It is not available at Pilotonline.com yet, so here it is here:
It is not sufficient to thank the present Mayor and City Council of Virginia Beach for their role in the recent negotiations to preserve Pleasure House Point, although it’s a good place to start. This effort has been underway for so long, there are others who should be recognized, as well. In addition to the sitting Council, previous Council members and past Mayor Meyera Oberndorf, are to be commended for maintaining the acquisition of this tract at the top of the Open Space wish list.
The Virginia Beach Wetlands Board of 2006-07 demonstrated great courage and wisdom in challenging the environmental claims made by the developer. Numerous respected organizations like the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Lynnhaven River NOW, bayfront civic leagues and individual professional experts joined countless ordinary citizens to document and publicize the value of this parcel. I am pleased to say that the Shore Drive Community Coalition was a part of this effort.
I, for one, do not rejoice in the difficulties the Sandler brothers are currently facing. No one should revel in the misfortune of others. The economic hardship facing many Virginia Beach residents is personal devastation. Small comfort to them, but without such financial conditions, it is doubtful that much, if any, of Pleasure House Point could remain in its natural state. We are thankful that something good might come in the midst of bleakness
.
Thank you, all who have labored so diligently. Mayor Will Sessoms, Vice Mayor Louis Jones and honorable Council members, take a bow.
Dear Vice Mayor Jones and Councilman Wood,
Please accept our thanks for your bold initiative in reducing the speed limit from N. Great Neck Road to Pleasure House Road recently. We understand that this is not a permanent measure, and that studies must be performed and other safety improvements made to the infrastructure of Shore Drive. However, your action to implement a speed reduction in the interim has made many feel that at least some effort is being made by the City to improve safety conditions.
We realize that this has been a contentious move, and we would have you to know that for all the negative comments posted online and in the newspaper, we have heard just as many (if not more) positive responses from the residents along the Corridor. You have both been in public service long enough to know that the “aginners” are typically more vocal than the proponents.
The Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC) would like to lodge a formal request that the City Council resurrect the Shore Drive Safety Task Force (SDSTF) which did such fine work from 2005-2006. We respectfully request that the revitalized SDSTF take the same form as the original. That is to say, that the appropriate City Staff, representatives from the Bayfront Advisory Committee (BAC), SDCC and representatives from the bicyclist community comprise the panel, under the oversight of a Deputy City Manager. Other members might be assigned at the discretion of the Deputy City Manager in charge. I believe that Charles Meyers was the Deputy City Manager assigned this role in the original SDSTF.
Once again, we thank you for the courage and concern you have demonstrated in this matter, and your enduring service in all matters of benefit to the City of Virginia Beach.
Very respectfully,
Grace Moran
President, Shore Drive Community Coalition
PLEASE click here now to start survey. Thanks to all who took the poll.
The Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations, VBCCO, is hosting City Manager Jim Spore at their meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 14 at the Meyera Oberndorf Central Library. Prior to that, they are seeking your opinion on five questions about the 2010 budget.
Would you please take a moment to click to this survey and register your answers? It should not take more than 60 seconds. (Thirty seconds for speed readers.) We need this input before 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 14. PLEASE click here now to start survey. Thanks to all who took the poll.
Thanks very much.
Grace Moran
President, Shore Drive Community Coalition
The City Manager will deliver the 2011-2012 budget no later than March 23. Vice Mayor Louis Jones and City Councilman Jim Wood have agreed to come to the March 29 meeting of the Shore Drive Community Coalition, at 7:30 p.m. in the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Station, to give us some idea of what stays in the budget and what goes, as it relates to us.
City Council will offer their recommended modifications to the City Manager and vote on the final budget sometime in May. Now is the time to hear and see what they will be looking to modify. And to give our City Council representative our opinions.
Planning Commission Public Workshop on Electronic Display Billboards
Monday, February 22nd – 4:00 pm
City Council Chambers The Planning Commission is holding a public workshop to take comments on the attached amendments drafted by their subcommittee. This alternate version differs from the version referred by City Council in the following ways:
1. Requires that where an electronic display billboard is approved, all existing billboards on the zoning lot must be removed and at least 2 times the total sign area of the proposed digital billboard must be removed from other existing billboard sites.
2. The sign area of any new electronic display billboard must be at least 2/3 smaller than the sign area of the billboard that it replaces.
3. Allows electronic display billboards only where plainly visible from the main traveled way of an Interstate Highway, a National Highway System Highway or a federal-aid primary highway, as that system existed on June 1, 1991. In Virginia Beach, such roadways with existing billboards include Interstate 264, Shore Drive, and Northampton Boulevard.
