Learn more about the February 26th meeting article at Pilotonline.com.
Simon Premium Outlets proposal
Beach council members and the vice mayor raised questions about changes to roads and traffic lights, the impact on the Burton Station neighborhood and other issues, saying the proposal has few benefits for Virginia Beach residents.
Lots of information at VBGov.com.
FEMA has provided an interactive, online tool that enables you to see your current and new preliminary flood hazard zone. Help using the map is available at VBgov.com/maps.
FEMA has established a 90-day comment/appeal period for Virginia Beach’s preliminary flood maps. This 90-day period began Feb. 5 and will run through May 5, 2014.
An appeal is a formal objection to proposed base flood elevations or flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) boundaries and zones, or floodways. Appeals must be based on technical data that show proposed maps to be scientifically incorrect. Anyone who makes an appeal must include the method, data and analysis used to support the claim.
It is with sadness that we speak of the recent passing of Dan Creedon, a man of boundless energy and commitment to civic and environmental issues at so many levels. Whether working at the Lynnhaven River Now oyster seeding project, guiding Shore Drive Community Coalition in its formative years, or bringing world attention to the Haitian relief effort, Dan seemed to be everywhere and involved in so much of humanity and the environment. He never slowed his pursuit of where he felt he needed to be in this world to make it a better place for humanity and a lasting renewable resource for all to find wonder. Rest in peace.
One of the projects Dan helped formulate was Plans for Osprey Point Nature Park
(Graphic added February 14 2014 by Tim)
Click here for the meeting agenda february2014-bac-agenda
Click here for the VB Meeting Notice BAC NR 2-20-14
View coverage at WTKR.com including 2 video reports about this tragic event.
Opinion Column at Piltonline.com.
Report the bite/attack to Animal Control at (757) 385-4444.
Click here for the flyer VBTES Meeting Announcement 2-2014
Hilltop Area Alignment Alternative Captial Costs and the Preliminary Results of the Environmental Analysis
These public information sessions will provide an update on the on-going analyses being conducted as part of the Virginia Beach Transit Extension Study Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Information will be presented on the projected capital costs (construction-related) for the Hilltop Area Alignment.
The meeting will also present the preliminary results of the environmental analysis for the Virginia Beach Transit Extension Study.
The meetings will have a presentation followed by a question and answer session with HRT staff. The public will also have the opportunity to discuss the night’s topics on an individual basis with HRT and consultant staff following the presentation.
The two meetings will have an identical format and will present identical information. Please come to the meeting that is most convenient to you.
Meeting Information:
Westin Virginia Beach Town Center
4535 Commerce Street
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m
DoubleTree by Hilton Virginia Beach
1900 Pavilion Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Thanks to Christopher J. Wojtowicz, P.E., Project Manager City of Virginia Beach Department of Public Works for his detailed presentation at our SDCC meeting in January.
Construction to start April 2014
View more links about bridge construction at SDCC.info/Hot.
Photo from VBGov.com – Facebook page
Mark your calendars for the Lynnhaven River NOW Oyster Roast!
Questions like how did they get to build so close to the road, I thought cutting down live oaks was illegal, how could they put that many units there …
The answers can be found in the Bar Harbor Planning Commission Staff Report. (16 page PDF)
EXISTING LAND USE: The site is developed with two small buildings, a retail store constructed in 1960 and
storage building constructed in 1930.SURROUNDING LAND USE AND ZONING:
North: Shore Drive
Across Shore Drive are multi-family multiple storied buildings / B-4 Mixed Use (SD – Shore Drive Corridor Overlay)South: Duplex and single family dwellings / R5-D Residential (SD – Shore Drive Corridor Overlay)
East: Office building and residential / B-4 Mixed Use and R5-D Residential (SD – Shore Drive Corridor Overlay)
West: DuPont Circle
Across DuPont Circle is a restaurant and residential / B-2 Community Business and R5-D Residential (SD – Shore Drive Corridor Overlay)NATURAL RESOURCE AND CULTURAL FEATURES:
The sandy soil on the site supports seven live oak trees. While the trees cannot be maintained the applicant can mitigate the loss with a contribution to the Live Oak Fund and by agreeing to have the logs of the trees set aside and given Friends of Live Oaks (http://www.friendsofliveoaks.org).
The Live Oak is the officially adopted tree and icon for the Shore Drive Corridor and Bayfront community.
