The used car lot recently proposed for the property next to the entrance to the CBBT has been officially withdrawn from City Council’s agenda this evening.

Thanks to Shore Drive Auto Sales, owner of the property, for withdrawing this application.

After five years of study as to the appropriate development of the Shore Drive corridor to the oceanfront, I can not imagine that another used car lot is what this city wants as the first impression given to visitors to our area.

“Whatever happened to . . .” is a new column that will be published in the Pilot every Monday.
Reach Tony Germanotta at (757) 446-2377 or [encode=tony.germanotta@pilotonline.com]email him[/encode] to share your story.

The City Council is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a proposed used-car lot that residents say would hurt efforts to turn Shore Drive into a scenic bayfront corridor.
Read entire article at Pilotonline.com.

This would be an interesting excerpt pulled from your ‘Bayfront Vision’ ideas posted unedited, in it’s entirety using only your first name, last initial and street name or neighborhood as identification info.

Used car lots would be out of character at this location.  We are trying to maintain a certain flavor and decor to the corridor.  Please do not grant their request.

A number of lawyers contacted by The Virginian-Pilot said the ruling will have little or no immediate effect on Virginia residents because the General Assembly does not allow cities and counties to use eminent domain for economic development purposes.
Article at Pilotonline.com.

This Gateway Area to our resort area has great potential to create positive and lasting first impressions of our wonderful city as well as a more pleasurable, pedestrian and upbeat atmosphere for its Shore Drive residents. We have a road to travel to make that overall impression come true.

The Shore Drive Corridor needs some vision and our civic leaders to take the initiative to implement this vision.  This is a prime opportunity for you to begin the process.

I don’t support another car lot on Shore Drive. I do however believe that any group(s) monitoring development and redevelopment issues on Shore Drive particularly in the corridor between Lesner Bridge to Pleasure House Road need to work with the city to gain understanding of code compliant issues regarding existing structures, fences, signs and uses along this road that are not code compliant and deal with that first.

Unbelievably, by a vote of 5-4, the Supreme Court today:

… ruled that local governments may seize people’s homes and businesses—even against their will—for private economic development.

Pleasure House Point for a park?
Your house for a 6 lane Shore Drive?
An entire building of bayfront condos for a 6+ lane bridge?
Existing businesses for a larger big box store?

What do you think about this?

SDCC GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
May 23, 2005

Minutes:

1.    President Todd Solomon called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM.  Fifteen members and guests were present.

Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC)- General Meeting
Monday June 27, 2005
7:30pm to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Fire & Rescue Hall

The main topic of this month?s discussion will be final preparation for the Tuesday June 28th City Council review of the proposed Used Car Lot at the corner of North Hampton Blvd. and Shore Drive.  The City Council session begins at 6:00pm.  Get the word out.

Thanks to Dorinda for attending, taking notes and having them posted here for the public to view!
6/6/05 SDAC Meeting Heritage School

The kids at Heritage School surely are lucky.  We met in the caf?/auditorium of their new elementary school and it is beautiful?complete with a huge mural and a stage and tables with attached chairs on wheels which the old farts did not find too comfortable.
As I arrived well into Heather Ham?s report on the demo project and the bridge, Leslie will report on that.

And another email “application for a Used Car Dealership to be built at the corner of Northhampton Blvd and Shore Drive”.

Shore Drive is by it’s very location a rare gem that the City should protect and nurture. Creating planned, skilled cuts to a gem makes it more beautiful and more valuable.

Another email asking for denial of an “application for a Used Car Dealership to be built at the corner of Northhampton Blvd and Shore Drive”.

In the past I have appeared as a witness for exceptions. I am very much against this exception.  I am not opposed to change, I feel it needs to be ‘smart change’.

An email asking for denial of an “application for a Used Car Dealership to be built at the corner of Northhampton Blvd and Shore Drive”.

I’m sure the citizens of Ocean View in the 1950’s and 60’s never thought Ocean View would look like it did in the 1980’s. It didn’t happen overnight, it happened one business, one variance at a time.

Dear Shore Drive Residents,

On Tuesday June 28th, 2005 at 6:00pm in the City Council Chambers (Bldg #1, 2nd floor), City Council will review and vote on the application for a Used Car Dealership to be built at the corner of North Hampton Blvd and Shore Drive.  A large turnout at the Council Session is desparately needed to help defeat this request.  Please pass the word to all your neighbors.  Hand out flyers, hang posters, send out emails and make phone calls.  Tell your neighbors to turn our in force.  Rides to City Hall can be arranged at the Monday night SDCC general meeting.

The Landings, 3556, Ocean Park, Baylake Pines, Cape Henry, Lynnhaven Dunes, Cape Story by the Sea, and others were represented at the first meeting of Bayfront Vision.

Thanks to Edwina, Joe, Fred, Beverly, Richard [all of Lynnhaven Dunes Condos!], Todd, Chris, Tim & Alexise for participating in the 3rd co-cleanup.