Planning Commission Discusses Comp Plan Tonight

  The Planning Commission meets this evening to discuss a long-awaited update to the city’s comprehensive land-use plan. It was last revised in 2016, and the update will likely be followed by a rewrite of Zoning Code. The Planning Commission will make a recommendation to the City Council who must adopt any revision to the comprehensive plan. This  latest draft version is from July 15, and at today’s workshop commissioners will discuss revisions with Planning Department staff and the consulting firm representatives.

The Virginia Beach Planning Commission workshop on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Municipal Center, 2416 Courthouse Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23456, Building 19, Room A. The workshop is open to the public, who may observe the discussion. 

Here is the link to watch on Webex:

https://virginiabeach.gov/connect/events/planning-commission-special-meeting/

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Saturday, July 26 Ocean Park Incident

On Saturday, July 26th there was a large gathering on the Ocean Park beach near the Lesner Bridge with many people and cars in the parking lot at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp. On Sunday afternoon, July 27th, OPCL President Danny Murphy sent a request for information to the 3rd Precinct Captain Gordon. This is the response from VBPD and the City Manager’s Office.

“On Saturday evening, at approximately 9:30 PM, a large number of individuals began to park at the Lynnhaven boat ramp and gather on the beach. By 10:00 PM, a concerned citizen reached out to report the event, expressing concerns about the crowd size and the presence of a limited security team. Security personnel confirmed the size of the gathering but indicated that no violations were occurring at that time. Evening shift officers were promptly dispatched to the location to assess the situation. Notably, one responding officer, serving as a School Resource Officer, recognized several attendees as students from the local high school. The estimated attendance was between 100 to 150 teenagers. It appeared that this gathering was not a formal promoted event but rather a spontaneous assembly facilitated through word of mouth among students.“

“Officers conducted a thorough walk-through of the crowd and did not observe any alcohol, narcotics, or other illegal activities. The students were largely engaged in socializing and enjoying the beach environment. To ensure a peaceful atmosphere, additional midnight officers were deployed to reinforce the evening shift due to the number of attendees. The officers communicated to the attendees that it was approaching curfew and advised them to disperse by 11:00 PM. By approximately 10:30 to 10:45 PM, the crowd amicably dispersed without any incidents or legal violations noted.“

“Later that evening, at 11:40 PM, security reported a dispute involving a father and daughter, which prompted officers to respond to address a potential domestic situation at that location.”

This information was given to the OPCL by the VA Beach Police Department and the City Manager. We understand neighbors are concerned, sharing conflicting accounts of what happened. As a result, we have invited a VBPD representative to come to our next meeting. More information to follow

In addition to the police statement, the civic league has received one email which gives a different account of events and two comments to the website which are below in the comments:

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LBR Activity Report: July 18-20

During the high season in Virginia Beach, Parks and Recreation staff share weekly updates regarding weekend activity at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp (LBR):

“Overall, the weekend was a bit slower for launches due to the marine forecast and expected late afternoon thunderstorms, but the car parking continues to be very heavy throughout the day. We had a total of 468 launches over the 3 days. Below is a breakdown by day:

Friday, July 18: 85 total launches, car parking did not fill up. The overflow lot was used for 4 trailers. We did not have to close using the barricades at any time.

Saturday, July 19: 208 total launches, car parking was full from 9:15 am until around 8:00pm. The overflow was used for 56 vehicles with trailers. Barricade operations was not needed. Heavy car traffic all day through 9pm.

Sunday, July 20: 175 total launches, car parking was full from 11:00am – 8:15pm. The overflow was used for 25 vehicles. Barricade operations was not needed.

Incidents to report:

On Friday night around 8:45pm, a person on a jet ski was reported to have been traveling at a high speed on crab creek and creating a large wake. When the rider came to the ramp, a resident whose home backs up to crab creek, approached the rider about the wake she created and potential damage to his boat that was moored on his dock. Staff and security intervened and it was de-escalated and the resident left the boat ramp.

Review of video data from Friday until Monday morning showed heavy car traffic after hours until after midnight Friday and Saturday night but no visible loitering in the parking lots. Police were onsite Saturday night/Sunday morning from approximately 11:30pm-10:50pm walking around and keeping cars out of trailer parking. Police also came through the lot Sunday morning around 12:50am.

Garda Security is working well. We have been working with the contractor and Emergency Management to fine tune the standing orders. Approximately 6 residents were out last Thursday, first night of security, to introduce themselves.”

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LBR Activity Reports: July 11-13

During the high season in Virginia Beach, Parks and Recreation staff share weekly updates regarding weekend activity at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp (LBR):

“Overall, the weekend was busy but was managed well by all staff. We had a total of 510 launches over the 3 days. 

Friday, July 11: 113 total launches, car parking did not fill up. We did not have to close using the barricades at any time.

Saturday, July 12: 210 total launches, car parking was full from 8:55 am until around 9:00pm. The overflow was used for 52 vehicles with trailers. Barricade operations were put in place from 9:45am- 12:20pm. Heavy car traffic all day through 9pm when staff were leaving.

Sunday, July 13: 187 total launches, car parking was full from 11:15am – 8:15pm. The overflow was used for 40 vehicles.

Incidents to report:

On Sunday, the Aquarium stranding team brought in a deceased dolphin and loaded it on the truck to take it away. Review of video data from Friday until Monday morning showed heavy car traffic after hours until after midnight Friday and Saturday night but no visible loitering in the parking lots. Police were onsite Saturday night from approximately 10:20-10:50pm walking around and keeping cars out of trailer parking. Police also came through the lot Sunday morning around 12:50am.

