“It doesn’t surprise me because Virginia Beach is a huge destination, and that makes me proud,” said Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms.
Now the mayor and city council members are working on a plan to better regulate those rentals.
(Note: The term “illegal” is disputed by many who have been following the move toward intelligent regulation.)
Click here for a printable version of the agenda 2.26.18 SDCC Agenda
Officer’s Reports:
Secretary – Andrew Broyles
Treasurer’s Report –Tim Solanic
Vice President – Wally Damon
President – Todd Solomon
Bayfront Advisory Commission (BAC) News – Mr. Wally Damon will update us on the actions of the Bayfront Advisory Commission.
Old Business-
Addition of “Your Speed Is” Traffic Signs on Shore Drive – Mr. Robert Gey, City Engineer, will be sharing the results of their study performed at the end of 2017. SDCC will share this data and collect comments and questions at our March meeting to present to the City for response.
Short Term Rentals – City Council will hold a public hearing on this topic at their Tuesday March 6th meeting. The meeting will start at 6pm and is held in Building 1 City Council Chambers.
Route 35 Shore Drive to Oceanfront Shuttle. – The City is holding a meeting to gather input from community representatives on ways to improve the service. They are also asking for ideas on how to promote the service so more people will use it. You can send any suggestions to Todd Solomon at todd@sdcc.info.
New Business –
Shore Drive Road Improvements in Ocean Park – Update on Phase 4 – CIP 2.118. SDCC and Ocean Park Representatives plan to attend a City Council Open Mic night on March 6th to request the necessary budget funding be made to move the start of this project to this year. The current construction date of 2026 is not acceptable. Community emails, letters and phone calls will be helpful.
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Community Concerns– This will be addressed in the Special Discussion section.
***Next SDCC Meeting – Monday March 26, 2018***
Join us for a discussion on the integration of two seemingly disconnected fields: Art and Engineering. Learn how the merging of creativity and calculation gives us a new perception of our community. Our distinguished panelists include:
Donald Lipski
Artist of The Canoes at Lesner BridgeChris Wojtowicz
City of Virginia Beach, Project Manager of the Lesner Bridge Replacement ProjectMel Price, Principal, Work Program Architects (WPA)
Moderated by Ron Williams, Virginia Beach Deputy City Manager
View article at Pilotonline.com:
Short-term rentals, according to the proposal, would be similar to home-sharing except the owner wouldn’t be living there. For short-term rentals, additional rules include limiting the number of contracts to two per week, submitting a parking plan to the city to show one space for each bedroom and a cap on the number of guests allowed.
Those rentals must also register with the Commissioner of the Revenue and pay occupancy taxes.
Report including video at 13 News Now.
The wharf was approved on a temporary basis back in 2012, as part of the Lesner Bridge construction. Now, the city wants to keep the wharf permanently.
PLEASURE HOUSE POINT ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIVE ARTIST RESIDENCY REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL / CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH
Check out the exciting details here ! (8 page PDF)
Artist Opportunities at VBGov.com includes this amazing new opportunity for Ocean Park & PHP.
Great article about Kal in Pilotonline.com:
“There was so much natural beauty and opportunity,” said Kassir, who was born in Iraq. “Virginia Beach has grown up since saw it as a college student, but I’ve always loved this city.”
Some of that passion is found in his volunteerism as chair of the Bayfront Advisory Commission. The group started in 1998 . . .
Please Email City Council now. You will make a difference at OPCL.org
Dear Mayor, Vice Mayor & City Council Members,
I am petitioning you to fund Shore Drive Phase IV immediately.
Specifically:
1. Please find 50% funding for CIP 2.118.000 Shore Drive Corridor Improvements-Phase 4 in 2018.
2. Please fund 100% of Phase 4 by 2019.
Finishing Phase IV now is critical to the health of Virginia Beach. Why?
The City Council commissioned Urban Land Institute Study of Shore Drive in 1996 and City Council Adopted Comprehensive Plan in 1997 state that:
“(Virginia Beach should) Recognize and improve the Shore Drive corridor as a resort gateway community, not a resort destination.”
“Shore Drive also serves as a tourist gateway for those heading to the oceanfront, offering for many their first glimpse of the City of Virginia Beach. Therefore, it is important to make a good first impression.”
