Mayor response to Prez of Cape Story by The Sea Civic League re: proposed dredge transfer station on Maple Street

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The Mayor’s email response:

Dear Empsy:

Thank you for your recent email, on behalf of the Cape Story Civic League, regarding the dredged transfer facility site.

City Council just received the Beaches and Waterways Advisory Commission’s report in response to the tasking we gave them on specific areas of the Neighborhood SSD Dredging Program. We are in the process of reviewing that report, along with staff.

The City’s application to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) for the construction of the mechanically dredged material transfer site has been returned to staff, and until we on City Council make a decision, the application is not active. Public Works Water Resources staff has submitted a renewal permit application to VMRC for maintenance dredging of Long Creek due to shoaling in the channel. This renewal permit application is in the public review stage. On January 20th, City staff provided additional information to VMRC for the application. VMRC requested this information prior to forwarding notification letters to the adjacent property owners about the renewal permit application. We hope residents are not opposed to our keeping the navigation channel open. I believe you may have also been in communication with Mr. Justin Worrell at VMRC and should have been advised this work could be performed by either hydraulic or mechanical dredging.

As to your request that we withdraw our appeal, we believe that the Board of Zoning Appeals’ decision has other ramifications which we need to consider as part of our appeal process. Our City Attorney has kept our options open by filing for an appeal. Our final actions have not yet been determined.

The adjacent parcel to the dredged material holding area is zoned R-7.5. I can ask staff to look at your request that the property to the east of the dredged material holding area be rezoned P-1 and am supportive of this request. A subdivision may be required so that we can continue to use the dredged material holding site for operations referenced above.

I hope this information is helpful. Your input is appreciated. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I may provide any additional assistance.

William D. Sessoms, Jr.
Mayor
City of Virginia Beach
Office of the Mayor
2401 Courthouse Drive, Building 1, Room 234
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
757-385-4581 (MAIN)
757-385-5699 (FAX)
wsessoms@vbgov.com

Empsy Munden is the President of the Cape Story by the Sea Civic League.
More at VBGov.com Neighborhood Channel Dredging.
Virginia Marine Resources Commission.

Peeping tom in Vista Pointe Condos WAVY coverage

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Read and watch story at WAVY.com:

Police say a woman in Vista Pointe Condos reported that early Wednesday morning she saw a stranger peaking through her window. The woman, who lives on the first floor, had just gotten out of the shower when she saw the man.

Judith “Judy” Kane Connors passed away on Friday January 20th 2012.

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Our condolences to her family and friends.

“Judy” made a huge difference in Ocean Park, the Shore Drive community and Virginia Beach and undoubtedly every where she lived.

“Judy’s” obituary at Pilotonline.com:

Among her many activities, she was a member of Ocean Park Civic League, Ocean Park Womens Club, Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations, Bayfront Advisory Committee, Retired Officers Wives, member of board of directors of the Francis Land House, was the first women appointed to the Virginia Beach Board of Zoning Appeals and Past Regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Thanks to Public Works for installing a pneumatic plug device in Crab Creek out fall line to help prevent catastrophic flooding.

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Public Works has installed a device similar to this in the Crab Creek out fall storm drain system. The device should help prevent catastrophic tidal flooding from storms like Nor ‘Ida in 2009, over ~$150,000 worth of damage, and Irene in 2011. The pneumatic plug device is a temporary solution. The permanent solution is the plan to move the Crab Creek out fall line to the pump station late in 2012.

Storm drain cleaning in Ocean Park today, and over the next couple weeks

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You’ve seen the contractor Tri-State cleaning storm drains in Ocean Park around the Ocean Park Baptist Church area.

I was just assured by the contract supervisor for the City of VB that the contract cleaning will be completed, then service requests by home owners will be completed in the next couple weeks. That includes lines on the pump station, and also the Crab Creek out fall line.

They are not only cleaning, but also using the fancy movie camera in the storm drain looking for damage or issues thing too.

“Troutman said that just a week and a half ago, an officer went door-to-door warning residents about recent car break-ins and thefts.”

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Read coverage at WVEC.com:

The Cape Story by the Sea Neighborhood Watch Group sent out an e-mail to all of its residents alerting them about the burglary.   The homeowner believes it happened between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

 

 

Stolen car from Ocean Park recovered. Thief confesses crime.

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He was caught in Ocean View:

[T]hey have arrested the guy who stole my car out of the driveway in early January. He has been connected to several thefts, was out of jail on probation, and is currently incarcerated without a chance of bail. He has confessed to the thefts[.]

Previously at SDCC.info.

Pedestrian signs installed at La Casa Rana, Salty C’s, Croakers, Cheap Chic Resale Boutique “block” on Shore Drive. Thanks Public Works!

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East bound side of Shore Drive at Salty C's.

West bound side at Bay Vista

Thanks to Debbie of La Casa Rana Baja Grill for letting us know Public Works installed the signs!

There were 4 deaths, including 3 pedestrians, in this area since 1997.

Update on barge in Long Creek

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Email from VMRC rep:

Mr. Cunningham,

I recently talked with the contractor. He is currently waiting for the excavator to be delivered back to Marina Shores so it can be placed back on the barge. He has two pier projects (recently authorized by VMRC) nearby on Long Creek, and the barge will be moved over to those properties by the end of January.

