Category Archives: WCCB

WCCB Survey Summary Results

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Question 08 Comments PDF 1

I am a long time resident and a local Realtor that has clients living in the immediate area of Ocean Shore Ave and other condos down there. I also am currently representing a buyer that is concerned about a purchase on Urchin Rd because of the Westminster expansion. There are many concerns about personal property being devalued (city assessments are already dropping in the immediate area). I am also seriously concerned that because of the money and influence from the residents of Westminster this will get pushed through one way or another and any high rise of that caliber will have a high impact of the values there. Construction will have an environmental impact. And a high rise being allowed will open the way for new and similar developments and negatively impact the community.

Question 08 Comments PDF 2

The area of Shore Drive surrounding Westminster is a close and intimate community. If residents here wanted high rise living we would be at the ocean front. In order to preserve living style diversity we need to reserve some beach front areas as quiet community living.

Question 08 Comments PDF 3

This area of the city must have more senior care facilities. Independent living as well as assisted living are a going to be a big growth factor in less than ten years. The current Westminster Canterbury buildings on Shore Drive have been good for the neighborhood for over thirty years. They haven proven time and time again that they do a lot of good for the community and local area. Let them expand and build additional building. They are the number one provider of a full service living home environment in America Which treats all seniors medical and living needs. Westminster Canterbury is a not for profit run base organization. They give back to their residents and local area non residents, senior medical care needed. If Westminster Canterbury does not make this investment to build a first class “state of the latest” building, then some other will build and it would be a real eye sore investor run failure of a senior center. Thank you

Question 08 Comments PDF 4

I live and work here. While Westminster has good people there, I also think we must take into consideration the experience of the neighborhoods around it. The proposed construction is too big and I believe will have a negative impact on neighbors.

Question 08 Comments PDF 5

I live in Baylake Pines and have on and off since 1955. The high density housing that is going on everywhere along SD is ruining the ambience and qualities of life here. The destruction of view shed Thursday, Feb 13th at Lesner Bridge should serve as huge example. The city should reign in the exploration of this once very beautiful area.

Question 08 Comments PDF 6

I live on Starfish Road – so the traffic, parking and loss of the publicly owned beach access affect my quality of life greatly. The proposal is too big for the area – I have concerns about how this affects the Thursday, Feb 13th EMS services response times if they are tied up at WC like they were in December when there was a laundry room fire at WC (15+ EMS units on site).

Note: One random comment from each PDF highlighted above. There are hundreds who responded.

“Ocean Shore Condominium (OSC) and other area property owner’s concerns re: Westminster Canterbury on the Chesapeake Bay expansion.”

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View DLM Architects Design Review Memo No. 3. (4 page pdf)

Includes:

City Code, Appendix A – Zoning, ARTICLE 9, Section 901, Senior Housing is limited to a height of 165 feet. AHousing for seniors and disabled persons or handicapped, including convalescent or nursing; maternity homes; day-care centers other than covered under permitted principal uses herein above, provided that the maximum height shall not exceed one hundred sixty-five (165) feet;@ The independent living tower in the proposed project significantly exceeds this limitation. Required: reduce the height of the tower to comply.

Wind Scour: The close proximity between the OSC and WC site increases the local wind speed, wind scour and turbulence between these Bayfront buildings resulting in more drifting sand, damaged vegetation and damage to the roofing of the westernmost OSC buildings. Required: Construct wind breaks at the dune line. This wasn’t addressed in the planning staff’s comments.

Stormwater run-off: There is no indication of stormwater retention on the preliminary drawings or how the stormwater requirements are to be met. Required: a net reduction in impervious surface area from the existing use(s).

“While it is the most densely populated area of the City, it is primarily a neighborhood residential area. The general planning goals and policies in the Comprehensive Plan include preserving and protecting the character, economic value, and aesthetic quality of the established neighborhoods.”

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Applicant & Owner Westminster Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay Public Hearing March 11, 2020 City Council Election District Lynnhaven

View Staff Report in PDF.

Some highlights:

In 1977, a Conditional Use Permit was granted to the property for a Home for the Aged, Disabled and Handicapped to operate a Continuing Care Retirement Community.

The development will be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan’s vision for the Suburban Area Bayfront Community, the goals of which is to preserve and protect the character, economic value, and aesthetic quality of established neighborhoods.

The proposed 22-story tower will be approximately 250’ tall.

The Property, when developed, shall not exceed a total of 674 Independent Living units, 75 Assisted Living units, 48 Memory Support units, and 108 Skilled Nursing units. Total parking provided will be 1,096 parking spaces.

The general planning goals and policies in the Comprehensive Plan include preserving and protecting the character, economic value, and aesthetic quality of the established neighborhoods.

SDCC Requests Planning Commission to DENY proposed development by Westminster Canterbury

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The following request has been sent to the Planning Commission requesting they DENY the current proposed expansion of Westminster Canterbury.