4. Increases dwell time to 30 seconds.
5. Prohibits electronic display billboards within Strategic Growth Areas, as identified in the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
6. Requires any electronic display billboard visible from a residential or apartment district to go dark between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am.
7. Reduces intensity to 5,000 candelas with a maximum of 500 candelas at night.
8. Requires all digital billboards to be monopole construction.
Please forward this to anyone who might be interested. I am trying to get it widely circulated before the Monday workshop. Thanks!
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Heidi and Dorinda, thank you so very much for all the contacts you made and all the rejectiion you endured in coming to this goal. I hope that the team that you have assembled will serve the Shore Drive community as ably as have past Executive Boards.
SDCC’s meeting this month will feature a presentation by Staci Martin, District Program Specialist for Virginia State Parks headquartered out of First Landing. She manages visitor experience—visitor experience is education programs, signage, information kiosks, public relations—anything that would enhance someone’s experience at the parks. She’s been with the parks for five years. View flier. [1pg PDF]
She will be giving us some special inside information about what a treasure we have in First Landing State Park (known to long-time residents as Seashore State Park.)
For a preview, you could visit this site but it won’t give you the full picture only an insider knows. Please, won’t you join us at 7:30 p.m., Monday, June 29, 2009, at the Ocean Park Volunteer Fire & Rescue Station.
If you were opposed to the Northern alignment of the Lesner Bridge replacement, the news was bad. Unless a miracle happens, future residents of 3556 will be seeing headlights in their living rooms. The City still plans to meet privately with the residents of the condominium building, but Deputy Manager acknowledged that the decision to go North was etched in stone, or nearly so.
If you were one of the many residents of Cape Henry Shores or Cape Story by the Sea who wants to see the speed limit lowered on Shore Drive to 35 mph from Ft. Story to N. Great Neck Road, there is still hope. Mr. Robert Gey of Public Works Traffic Division gave a short study on what the City feels it needs to do to address this problem. He revealed that the City was already planning to install 8 solar-powered pedestrian signs with flashing lights attached, 4 in each direction, between First Landing State Park and the Lesner Bridge. He also noted that State codes require that a traffic study precede any change, and that Public Works planned a traffic study for this stretch in July, with results by September.
In a rebuttal presentation, David Williams, of Cape Henry Shores noted that there had already been two studies, one in 2005 for the Shore Drive Safety Task Force review, and one in 2006, for which the City could provide no information. He noted that over the past 20 years, residents had been asking for relief from this risk, and showed a number of slides demonstrating that the danger was exacerbated by a curve some 700’ from the intersection, which allowed only about 4 seconds of reaction time (assuming a 50 mph speed of the oncoming vehicle) in exiting from Kendall Drive, which is the only ingress/egress for over 180 households.
Mr. Jason Cosby, Director of Public Works for the City, asked to meet with the interested parties at the site and to further discuss possible actions to reduce the risk. A number of attendees were eager to volunteer, as the neighborhoods of Cape Henry Shores and Cape Story by the Sea feel that another summer at risk while awaiting the results of another study, is just one summer too many. At Mr. Cosby’s suggestion, a committee will be formed to continue working on the speed/safety issues at Kendall and Shore Drive. The committee would meet at the site and also continue to meet and implement improvements.
The plan advances. The replacement to the existing Lesner Bridge will have either a Northern alignment or a Southern. Either way, someone (or several someones) will be unhappy. Deputy City Manager Dave Hansen will be here to give us the City’s best thinking on the subject and to listen to comments on this issue.
…and…
MESSAGE TO THE CITY
: Safety first!!! at Shore Drive & Kendall
Traffic studies are only a guideline. Special problems require special solutions. This intersection east of N. Great Neck Road represents the potential for a tragic (or rather ANOTHER tragic) casualty on Shore Drive, which has seen more than its share of fatalities. The City’s Public Works (Traffic) Department is sending representatives to discuss this threat and possible solutions. We need for all of you to come and make known your concerns.
Ocean Park Volunteer Fire & Rescue Station
(Intersection of Shore Drive and E. Stratford Road)
7:30 p.m. Monday, May 18, 2009*
*Note: One week early, due to Memorial Day holiday.
