do not have access to a computer or are otherwise unable to complete the online survey, please utilize the copy attached to the email to make your changes. The document can be returned to Nancy Bloom, 2401 Courthouse Dr., Suite 3054, Virginia Beach, VA 23456.
Please note that while comments are appreciated, the survey is requesting residents and stakeholders provide their suggested textual changes to the proposed amendments. There are two options available to participate in the online survey:
appreciate you providing your email address when you participate in the survey so we can continue to keep you informed regarding this important issue.
Finally, enclosed is a clean copy of the proposed ordinance for your reference. The current noise ordinance can be found at http://www.Municode.com (Select Code Library, then Virginia, then Virginia Beach; the relevant section is Chapter 23, Article II (Section 23-63 through Section 23- 73 of the City Code (not the City Charter)).
Rest assured that City Council has expressed as recent as the Tuesday, September 6, 2022, informal session that while a sixty-day timeline was set as forcing function, our peers on City Council have informed Council Member Tower and me to sustain a measure pace, but not to let the sixty-day deadline drive the submission of a proposal we do not believe is ready for public hearing before the full City Council.
If you have any questions concerning the survey, please contact Nancy Bloom at (757) 385- 6279.
Sincerely,
John D. Moss Encl
Public Works Announces Two Road Work Projects Starting on Aug. 15
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (Aug. 12, 2022) — Virginia Beach Public Works has announced two road improvement projects, one on Shore Drive and another on Edwin Drive, will begin on Monday, Aug. 15, 2022.
The work on Edwin Drive (north- and southbound) will be from:
The project on Shore Drive (east- and westbound) will occur from:
Both projects will include milling, paving, and pavement marking improvements. Work hours will begin at 7 p.m. each evening and end at 5 a.m. The projects will likely 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.
Work on Edwin Drive is scheduled to be complete by Wednesday, Aug. 24. Shore Drive improvements are scheduled to be complete by Wednesday, Aug. 31. All scheduled work is weather permitting.
Virginia Paving is the contractor for both projects. For additional information, contact Dennis Simon at 757-385-1470, or Lonnie Minson with Virginia Paving at 757-675-8714.
Or:
A brief history of attempting to use the beloved Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility(LBR&BF) as an industrial operation including safety conflicts with families, kids & boaters without checks & balances and logical rules & regulations for its safe use.
You probably heard by now BAC voted to support:
“AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF USE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE CITY AND INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY OWNERS PERMITTING USE OF THE CITY-OWNED LYNNHAVEN TRANSFER FACILITY FOR PRIVATE DREDGING PROJECTS”
We look forward to working with all stakeholders of the LBR&BF in ensuring “private dredging operations” will be safe and have the least amount of negative impact on this wildly popular VB Parks & Recreation facility.
We also look forward to seeing the words in “AN ORDINANCE”.
You might want to contact your City Council person today about this.
BRIEF HISTORY
Today:
We believe a couple of the rules might come from Beaches & Waterways Commission Report from 2012.
2018
“…there are no plans to use the wharf for a dredge materials transfer station.”
2012
2009
LBR&BF will not have dredge spoils transfer station
2008
Do you remember a barge hitting the Lesner Bridge days before City Council was to vote on making the LBR&BF a “dredge material transfer station”?
Do you remember a boat going up in flames in minutes on beach in river by LBR&BF?
Do you remember the tractor trailer delving to Starbucks losing all electronics – as in no brakes, no lights etc on Lesner Bridge & fortunately the skilled driver successfully jack knifed the truck to stop it which closed the Lesner Bridge for hours?
2007
A tv commercial!?
EXPECT DELAYS TOMORROW APPARENTLY.
💚 PLEASE HELP THE LAND CRITTERS & OUR WATER CRITTERS‼️
Why a PLASTIC BAG FEE makes good sense for Virginia Beach 👇🏽
🔴 Plastic bags are NOT FREE taxpayer dollars are spent cleaning up these and other nuisance plastics. The majority of the funds collected from bag fees will be returned to Virginia Beach to fund litter prevention and clean-up activities
🟢 Environment: Bag user fees reduce the plastic waste stream and protect the environment.
🟢 Reusable bags are better for the environment; many are not made from fossil fuels, but rather natural fibers, like cotton, and contrary to some misinformation, are NOT less “clean” compared to plastic bags.
