SDCC General Meeting – Monday October 24th at 7:30pm

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda SDCC October 2011 Agenda (1)

 

SDCC General Meeting – Monday, OCT 24, 7:30 – 9:00 pm

 Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Station (Intersection of Shore Drive and East Stratford Rd.)

 

 Call to order

 Discussion:               Virginia Beach City Council Candidates’ Forum

Invited speakers: Candidates for City Council

 Prescott Sherrod

 Dennis Free 

 John Moss

                                   

Update/Long Creek Dredge Spoils

Beaches and Waterways Advisory Committee 

For Important information concerning dredge spoils project and Long Creek

www.SDCC.info   and          www.longcreekwetlands.com

  

Officers’ Reports

            President’s Report – David Williams

            Vice President’s report- Thomas Cantwell

            Secretary’s Report – Todd Solomon – Minutes of the SEPT Meeting

            Treasurer’s Report – Carol Collins

 

Update on issues:

          Old Business        

New Business

 Adjourn

Next   SDCC Meeting 7:30 pm MondayNov 28, 2011

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Center

Speaker- To be announced

Please check www.sdcc.info for more information on area news and events

Thursday’s Beaches & Waterways Committee Meeting

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This Thursday’s meeting of the B&WAC was a showdown. At the well attended B&WAC scheduled public meeting held on 13 OCT, a large showing of residents came to express their concerns and to ask questions. Many spoke to the committee and packed room to state their concerns mainly with the viability of the proposed Maple Street Dredge Spoils transfer site. Of the 20 speakers, 16 spoke directly against the use of Maple Street as a spoils transfer site, three others on different points of opposition, and one lone speaker on the positive points for Old Donation Special Service District.
Many questions submitted by the gathered audience were answered while some questions were dismissed as “off topic”. When the night ended, many of us felt that our positions in opposition to the city’s plan were on the record and understood by the board. I do not think many of us knew how it would progress past the point that we had left that night. We were determined, well researched, and committed to our positions.
This Thursday’s meeting (Oct 20), was going to be a showdown on the street to determine the outcome of our stated positions. I spoke to Chairman Fraim before the meeting of unanswered questions from the previous meeting and he said they would be answered at this meeting. I asked if the citizens of Virginia Beach would have an opportunity to review and comment on the board’s recommendations before they went to City Council and he said yes. I felt some of the tension between us lessen. We were communicating.
When I was young in grade school, I remember that I did not like to fight and get in trouble for doing so, but sometimes it was necessary to stand your ground and do what you believed to be necessary. This felt like one of those days in grade school. We had gone nose to nose, reached our point, but now we at least started to understand where we stood. We had reached middle ground. It is not a win-lose position, but more of an understanding. We would be listened to and our positions considered. I would like to think that that is the way reasonable people negotiate very important matters. I still do not know how this Neighborhood Dredge Spoils program will turn out, but we are talking and considerate of both parties. Friday started with a renewed spirit and more hope for Long Creek residents. It was a better day, fresh and clear, with a bit more hope for our neighborhoods. Have a nice weekend neighbors and B&WAC committee members. I hope to be fishing with my wife in the middle channel of Long Creek at my favorite trout spot. We are more hopeful than before and remain still confident in our positions.

New link added – VB’s ePro, Electronic Police Reports Online

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From VBGov.com:

Welcome to ePRO (electronic Police Reports Online), an interactive web application that allows public access to reported crime, traffic accident reports, and active warrants.

“Each neighborhood dredging project requires City Council approval, and the Beach needs to find multiple sites to unload the dredge spoils from the barges.”

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Read entire article at Pilotonline.com.

This is about:

[A] city proposal to put a permanent dredge transfer station on Maple Street next to the Marina Shores marina.

And:

The commission, which will present its final report in the coming months, suggested that the city use the site for only 90 working days a year, avoid bringing in barges during the summer, and haul 30 truckloads a day of dredge spoils out of the site.

“There are methods of mitigation and opportunities for controls that will eliminate or significantly reduce, many of the issues of concern,” the draft report states.

The city launched its neighborhood dredging program last year to help residents deepen their channels if they agree to a tax rate increase.