Delegate Joe Bouchard will be speaking at the March 30, 2009, SDCC meeting. He will have a special emphasis on environmental issues, but will also address other issues of interest to Shore Drive residents. As a delegate, he currently serves on the House Science and Technology Committee; the Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources Committee; the Governor’s Commission on Climate Change; and the Joint Committee on At-Risk Youth.
His efforts on behalf of Hampton Roads include promoting economic development through investment in research and development, high technology industries and the growing green economy, promoting robust growth in trade through the port, improving homeland security and emergency preparedness, and enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of local governments, particularly their ability to cooperate regionally for the common good and to spend tax dollars more wisely.
And don’t forget to mark your calendar now for the April 27, 2009, SDCC meeting, when Lillie Gilbert of Wild River Outfitters will give us a virtual tour of the Lynnhaven River. Join us at the usual time and place and discover the secret places of the Lynnhaven and the best places to put in your canoe or kayak.
Last night, SDCC had the privilege of hearing from Vice Mayor Louis Jones and City Councilman Jim Wood on a variety of Shore Drive issues. Chief among them was the question of whether a northern alignment or a southern alignment was most suitable for the replacement structure of the Lesner Bridge, should we be fortunate enough to have it accepted for funding from the Federal Economic Stimulus package.
The membership of SDCC voted to support a southern alignment for this project. A number of individuals had attended the City’s February 11, 2009, presentation and provided comments at that time. However, our agenda had requested that member representatives poll their civic groups and vote based on their association’s preference. One member abstained, on the grounds that the new bridge should have been longer and higher, or that a tunnel should replace the bridge, for the purpose of creating a completely open access to the Lynnhaven River and the bays therein. There were no votes in favor of the northern alignment.
We are deeply grateful that the City extended the comment period to accommodate our need to give our member organizations and their constituents the fullest opportunity to research and discuss our position. We are appreciative also of the time that Vice Mayor Jones and Councilman Wood devoted to addressing our concerns, as well as the City Staff’s contribution to informing Shore Drive residents.
Thanks to all who participated in this very successful effort to maximize civic involvement.
Sincerely,
Grace Moran
President, Shore Drive Community Coalition
Cc: Distribution List
City Response [update 2.24.09 @ 1:26pm]:
Thank you for your email and for your continued feedback on this project. We will note the SDCC endorsement of the southern alignment as we work to assemble the comments from the February 11 meeting. Thanks again for your participation.
David S. Jarman, P.E.
Senior Project Manager
City of Virginia Beach
757-385-4144 (direct)
757-385-4131 (main)
Monday, February 23, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
Vice-Mayor Louis Jones and Councilman Jim Wood
Shore Drive Community Coalition
Ocean Park Volunteer Fire and Rescue Station
Our elected representatives have accepted our invitation to speak at the February meeting. We expect that they will have information to impart and that they will be able to answer questions we may have about issues of interest to residents along the Shore Drive corridor. In particular these issues include, but are not limited to, the Lesner Bridge replacement design. The City has graciously extended the comment period to accommodate our meeting. The comment period now closes February 25th.
Again, if you have a particular question or comment that you would like them to address, please email me at grace@sdcc.info. If we want to have the full benefit of Mr. Jones and Mr. Wood’s appearance, we need to give them the opportunity to gather the pertinent information before the meeting.
If you don’t agree with what’s going on in the City, you must come and make your opinion known. Otherwise, you have no one to blame but yourself. If you do like something the City is doing, you still must come, to make sure they keep on doing it!
Thanks for all you do to make the Bayfront the best place to live!
Is it too late to say Happy New Year? Since we are still witnessing days of transition, I think not. Just as we look for new developments in our City and in the nation’s Capital, we can expect some changes along the Shore Drive Corridor.
Fortunately, much of the good will remain. Todd Solomon stays on as our fearless leader in the quest to protect Pleasure House Point, as well as the media spokesperson for SDCC. He will continue to be ably assisted by Tim Solanic, who also works tirelessly as our Information Officer. Leslie Cornwell has agreed to serve once more as Treasurer. I certainly do not possess the skills and abilities that they embody.
I hope that I will be able to offer a bit of improvement in the area of communication between ourselves, the residents of the Shore Drive neighborhoods, and City leaders and City Staff. I will be supported by and will support the Bayfront Advisory Committee in achieving this goal. Each party to this process of information-sharing has a unique and necessary function.
Kal Kassir, Chairman of the Bayfront Advisory Committee, and I have had preliminary conversations regarding how best to go about this. Fellow Officers of SDCC have provided me with invaluable guidance, since they know the context and contacts to be addressed. We have a wonderful opportunity, in the midst of these trying economic times, to explore new opportunities. Your ideas are solicited and welcomed as we go forward.
