The Joint Expeditionary Base will be hosting an Open House to the Public at JEB/Little Creek on August 24, 2012, featuring the band, Kansas. Entry will be at Gate 3, with the gate open to the public at 5 p.m., concert at 7 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m.
Friends of Live Oaks to be Guest Speaker at SDCC Meeting
Here is a little background information regarding the upcoming featured speaker for the Monday August 27th general meeting.
The Friends of Live Oaks (FOLO) is a citizen advocacy group formed to plant, protect, preserve, and promote live oak trees in Virginia Beach. FOLO is
giving away live oaks in containers at no charge to Virginia Beach home and business owners to plant on their property as well as neighborhood common areas and city property such as schools and parks. A special promotion will be held in conjunction with the Lynnhaven River Now’s part in the October 6, 2012, celebration of their Fall Festival at Pleasure House Point.
Live oaks are designated as the official tree of the City of Virginia Beach, and with good reason. Native to the area, live oaks were here long before European settlers. The tree is one of the most distinctive and recognizable plants in the city and immediately brings to mind our coastal areas and maritime ecosystem. They resist salt spray and storm surges, having survived Hurricane Katrina in areas where everything else was reduced to rubble. They control flooding and storm water runoff, and shelter and nourish local wildlife. They are amazingly drought-tolerant and disease-resistant.
Live oaks boast many assets for homeowners. They increase property value and quality of life. They provide incredible shade, reducing air conditioning costs. An evergreen, their dense foliage provides privacy and beautifies the garden all year round.
SDCC General Meeting Agenda – Monday August 27 at 7:30pm
Click here for a printable version of the agenda. SDCC Agenda AUG 2012
Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC) General Meeting
Monday 27 AUG 2012
SDCC General Meeting – Monday, August 27, 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Station (Intersection of Shore Drive and East Stratford Rd.)
Call to order
Meeting topic: Discussion with Friends of the Live Oaks project – www.friendsofliveoaks.org
The Friends of Live Oaks (FOLO) is a citizen advocacy group formed to plant, protect, preserve, and promote live oak trees in Virginia Beach. FOLO is giving away live oaks in containers at no charge to Virginia Beach home and business owners to plant on their property as well as neighborhood common areas and city property such as schools and parks.
Officers’ Reports
President’s Report David Williams
Vice President’s report Grace Moran
Secretary’s Report Todd Solomon –July Minutes
Treasurer’s Report Carol Collins
Update on issues: Discussions Pleasure House Point Update
Old Business
New Business
Adjourn
Websites covering Shore Drive and Bayfront issues:
Next SDCC- Sept 24, 2012 at 7:30pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Center
Speaker- TBA
Please check www.sdcc.info for more information on area news and events
Pilotonline.com coverage of CBF’s plans on PHP
“The idea is to leave no trace, minimize impact and create a building that will be used for years to come by the community,” said William Almond, the project’s landscape architect.
Read the entire article and view a video at Pilotonline.com.
“Our vision quite simply is to create one of the most environmentally sustainable buildings in the world at Pleasure House Point,” said CBF Hampton Roads Director Christy Everett. “We want it to be an international model that demonstrates how to build, work, learn, and play responsibly beside a natural treasure like the Chesapeake Bay. Our goal is a facility the entire Hampton Roads community can be proud of, and we are actively seeking the community’s feedback on our Pleasure House Point vision.”
Read the entire Press Release at CBF.org.
Hopefully CBF will conduct intense studies about using wind turbines safely since so many birds love PHP and it’s vital habitat in the Atlantic Flyway. Photo credit: CBF
Editors note: Impossible dreams come true.
239 photos of the 4th Annual Cape Story Paddle Race
Tons of photos from LRNow Clean up on PHP AUG4
Marlin Bay Extension to PHP – Resident Question and City Answer
Resident question – Regarding the proposed Marlin Bay road access, will this allow for future option for the land trustees and or adjacent land owners the ability to develop the remaining number of lots available if Marlin Bay Road is extended? Can you inform us if the land trustees/owners will be donating the land over to CBF or VBgov or are their future intention to develop the remaining number of lots?
