What’s going to happen this weekend?
Obviously it would be extremely challenging for first responders to use roads surrounding the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility if this is allowed to happen again.
Governor Northam Announces Phase One Guidelines to Slowly Ease Public Health Restrictions. Phase One will begin no sooner than Friday, May 15.
View at Governor.Virginia.gov:
RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam signed Executive Order Sixty-One and presented a detailed framework for the first phase of the “Forward Virginia” plan to safely and gradually ease public health restrictions while containing the spread of COVID-19. The Phase One guidelines will be implemented when the data meets the public health criteria outlined by the Commonwealth. The new executive order modifies public health guidance in Executive Order Fifty-Three and Executive Order Fifty-Five and establishes guidelines for Phase One.
The Governor’s phased approach is grounded in science and data and includes mitigation strategies to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus through enhanced safety practices. The plan allows localities to consider delaying implementation of Phase One guidelines based on local conditions.
“I am proud of the millions of Virginians who have stayed home and helped to flatten the curve, but our work is not done,” said Governor Northam. . . .
Phase One guidelines for specific sectors are available here or at virginia.gov/coronavirus/forwardvirginia.
View the graphs and slides from the Governor’s presentation here.
City Council Decides to Move Forward on Hearing Planning Items Using Online and In-Person Social Distancing Practices.
Hello Shore Drive Residents,
I pray you are all doing well during these unprecedented times. Stay safe and stay healthy.
As City Council has been progressing with how they plan to continue public hearings during these trying times, the SDCC has asked Council to specifically defer all Planning Items that have opposition until normal reviews can be safely implemented.
Based on the May 5th Council hearing, video review of the meeting can be seen here, it appears Council is set to move forward with hearing all Planning Items even if they are highly opposed such as Westminster-Canterbury’s 22 story high rise Assisted Living Facility. Council has suggested to hold highly contested items such as Westmister-Canterbury in larger spaces like the Convention Center to allow for 6 foot social distancing requirements. Specific details are still being determined by Council, so please continue to follow our website posts to stay up to date on how and when these Planning Items will be heard.
Emails asking City Council to defer any Planning Item that has opposition.
Email 1:
Dear Mayor Dyer and Council Members,
I am sending this email again in regards to your review of hearing Planning Items during the State’s “Shelter in Place” by utilizing virtual meetings.
I would ask that no Planning items be heard unless failure to do so would result in irrevocable harm or have a direct impact on the pandemic emergency.
If you decide to start hearing general Planning items, then I would recommend you only hear items that have no opposition so you can vote on them by consent. If an item has any opposition, then it should be deferred until normal in person hearings can be resumed.
Thank you for this consideration,
Todd Solomon
Email 2:
Dear Mayor Dyer and Council Members,
I commend you all for working towards a method to allow for remote participation during various public meetings. Using technology to help maintain social distancing during these close quarter and sometimes large attendance gatherings is the right thing to do.
However, I am confused why the “Resolution to suspend certain portions of the City Council Speaker Policy” doesn’t include the suspension of Planning Agenda Items (Section 2.1) along with the recommendation to suspend Regular Agenda (Section 2.2) and Non-Agenda/Open-mic (Section 2.3) Items. Already, Planning Items from March and April are being deferred and I can’t think of any possible Planning Items directly related to the Covid19 crisis or ones where failure to act would result in irrevocable public harm.
With the Governor’s “Shelter in Place” decree effective until June 10th, wouldn’t the safest and smartest action be to also suspend Planning Items from City Council agendas during this emergency period?
If for some overarching legitimate reason the Planning Items have to remain, then I suggest that Planning Items with any opposition be automatically deferred as long as this emergency policy is in place. This would still allow unopposed items to be approved by consent. Deferring opposed items would minimize a resident’s health risk of attending Council meetings in person and should also make remote virtual meetings easier to manage since there will be less online speakers.
Thank you for your consideration to this request,
Todd Solomon
City Council Sets Special Meeting on May 7
View how to engage at VBGov.com:
On Thursday, May 7, 2020 at 4 p.m., the City Council will hold a workshop to discuss the search for a city manager and the monitoring of the FY 2020-2021 budget.