City Council previously recognized the importance of this corridor:
1. City Council created the Shore Drive (Bayfront) Advisory Committee . . .
Click to view OPCL.org page.
Permanent City Wharf at the Lynnhaven Inlet
Listening to the presentation given by Mr. Phill Roehrs of the Public Works Department given at the City Council workshop on 23 January, one might believe that this was just routine business as the city declares that the present 400 foot bulkhead located at the Lynnhaven Bay will become a permanent wharf and feature upon the completion of the Lesner Bridge. Not so fast Mr. Roehrs, Mayor, City Council, City Manager, and staff.
The Federal Public Notice 12-1169-09 issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District and posted 10/18/2012 states that the Joint Application for Federal and State Permits submitted by the City of Virginia Beach will “include the construction of a temporary bulkhead”. Further, “Upon the completion of construction, the temporary bulkhead will be removed”. This statement differs factually from what Mr. Roehrs told the Mayor, City Council and staff.
If the city’s permit application stating the bulkhead temporary intended for the Lesner Bridge construction, but actually had the intent to make it permanent to bypass certain Federal environmental requirements, than the city should correct their error and complete all the required Federal and state environmental impact studies required by law for such an operation.
The city’s most recently adopted Comprehensive Plan (May 17, 2016) “is the official land use policy framework for Virginia Beach…. “to guide responsible use of finite land resources….and protect neighborhoods”. A permanent bulkhead or wharf at the Lynnhaven Basin used for commercial operations and support for large commercial dredge vessels and scows would change the very nature for surrounding neighborhoods and degrade this pristine waterway. To use this bulkhead area as a permanent dredge spoils transfer site and commercial wharf would subject the estuary to unacceptable environmental pressure created by dredge silt then entering the estuary and flowing back into the vary areas where oyster replenishment and natural fish spawning areas have taken so much effort to restore. Harmful water turbidity levels and released pollution will continue to be an environmental issue if such a transfer operation should be permitted at this bulkhead. Mr. Roehrs was correct when he stated that the city should expect some pushback from the residents on this issue.
Respectfully,
David M. Williams
Past President and Secretary
Shore Drive Community Coalition
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Opinion/Letter to the editor.
From an unedited email to us:
Hearing about the millions of dollars being discussed for the various proposed projects at the Beach astounds me. Why not devote some energy as well as funds to finish the horrible mess known as Shore Drive. The Lesner Bridge project is likely over 1 year behind schedule and much over budget. Shore Drive has to my knowledge never been completely resurfaced. The median strips east of the bridge have never been landscaped, sidewalks appear and disappear randomly and bike paths are non existent. Potholes remain untouched for years and after recent storms who knows when repairs will begin.
I see the major problem as the lack of representation from this area on city council. There is no one on the council that lives in this area. The Lesner Bridge splits our community into two zip codes and we have no one on city council that lives, works and transits this area on a daily basis. Bridge lighting works sporadically, trash on sidewalks on the bridge and sand and orange cones make it bicycle and pedestrian unfriendly.
One of the most traveled access points to the Beach deserves better as do the thousands of taxpayers. New roads, sidewalks and bike paths cover the oceanfront and the south side but sadly Shore Dr gets no attention at all.
Don Allen
Virginia Beach
Check out the entire Baylines February ’18 Edition (5 pg PDF)
The Bayfront Advisory Commission: How it all began
In early 1997, a group of small business owners on Shore Drive in the Bayfront area of Virginia Beach concluded that attention to growth and development by City staff and leadership is necessary to enhance the quality of life of one of the most desirable section of our city straddling the iconic Chesapeake Bay. . .
View entire article at Pilotonline.com:
In the future, “we don’t want to lose the option to use it as a transfer site for neighborhood dredging,” Roehrs said.
In 1972, the city bought the space – southwest of the bridge and across from a cluster of waterfront seafood restaurants – to stockpile sand for Oceanfront beach replenishment.
PLEASE SHARE ENTHUSIASTICALLY !
