Planning Commission Public Workshop on Electronic Display Billboards

Monday, February 22^nd – 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!

Forwarded from SDCC:

Did you know?

This November, seats for both Lynnhaven and Bayside City Council representatives are up for your vote?

Beach Sand Replenishment and Access Repairs

We have received the following information via Drew Lankford, of the Department of Public Works.

From Phil Koetter:

    “We are working on repair plans for all of the City’s damaged public accesses along Chesapeake Bay.  As soon as we get our restoration plans finalized we plan on notifying the residents along the Bay so that they are aware of the plans. We hope to have the surveyor to start working on gathering data for these repairs in the next week or two.  We are working to get all accesses restored as soon as possible while also working with FEMA and VDEM on storm damage reimbursements for covered damages.

    Some property owners may want to use the same contractor for private restoration work while they are in the area.  All private work must be reviewed, approved, and receive all applicable and required permits.  This work should be coordinated through the City’s Planning Department & Permit and Inspections Division.”

From Mike Mundy:

    “More great news is that the permit modification (to do the truck haul from Maple Street dredge disposal area) that was submitted to Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) was approved Tuesday January, 26th.”

LED Sign Ordinance Deferred

City Council was set to hear the proposed LED sign ordinance February 9, but the matter has been deferred.  A new date will be forthcoming.

May is Bike Month

Bruce Drees, Legislation and Advocacy Chairman of Tidewater Bicycle Association, notes that plans are underway to organize local events for Bike Month in May and Bike to Work Day. Friday, May 21.  All with an interest in participating should contact Bruce at bwd-vb@cox.net.  Note: deadline for event submissions for publication in the printed calendar is March 15th.

Meetings this month:

February 16: BAC Communications Subcommittee
3 p.m.  1st Landing State Park (water side)

February 18: Bayfront Advisory Committee
3:30 p.m.  Bayside Rec Center

February 22:  Shore Drive Community Coalition
7:30 p.m.  Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue
Station