Magna Carta visit to Va Beach

Mac Rawls, chairman of Virginia Beach 2007, said the city’s investment is worthwhile to connect the Magna Carta, the first landing at Cape Henry and the forming of the United States’ government.

“Virginia Beach is a very important player in the history of our country,” Rawls said. “I don’t think we realize that sometimes.”
Read the entire article at Pilotonline.com.

VB Resort & Conference Center CUP approved by City Council

The issue brought out Bayfront residents on both sides of the issue.
Some of the residents who live closest to the hotel and had complained the most about the loud music left the meeting threatening to vote against some of the council members in the next election.

“We are a residential community,” Leslie Cornwell said. “We’re Shore Drive; we’re not the Oceanfront.”
Read the entire article at Pilotonline.com.

Owner of Lake Joyce property that was alledgedly illegally filled over time, asks for Permit to buil

It could also set a precedent that appears to reward, or at least overlook, filling of land that is owned by the city based on original plats.

What?

The Applicant has dealt with this parcel located on Lake Joyce in such a complicated manner including not communicating with ‘the public’ about his plans that to be fair, the SDCC firmly believes City Council must Defer action on it tonight so many issues can be resolved amicably.

VB Resort & Conference Center’s Conditional Use Permit App Info

You may remember, the Virginia Beach Resort & Conference Center is required to file for a Conditional Use Permit to continue to have music on their deck. Previously at SDCC.info.

It is being heard by City Council this evening. SDCC has not taken a position on this.

Press about Wetlands Board Informal Public Hearing

On Monday, during an informal session, some board members expressed concerns about the project.

Board member Nils Bahringer said he wants to make sure that the 6.1 acres of wetlands that Sandler is creating to replace wetlands that would be destroyed by the project will be sustainable.
Read the entire article at Pilotonline.com.

Indigo Dunes Wetlands Board Hearing Monday, May 21st 2007 at 9:30am

This is it.

This is about one of the most important Public Hearings on Indigo Dunes.

They want to fill in existing wetlands on Pleasure House Point & they need approval.

What they are asking to do could very well set a negative precedent for the entire Commonwealth if approved.

Pleasure House Point in between First Landing and Henrytowne since 1610?

Archaeologist Randy Amici contends that a fort existed at Cape Henry in the early 17th century and that an English settlement was established at or near what is now Baylake Pines, a neighborhood off Shore Drive, near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.

“It is something that nobody who has studied the period has come across before, which is surprising,” said Nicholas Luccketti, principal archaeologist for the James River Institute for Archaeology.

Think there could be significant ‘finds’ at property in between the First Landing & the possible location of HenryTowne?

Read more at Pilotonline.com.

Local film student creating movie about Indigo Dunes

Chris Groffman is hard to reach. ?Can you send me the questions by e-mail?? Groffman asks when reached by cellphone earlier this week. He?s in the middle of shooting a film, he explains.
Read more at Pilonline’s Under The Boardwalk Blog.

What else is wrong with Indigo Dunes New JPA?

It was rumored the New JPA for Indigo Dunes was submitted to show less of an impact than their original plan but it clearly states the new plan will destroy more wetlands under the City’s Wetlands Board Jurisdiction.

In JPA #1 it states that “Of these amounts, only 0.90 acres of vegetated tidal wetlands and 0.44 acres of non-vegetated tidal wetlands are within the jurisdiction of the Virginia Beach Wetlands Board.” Or 1.34 acres.

The JPA #2 says that “of the planned impacts, only 1.51 acres are within the jurisdiction of the Virginia Beach Wetlands Board.

Why the increase with the new JPA? Is this too an error? If it is an error, if and when will it corrected? When will the public be notified so they know? Should the scheduled Wetlands Board Hearing still go forward on February 19th?

Source:
Joint Permit Application for Indigo Dunes #1
First PDF File, page 69.

Source:
Joint Permit Application for Indigo Dunes #2
Second PDF File, page 31.

Wetlands Board Member Contact Info.
Mr. Bryan Plumlee is the new Chairman.

Rescued pelicans would love your extra fish

Shelter officials were relying on donations, but as of Wednesday they were desperate for fish to buy.

The pelicans rescued in Rudee Inlet a few days ago are getting much healthier but the SPCA Wildlife Rehab center needs more fish. Please Help!