And an excerpt:
The site design is slightly deficient with respect to setback requirements in the district. A 30-foot setback is required from the front property line (DuPont Circle), the plan depicts a 20 foot setback; a 15 foot setback is required adjacent to residential zoning (southern and eastern property lines) the plan depicts a varying setback of 5 feet to 21 feet. Staff feels the site design is consistent with other projects in the corridor and does not find the reduction in setbacks to be detrimental. Further the applicant met with adjacent property owners as well as the civic league and no objections were raised regarding the plan. The Ordinance allows that “The City Council may, for good cause shown and upon a finding that there will be no significant detrimental effects on surrounding properties, allow reasonable deviations from the following requirements otherwise applicable to the proposed development:
(1) Required setbacks;
(2) Required landscaping;
(3) Height restrictions, except as provided in Section 202(b); and (4) Minimum lot area requirements.
The applicant also met with the Bayfront Advisory Committee (BAC) on May 19, 2012. The BAC found that the project substantially complies with the Shore Drive Corridor Plan, the ULI Bayfront study, the Comprehensive Plan, and the Shore Drive Corridor Plan.
Staff finds the request acceptable and recommends approval subject to the conditions listed below…
Due to road and weather conditions, Public Works/Waste Management has CANCELLED any waste pickup for Wednesday. They request that residents place black trash carts and blue recycling carts at the curb line on their regular collection day, and leave them there until they have been serviced. We will shift resources to catch up as quickly as possible.
Call to order:
Meeting Presentation:
Lesner Bridge Construction Project Overview – Presentation by the Chris Wojtowicz, City of Virginia Beach Project Engineer. Chris will provide updates on the project schedule, traffic plans/impacts, and other details.
Officers’ Reports: President’s Report David Williams
Vice President’s report Rick Mercadante
Secretary’s Report Todd Solomon –NOV Minutes
Treasurer’s Report Ann Williams (acting treas.)
Old Business: Proposed SDCC Candidates Slate for 2014
New Business :
Adjourn
Next SDCC- Monday FEB 24, 2014- Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Center
Topic: SDCC Election of Officers and Budget for 2014
Please check www.sdcc.info for more information on area news and events
What do our Shore Drive Community Coalition members want from us in 2014? What should SDCC focus on this year? Discussions indicate that some members want us to remain local in focus (Lesner Bridge, Neighborhood Dredging, Shore Drive Storm Water issues, Lynnhaven Estuary Water quality), while others think we need a wider focus (Light Rail, City Budget, Convention Center, etc.). Obviously, with a limited staff and a time-strapped membership, our resources are tight. Our ability to tackle only a few key issues would allow us better focus if we are going to have any chance at having an impact.
Reading the news, we can see some of the looming financial issues of city, Commonwealth, and Federal government actions. No one should be that naive to think that the Affordable Care Act (ACA/Obama Care), Public-Private Ventures with Elizabeth River Crossing, and this city’s Light Rail project will have only a minimal impact on our personal and family financial resources. Many may be sadly awakened if they think that it is only the Portsmouth people and the daily tunnel traffic commuters that will feel the direct effects of the Commonwealth’s approved Public-Private Venture (PPV) with Elizabeth River Crossing. Previous Governor McDonnell bypassed the State Assembly and signed an agreement that guarantees the private company a 13.5 % profit margin from collected toll revenues per year for decades.
In an effort to make a significant change in the state’s funding of transportation projects, outgoing Governor McDonnell has added to our individual future state tax burden. How so? Our state’s Constitution requires a balanced budget and any projected deficits must be paid for with either higher taxes, increased fees, cuts in state programs, or any combination thereof. There is no state or Federal governmental “Free lunch”. Someone with money will pay. Ominously, we may find that this Public-Private Venture business model with guaranteed double digit profits for the owners may be applied to future major state and city projects for more tunnels, bridges, convention centers, hotel renovations, and road projects.
How do we prevent such lopsided projects and outrageous private company’s profits? Who’s voice will be saying “unfair, unjust, and outrageous “? How do we find a voice that our city or state government will listen to? Together, we can be heard and have an impact. Civic actions start locally when neighbors come together, gather the facts, attend civic meetings and attend City Council meetings. Informing ourselves with the facts, passing the information, and taking a stand takes from our time, but not speaking out against egregious state and city actions will only take, and continue to take from our wallets and our EZ Passes.
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#WeLoveShoreDrive 