Members of Council may participate via electronic communication means provided that a quorum of Council is physically present at the meeting location, and the Council member provides notice that he or she is unable to physically attend the meeting for a reason set forth in the City Council Policy for Remote Participation by Councilmembers in Council Meetings, adopted March 31, 2020 (attached).
No public comment will be taken at this meeting, however because it is expected that three or more members of the City Council will be physically present, a few seats for the public will be available in the Council Chamber that are appropriately spaced apart. Citizens are encouraged to wear protective face coverings.
This meeting will be live-streamed on VBTV (Cox channel 48 & Verizon channel 45), VBgov.com/media and Facebook.com/CityofVaBeach.
The proposed budget is available at VBgov.com/budget. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, City staff presented a revised FY 2020-21 Budget and Resource Management Plan on Tuesday, April 14. It can be viewed on VBgov.com/media and youtube.com/VirginiaBeachTV.
For the latest information, please visit emergency.vbgov.com/coronavirus and follow us on facebook.com/CityofVaBeach, twitter.com/CityofVaBeach and instagram.com/cityofvabeach.
City Council Special Meeting – 05/05/2020
Can you DONATE BLOOD to the RED CROSS ?
Learn more at RedCross.org about Plasma Donations from Recovered COVID-19 Patients donating:
In coordination with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Red Cross is seeking people who are fully recovered from the new coronavirus to sign up to donate plasma to help current COVID-19 patients.
You can also learn more about how to DONATE BLOOD, POWER RED, PLASMA or PLATELETS here:
To support social distancing, appointments are now required. With thousands of blood drives cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are working hard to open new donation sites. If you don’t see available appointments near you in the near future, please search 7-10 days out. The need for blood is constant – patients need your help.
Governor Outlines Phased Plan to Safely, Gradually Ease Restrictions
View at Governor.Virginia.gov:
May 4, 2020—Governor Ralph Northam outlined a three-phase plan to ease restrictions on businesses and gatherings, when health data supports doing so.
Governor Northam said he will extend key provisions of Executive Order 53, which places restrictions on businesses and gatherings of more than 10 people, at least through next Thursday, May 14, at midnight. The Northam administration will continue to monitor health data to ensure that trends of positive cases are going downward, that hospital capacity remains steady, that testing is increased, and that hospitals and medical facilities have necessary supplies of PPE. For more information on key metrics, please see here.
Phase I of easing restrictions would continue social distancing, teleworking, recommendations that people wear face coverings in public, and the ban on social gatherings of more than 10 people. It would ease some limits on business and faith communities, and would transition the stay at home directive to a “safer at home” guideline, especially for those in vulnerable populations.
It is expected that Phase I would last two to four weeks, as would the two subsequent phases, depending on health metrics.
More specific guidance on each phase will be available in the coming days. Slides from the Governor’s briefing are available here.
Accurate, reliable information about COVID-19 can be found on the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) website.
Click to view slides from press conference.
Governor Northam Unveils Blueprint for Easing Public Health Restrictions
‘Forward Virginia’ blueprint informed by diverse health and business stakeholders, includes testing, tracing, and PPE priorities
‘Forward Virginia’ blueprint informed by diverse health and business stakeholders, includes testing, tracing, and PPE priorities
RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today presented the “Forward Virginia” blueprint, which will help guide the Commonwealth on when to safely begin easing public health restrictions. The blueprint includes a phased approach that is grounded in the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and has specific goals to contain the spread of the virus through increased testing, personal protective equipment and supplies, and medical capacity.
“We will move forward, but in a way that prioritizes public health and builds public confidence,” said Governor Northam. “Businesses know that customers will return only when they feel that it is safe to do so. Our blueprint for the path forward is data-driven and provides clear guidance, so Virginians will know what to expect and understand how we will decide to when to lift certain public health restrictions.”
Virginia is looking at a wide range of public health data. The Governor emphasized that key indicators will include a 14-day downward trend in confirmed cases as a percentage of overall tests and in reduced COVID-19 hospitalizations. While hospitalization rates have largely stabilized in the Commonwealth, confirmed cases continue to rise.