 

Dear Ms. Oliver and Planning Commission Members,

On behalf of the Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC), we formally request that the Planning Commission “DENY” the subject request from Westminster Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay (WCCB) for a modification of conditions to build a 4 story parking garage with 22 story tower senior living facility and a 7 story memory unit facility connected by enclosed elevated pedestrian bridges over public roadways.

The SDCC is a 20 year old umbrella civic organization representing many neighborhood civic leagues, condo and homeowner associations along the Shore Drive corridor. At our February general meeting, we unanimously voted on the following motion regarding the current proposed WCCB development,

“The Shore Drive Community Coalition opposes the Westminster Canterbury expansion proposal as it is in violation of the Shore Drive Overlay density restrictions and the Business 901 height restrictions”

We understand that it’s the Planning Commission responsibility to review projects and determine if they are in accordance with existing City codes and to allow variances based on hardships. As our motion states, the proposed project is considered multi-family senior living housing that violates the following City codes and has no hardships.

• Shore Drive Corridor Overlay Section 1704- Density requirements of maximum 24 units per acre.
• Business District Section 901 – Senior housing building height restriction of 165 feet.

The SDCC feels that this project would also set a harmful precedent for future development requests of high density tower structures in Business B2 and B4 zoning that would be incompatible with the surrounding residential and lower density multi-family dwellings that make the Shore Drive Corridor unique.

Thank you for your consideration in denying the subject application,
Todd Solomon – SDCC President

Ocean Shore Condos & Ships Watch request your help over WCCB current expansion plans

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Important Email addresses:

    Mayor & all City Council: CityCouncil@vbgov.com

    Planning Commission Chairwoman: branch.oliver@gmail.com

    Planning Commission: planadmn@vbgov.com

    Staff Planner: WLandfair@vbgov.com

Use this link to Email Planning Commission Chairwoman, Staff Planner, Mayor and City Council.

Partial list of concerns being shared about current WCCB expansion plans:

Dear March 11th Planning Commission participants,

I am sure by now that all of you have sent your letters out to the Mayor, the individuals of the Planning Commission and the City Council. Now it is time for the next step in our process to limit the encroachment of Westminster Canterbury on the Shore Drive District. However, if you have not sent your letter as of yet, it is not too late. Please send your letter and encourage any of your friends and family in Virginia to write a letter opposing the expansion of Westminster Canterbury as it now stands.

There are several things that we need to do in order to continue our fight and increase the pressure on the Planning Commission and then ultimately the City Council.

    1) Please make every effort to attend the Planning Commission on March 11th, 2020, 12:00 pm. The meeting will be at the Municipal Center, building #1. The meeting is scheduled to start at 12:00 pm, but I would like to encourage everyone to be there by 11:00 am. We understand that Westminster Canterbury is going to try to pack the meeting. We would like all of you and anyone else you can bring to be able to be seated in the meeting room. Also, there is a meeting at 9:00 am by the Planning Commission. The 9:00 am meeting will be in the same location as above, but we will not be able to speak at this meeting. The purpose of this meeting is for the Planning Commission to discuss the expansion. I believe it will give us great insight to their thought process. In addition, the more people the Planning Commission sees at the meetings, the more pressure it will put on their decision making process.
    2) We also need to have speakers at the 12:00 pm meeting. If you are willing to speak, please let us know. Please email paulterkeltaub@me.com and let us know your intention to speak. We want you to address the Planning Commission in your own words, but we do have topics that we want to make sure are covered. Listed below are the topics we wish to have individuals talk about in front of the Planning Commission. Please pick one or two topics that you would like to address. We want to make sure all topics are covered. You will have 3 minutes to state your position. All that we ask is that you respond to Paul above and let us know what topic or topics you will be addressing. We want to make sure all of the important points are covered.

The topics that we would like to see addressed are as follows:

    Reduce the height of the building from 22 stories to 14 stories.
    Have the building built of the same type of brick the other buildings are built of instead of glass to keep continuity within the development.
    If the building is built of glass, we would like the City to require them to do a solar study so that we will understand what the implications will be for the surrounding buildings.
    If the building is made of glass, we would like to know the implications of how much light it will put out at night.
    Whether the building is 22 stories or 14 stories, we would like to have a wind study done so we will understand the impact on the surrounding buildings as well as the beach.
    We would like to see a shadow study done to understand the implications for surrounding buildings as well as the beach.
    We would like the parking lot expanded to accommodate more cars. They need to allow two cars for each unit as well as parking for the staff. In addition, the parking lot needs to be designed to accommodate senior drivers.
    The City needs to restrict parking on Starfish and turn this into a 4 lane road having a dedicated right hand turn lane.
    The City needs to elongate the left hand turn lane from Shore Drive onto Starfish due to the increased traffic.
    The City needs to require a current traffic study. The prior study was done before The Overture and The Chesapeake on The Bay Condos, both on Shore Drive and The Pearl off of Great Neck Road by the marina were built. None of these have been leased or sold to capacity at this time.
    We would like to strongly encourage Westminster Canterbury to flip the tower with the assisted living facility.
    We would like them to keep the beach access where it is or at least on their property and not next to Ocean Shore Condos. The way the beach access is being planned, Westminster Canterbury will be creating a private beach for their residents that the public will not be able to access.
    3) The attorney and architect for Ocean Shore Condos will be addressing the technical parts of the project, but we need all of you to help us address the human side of such a large development. This is for all owners and renters in the Shore Drive District.