Guidelines for tonight’s public meeting re:Dredge Transfer Stations

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From an email:

We have received a number of calls about this evening’s public meeting and the guidelines for those who wish to speak.

1) Anyone wishing to speak must sign up before the meeting starts

2) Each speaker will be limited to 3 minutes.

3) If a group is in attendance and has chosen someone to speak for them, that speaker will be allowed up to 10 minutes to speak on behalf of the group.

4) Any questions to the commission from the public can be submitted in advance on cards that will be provided at the meeting. Those who wish to submit a question can get a card from Rebecca Lear and submit the card to the moderator.

5) Because the commission wants to hear from as many speakers as possible, speaking time will be only for direct comments. Any questions will be addressed through the cards that are submitted to the moderator.

6) Public comments will be taken (from those who sign up) until 9:00 when the meeting will adjourn.

The Commission will answer questions and take comments on the four following topics only:

· The feasibility of alternative dredging methods, such as hydraulic rather than mechanical dredging;

· The potential for beneficial re-use of spoils;

· An analysis of the impact on affected communities (both those receiving dredging and those in the vicinity of the existing and proposed transfer stations) with a focus on identifying sites that are sufficient to support the needs of the project but have the least potential for adverse impact for the community; and

· A proposed framework with parameters for operation of the spoils sites, including potential use of the site by the public for dredging by entities or individuals other than the City.

If you wish to sign up in advance to speak, you may contact Rebecca Lear at 385-1948, or e-mail her at: rlear@vbgov.com

The meeting will be held 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Great Neck Recreation Center, 2521 Shorehaven Drive.

Thank you.

Drew Lankford
Media and Communications
Department of Public Works
City of Virginia Beach
dlankfor@vbgov.com
(O) 757.385.8062
(C) 757.409.4353

Note: Received this email at 1129a Oct 13 2011.

The Pilot article notes, ‘the city has not identified any dredging project near the neighborhood.

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Letter to the Editor about proposed Maple Street Dredge Spoils area at Pilotonline.com:

Re ‘Beach plans appeal over dredge site,’ Hampton Roads, Oct. 5: It is beyond my comprehension that the city of Virginia Beach, through its city attorney, would contemplate appealing to the Virginia Beach Circuit Court to reverse the Board of Zoning Appeals’ determination that the Maple Street site on Long Creek cannot be used for a public purpose. I was stunned to read of the appeal, especially since the public purpose intended is for the construction of a permanent, industrial dredged spoils transfer operation in the heart of a residentially zoned neighborhood.

Beaches and Waterways Commission to Hold Public Meeting

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News release at VBGov.com:

The Beaches and Waterways Advisory Commission will hold a public meeting Thursday, October 13 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Great Neck Recreation Center, 2521 Shorehaven Drive, Virginia Beach, Virginia.

The Commission will answer questions and take comments on the four following topics only:

    The feasibility of alternative dredging methods, such as hydraulic rather than mechanical dredging;
    The potential for beneficial re-use of spoils;
    An analysis of the impact on affected communities (both those receiving dredging and those in the vicinity of the existing and proposed transfer stations) with a focus on identifying sites that are sufficient to support the needs of the project but have the least potential for adverse impact for the community; and
    A proposed framework with parameters for operation of the spoils sites, including potential use of the site by the public for dredging by entities or individuals other than the City.

Public comments will be limited to three minutes per speaker, ten minutes if you are representing a group.

Citizens wishing to comment may sign up at the meeting or by contacting Rebecca Lear @ (757) 385-1948, or rlear@vbgov.com.

Car break ins in Cape Story Sunday night

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From Cape Story’s neighborhood watch:

Last night, Sunday, Oct 9, there were two incidents of cars being entered. In the 2200 block of First Landing a GPS was taken and the glove box was ransacked. In the 2200 block of Wake Forest St. the car was searched but nothing taken. Unfortunately, both residents forgot to lock their cars. If anyone has any information on these two incidents, please call the police and PLEASE remember to lock your cars.

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. Also, please call or email the NW Coordinator so crime reports and suspicious activities can be shared with all of our residents.