🔴 Single-use bags are among the most commonly littered items in Virginia Beach and across the state (Virginians use nearly 3 billion annually!).
🔴 They end up on our roadways, waterways, and coastlines, threatening ecosystem health and creating eyesores. Reuse is also not usually an option as these bags have become thinner and tear-prone, causing grocery store baggers to double and triple bag items.
👉🏽 Please plan to attend the July 5th Council meeting at 6 PM to show your support 💚‼️
2401 Courthouse Drive,
City Hall Building #1, Room 281,
Municipal Center, Virginia Beach, VA.
If you want to speak in support, please call the City Clerk’s office in advance. A citizen who wishes to address the council concerning an agenda item must register with the city clerk or deputy city clerk at 757-385-4303 prior to the meeting.
If you’d rather not speak, then please consider showing up and being there for numbers and moral support. We’ll have a sticker for you to wear!
If you are unable to attend, please send an e-mail to all Virginia Beach City Council members voicing your support at CityCouncil@vbgov.com
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:
Looking for a great job at Pleasure House Point?
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direction of the school coordinator and staff, the person will work in providing assistance to the Coordinator and Teacher of the Environmental Studies. The employee in this class is responsible for performing clerical and instructional tasks as well as participating and supporting the daily indoor and outdoor activities.
The successful candidate must be able to work collaboratively with VBCPS team members, Chesapeake Bay Foundation staff, community stakeholders, and students.
See ya there!
From Mark:
BAYFRONT ADVISORY COMMISSION
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad
3769 E. Stratford Drive
(enter on side opposite Shore Drive)
April 21, 2022
CALL TO ORDER – 3:30 pm
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Review and Approval of Minutes from 3/17/22
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Welcome Guests and Introductions – Phil Davenport, Chair
STAFF REPORTS & UPDATES
Eastern Shore Drainage Lynnhaven Colony Pump Station
Open Space Program
64th Street Oyster Project (tentative)
COMMITTEE REPORTS & UPDATES
Design – Bob Magoon
Communications – Vacant
Public Safety, Transit, Parking & Pedestrian Access – Martin Thomas
PRESENTATIONS/COMMISSION ITEMS
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
COMMUNITY REPORTS & UPDATES
ADJOURN
We apologize for the last minute notice. Please pass this information on to all your friends and we hope you will be able to attend Monday evening’s membership meeting to hear Councilman Moss speak.
Special Presentation – Councilman John Moss has accepted our last minute invitation to talk to us about current issues and projects that Council will be working on in the next few months. Councilman Moss represents the new District #9 that covers Shore Drive from the Norfolk border to the west side of the Lesner Bridge. Note: Councilman Jones covers the new District #8 from the east side of the Lesner to the State Park (Kendall St.). Councilman Moss will discuss these new districts, the new Flood Protection Program and other items specific to the Bayfront area.
An updated agenda can be found below
From OPCL.org:
Breaking News: The developers of the Marlin Bay Apartment complex have sent a letter to the city withdrawing the project from the City Council agenda. We support their request to withdraw the application and we thank the developers and owners for listening to the community’s concerns and reconsidering the potential redevelopment of those lots. We look forward to working with them on finding a mutual solution to this and other projects within the community.
Time to pursue an inspiring highest & best use for that unique parcel?
Take action now: Opportunity to change your Oct 19 attending City Council plans + dream big what you & especially your kids would like to be part of creating.
View current plan for Marlin Bay Apartments.
Is 197 apartments adjacent to Pleasure House Point the best land use of this parcel in The Gateway to Virginia Beach located near the internationally renowned Brock Environmental Center in a City that is 2nd nationally for impact from sea level rise after only New Orleans?
View details about Planning Commission Hearing
A Public Hearing of the Virginia Beach Planning Commission will be held on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall, Building 1, 2nd Floor at 2401 Courthouse Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23456. Members of the public will be able to observe the Planning Commission meeting through livestreaming on http://www.vbgov.com, broadcast on VBTV, and via WebEx. Citizens who wish to speak can sign up to speak either in-person at the Council Chamber or virtually via WebEx by completing the two-step process below. A Staff briefing session will be held at 9:00 a.m.. All interested parties are invited to observe.
#WeLoveShoreDrive 