From an email update from Project Manager:
Folks:
In the last project update (11/22/2017) we mentioned that we had issues with one of the 10 drilled shaft foundations for Pier #5 of the new eastbound bridge. Between the holidays, cold weather, and a longer than expected duration for remediation of drilled shaft #1 at Pier #5 construction of the EB bridge superstructure had been temporarily suspended. That was the bad news.
Now the good news. Shaft #1 at Pier #5 has been fully remediated, all 10 drilled shafts in this footing have been cut down to the correct elevation, and all of the reinforcing steel for the footing has been placed. The footing is now ready to receive the 400 cubic yards of concrete which is planned for tomorrow, February 3rd, 2018. The concrete will be delivered to this footing via two concrete pumper trucks parked near the center span of the Lesner Bridge eastbound lanes.
This, unfortunately, means lane closures on Lesner Bridge for most of the day tomorrow, Saturday February 3, 2018. Here are the details:
Beginning tomorrow, 2/3/2018 at approximately 10:00 AM single lane closures will be setup on Shore Drive approaching eastbound Lesner Bridge between DuPont Circle and Vista Circle. Single lane closures will also be setup during this time for westbound Shore Drive traffic approaching Lesner Bridge between Page Avenue and East Stratford Street. BOTH EASTBOUND AND WESTBOUND TRAFFIC CROSSING THE BRIDGE WILL BE REDUCED TO A SINGLE LANE IN EACH DIRECTION. BOTH eastbound lanes on Lesner Bridge will be CLOSED until the concrete placement operations are completed. All work and temporary lane closures on Shore Drive at Lesner Bridge are expected to be cleared by 10:00 PM Saturday night, February 3rd, 2018. Be advised that, in addition to the lane reductions on the bridge, there will also be flaggers present that will intermittently STOP all traffic in BOTH directions on the bridge to allow the arrival and departure of concrete delivery trucks.
There will be a lot of activity on the bridge tomorrow so please plan accordingly and drive slowly when crossing the bridge.
Once Pier #5 is complete, we will launch the gantry across the inlet, set the pier segments on Pier #5 and then launch to Pier #6 and set the pier segments on Pier column #6. Span #6 will then be assembled by picking segments off a barge moored in this location. After Span #6 is completed, the gantry will be back-launched toward the channel to complete the other half of the cantilever section of Span #5 that crosses the channel.
Footing Reinforcing Steel being placed at Pier #5 EB Bridge (Completed Pier Column #6 shown in background)
View looking East from East Stratford Street at the recently graded area for the 10-foot wide multi-use path that will cross the new EB Bridge.
Since the last update other work on the project continued while waiting for Pier #5 to be completed. The following work has been completed since the November 22, 2017 update:
· 4 additional segments of cantilever Span #5 have been constructed for the new EB bridge (8 total);
· The footing and column at Pier #7 have been completed;
· The cofferdam around the footing for Pier #8 has been installed and the and the area around the drilled shafts excavated;
· All four drilled shafts at Pier #9 have been installed (ALL DRILLED SHAFT INSTALLATION FOR THE PROJECT IS NOW COMPLETE);
· Abutment B for the EB bridge has been completed;
· Grading for the new 10-foot wide multi-use path between the new EB Bridge and East Stratford Street has been completed;
· The remaining two street lights (four total) on the western bridge approach have been installed;
Completed Abutment B EB Bridge. Forms being removed.
Completed Footing and Column at Pier #7 new EB Bridge (Forms shown being removed).
Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will:
· Complete the footing and column at Pier #5;
· Place reinforcement steel for the footing at Pier #8;
· Backfill Abutment B and complete MSE wall #5 located in front of the Virginia and Maryland Pilots Association;
· Install falsework for gantry launch at Pier #5;
· Complete concrete multi-use path along MSE wall #2 between East Stratford and the new EB Bridge; and
· Complete curb & gutter and median curb on the west side of the bridge between East Stratford Street and the new EB Bridge.
That’s it for now!
Drive Safely!
-Chris
Christopher J. Wojtowicz, PE
Engineering Construction Manager
City of Virginia Beach
Department of Public Works
Engineering Division
2405 Courthouse Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23456-9031
Office: (757) 385-5785
Fax: (757) 385-5668
Email: cwojtowi@vbgov.com
Recent Planning Commission Workshop notes:
Below is a summary of the Planning Commission Workshop held on January 24, 2018 on Short Term Rentals.