Please help us to preserve our neighborhood.

Very Truly Yours,

Each of you can change my email and sign this and send out to your perspective communities and organizations. Please feel free to make any changes you would like.

When emailing Planning Commission members, Mayor & City Council – anyone with CoVB -be sure to be respectful and truthful.

Important Email addresses:

    Mayor & all City Council: CityCouncil@vbgov.com

    Planning Commission Chairwoman: branch.oliver@gmail.com

    Planning Commission: planadmn@vbgov.com

    Staff Planner: WLandfair@vbgov.com

Use this link to Email Planning Commission Chairwoman, Staff Planner, Mayor and City Council.

Learn more about Planning Commission here.

“You’re building something that is going to be a permanent landmark on the beach. You want it to be right.”

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Video & story at 13NewsNow.com.

The Shore Drive Community Coalition is opposed to the expansion as it is now. They are concerned about the increased height and density. They and many others said there was not enough dialogue.

“In an effort to keep our neighbors, friends and other interested parties informed, this page will be continually updated with fresh information about our expansion project as plans develop.”

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Westminster-Canterbury shares info about their expansion plans on their website.

Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay has been a part of the Shore Drive community for nearly four decades.

Ocean Shore Condos & Ships Watch is having a meeting at OPVRS re:WCCB proposed expansion and you’re invited.

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Public engagement meeting announcement from email:

We try to limit the information we send out on this website because we do not want people to ignore the emails. This email contains 3 items that need your attention. Please act upon them as appropriate.

1) In lieu of a board meeting this month, we will be having a special meeting to update everyone on the latest news about The Westminster Canterbury expansion plans. In addition, we will be offering assistance with ideas and recommendations for anyone that needs help in writing letters to the planning commission, the city council and the mayor with your opinions about the expansion and how it will negatively impact Ocean Shore Condos as well as the surrounding community. The meeting will be held on Thursday, February 27th at 5:30pm at the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Hall, 3769 East Stratford Road. This meeting will be a combined meeting with Ocean Shore Condo and Ships Watch. Please feel free to invite anyone else that you know would be interested in this issue.

2) We would also appreciate it if you would take a few moments to complete the 8 question survey that is attached. In addition, if you would forward this to any other residents in Virginia Beach that you know would oppose the Westminster Canterbury expansion, it would be helpful. We have already had 400 people respond to the survey. https://weloveshoredrive.com/2020/02/13/did-you-know-wccb-is-seeking-variances-to-redevelop-17-acres-in-the-bayfront-please-take-our-survey/

3) This is a meeting that we would like everyone to attend. Once again, if you have any friends or family that are residents of Virginia Beach and can make this meeting please bring them along. We want to not only pack the room for this meeting, we want an overflow crowd. We will have our attorney and are architect at this meeting representing us as well as individuals that will speak on the condos behalf. However, the most important thing is to have bodies at this meeting. Unfortunately, the planning commission meeting is on March 11th, 2020 at 12:00pm. The meeting will take place at The Municipal Center Building 1 on the 2nd Floor. We realize this is in the middle of the work day, but this is so important that I would encourage any of you that are able to take off of work to attend this meeting. If you need transportation to this meeting please contact Paulterkeltaub@me.com or at (757) 630-3774 and we will make sure you have transportation.

OPVRS, or Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Google map.
Enter door opposite Shore Drive.

Did you know WCCB is seeking variances to redevelop ~17 acres in the bayfront? PLEASE TAKE OUR SURVEY.

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WCCB – Westminster Canterbury by Chesapeake Bay- has been “working with the City for about a year” on redeveloping 16.88 acres in the bayfront.

Planning Commission is scheduled to have a public hearing and vote as soon as MARCH 11 ’20.

CLICK HERE to start 8 question SURVEY.

SURVEY ENDS March 10. PLEASE TAKE IT NOW and share it.

We will be making the Survey results public.

Thank you!

Rendering of proposed redevelopment that needs regulatory approvals.

Lynnhaven Colony Civic League Meeting – Westminster Canterbury Presentation. “All welcome, need not be a member to attend.”

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Link at Next-Door.com.

Lynnhaven Colony Civic League Meeting will have a presentation by Westminster Canterbury of their proposed expansion. They propose building a 22 story building at the former Lynnhaven fishing pier with additional construction.
All welcome, need not be a member to attend.

Sat, Feb 8, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Dockside Seafood & Fishing Center

Westminster-Canterbury rendering of proposed 22 story building and more plus Modification of Conditions Application to CoVB files.

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View renderings supplied to City. ( 26 page PDF)

View Westminster Canterbury Modification of Conditions Application. ( 15 page PDF )