City answer – Another Ocean Park resident emailed Christy and I with similar questions over the weekend. The short answer is that the adjacent property owner to the north of the 118-acre Pleasure House Point site are not interested in donating their property. We have been told that the intention is to develop those lots.
Whether Marlin Bay Drive extended is built with the CBF project or not, the right-of-way already exists today and can be built. Since the right-of-way has already been dedicated, there have been preliminary discussions about the City working with all parties to consider a design that is as pervious as possible and as green as possible.
This is what I told the other resident who inquired over the weekend:
There are a few areas adjacent to the 118 acres that the Trust for Public Land was able to acquire (108 acres of which was conveyed the same day to the City and the other 10 acres is under lease/option to purchase with CBF), that are undeveloped and have underlying zoning that allows for future development. As you noted, those areas are in yellow adjacent to the subject 118 acres as shown here: http://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/parks-recreation/design-development-projects/current-projects/Documents/php-existing-land-use.pdf
We had to pull all of the resources we could to leverage City funding toward grants from the US Fish & Wildlife Service (through the VA Dept of Game and Inland Fisheries); Virginia Land Conservation Foundation; Dominion Foundation; and a low-interest loan from the VA Dept of Environmental Quality with the grass roots support of primarily Shore Drive area residents through the Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation Foundation to preserve the 118 acres from development.
Collectively, with all of the partners, we had to prioritize the property to acquire with limited resources and we believe we achieved the most we could with the pulled resources.
While we may never know for sure if the Indigo Dunes project with nearly 1,100 units could have been permitted, it stands to reason that the property may have yielded up to 1,000 units ultimately based on the underlying zoning. The City and the Trust for Public Land is applying to down-zone all 118 acres to P-1 Preservation from the PDH-1 Planned Development zoning over the last quarter of this year.
The yellow areas may end up together adding up to just a fraction >; (1-5%) of what could have been developed in the area. Unfortunately, there are no public funds designated to acquire the remaining privately-owned property in the area. However, while the lots have certain vested rights, the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area ordinance and flood plain regulations could limit some of the yellow areas in terms of number and type of units that can be developed there.
When Christy gets back into the office next week, she may have something additional to offer.
Sincerely,
Brian
Brian S. Solis, AICP, LEED Green Associate
Planning, Design and Development Administrator
Twenty-seven (27) unresolved questions that SDCC had submitted in writing to the Chairman of the Beaches and Waterways Advisory Commission at the formal public hearing conducted by that Commission on October 13, 2011.
Posted unedited from SDCC’s submitted document:
Shore Drive Community Coalition
Questions Related to the Neighborhood Dredging Program
Impact on Neighborhoods:
NOTE: IF IT IS NOT DONE SAFELY, IT WILL IMPACT NEIGHBORHOODS, therefore Neighborhood Impact Related1. Will there be or has there been a city SAFETY IMPACT STUDY of issues related to the Neighborhood Dredging Program related to COMBINING HEAVILY LADEN DUMP TRUCKS WITH the NORMAL TRAFFIC FLOW ON N. GREATNECK Rd. through three major school traffic and pedestrian areas?
2.What are the professional safety qualifications and previous experience of the city’s person doing this NDP associated SAFETY IMPACT STUDY?
3.Will there be or has there been a city SAFETY IMPACT STUDY of issues related to the Neighborhood Dredging Program related to TRAFFIC FLOW WITH NORMAL TRAFFIC ON N. GREATNECK through three major school traffic and pedestrian areas?
4.Will there be or has there been a city SAFETY IMPACT STUDY of issues related to the NDP related to burdened barge traffic along narrow or congested channels ?
5.What are the professional safety qualifications and previous experience of the city’s person doing this NDP associated BARGE TRAFFIC ON THE WATERWAYS SAFETY IMPACT STUDY?
6.What safety precautions will be implemented and monitored to provide for adequate safety for work-tug and barge traffic anchored in the waterway during night and inclement weather?