We are presently galvanized by the renewed focus on Pleasure House Point. Many of you are passionate about this issue. Like Americans across the country, you are now called to offer your service in this matter, and also other matters, great and small, which affect our daily lives here in our little stretch of Virginia Beach.
Join an SDCC committee:
* Events (Town Hall, Oyster Roast)
* Membership/Ambassador
* Shore Drive Safety and Improvement Projects
* Planning and Development Issue
* Pleasure House Point (Indigo Dunes)
* Communications
Join the SDCC contact list:
Provide us your name, email and phone number for our contact list. Contact list members will be asked to attend hearings or send emails in support or opposition to Shore Drive issues (Planning Commission, Wetlands, Zoning, City Council). Speaking at hearings is not required, willing bodies are needed as a display of force.
If all of you reading this could offer just one hour per month, we could raise an army!
I’d like to thank all of you once again for attending the Bayfront Candidate forum held last week. I have heard nothing but good reviews from those that attended. We appreciated your professionalism and adherence to the forum rules. Unfortunately with such a large cadre of candidates and a limited amount of time, we were only able to address 9 of the 15 questions that were submitted by residents.
As I mentioned on your forum handouts, we are providing the opportunity and would encourage you to submit written responses to all or as many of the 15 questions on the attached list. The first 9 are the ones you answered the night of the forum. You can repeat the answers you gave at the forum or elaborate on them as part of your written response. All of your responses will be posted at http://www.sdcc.info and will be helpful to the community in understanding your viewpoints.
You are also welcome to submit your website address if you have one. We will include this with the posting of your written responses.
All responses need to be submitted by October 26th to allow posting and time for the community to view the responses. Comments will be posted as they are submitted and no comments will be accepted after the October 26th deadline.
The questions have been included below and as an attachment. Let me know if you need them in a different format.
Sincerely,
Todd Solomon
Shore Drive Community Coalition - President
Visit http://www.sdcc.info for additional information regarding the Bayfront area.
Candidate Questions
1. If elected, during your term you will have to make a decision regarding how the Lynnhaven River will be dredged. As part of this project, do you support the use of the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility as a PERMANENT INDUSTRIAL DREDGE TRANSFER STATION for dredging needs outside the immediate area of the Lynnhaven Inlet or do you support using several transfer stations located in the areas receiving the most benefit from each dredging project? Please explain?
2. One of the last remaining parcels of open space in the most densely populated section of Virginia Beach is a 69 acre property along Shore Drive known as Pleasure House Point (Indigo Dunes), what future for this property would you support and why?
a) The Sandler’s current “Indigo Dunes” project of 1,069 homes.
b) Acquisition of the property for open space as recommended in the City’s Outdoors Plan.
c) Some other alternative.
3. Bayfront beaches both east and west of the Lynnhaven Inlet are in desperate need of sand replenishment. Sand from upcoming 2009/2010 Lynnhaven Inlet dredging can be used for this purpose. Will you support the necessary funding, litigation and policy changes required to make this replenishment happen?
4. It is well documented that Shore Drive is one of the deadliest corridors in Virginia. Ninety lives have been lost over the past 30 years. In an effort to stop these unnecessary tragedies, the SDCC, BAC and City created a safety task force. Task force recommendations are being implemented as part of 4 Shore Drive improvement projects. 2 of these projects are fully funded. If elected, would you support fully funding the remaining 2 projects so they are completed in less than 4 years?
5. The Bayfront area is the most densely (residents/acre) populated in the city. Much of this uncontrolled growth is a direct result of rezoning to increase densities. If elected, will you support or oppose rezoning requests in the Shore Drive area that allow densities greater than those currently allowed? Examples (R-10 to A-24, B-2 to B-4 Multi-family)
6. Given the facts that Shore Drive is one of 3 major East-West corridors and that the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Planning Organization has a long range transportation plan showing the need for a 6 lane Shore Drive from North Hampton to Great Neck Road, would you support and help implement any community effort to eliminate this possibility and keep Shore Drive 4 lanes?
7. Lynnhaven River NOW has been making heroic advances in cleaning up the Lynnhaven River. If elected, what would you do to keep this effort going?
8. Another major problem experienced by the community is the City’s lack of public involvement and public participation on all City and Private projects. The City seems to only do the bare minimum required by law regarding notices, meetings and public discussion. Do you feel public involvement and participation need to be improved and if so, what would you do to make this happen?