The Forward Virginia blueprint includes the following priorities:
TESTING AND TRACING
To ensure the continued safety of Virginians, the Commonwealth aims to test at least 10,000 individuals per day. Karen Remley, former Commissioner of Health and current co-chair of Virginia’s Testing Work Group, outlined a four stage approach to meet this goal prior to safe reopening. The expanded testing plan includes hiring contact tracers, who will support local health departments in identifying individuals who may be exposed to COVID-19 and helping them self-isolate.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is critical to ramping up testing, ensuring the safety of healthcare staff, and expanding the medical workforce. Virginia’s PPE pipeline is improving, and hospitals are successfully managing their supplies. The Governor cautioned that safely easing restrictions will require an ongoing stable PPE supply chain across all sectors of healthcare, and ensuring that the supply is regularly replenished.
Virginia has ordered 17.4 million N95 masks, 8.3 million surgical masks, 17.1 million gloves, 1.7 million gowns, and 1 million face shields. This includes a contract signed jointly with Maryland and the District of Columbia for 5 million N95 masks.
Governor Northam announced that a second shipment from Northfield Medical Manufacturing is scheduled to arrive today and will be promptly distributed. The latest shipment includes 3 million nitrile exam gloves, 100,000 N95 masks, 500,000 3-ply procedure masks, and 40,000 isolation gowns.
HOSPITAL CAPACITY AND STAFF
Hospitalizations and ICU admissions are largely stable across Virginia, even as case counts continue to rise. To ensure continued capacity as Virginia move towards “Phase One” of easing restrictions, Governor Northam yesterday extended the ban on elective surgeries through May 1 and expanded the ability of physicians’ assistants and nurse practitioners with two or more years of clinical experience to practice without a collaborative agreement.
The Virginia Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) continues to recruit and deploy medical and non-medical volunteers to bolster the work of local health departments, hospitals, and healthcare providers. The MRC currently has over 16,500 trained volunteers, more than halfway to Virginia’s goal of 30,000.
PHASE ONE OF EASING RESTRICTIONS
Governor Northam outlined key benchmarks Virginians can expect in the first phase, which will begin no sooner than two weeks from now to allow for a 14-day downward trend in confirmed COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
Phase one includes continued social distancing, teleworking, limits on travel and public gatherings, and recommended use of face coverings. Any easing of restrictions will be informed by public health experts, members of the Governor’s COVID-19 Business Task Force, state and local officials, and other stakeholders.
The Commonwealth is developing two sets of guidance: one with broad based recommendations for all businesses, and another with industry specific recommendations for public-facing businesses like restaurants and non-essential retail. The guidance will be provided to businesses in early May.
The slides from today’s presentation are available here.
# # #
Construction at Intersection of Shore Drive and North Great Neck Rd. Scheduled to Continue Until Sat. May 9th
The following are email updates from City Engineer Brad Vanderwarker regarding the storm water improvements along the Cape Henry Trail ditch and intersection with N. Great Neck Road. Work is scheduled to continue, weather permitting, over the next 2 weeks until Saturday May 9th. Traffic patterns at the intersection of Shore Drive and N. Great Neck and near the Cape Henry Trail will be changing to support the different construction operations, so please be aware and be safe.
Email #1 – Unfortunately, this up and down weather has been tough recently at N. Great Neck Road. We have coordinated with Traffic Engineering and should be complete with the storm drainage portion northerly up by the intersection by the end of this weekend (4/25).
Weather permitting next Monday, 4/27, we will drop back and work on the southerly drainage outfall near the Cape Henry Trail that is projected to last 1 week, till 5/2.
Following that work will be the restoration portion to include curb and gutter, sidewalk, driveway apron and paving along that entire corridor. We anticipate the restoration work to take one week (5/4-5/9).
Email #2 – I just received clarification that next week (4/27 thru 5/2), we will return traffic flow to normal using the dedicated right turn “slip ramp” with a taper transition to the left lane(s) of southbound N. Great Neck Road, during construction of the work near the CHC.
The following week (5/4 thru 5/9), when we are constructing the restoration elements, we will bring motorists all the way up to the signal and turn right.
Stay home. Stay informed. Stay safe.
New Traffic Pattern at Intersection of Shore Drive and North Great Neck Road
In support for Storm Water drainage improvements, a new traffic pattern will be temporarily used for the intersection of Shore Drive and North Great Neck Road.