They’re hungry and would love some fish! To donate please contact Laura at LRNow using her [encode=lbaity@lynnhaven2007.com]email address[/encode].

Blood Drive at Resort & Conference Center February 27th

They’re having a Blood Drive on Tuesday, February 27, 2007 from 10am-4pm here at the hotel.

Goal is 50 pints so please stop by!
Blood Drive Flyer.[1pg PDF]
VirginiaBeachResort.com.

New changes to New Indigo Dunes JPA not yet available to public

On Friday, we contacted the appropriate City staff who are reviewing Indigo Dunes’ New JPA.

Based on an early quick review there are again, numerous errors that we pointed out.

Today, less than 2 weeks from the scheduled Wetlands Board Hearing, we’ve found out more documents about the project were submitted on February 1st that the public has not yet been able to view.

Request new JPA for Indigo Dunes also be corrected & resubmitted for review

As before, when we asked for the JPA to be corrected & resubmitted for review, we’ve asked the new JPA be corrected including receipt of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science review, before the Wetlands Board can hear it.

Also, many (all?) of the renderings of the proposed grades are not consistent with the elevation profiles on the same page. And…The difference in these depictions is confusing.  Which proposal is correct?

Click ‘Read more’ to read the letter we sent to regulators Friday .

Shore Drive shut down for Super Bowl fire

The fire was in one of the white houses located between Yellow Fins & Croakers last night. Fortunately no one was hurt. East bound Shore Drive was closed for some time.

Thanks to Chris G. for the photos.

Attempted arm robbery at Bank of America on Pleasure House Rd, shots fired, suspects still at large

Current as of 12:10PM Saturday. Both suspects still at large considered armed & dangerous.

Saturday article in Pilotonline.com. [Not accurate in that there are 2 suspects and not 1 according to Police.]
More at WTKR.com.
More at Pilotonline.com.

According to Police:
Suspect vehicle is possibly a black Acura or Nissan Altima. 2 suspects ,one black male with a shotgun. White male, camie hat, black ski mask, green rain jacket, or blue denim jacket, 25-30 years old 150/160 lbs. Both last seen on foot in general area of the bank.

Rescued pelicans would love your help - Fish please!

At least 11 more malnourished and frostbitten brown pelicans were rescued Thursday, one day after nine unhealthy birds were captured. Wildlife rehabilitators, animal rescue volunteers and staff with the [SPCA] spent much of the day wrangling the pelicans around Lake Rudee…

You too can help! They’re hungry and would love some fish! To donate please contact Laura at LRNow using [encode=lbaity@lynnhaven2007.com?Subject=I Have Fish]her email address[/encode].
More at VBSPCA Wildlife Program.

Wetlands Watch has graphics explaining jurisdictional boundaries

What?! Yes… it can be very confusing!

Learn more about what DEQ, Wetlands Board, Army Corp, etc have jurisdiction/authority over and as a special bonus…find out what the heck MLW, Subaqueous Lands & more means.

Tidal wetlands & Pleasure House creek.

Planner with Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance office writes Indigo Dunes doesn’t meet intent of the l

The 3 page letter [PDF] dated December 20th, 2006 by Shawn E. Smith, Principal Environmental Planner, reports approval of Indigo Dunes would certainly set a dangerous precedent.

Don’t live in Va Beach & want your voice heard in opposition to Indigo Dunes?

Go to NoIndigoDunes.com and join the Google Group on that page.

The following was posted in the No Indigo Dunes – There are Alternatives Google Group:

Due to popular demand!

As you know, ‘The Petition’ is only for Virginia Beach residents and landowners.
Many of you have asked how your voice can be heard so we’ve come up with a solution at tonight’s SDCC meeting.

Here’s 2 options.

1. Post your thoughts, include your name and where you live under this ‘discussion’ and we’ll ensure Virginia Beach City Council hears your voice.

2. Mail your thoughts, include your name and where you live, to:

Ocean Park Civic League, Inc.
c/o No Indigo Dunes!
P.O. Box 55385
Virginia Beach, VA 23471

Also….remember you can always tell everyone you know about http://www.NoIndigoDunes.com and you can donate funds or purchase No Indigo Dunes stuff.
Info at this link:
http://www.sdcc.info/more.php?id=794_0_1_0_M

See ya on February 19th!

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