9. The City has been recognized and won awards for its attention to open space and parks. With the Open Space Acquisition Fund drying up and no apparent planned replacement funding stream, should a new money stream be identified and if so, what would that be? If not, why?
10. How specifically are you going to address the local impact resulting from the coming drastic state/federal budget cutbacks?
11. Like much of the City, the Shore Drive area is beginning to see the signs of gang activity in our neighborhoods. Could you please comment on the extent of the expanding gang problem in VB and what the city is/should be doing to diminish it?
12. Currently the City tax breakdown percentage is 87% Resident and 13% Business. It has always been the goal of the City and residents to shift this percentage to a 70/30 ratio and help lessen the burden on the residents. If elected, what would you do to make this happen?
13. Do you support the extension of Light Rail along the abandoned Norfolk Southern right of way (ROW)? Please explain why or why not.
14. Our city is rich with history; some examples include the First Landing, several colonial period houses and various other sites. If elected, what would be your commitment to historic preservation in the city?
15. Given the most recent U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Hurricane Evacuation Study (March 08), how would you provide for the timely evacuation of Shore Dr. and North Beach areas if residential building and population densities are further increased with Indigo Dunes and other proposed properties?
The Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC) is adamantly opposed to a dredge material transfer station being placed at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp (LBR) Crab Creek site. At our April 28th general meeting, SDCC member organizations voted unanimously to oppose a transfer station based on many reasons, some of which are listed below.
· Safety Concerns – Council’s effort to make Shore Drive safer have been paying off. It has been 2 years since the creation of the Shore Drive Safety Task Force and the last fatality on Shore Drive. The approval of the proposed project takes a giant step backwards. The addition of even one truck onto Shore Drive will pose a safety threat no matter how well the impact is mitigated. Boater safety is also a concern from the 50+ barge trips per day planned. Pedestrian safety at the LBR will be an issue with the 140 truck trips a day planned. All aspects of this project will have adverse impacts on the safety of the Shore Drive area.
· Lack of Vision – Council has spent almost 10 years and ½ million dollars creating a vision for the Shore Drive Corridor. A dredge material transfer station was never part of this vision. Public works has never participated in the planning of this vision and should not be the group making this vision destroying decision. Long term goals for the Shore Drive Corridor need to be taken into account and weighed heavily for all projects and plans in the Shore Drive area.
· Risk outweighs Reward – Barges crashing into the Lesner Bridge, barges crashing into other boats, pedestrian and vehicular accidents on Shore Drive, accidents in a heavily used boat ramp facility, and the increased degradation of the structural integrity of the Lesner Bridge from 140 truck trips per day. These risks far outweigh any reward this site may hold over others along the Lynnhaven River.
Unfortunately, the SDCC doesn’t have the answer to the Lynnhaven dredging dilemma, but we do know the solution is not at the proposed LBR site. SDCC members have expressed an interest in helping Public Works and Coastal engineers locate alternate temporary transfer sites that have less risk and safety concerns. The SDCC also suggests creating a Lynnhaven River Dredging Task Force to help study the issues and identify sites acceptable to all communities. It appears a new decision making process should be implemented since the 2 sites that have been identified over the past 2 years have both been opposed by the local residents.
If you have any questions, I can be reached at 869-5447Cell or 688-8365Work or todd@sdcc.info
Sincerely,
Todd R. Solomon
Todd R. Solomon
Shore Drive Community Coalition, President
Distribution:
Mayor Oberndorf
Mr. Dan Adams
Vice Mayor Jones
Mr. Justin Worrell, VMRC
City Council Members
Mr. Kal Kassir, BAC Chairman
Mr. Jim Spore
Ms. Deirdre Fernandes, Virginian-Pilot
Mr. Dave Hansen
Ms. Irene Bowers, Virginian-Pilot Beacon
The Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC) overwhelmingly supports City Council’s decision to officially vote on any dredge material transfer site prior to its implementation.
At the March 19th public hearing, Mr. Hansen stated that no final sites would be chosen without being approved by a City Council vote. Since the hearing, this initiative has also been verified by a few Council members during general discussions with SDCC members.
The location of a temporary or permanent transfer stations is a highly charged and controversial topic. City Council’s plan to endorse all sites by vote after receiving adequate technical justification and listening to public comment is the correct decision. We agree as you do, that decisions on this matter are too important to be made by City staff alone.
Thank you for giving the residents a voice in any final decision that is made.
