No application has been filed yet with the Planning Commission for the proposed development of the Marlin Bay Apartment complex. From our meeting with the developer, we know that they may be contemplating some changes in the project. However the change in zoning and the density and large scale that will be allowed by that change remains a cornerstone of the project.

While it may be premature to contact City Planning and the City Council until an application is submitted and is public, it is not too early to contact our city councilman, Mr. Louis Jones, so that he is aware of how Ocean Park residents feel about this project. Mr. Jones remains our elected representative and provides the most direct and influential channel for residents to express their deep concerns.

Mr. Jones has consistently gone to bat for his Bayside constituents. Residents were strongly against being included in the STR overlay district and Mr. Jones came to hear the community’s opinions and he had Ocean Park removed from the STR Overlay district. In the January19, 2021 City Council Meeting, Mr. Jones stood with the residents of Chesapeake and Chics Beach as they opposed the zoning change for the Windsong apartments. Mr. Jones spoke at the City Council meeting about the Windsong Apt development: “This development would create a change in lifestyle for them and their community. The fact that we have multistory apartments backing up to single family residences is a negative to the lifestyle and the happiness of the people who already exist there. It’s not just an economic issue. The developers are asking the City Council to allow these folks to come in and develop this type of development in the middle of their community. And they don’t want it. As their councilman I don’t blame them and I make a motion to deny this application. ” link to: video of Mr. Jones speaking at the City Council Meeting Jan. 19 2021

Residents are encouraged to contact Mr. Jones and voice their concerns about this project.

There was an error in the email address for Mr. Jones in the Update on Saturday. His correct email is lrjones@vbgov.com

email: lrjones@vbgov.com or LJones@hollomon-brown.com

postal address:

Louis Jones

2401 Courthouse Dr. Building #1

Room 281

Municipal Center

Virginia Beach, Virginia 23456

Phone: 757-583-0177

link to City Council Page: Council Member for information about Mr. Jones

Sample letter ideas:

Mr. Jones:

I am writing to ask for your support in opposing the proposed rezoning and development at Shore Drive and Marlin Bay from B2/PDH1 to a conditional B4 zone. While I am not opposed to all future development on this site, I do have significant concerns regarding the type of rezoning being proposed for the Marlin Bay Apartment Complex.

• This type of apartment complex does not fit into the historic neighborhood of single family, duplexes, and townhouse homes that is Ocean Park.
• Large apartment complexes are clustered together near other dense-land spaces, and not in small long-established neighborhoods, making such a proposed plan incongruent with the limited footprint that exists within Ocean Park.
• Once the property is rezoned, the developers could further develop the property. The parcels are not under one ownership. If the Boat Sale parcel segregates itself, it could be redeveloped as a separate parcel.
• My opposition is also based on these probable negative effects: the loss of neighborhood and community character, a decrease in the market value of my home and increased traffic congestion, adding to an already dangerous Shore Drive corridor.

Very respectfully,

Please consider paying your 2021 dues now. Since we have not had our usual in person meetings and Spring and Fall social events, dues are not finding their way to OPCL. We are continuing the work as best we can and we do need the community to contribute their annual dues. Follow this link to pay: Join opcl Thank you!

Please let us know your street address so we can get a 2021 car sticker to you! communication@opcl.org

Excerpt from ” The Ocean Park Story” by Nadine Costenbader and the group she formed. This book is available at Tin Soldiers on Shore Dr.

Those of us who grew up in Ocean Park during the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s cherish the memories of this small town-like community–no Mayberry RFD but close. We felt safe playing in the woods or on the beach, trick or treating, ‘dropping’ valentines, skating at a tennis court on Friday nights, sledding in the snow all day on the hill near the railroad tracks, waiting for a bus to take us shopping in Norfolk or to the movies at the beach, or sleeping on the front porch at night because there was no A/C. Everyone knew everyone! Even our school bus drivers lived just down the street.

The center of our world as we knew it in Ocean Park was the firehouse, conceived, constructed and manned by the people who lived there. This was a place where scouts met, girls had dance classes, Halloween and Christmas parties celebrated the holidays and “Junior Firemen” emulated their parents. During the Cold War, sky watchers/plane spotters had their own special place atop the building. Our mothers, fathers and neighbors organized and met as the Women’s Club and Ocean Park Volunteer Fire Department.