Planning Commission Attending: Robert Thornton, David Weiner, Dee Oliver, David Redmond, Karen Kwasny, Jack Wall, and Jan Rucinski
Staff Attending: Kay Wilson, Kevin Kemp, Carolyn Smith, Jimmy McNamara and Barry Frankenfield
Public Attending: +/- 20
Discussion and Briefings . . .
Click here for a printable version of the agenda – 1.29.18 SDCC Agenda
SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday January 29, 2018 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)
Special Discussion – This month’s presentation time will be used for a working group discussion to help identify community issues and priorities. What are your group’s biggest concerns? What Shore Drive issues are most important and need addressed immediately? Come help us prioritize our efforts for 2018.
Officer’s Reports: Secretary – Andrew Broyles;Treasurer’s Report –Tim Solanic; Vice President – Wally Damon; President – Todd Solomon
Bayfront Advisory Commission (BAC) News – Mr. Wally Damon will update us on the actions of the Bayfront Advisory Commission.
Old Business-
Addition of “Your Speed Is” Traffic Signs on Shore Drive – Temporary trailer signs were used for 2 weeks in December. The City has been contacted to brief us on the results. Stay tuned.
Short Term Rentals – Update on City of Virginia Beach’s public input session and next steps for Short Term Rental (Airbnb, etc.) property.
Storm Water/Sea Level Rise Public Input Meetings – The last of 6 public meetings is being held on Jan. 29th at Bayside HS. SDCC will contact the City for more information regarding the next steps in this effort.
4-Way Intersection at Indian Hill Rd. – Update on City’s planned expansion on this intersection into a non-traffic lighted 4-way intersection to support the new entrance of the recently approved retirement community expansion.
New Business –
Shore Drive Road Improvements in Ocean Park – Update on Phase 4 – CIP 2.118. An onsite meeting with City Manager has been requested. Plans to attend an Open Mic night to request budget funding are being made and need community support. The current construction date of 2026 is not acceptable.
Lesner Bridge Update – Would anyone be interested in attending a tour of the bridge? SDCC would be happy to try and set this up. We are also trying to have the Project Manager attend an SDCC to provide us an update on the project which should finish sometime this year.
Community Concerns– This will be addressed in the Special Discussion section.
***Next SDCC Meeting – Monday February 26, 2018***
Click here for more information on this event.
Location: East Parking Lot, Virginia Aquarium
Cost: Free to the public (donations welcome!)
Contact: Virginia Aquarium
Phone: (757) 385-FISH (3474)
Upcoming Dates:
Saturday, January 27, 2018 – 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
*Note that cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions cannot be accepted.*
Acceptable personal electronic recyclable items include:
Personal computers and laptops
Telephones, cell phones and PDA’s
Printers
Circuit boards and components
Monitors and flat screens
Fax Machines
Stereo equipment and game systems
Regular recycling materials such as newspapers, bottles and cans will also be accepted
Acceptable Household Hazardous Waste items include:
Up to five gallons of liquids or up to 75 pounds of dry materials
Aerosol spray cans
Automotive fluids
Batteries: Alkaline (AA, AAA, C, D), Boat, Car, Camera, Cell phone, Hearing aid, Lead acid, Lithium, Rechargeable, Trucks
Herbicides
Household cleaners
Gasoline (up to 5 gallons)
Fertilizer
Pool Chemicals
Light bulbs – small quantities of CFLs or fluorescent tubes
Oil and water based paint
Pesticides
Propane tanks (small – up to 20 lb. capacity)
From VBGov.com:
The Bayfront Advisory Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 18 has been canceled. Meetings are normally held at 3:30 p.m., on the third Thursday of each month, at the Virginia Beach Resort and Conference Center.
View the proposed changes from VBGov.com here. (58 page PDF)
New ordinance starts here:
And includes:
1149 …The Board shall be appointed by City Council and shall
1150 consist of six (6) members, one (1) from the Department of Planning, one (1) from the
1151 Department of Public Works, one (1) from the Department of Public Utilities and three (3) citizen members.
Check out the entire Baylines January edition. (3 page PDF)
#WeLoveShoreDrive 