If you have any questions, I can be reached at 869-5447Cell or 688-8365Work or todd@sdcc.info
Sincerely,
Todd R. Solomon
Todd R. Solomon
Shore Drive Community Coalition, President
Distribution:
Mayor Oberndorf
Mr. Dave Hansen
Vice Mayor Jones
Mr. Dan Adams
City Council Members
Mr. Kal Kassir, BAC Chairman
Mr. Jim Spore
On Monday November 26th at 7:30pm in the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad,
Mr. Barry Frankenfield of the City’s Park and Recreation department will be
the guest speaker at the SDCC general meeting. Mr. Frankenfield will be
explaining the plan to have a private company operate the City marina near
Chick’s Oyster Bar & Vista Circle. Mr. Frankenfield will discuss the reason
for this plan, any cost benefits, how it relates to the Shore Drive ULI
study regarding Fisherman’s Walk and how the plan may impact the adjacent
neighborhoods.
A questions and answer session will follow the presentation. If you have
any specific questions on this plan, you are encouraged to send them to me
early and I will pass them on to Mr. Frankenfield so he may prepare your
answers.
I wanted to take the opportunity to thank everyone that helpped make Monday
night’s fundraiser at the Green Parrot a big success. With their
dedication, we were able to raise over $700 for the SDCC’s NoIndigoDunes
Legal Fund.
A special thanks to Liz Dyer for the time and effort she put into making
this event happen. Walt Stone and Leslie Cornwell should also be
recongnized for selling T-shirts and keeping the SDCC accounting straight
during this event.
Our two celebrity guests, Joe Bouchard and Richard Whittemore, should be
thanked for stopping by and talking with our group. There words of wisdom
were very encouraging.
And last but not least, I’d like to say thanks to all of you that took time
out of your Monday night to come out and support this noble cause.
Dear Shore Drive Residents,
If you haven’t heard or read, on Tuesday City Council decided to appeal the Virginia Marine Resource Commission decision that allowed the Sandlers to destroy 1.5 acres of wetlands on their proposed Indigo Dunes project. More information on this subject can be found at the following link. Visit the pilot article and post a comment. Link to article.
If you have an opportunity, send City Council an email thanking them for making this decision. Send the email to [encode=ctycncl@vbgov.com?Subject=Thank you from SDCC.info]CtyCncl@VbGov.com[/encode] This email address will get to all Council members.
And most importantly, a special thank you to those who took the time to send over 100 emails and make personal phone pleas requesting Council support this action. Your voice is being heard. As you are finding out, this will be a long struggle, but with your continued support, truth and reason will prevail.
Sincerely,
Todd Solomon
Shore Drive Community Coalition - President
Visit http://www.sdcc.info for additional information regarding the Bay front area.
Dear Shore Drive Residents,
If you haven’t heard already, the Wetlands Board voted 4-3 against approval of the Indigo Dunes project on Pleasure House Point in Ocean Park. The next step for the developer will be to either appeal to the VMRC or to submit a new plan via a Joint Permit Application to the Wetlands Board.
This disapproval of the proposed 1,063 unit plan would not have been possible without the overwhelming community involvement. The residents of Shore Drive and those that treasurer the environment should be commended on a job well done. The following is just a few examples of the broad range of opposition actions that were required to help make this decision happen.
* 150 emails sent in opposition to the project. (personal note: I was impressed that over 80% of these emails were written in the senders own words)
* 120 residents attended the Wetland Board hearing as a sign of their opposition.
* Over 20 Cape Henry Collegiate students attend the Wetlands Board hearing in opposition.
* Over 20 residents spoke in opposition at the hearing. (personal note: I was pleased with the professionalism of the community’s discussion)
* Presentation, discussion and rebuttal required over 5 hours at the hearing before a vote was taken. (personal note: I was impressed that a large number of residents were able to stay the duration)
* Environmental groups expressed their opposition at the hearing.
* Professor from Virginia Wesleyan expressed opposition via a letter read at the hearing.
* A bus was chartered to take attendees to and from City Hall.
* Thousands of dollars have been collected and are still being pledged to help defeat this project.
Once again, on behalf of the Shore Drive Community Coalition, thank you for your efforts in making this vote happen. Please pass this on to your friends to let them know there is hope and to help motivate them into getting involved the next time we have to rally the opposition.
Sincerely,
Todd Solomon
Shore Drive Community Coalition - President
Visit http://www.sdcc.info for additional information regarding the Bayfront area.