A Virginia Beach Neighborhood Association Founded in 1944
The presentation about the Marlin Bay Apartment complex development scheduled for the BAC meeting Thursday at 3:30 has been cancelled by the developer. They were planning to include additional information from the city which was not available in time.
Developer’s request to rezone to allow for 227-unit apartment structure goes to planning meeting soon.
Contact City officials and let them know your concerns! Click on linked email addresses below
“Hi, my name is __ and I am an Ocean Park (resident, homeowner, business owner). I oppose the request to increase density and rezone Marlin Bay Apartments on Shore Dr. and Marlin Bay from B2/PDH1 to conditional B4. I am not opposed to all development but I want to ensure it is in line with the community and quality of life here.”
Mayor Bobby Dyer — 757-385-4581 — bdyer@vbgov.com
Mark Shea — Comprehensive Planning Coordinator— meshea@vbgov.com
VB Planning Commission
VB City Council
Louis Jones — 757-583-0177 — lrjones@vbgov.com
Jim Wood — 757-366-1011 — jlwood@vbgov.com
Bayfront Advisory Commission
Charles Malbon Vice Chair — tanklines@aol.com
Morgan Ayers— ayersmorgan@gmail.com
Faith Christie— Fchristie3@cox.net
Wallis Damon— walkatdam@aol.com
Philip Davenport — Pdavenport9@cox.net
Charles Faison Jr. — geefaison@gmail.com
William Hearst — whearst@verizon.net
Stacey Shiflet — Sshiflet35@yahoo.com
Martin Thomas — Mthomas2001@gmail.com
Negative Impacts on Ocean Park
In accordance with the Shore Drive overlay a parcel of 4 acres or more can have 36 units per acre which is 144 not 227. The apartment complex would occupy 4 acres. Including Lynnhaven Marine, it is a 6 acre parcel so they have planned 227 units.
Environmental study needs to be performed to determine the impact on PHP .
Parking spilling onto Marlin Bay and surrounding neighborhoods
Emergency service response serving Ocean Park
Here is the Marlin Bay development website to get information from the company developing the project. https://www.marlinbayvb.com/
What’s going to happen this weekend?
OPCL Board sent a letter to City about what is going to be done to mitigate this.
How could first responders respond?
To give feedback on the May 7th virtual meeting, we invite you to take this short survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5KS7WRG
The following comes from the City of Virginia Beach Public Works concerning the Ocean Park Beach replenishment project slated for this spring/summer:
The city received three bids on April 7, 2020 for the beach nourishment of Ocean Park Beach. Unfortunately all bids were over 50% higher than the available budget for the project. The primary driver as to why the bids came I’m significantly higher than the available budget is due to industry capacity related to high demand for dredging along the east coast and Gulf of Mexico for the next six months.
No additional funding has been identified and not likely in the immediate future given the current uncertainty in the City budget. Therefore, a contract cannot be awarded based on the current bids. Public Works staff has recommended rebidding the project with a longer period of performance to incentivize more favorable bids. Staff is waiting on final direction from upper management. For now, we are in a holding pattern until revised City budget is determined.
Coastal Section Project Management, City of Virginia Beach Public Works
About a week ago a local developer made an (on-line via Zoom) presentation proposing an apartment complex to replace the boat dealership at the corner of Marlin Bay and Shore Drive to members of the Ocean Park Civic League Board and the Shore Drive Community Coalition Board. The Ocean Park Civic League (OPCL) would like to have your opinion on the proposal. Attached is the PowerPoint slides that were presented outlining the project overview to include renderings of what the completed project would look like. Look it over, tell the OPCL board what you think. Are you for, against or somewhere in between?
The presentation highlighted that the complex will be 227 total units, 4 stories in height, to include 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments, offering what they consider high-value amenities with a starting target rental price at $1200.
The residential area surrounds a parking garage of 400+ spaces and a swimming pool. Most significantly, the Zoning for the property must be changed to B4 to accommodate the planned higher density dwelling, as well as closing existing paper streets. Property entrances are planned for Shore Drive and Marlin Bay Dr. There will be on site management company, Drucker & Falk.
The developer has established an introductory website: https://www.marlinbayvb.com/ . The project has not come before the Planning Commission yet, and they hope to in May depending on where the city is with the COVID-19 restrictions. Optimistically, they would like to break ground in 2021, and hope to have the approval of the surrounding community….But that’s up to you.
Your input to the Civic League leadership has great value. The board intends to carry the message forward from the residents of Ocean Park to the developer and the City. You can leave comments to this email address: communication@opcl.org or add to the discussion below. The OPCL Board will be looking to you for your input.
Learn more at Ocean Park Rescue Squad’s OPVRS News:
Be aware that the proximity of the stoplight may cause traffic to back up in front of the ambulance garages. Please don’t block the box in front of the station.
The current idea has prompted many questions due to its impact on Ocean Park, safety on Shore Drive & the wildly popular Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility.
View Powerpoint presented to City Council Informal Session FEB 4 ’20.
Have questions or concerns?
Share them in “DISCUSS” below.
Ocean Park Civic League 