Justin D. Worrell
Environmental Engineer
Habitat Management Division
Virginia Marine Resources Commission
(757) 247-8063 telephone
(757) 247-8062 fax

Break-in and Robbery In Cape Story

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From an email from Cape Story Prez:

Follow up on the young couple who just moved into Cape Story and were robbed yesterday (door kicked in and two TV’s and computer stolen). I stopped by tonight and found a couple of Cape Story neighbors replacing the door (GREAT WORK!!) and I expresssed the concern of the neighborhood and offered to send out email to see if anyone had extra TV or computer not needed. SO this is the send, if you have extra electronics let me know and I will forward.
THIS is a very serious robbery with the door destruction , between 11 am and 2 pm and targeting specific items right on SHORE DRIVE . CAREFUL and SEE Something SAY Something. Empsy
Empsy Munden, Pres Cape Story by the Sea emunden@aol.com 757-869-5785

House break in. Cape Story this afternoon.

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From Cape Story Neighborhood Watch:

My son’s house was just broken into in the last several hours. The police are there now. They busted in the back side door and stole most of the electronics, not sure what else yet. Will update you if warranted. Broad day light….this is scary.

CIP projects info added to our HOT page

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Our HOT page is here.

Here’s what was added:

Shore Drive Corridor Improvements Projects

    2.116.000: Shore Drive Corridor Improvements – Phase II (Partial)
    This project will provide safety improvements, including pedestrian walkways and bikeways, along the Shore Drive corridor from South Oliver Drive/Waterspoint Place to Treasure Island Drive. It will also include improvements along Shore Drive at the Northampton Boulevard interchange and to the intersections at Pleasure House Road and at Greenwell Road.
    2.117.000: Shore Drive Corridor Improvements – Phase III (Partial)
    This project begins at Vista Circle, near the eastern end of the Lesner Bridge, and extends eastward through the Great Neck Road intersection and terminates at Croix Drive. This project will improve vehicular and pedestrian traffic flow and safety in the roadway and intersections; improve storm drainage; include a multi-use trail, 5-ft sidewalk and on-street bike lanes; and enhance the corridor with aesthetic elements such as landscaping and lighting.
    2.118.000: Shore Drive Corridor Improvements – Phase IV
    This project begins at the Marlin Bay Drive/Sandy Oaks Drive intersection and ends at the west end of the Lesner Bridge. This project will improve vehicular and pedestrian traffic flow and safety in the roadway and intersections; improve storm drainage; include a multi-use trail, 5-ft sidewalk and on-street bike lanes; and enhance the corridor with aesthetic elements such as landscaping and lighting. It will include improvements at the East Stratford Road intersection.

Note: projected end date of all infrastructure improvements of Shore Drive including replacing the Lesner Bridge is ~ September 2019.

Try out the new bridge on the multi-use path on Shore Drive!

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It’s cool!

Walking, strolling, riding, running west of the Lesner Bridge on the south side of Shore Drive – if you head back into the PHP side of Ocean Park – can all be done on a multi-use path all the way to Independence Blvd. Thanks!

When Shore Drive Corridor Improvements Phase IV in Ocean Park is completed, surely there’ll be continuous multi-use paths on both the northbound and southbound sides of Shore Drive.

View Official Project page at VBGov.com.

The Army Corps of Engineers laid out its plans for restoring the Lynnhaven River on Tuesday

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Read the entire article and comments at the Pilotonline.com:

Council members, without committing to the city’s share of the funding, expressed support for the plan and to continuing the revival of the city’s largest waterway, on the mend after decades of pollution, over development and other abuses.

Excerpt from one comment:

Perhaps the restoration of Pleasure House Point is a part of this plan and all can be combined. Hopefully the citizens will be able to see this plan on the City’s website.

Car stolen in Cape Story

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From Cape Story NE email:

“I just received confirmation that a vehicle was stolen during the night Sat. Jan 7 from the 2300 block of Oak St. Someone was visiting a resident there and unfortunately she left her keys in the car.”

Multiple car break ins again in Ocean Park & Cape Story

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Around Clipper Bay area in Ocean Park, and from Cape Story‘s neighborhood watch email list:

Another car break in on Oak St (2200) block on Saturday night (Jan 7). Also heard from another resident that the police were going door-to-door Sunday night on Oak St. asking residents if anyone had had similar experiences and they also stayed parked on the street for at least a few hours.

Reminder, please report any and all incidents to the police. If they are not reported, the police will not know this is going on. Also, I repeat, LOCK YOUR CAR DOORS.

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.

Pleasure House Point preservation gets another $1.54M grant !

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More at SavePHP.org:

$1 million grant will add 82 acres to Virginia Beach’s park and open space system
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, partnering with the City of Virginia Beach and the Trust for Public Land, will use this grant and non-federal match of $540,000 to acquire and preserve one of Hampton Roads’ largest undeveloped waterfront properties.

Incident in First Landing State Park

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FYI, from an email to Cape Story’s neighborhood watch coordinator:

We had an individual that was jumping on a gentleman on the King Fisher Trail. The person has psychological issues and was arrested on Friday shortly after the incident. I spoke with this person on Tuesday because we had a report of an individual touching/grabbing men when they went by her along Cape Henry Trail. No one wished to press charges so the individual was told to leave the park for the day. The park will seek a court order banning this individual from park property when her court day arrives. This was an isolated incident and dealt with swiftly.

Let me know if I may be of further assistance.

Bruce

Who is Bruce?

Bruce is Bruce Widener the Park Ranger at First Landing State Park. He receives all of my NW emails and is really sensitive about what is said about any trouble in the park.