Update:

Here are the latest 2 received:

“One of our cars was opened and looked through last night (Sunday ) in the 2200 block of Bayberry. There was no damage or theft but things within the car were moved around and the car door was not closed well. Police were notified and finger prints were taken.”

2nd Update:

We are up to 7 now. If anyone knows who is doing this or saw anything, please call the police.

“Our car was gone through last night between 9:30 pm and 5:30 am. We left it unlocked accidentally last night . Glove box and center console gone through but they only got two older CD’s .It was parked under the portico and there was is a motion light as well which didn’t stop them. This occurred in the 2300 block of Walke Street, on the bay side.”

“Same thing happened to our cars in the 2200 block of Hatton St. Also nothing taken”

“Last night our car was searched through but nothing was taken. We are on the 2100 block of Sandalwood.”

“I live in the 2600 block of Ocean Shore Ave. and my car was ransacked too. It was such a mess to start with it was hard to tell any difference, but I noticed the glove box open and more junk on the seat. Usually my dog lets me know if someone is outside – but not last night!”

EIGHTOver 12 vehicles were broken into.

Public Hearing For City’s Dredging Program

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Here is the content of an email that I sent to Councilman Wood concerning the dredging program and this public meeting. I hope you can attend this meeting. It is THAT important.
David W.

Councilman Wood,
As you know, the Neighborhood Dredging Program is a very important, make that vital issue to the residents in your district. There is significant opposition to the city’s Neighborhood Dredging Program (NDP) judging from petitions signed, attendance at the BZA hearing, and increased attendance at civic association meetings where this project is discussed. This opposition is continuing to grow as more residents become informed about plan deficiencies, concerns for safety, impact on traffic flow, impact on neighborhoods, SSD financial viability, overall project scope, and its intended operations particularly at Maple Street and Crab Creek. Probably, some time back, the city’s NDP initially looked reasonable and do-able in its early design stage, but when more of the program came to light, it became obvious that there were some neighborhoods that would be significantly impacted with no or little gain to them. Despite attempts by many of us to address these issues at the Beaches and Waterways Advisory Committee meetings, we have either been procedurally gaged, or severely time constrained. While some may think that our opposition to the city’s inadequate Neighborhood Dredging Program will subside, it will not unless significant changes are made. I hope you will find the time to address these issues and answer questions at the Beaches and Waterways public meeting 13 OCT at Great Neck Rec Center, 7 PM.

Warm regards,
David Williams
Pres. SDCC

WAVY covers Chick’s Beach robberies

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More at WAVY including a vid:

According to police, the thieves park their vehicles, ring the doorbell and enter homes from the back.

A flyer is circulating around the neighborhood warning residents to be vigilant.

Judge today affirmed that the city has owned easement rights in the beach behind the Lynnhaven Dunes condominium since 1926.

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From VBGov.com:

Today, Judge Shockley ruled that the same result applies to an adjoining property, the 70-unit condominium Lynnhaven Dunes, which sits immediately to the west of 3232 Page Avenue. The owner had sought $2.8 million from the city.

As in the previous case, Judge Shockley today concluded that the city accepted the beach’s dedication from the developer of Lynnhaven Shores in 1926.

And:

Two more cases along Cape Henry beach are pending. They involve essentially the same facts and law as the case concluded today.

Attempted break-ins from Lake Smith to Lesner Bridge

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From Baylake Pines Civic League:

Tonight at the Civic League Board Meeting Officer Menago, our 3rd Precinct Officer contact, alerted us to two burglar rings that are operating from Lake Smith to the Lesner Bridge. They enter by coming over the back fence to enter the house. Do not hesitate to call the police if you see anything suspicious or any of the vehicles mentioned below.

You should record the serial numbers from all your electronic equipment and keep the information in a safe place away from the area where the equipment is located.