The new pattern will be set up Monday through Saturday, 7am to 7pm for the next two to three weeks. Please be careful as you head south onto N. Great Neck at this intersection.
Click here to read the City’s News Release on this subject – 20200401-News Release – REVISED -N Great Neck Road – March 2020
UPDATE:
Virginia Beach Public Works has announced a change in the schedule for work crews as stated in the news release of 2/16/2020; RE: the Eastern Shore Drive Drainage Improvements project.
The work schedule for the crews is revised as follows for Southbound Traffic (west side) of North Great Neck Road:
Original Schedule:
7 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday, April 5, 2020 through June 7, 2020.
Revised Schedule:
Beginning April 6th, 2020, there will be daytime work through Friday (Saturday if needed) 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The road will be re-opened at the end of each daily shift, to include temporary paving of the excavation, clean up and removing traffic control before returning it to the original traffic pattern each evening. Work at this location is expected to be complete by April 24th, 2020.
City Seeks Input from Virginia Beach Residents and Business Owners on COVID-19 Impacts
The City has created two online surveys to identify critical needs and issues Virginia Beach residents and business owners are experiencing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to read this notice at the City’s website https://www.vbgov.com/news/pages/selected.aspx?release=4752&title=city+seeks+input+from+virginia+beach+residents+and+business+owners+on+covid-19+impacts
Resident Needs Assessment Survey
Virginia Beach residents can provide input relating to housing, employment and financial needs at PublicInput.com/COVID19Resident Needs through Friday, April 24.
Feedback from the Resident Needs Assessment survey will help guide the draft plan and priorities for funds the City will receive through the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to address housing needs, such as eviction prevention, homelessness prevention and shelter. Federal CARES Act funding amounts the City will be receiving and proposed uses can be found at VBgov.com/housing.
The Department of Housing & Neighborhood Preservation will present its draft plan on the proposed uses of Federal CARES Act funds for housing assistance during a City Council Special Session that will occur after the survey deadline. If approved, the City Council will be asked to authorize the proposed uses of funds by ordinance during the special session. An announcement will be made when the special session has been scheduled.
Business Needs Assessment Survey
Virginia Beach business owners can provide input relating to issues such as workforce and service impacts at PublicInput.com/COVID19BusinessNeeds through Friday, April 24.
Feedback from the Business Needs Assessment survey will help focus on areas in which the City can support the business community. The information will also be used to identify the resources and services businesses may need or find useful as they adapt, even temporarily, to the range of conditions imposed as a result of the pandemic.
Detour Scheduled for West Great Neck Road on Wed April 15th from 9pm to 4am
Click here to read in .pdf format West Great Neck Road Detour – April 15th 2020
VB Public Works Schedules Detour for West Great Neck Road
VA Beach Public Works has announced a detour for the area near West Great Neck Road and Adam Keeling Road
on Wednesday, April 15, 2020. The detour is scheduled so that crews can relocate a water line to the east side of
West Great Neck Road.
The detour hours will be from 9 p.m. until 4 a.m.
The work is part of a project that will provide a 5-foot wide concrete sidewalk along the west side of West Great Neck Road
from Adam Keeling Road to the bridge over Long Creek, approximately 0.2 of a mile. Once completed, the sidewalk will
improve safety and provide a connection for pedestrians traveling from Great Neck Point to Shore Drive.
The contractor for the job is EL-X Enterprises, and Phillip Blackwell is the project manager. For emergency information,
contact him at (804) 698-0989.
“Current social distancing efforts starting March 15 have paused the growth of the epidemic in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In this scenario, “paused” growth means that the rate of new cases is holding steady rather than increasing.”
View yesterday’s Governor’s briefing here.
Key takeaways from infectious disease models developed by the UVA Biocomplexity Institute include:
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Current social distancing efforts starting March 15 have paused the growth of the epidemic in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In this scenario, “paused” growth means that the rate of new cases is holding steady rather than increasing.
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Current trends suggest that Virginia’s statewide hospital bed capacity will be sufficient in the near future.
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Lifting social distancing restrictions too soon can quickly lead to a second wave.
