h/t Kottke.org
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
Tips how to keep our EMS volunteers safe
Virginia Uses Genetic Technology to Combat COVID-19
“This genetic fingerprint gives us tremendous insight into this novel virus, helping us understand where Virginia cases originated and how they are being transmitted in our communities,” said DCLS Director Dr. Denise Toney. “Providing this information in real-time is unbelievably valuable for public health officials as they determine how to reduce the impact of COVID-19 in our communities.”
Birthday visits by Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad!
If your child has a birthday between now and June 10th and their birthday plans have been canceled or postponed due to COVID-19, please message us and let us know! If you live in our Shore Drive response area, spanning from First Court Rd to Cox High School in Virginia Beach, we would love to do an ambulance drive by to wish them a happy birthday.
Trash, recycling, yard waste, and bulky item services will operate on a one-day delay this week
For example, Tuesday routes will be collected on Wednesday. Wednesday routes will be collected on Thursday. Thursday routes on Friday, and Friday routes on Saturday, April 11.
“We are still in the early stages of this outbreak, but we must ensure that Virginia is ready when the surge of acute cases hits our healthcare system,”
The facilities — the Dulles Expo Center in Northern Virginia and the Richmond and Hampton Roads convention centers — will be able to provide beds for 1,107 acute patients or 1,848 non-acute patients, Northam said Friday.
“Sentara Healthcare is now processing COVID-19 tests at a newly-created laboratory in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.”
The project involved the purchase and delivery of an Abbott m2000 RealTime testing instrument, related equipment and supplies, creation of a dedicated COVID-19 testing lab in a former laboratory conference room and train staff to use it in less than two weeks.
“Sentara is fortunate to have the resources to respond to this crisis and begin our own testing within a few weeks,” says Tabetha Sundin, Ph.D., scientific director of the Sentara Molecular Laboratory. “Waiting for test results can be nerve-wracking for our patients. We are doing all we can to speed up results and provide answers.”
Coronavirus Update from Mayor Bobby Dyer April 4th 2020
CITY COUNCIL SETS SPECIAL ELECTRONIC MEETING TO DISCUSS TAX DEFERRALS; SUSPENSION OF THE MEAL TAX; REDUCTION OF PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX RATE; EXPENDITURE REDUCTIONS AND MORE RELATED TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Latest update from VBGov.com Emergency Coronavirus page:
April 3, 2020
The City Council will hold a “Special Meeting by Electronic Communications Means” on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at 3 p.m. to discuss tax deferrals; suspension of the meal tax; reduction of personal property tax rate; and areas for expenditure reductions necessitated by the pandemic. The City Council will also provide guidance to staff for preparation of any necessary resolutions or ordinances for Council’s consideration at a subsequent City Council Special Session.
Following the discussion, the City Council may consider the adoption of an item to address tax relief necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic in the form of an ordinance to suspend provisions of the City Code regarding penalties and interest upon certain local taxes during the pandemic, which is sponsored by Council Member John Moss.
While citizen comments will not be heard during this meeting, citizens are encouraged to submit comments to the City Council prior to the special meeting via email at CityCouncil@vbgov.com. The current Council agenda can be viewed online at VBgov.com.
The City Council will not be at City Hall (Building 1), which will remain closed to the public. The meeting can be viewed live on VBTV (Cox channel 48 & Verizon channel 45), online at VBgov.com/media and on Facebook.com/CityofVaBeach.
For the latest information, please visit emergency.vbgov.com/coronavirus and follow us on facebook.com/CityofVaBeach, twitter.com/CityofVaBeach and instagram.com/cityofvabeach.
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Message from EMS Operations Chief Lewis: 4/2/2020
How to SUPPORT your Rescue Squad today.
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad
Chesapeake Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad
VB Emergency Medical Services
P R A C T I C E S O C I A L D I S T A N C I N G
City Council Special Session – 03/31/2020 video
We applaud City Staff for getting these videos online this fast!
City Budget Briefings – 03/31/2020 video
“Scientific models of how the coronavirus pandemic will unfold in Virginia vary wildly, but there is one thing they all agree on: The more people take social distancing seriously, the smaller the number of those who will get sick and die.”
“We don’t want to have the numbers we have in Virginia, but we do,” said Daniel Carey, Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resource at a Monday press conference. “And we can help use that real data to land on a model that we feel comfortable predicting and planning on.”
State officials are using a model created by University of Virginia researchers with the Defense Reduction Agency to plan for the state’s healthcare needs. They want to release it soon, when they feel they have enough data, said Dr. Norman Oliver, Virginia’s Health Commissioner.
Virginia COVID-19 Briefing | March 30, 2020 GOVERNOR NORTHAM
Governor Northam Issues Statewide Stay at Home Order
City Council Sets Special Electronic Meeting to Consider Continuity and Policy, and Discuss Tax Relief Related to COVID-19 Pandemic
People wanting to comment should follow a two-step registration process:
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Register at https://vbgov.webex.com/vbgov/onstage/g.php?MTID=e871f2421f8196abfb20bee4e6e94208f
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Register with the City Clerk’s Office by calling (757) 385-4303or via email at ABarnes@vbgov.com prior to 5:30 p.m. on March 31, 2020.
GOVERNOR NORTHAM LIVE PRESS CONFERENCE 2pm TODAY
Everyone Must Do Their Part: Mayor Urges Compliance to Stop the Spread of COVID-19
However, if you must go out, it doesn’t matter whether you are walking along the boardwalk, standing in line for food at a restaurant or shopping inside a home improvement store. Do not congregate in groups and keep six feet away from other people. It is as simple–and as important–as that if we are going to contain the outbreak.
#WeLoveShoreDrive 