One ring (the attempted break-in on Lookout Rd) consists of 1 heavyset black female driving a white 4-door Ford Fusion, license plate XBG-8884 and 2 young black males. They park the vehicle, ring the doorbell, enter from the rear of the house taking electronic equipment mostly. The female, the driver, waits in the vehicle for quick getaway. Sometimes she rings the doorbell, the males are entering the rear of the house while you are answering the front door. Ocassionally, the female is not with them, but they are still driving the Ford Fusion. If you see this vehicle, DO NOT HESITATE, CALL THE POLICE – the 911 number.

The second ring consists of 3 white males, 17-19 years old. They ride red and white motor scooters and break in through the back of the house. Here again, CALL THE POLICE IF YOU SEE THEM!

Neighborhood Dredge Spoils Project, Our Constitutional Process

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It is our Democratic process that permits us to freely petition our elected governmental representatives to address an issue that could potentially damage our property and take away from its value. It is our Constitution and our First Amendment rights that allow us the free exercise to peaceably assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Should our own Virginia Beach City government be included in this right to “petition the Government”? I proclaim most strongly “yes” and have, as have so many others, put it all on the line to support and defend our Constitutional Rights.

Should a city appointed board tasked with making recommendations to resolve significant issues accept statements from the city’s staff, but not permit assembled citizens the right to state their position or to redress staff statements? Should derogatory statements that “there is much misinformation out there” be accepted without challenge from the board when the assembled are not permitted to speak to address the sources of that information?

To many citizens, these issues may be of small importance or no consequence, but I think it is vitally important. If we do not hold our local government accountable to us, we perch ourselves on the point of becoming irrelevant as free people with the power to elect. We merely become payer of taxes, not the proponent of our Rights. The rights exercised by City government are as important to us as the headwaters of a river. We must all be engaged and involved. It is our elected government whether it be city, state or Federal. We deserve what we get.

Pleasure House Point Forum

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We have something rare and special before us called Pleasure House Point. We have an opportunity to preserve and restore this property with the help of the city of Virginia Beach, Trust for Public Land, Chesapeake Bay Foundation and much effort by many people. But, what would we like PHP to be now and in our future? This special piece of land has history and significance. What would we like to show our children and grandchildren? Come and let’s talk. Ms. Barbara Duke, Senior Open Space Planner for the city will provide some of the possibilities Monday, 26 Sept at 7:30 PM at the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Station (intersection of Shore Drive and East Stratford Rd. Bring a friend, bring some ideas and let’s see what the possibilities are for PHP.

SDCC General Meeting Agenda - Monday September 26th @ 7:30pm

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda Shore_Drive_Community_Coalition_Sept_2011 Agenda

Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC) General Meeting
Monday 26 Sept 2011
SDCC General Meeting – Monday, Sept 26, 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Station (Intersection of Shore Drive and East Stratford Rd.)

Call to order

Discussion: Pleasure House Point Concepts

Presented by Barbara Duke
Senior Open Space Planner
Planning Design and Development Division
Va Beach Parks & Recreation

Update/Long Creek Dredge Spoils
Beaches and Waterways Advisory Committee

For Important information concerning dredge spoils project and Long Creek
http://www.SDCC.info  and http://www.longcreekwetlands.com

Officers’ Reports
President’s Report – David Williams
Vice President’s report- Thomas Cantwell
Secretary’s Report – Todd Solomon – Minutes of the AUGMeeting
Treasurer’s Report – Carol Collins

Update on issues:
Old Business

New Business

Adjourn

Next SDCC Meeting 7:30 pm Monday OCT 17, 2011

IMPORTANT (PLEASE NOTE Date Change)
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Center

Speaker- Karen Lasley , City of Va Beach Current Planning and Zoning Administrator and Jeryl Phillips on the 5 year Vision and Comp Plan
Please check http://www.sdcc.info for more information on area news and events

Va. Beach zoning board opposes dredge transfer plan - Sept 7th

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On September 7th, the Beach’s Board of Zoning Appeals sided with residents who argued that the city doesn’t own or lease the land off Long Creek and therefore can’t use it for a transfer station. The board overturned a decision by the Beach’s zoning administrator, who had ruled that the city has a long-term easement there for dredging operations and therefore the transfer station was an appropriate use of the land.

