Westminster Beach Access Problems, Church Restoration: Bayfront Advisory Commission

On Thursday, March 21, the BAC met at OPVRS. Vice Chair Bob Magoon had raised concerns with the new beach access being constructed by Westminster Canterbury that will ultimately be turned over to the City of Viriginia Beach. The ramp construction is being built into the dune. To answer the concerns brought up by Mr. Magoon, Mr. P.J. Scully from the Dept of Planning and Community Development and Mr. Seth Edwards, P.E. Development Services Administrator joined the meeting. Mr. Scully related that the city has not accepted the ramp as constructed and mediating work is being undertaken. There is a suit brought by a citizen in regard to the ramp.

Derek Dubay presented his plan to restore the Ocean Park Baptist Church and turn it into a wedding and event venue. He addressed concerns of noise and parking as he had at the Ocean Park Civic League meeting on March 7. The plan will require a zoning change from R5b to B-2 and require a conditional use permit restricting use for assembly only. Mr. Dubay is working now with the city about proffers and expects that the plan will be reviewed by the Planning Commission and then the City Council in June or July.

Discussion of the update to the Shore Drive section of the Comp Plan was tabled until the next meeting.

In the public comment portion of the meeting, a representative from the Active Transportation Committee noted that approval for bike racks at some beach accesses had come through including several in Ocean Park.