7.As there are 4 or more crosswalks along N. Greatneck Road between Shore Drive and Virginia Beach Blvd, will the present 45 mph speed limit be reduced to 35 mph to provide for increased dump truck-vehicle safety?
8.What are the professional safety qualifications and previous experience of the city’s person evaluating the contracted companies Traffic and Safety Plans associated with this NDP? associated SAFETY IMPACT STUDY?
9.Who in the city will monitor spoils loaded dump trucks to ensure DOT Weight limitations for that vehicle are maintained?
10.Who in the city will monitor spoils loaded dump trucks to ensure DOT, State and city Weight Limitations for that designated truck route (primary roads/neighborhood roads) are not exceeded?
11.Who in the city will monitor spoils loaded dump trucks to ensure DOT and State Weight Limitations are not exceeded for the Lesner Bridge prior to its replacement?
12.How will tug-barge traffic be managed between city contracted barges and privately contracted barges approaching and at dredge transfer sites?
13.Who in the city will monitor, mitigate, correct, and report safety violations?
14.How will these safety records be maintained?
15.Will the public have access to these safety violations records?
16.What will be the process for citizens who sustain damage(s) to their property to have that damage repaired in the case of broken street pipes, broken sewage lines, broken storm water drains, or damage to their residential roadbed?
17.What will be the process for citizens who sustain damage(s) to their residential property associated with NDP dump trucks and equipment to have that damage repaired in the case of damaged foundations, or slabs, interior walls due to cracking, or sewage or water backup due to broken street drains, or damage to their residential roadbed?
18.What qualifications does the City’s Attorney have to accept the tasking of the B&WAC to conduct a SAFETY STUDY of the NDP related to significant associated safety issues?
OPERATIONAL PLANNING
1.What is the City’s BREAK-EVEN COST POINT for the initial cycle of the Neighborhood Dredge Spoils Program (where the cost of City’s dredging equals the revenue generated by the City’s Special Service District contract revenue)?
2.How will individuals who privately contract to have dredge spoils removed from their private dock turnaround to the city spur pay for the hauling and removal of those private spoils?
3.Will the city dredge spur channels to areas that have not signed SSD agreements?
4.Will the city dredge spur channels to Remote Areas when adjacent areas have not signed SSD agreements?
5.What will be the City’s Cost Determination to Construct a SPUR channel into areas that do not have a signed nor approved SSD agreements?
6.If the SSD process is incorrectly calculated, cost under estimated, or optimistically over assessed, who will identify these additional costs to the taxpayers and take responsibility for the increased tax rates to cover these NDP expenses?
7.Should the Beaches and Waterways Advisory Committee Study Report to be submitted to City Council serve as a COMPREHENSIVE study of the majority issues related to the NDP?
8.Should the Beaches and Waterways Advisory Committee Study Report to be submitted to City Council serve as an INDEPENDENT study of the majority issues related to the NDP?
9.IF the Beaches and Waterways Advisory Committee Study Report to be submitted to City Council serves neither as an INDEPENDENT nor Comprehensive study of the majority issues related to the NDP, when will such an independent and comprehensive study be funded and conducted?Submitted by:
David M. Williams
Pres. Shore Drive Community Coalition
Recently from SDCC.info:
“On the first day of dredging sand from the bottom of the creek on Long Creek in Virginia Beach, a containment box holding sand ended up on the bottom of the creek.”
Comments from Peter Doherty on Pleasure House Point Draft Master Plan
Read the entire document at PHP Master Planning Discussion website:
As City resident, field ornithologist and retired environmental and land use planning lawyer with a demonstrated interest in the preservation and conservation of PHP, First Landing State Park (“FLSP”) and the Lynnhaven estuary, I would offer the following comments and suggestions concerning the PHP draft Master Plan as presented by the City at the July 2012 PHP Stakeholder meeting:
PHP has been disturbed.