And:
“Currently, it appears as if the Commonwealth of Virginia is tracking with the pause scenario, which means that the residents of Virginia are doing an excellent job with mitigation,” said Bryan Lewis, Research Associate Professor for the Network Systems Science and Advanced Computing division for the Institute.
Additional links from Press Release includes:
RAND Healthcare Virginia COVID19 Models Initial Analysis.
Estimation of COVID-19 Impact in Virginia April 13, 2020 (data current to April 11, 2020) Biocomplexity Institute Technical report: TR-2020-048
UVA Biocomplexity Institute report includes:
BIOCOMPLEXITY COVID-19 RESPONSE RESOURCES at UVA.
CURRENT SOCIAL DISTANCING EFFORTS ARE WORKING
Marlin Bay, Gateway to Virginia Beach proposal
VDH increases graphing & data breakdowns
How Privacy-Friendly Contact Tracing Can Help Stop the Spread of Covid-19
Billboard Appeals Case Update – Request to upgrade the billboards along Shore Drive to digital boards.
The following is an update regarding the Board of Zoning Appeals Case 2019‐BZA-0119 – Adam Outdoor Advertising’s request to upgrade the billboards along Shore Drive to digital boards.
BZA hearings have been postponed during the Covid-19 pandemic, so the planned April 1st hearing of this appeal did not happen. Once normal hearing resume, this case will be rescheduled. In the meantime, here is some information regarding this topic. SDCC has already sent an email to the BZA expressing our opposition to the request to make the billboards digital. I have also attached a copy of the City’s Zoning Administrator letter that originally denied Adam’s request prior to this appeal case. The letter can be read by clicking here Billboard Letter
Bottom line, it looks like this appeal should be denied similar to the original request to make the billboards digital, however the SDCC will continue to follow this topic to make sure.
Dear Chairman Whitley and Board Members,
On behalf of the Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC), I would like to express our opposition to Case 2019‐BZA-0119 Adam Outdoor Advertising’s request to upgrade the billboards along Shore Drive to digital boards. The existing billboards have been an eyesore to our area for many years and do not support the City Comprehensive Plan and Shore Drive Corridor Design Guidelines which recommend for the beautification of our residential area. Digital billboards would be extremely intrusive to the adjacent residential property owners and would exacerbate the incompatible aesthetics the structures already create.
Based on the detrimental impacts that the proposed upgrades would cause, we ask that you deny the applicants request for appeal.
Thank you for your attention to this matter,
Todd Solomon, SDCC President
I have included a couple of reference items below in case you need additional information on this topic:
1) There are 32 billboards in Virginia Beach. Adams Outdoor Advertising wants to add 13 and upgrade four of its existing billboards, city officials said. Among those the company hopes to change is a large one with two sides on Shore Drive next to the Lesner Bridge. https://www.pilotonline.com/business/consumer/vp-nw-billboards-0304-20200323-oqzr75yodzdyrnw2inpbbgpi3y-story.html
2) Board of Zoning Appeals Agenda of April 1, 2020 – Appeal Agenda: Case 2019‐BZA-0119: Adam Outdoor Advertising Request an appeal of the Zoning Administrator’s determination letter dated November 7, 2019 for properties located at 3615 Virginia Beach Blvd; 624 Independence Blvd; 1314 Kempsville Rd; 660 N Witchduck Rd; 1009 Laskin Rd; 1195 Bells Rd; 1637 Independence Blvd; 5280 Princess Anne Rd; 3700 Shore Dr; 1309 Virginia Beach Blvd; 1347 Lynnhaven Pkwy; 6061 Indian River Rd; 3273 Shore Dr; 3894 Virginia Beach Blvd; 4390 Virginia Beach Blvd; 4719 Indian River Rd; 3948 Holland Rd
Birdsong Tablet Makes Social Media Software Designed for Older Adults Available Free During Pandemic
Local software developing company Birdsong Tablet, a division of faith-based, non-profit Westminster-Canterbury on the Chesapeake Bay, is waving the monthly service fee of $19 for their Social Media Software designed for older adults during the Covid-19 pandemic. The software is also being made available to the general public during this time. More details about this software can be found at Westminster-Canterbury website – https://www.wcbay.com/news
#WeLoveShoreDrive 