Click here to read the rest of the Virginian-Pilot Article http://hamptonroads.com/2011/09/va-beach-zoning-board-opposes-dredge-transfer-plan

City Receives $500,000 for Pleasure House Point Land Acquisition

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I just wanted to highlight my favorite part of the notice “As noted in the grant application, the project has strong local support from community. Organizations and individuals have rallied to raise funds to ensure the entire property is preserved as natural area, rather than having a portion commercially developed.”.  Shore Drive residents are the best.

Taken from the City’s News Center on Thursday, September 15, 2011 · 03:30 pm

As part of a large conservation effort to permanently protect the entire Pleasure House Point property located within the Lynnhaven watershed, the City of Virginia Beach has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation.  The grant will help the city acquire 82 acres of coastal wetlands and marine forest.
The property is identified in the Virginia Conservation Lands Needs Assessment as highly threatened by development. The acquisition of Pleasure House Point has been identified as a top priority in the City of Virginia Beach’s Comprehensive Plan.
Efforts to protect the largest undeveloped parcel of land on the Lynnhaven River (122 acres) began in 2010 through a partnership with Trust for Public Land, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the City of Virginia Beach. The Trust for Public Land initiated a plan to purchase the property and sell parcels to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the City of Virginia Beach.
As noted in the grant application, the project has strong local support from community. Organizations and individuals have rallied to raise funds to ensure the entire property is preserved as natural area, rather than having a portion commercially developed. The Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation Foundation is participating as the designated 501(c) (3) organization for fundraising activities. http://www.vbprf.org

Beaches & Waterways Commission Meeting - Thursday September 22nd @ 4pm (Dredging Study)

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The Beaches and Waterways Commission will meet to continue discussion on the City-wide Neighborhood Dredging Plan.  The meetings are open to the public, but the Commission doesn’t always allow public comments to be made.

Click here for a printable version of the notice.  Beaches_and_Waterways_-_Sept_22nd_2011.pdf

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The Beaches and Waterways Advisory Commission will meet Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 4:00 pm in Building 14, 2nd Floor Conference Room at the Municipal Center located at 2449 Princess Anne Road,  Virginia Beach, Virginia.  

For additional information, please contact Rebecca Lear at 385-1948 or rlear@vbgov.com.

Communications Old and New

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On 29 August, three of us, Ms Penny, Todd Solomon, and myself  had a chance at the last SDCC meeting to talk about hurricanes, near misses and some “what if”s. This conversation lead into a discussion on the way we communicate these days and some generational difference. Todd feels very comfortable with a computer and using it as a tool to connect with people and express his thoughts.  He does well with his research, his record keeping, and has contributed greatly to our efforts to keep Shore Drive connected and in the flow of  city information.

I am less comfortable with a computer, and even less trusting.  It is probably illogical, a “love-hate” relationship.  Maybe it is from using computers onboard aircraft for many years that has left me weary. I would always do my own flight calculations for essential items like fuel required, half-way point, and flight time and then check my estimates against the computer’s numbers.  The computer may have never been wrong, but that is not the point.  I used the computer as a tool and did not rely on it to keep me going in the safe direction.  Some of my fellow pilots used the computer as their only tool and it lead them away when it failed.  If this hurricane had taken away our internet, where would we have found ourselves?  To many,  the computer is much more that a tool, almost like the closest of friends.  Many would feel alone without their BFA (that’s Best friend always). If our device’s battery should fail, do we also shut down?

And then we have Ms. Penny. Intelligent, engaged, articulate, and I would respectfully estimate, a most powerful force to verbally challenge over any misplaced or misguided element of civic logic concerning Shore Drive or Virginia Beach. Citizens like Ms. Penny are the backbone and cornerstone of this city.  As for communications, she is not overly fond of computers either. As an organization (SDCC), I think we are missing out on our dialogues when we think that we can accomplish all that we need to do to communicate with just a computer. Computers may be fast and save postage, but I find so much missing without the face to face. I am telling you all these things while I write on my computer.  My computer is a tool, not a BFA yet.  Thanks for the discussion that day after the hurricane, Ms. Penny.  We will try harder to find better ways to stay connected with more people along Shore Drive.