Fundamentally, the value of PHP to the community, the Lynnhaven and the Chesapeake Bay rests upon one fact: it is among the last, remaining, large, undeveloped, open spaces along the Lynnhaven River and it is in public ownership. Indeed, but for FLSP and now PHP, the essentially urban, north end of the City would be a far less inviting area in which to live, work and visit. But PHP, while “undeveloped”, is by no means undisturbed or unaltered. The remaining maritime forest is second or third growth in which fire has been suppressed. Wetlands and transition uplands have been filled with dredge spoils; tidal flow to other wetlands is restricted by a network of berms. As a designated “Natural Resource Area Park”, there should not be in a rush to disturb, alter, fragment, build upon and otherwise develop PHP in the name of restoration, preservation, education and recreation. PHP has much value in its present state.
Extremely loud fireworks reported in Cape Story. Again.
From Cape Story neighborhood watch:
A resident on Wake Forest St. heard very loud fireworks this afternoon at the end of Bayberry St. near Long Creek. The resident was certain the noise was something other than ordinary fireworks. Not only is this annoying, they could start a serious fire, and it can be very dangerous to some people who might have serious reactions to the loud noise. If you witness anyone setting off any explosive devices, or know who is doing it, please call 911. You have the option of remaining anonymous.
This is the second report of these extremely loud explosive sounds. I am forwarding this email to our Crime Prevention Officer with a request for forwarding to the Second Precinct.
Re: recent Chic’s Beach robberies – “Police Thursday morning said they arrested three juveniles ages 14, 15 and 17 in connection with the larcenies.”
“Police said more than 40 vehicles had items taken from them in the Chic’s Beach area between 10 p.m. Saturday and 3 a.m. the next morning.”
Please remember to call 911 if you see a crime in action and call 385-5000, option 1, to report crimes after they have occurred or to report any suspicious activity.
“Lynnhaven River NOW has agreed to participate in a large study of local environmental organizations being conducted by researchers from Old Dominion University and Virginia Wesleyan College. The results of this research will reach a national audience, and will highlight the accomplishments of citizen groups such as ours.”
Cheasapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) wants your input. Aug 23rd open house and online survey.
The Cheasapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is providing two opportunity’s for community input on the design of their planned educational facility. The facility will be located on 10 acres of Pleasure House Point.
CBF is hosting an open house on August 23rd from 6:00pm – 7:30pm at Bayside Rec Center. The community will have a chance to see the current plans, ask questions and provide comments. Click here for a copy of the open house flyer. PHP open house flyer
CBF is also asking for community input/comments on the proposed road access plan. A link to the online survey can be found at the following link www.surveymonkey.com/s/8YSJV73
Bayfront Advisory Committee to Meet Aug. 16 from 3:30pm to 5:30pm
The Bayfront Advisory Committee will meet Thursday, Aug. 16, at the Virginia Beach Resort and Conference Center, 2800 Shore Drive, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
The agenda for the meeting will include the following:
Update on public and private projects in the Bayfront area
Update on committee activities in the Bayfront area
There will be an opportunity for presentations from the public on projects in the Bayfront area. The committee generally concludes its deliberations around 4:30 p.m. The meeting is then opened to the public for comments.
For additional information or to obtain a copy of the draft agenda, contact Faith Christie in the Planning Department at (757) 385-4621 or fchristi@vbgov.com. For more information regarding the Bayfront Advisory Committee, visit www.VBgov.com/Bayfront.
PHP Stakeholder Meeting and CBF Open House is AUG23 at Bayside Rec Center
From Christy at CBF:
The next PHP Stakeholder meeting will be Thursday, August 23 from 4 to 5:30pm at Bayside Rec Ctr. (4500 First Court Rd.).
Draft agenda:
– Debrief July 30 Open House
– CBF Design Presentation
– Access Road Discussion
– Next steps/ClosingCBF will be hosting a public Open House from 6 to 7:30 that same evening at that same location. Flyer is attached and posted at www.cbf.org/PHPOpenhouse.
“Swimming Advisory Lifted for the Chesapeake Bay from Rockbridge Road to Starfish Road”
“Swimming Advisory Issued for the Chesapeake Bay from Rockbridge Road to Starfish Road”
WARNING! SWIMMING ADVISORY
Bacteria levels do not meet state water quality standards
Swimming and wading are prohibited until further notice
#WeLoveShoreDrive 