Milk was delivered on our doorsteps each week in glass bottles (cream on top!) from Bayville Farms. Right before Mother’s Day, the delivery included a bouquet of peonies. Bayville Farms also provided a source for potable water that we pumped into jugs from an artesian well.

We honor the men and women who were the founders of Ocean Park and dedicate this history to their hard work and determination to create this community and give it a true sense of small town America. We hope that those who have followed as residents will accept the torch that has been passed to you to preserve the area and its character. “

The Ocean Park History Project Committee: Nadine Costenbader, Chair

Judy Connors, Grace Moran, Anne Kane, Ann Lyon Ackiss, Susan Lyon, Susie Walston

reprinted here with permission from Nadine Costenbader

On Tuesday January 19th, the City Council approved a Memoradum outlining next steps for beach replenishment for the bay beaches including Ocean Park.

Full memo: Approved Memo of Understanding with Virginia Port Authority for sand replenishment.pdf

Excerpt:

The Bayfront Advisory Commission heard a presentation about the Marlin Bay Apt. project at it’s regular meeting on Thursday, Nov. 19th. The meeting location had been changed to the Virginia Beach Convention Center, Suite 5 1000 19th St. There was seating for 25 not counting staff and the Commission. Several Ocean Park residents spoke to the BAC during the comment time.

Here is the presentation that was shown on Thursday at the BAC meeting : Marlin Bay Marketing Brochure.pdf

After hearing the proposal presentation, the BAC commented on the proposal based on:

• Shore Drive Corridor Plan Shore Drive Corridor Plan.pdf
• Shore Drive Design Guidelines Shore Drive Design Guidelines.pdf

The BAC Design Committee raised a number of concerns with the proposed Marlin Bay development citing the height, massing and scale of the plan as not complying with the Shore Drive Design Guidelines and not being consistent with the Corridor Plan, as well as several other concerns. The committee reiterated that they see their role as providing advice and working with project applicants to find solutions. Mr. Peterson, representing the developer, said they would be willing to work with the BAC Design Committee.

This slides lists the developer’s reasoning for why the project should be approved:

Tuesday night at the City Council Meeting many Ocean Park residents spoke movingly and eloquently against the proposal for the STR Overlay District. The Council heard speaker after speaker from Ocean Park who were well informed and who brought out many important points about how this proposal would adversely affect our community. People told their personal stories and stressed the family orientation and close-knit neighborhood character of the community. Many speakers noted that this zoning change is being imposed on a community that is against the change and who fear the negative effects that will follow. A grateful shout out to all those who took the time to sign up to speak at the City Council Meeting both in person and virtually and to those who spoke up at the Bayfront Advisory Commission meeting where Mr. Jones and Mr. Wood were present.

Mr. Jones clearly heard these heartfelt concerns and moved to remove Ocean Park from the Proposal. This is a proud day for Ocean Park!

Residents who oppose the proposal of the Ocean Park STR Overlay District should attend the City Council Meeting on Tuesday Oct. 20 at 6:00 pm at the Convention Center , Suite 5 1000 19th Street. At the Bayfront Advisory Commission meeting on Tues. Oct. 14, Council member Jones and Council member Wood indicated that emails and letters are not sufficient to be persuasive about Ocean Park’s opposition to being placed in a STR Overlay.

Here is a link to the agenda for the meeting on Tuesday: https://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/city-clerk/city-council/Documents/CurrentBriefAgenda.pdf

How can you participate?

Meeting info: Tuesday, October 20, 2020 3:00 P.M. Meeting called to Order followed by working session and then the formal Session at 6 pm. Virginia Beach Convention Center, Suite 5 1000 19th Street.

Citizens may comment either in person or virtually. If you would like to speak in person, please call the City Clerk’s office at 757-385-4303 to sign up.

If you wish to make comments virtually on an item, please follow the two-step process provided below: • Register for the WebEx at: https://vbgov.webex.com/vbgov/onstage/g.php?MTID=ee627a0d522bacf90ddba7c5d8347e7ce • Register with the City Clerk’s Office by calling (757) 385-4303 or via email at ABarnes@vbgov.com prior to 5:00 p.m. on October 20, 2020

The City Council meeting will be streamed live on www.vbgov.com and Facebook Live, and will be recorded for rebroadcast on Cable TV. Citizens are encouraged to submit their comments to the City Council prior to the meeting via email at CityCouncil@vbgov.com.