Parking Enforcement: 42 citations written. You can see a low number for the 4:18pm visit. The manager said they had an equipment malfunction on that visit, or the number would have been higher.”

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Construction Traffic Concerns

The civic league is aware of several construction sites within our neighborhood and especially along Marlin Bay Drive. These changes bring an influx of vehicles into our (often narrow) streets. Coupled with the height of summer visitors to the beach and boat ramp, we are in close contact with our city representatives to push for compliance to existing safety requirements.

Concerning construction trucks traveling through the neighborhood very recently, there was correspondence between Councilman Schulman and Public Works Director LJ Hansen. Director Hansen explains:
“The contractor has a flagman at the entrance who directs the trucks down Marlin Bay. Our understanding is that there have been a handful of trucks (due to the truck drivers’ failure to follow instruction) that have deviated. They are being corrected when they return. I apologize for the inconvenience but given the large number of trucks, this very low number is quite remarkable.”

While this does bring congestion, we urge our neighbors be mindful of practicing safe street practices and report specific concerns or violations.

How do you report a problem? You can call 311. Here is an online portal for more info:

Also there is an email devoted to the Pleasure House Point Wetlands Project.

On the COVB page you can use the CHAT feature also.

Or you can download the app:

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Ocean Park Mural Debuts!

This two-story mural celebrates the Virginia Beach Bayfront community and pays tribute to the long-serving Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad. The mural is FULLY FUNDED & COMPLETED! Princess Anne High School students teamed up with the Ocean Park Rescue Squad to create a vibrant community art mural. Thank you to OPVRS, the many donors, to the students who organized the project, and to the artists Tessa Hall Duquette, Katie Nesbitt! Meet the student team below!

Artists: Tessa Hall Duquette and Katie Nesbitt!
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Here is a quick reference created by our own Jenny Snyder to help you get help when you observe something that needs attention.

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More Security Coming to Lynnhaven Boat Ramp Facility

At the community meeting on July 17, Councilman Schulman, Parks and Rec Department Director Kirschman and 3rd Precinct Captain Gordon presented the background for the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp, the Additional Safety measures that have already been taken and the Safety Enhancements that are coming in the near future.

Newest Safety Enhancements:
1. 3 solar-powered wireless boat ramp signs on Shore Drive (funded, ordered and awaiting delivery for install). These will alert boaters and visitors that the parking lot is full and closed before they turn into the neighborhood.

2. FLOCK camera (LPR-License Plate Reader) will be installed on the entry road so that all license plates will be recorded. (Ordered, install when received).
3. On-site armed security-PILOT program. DCIS armed security will patrol the property from 8:00 pm to 2:00 am, seven days a week until October 31. They are tasked with providing a presence in cooperation with the police to address security concerns in the evening/ night.

A number of residents expressed appreciation for the additional safety measures. Concerns were raised about some illegal charter boat businesses operating out of the boat ramp. One charter boat owner commented that there are businesses like his who are operating legally and who are observant of the rules. Concerns about safety were also raised due to the amount of traffic that is routed through the narrow neighborhood streets.

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OPCL Membership Meeting

Thanks to those who joined us through the deluge! We heard the Treasurer’s report and Jill reported on Fireworks. President Danny Murphy clarified the various McLeskey projects that are planned in Ocean Park noting that on July 3 a Subdivision Construction Plan was submitted to the city for the 14 lots behind Chesterfield. Danny noted that this is a by right project but that it must meet all current development stormwater standards. More to come. Here are the meeting slides:

2025 July General Meeting SlidesDownload
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LBR Activity Report: July 4th Weekend

Latest Report from the Parks and Recreation Department concerning the activity at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp over the holiday weekend.

“Overall, the holiday weekend was busy but was managed well by all staff. We had a total of 535 launches over the 3 days.”

“Friday, July 4 –  207 total launches, car parking was filled at 9:30am and continued to busy throughout the day. When staff left at 9pm there were still a lot of vehicles in car parking and a lot of trailers still in the trailer lot. The assumption is that with the nice marine forecast several people were out on boats watching the oceanfront and Cavalier hotel fireworks. We did use the overflow parking lot for about 50 trailers. We did not have to close using the barricades at any time.

Saturday, July 5 – 209 total launches, car parking was full from 9:25 am until around 9:00pm. The overflow was used for 54 vehicles with trailers.  

Sunday, July 6 – 119 total launches, car parking was full from 11am – closing. The overflow trailer lot was not used.” 

“Parks and Recreation partnered with Va. Beach Police, and Emergency Management and added Garda World security personnel to the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp holiday operations. We had a DCJS armed security guard with a marked SUV onsite from 8:00pm to 2:00am on Friday and Saturday night. Security personnel were tasked with providing a presence in cooperation with the police department to address any potential security concerns over the weekend. This was very successful. Security personnel were able to keep regular vehicles out of the trailer parking lot and helped to defuse a situation between two boaters returning to the ramp. They were able to manage the situation very professionally and called the police to assist.” 

” Sunday July 6th – VBPD had their mobile command vehicle onsite for the Chicks Beach Fireworks.”

Incidents to report:

  • “Friday approximately 9:00pm – Garda security intervened and called police for an incident involving two people at the ramp. One person accused another person of moving his vehicle.  
  • Saturday at about 1:45pm, VBPD, EMS and the fire department showed up to facility as response to a call of a child being swept into the current under the bridge. No injuries reported.
  • Review of video data from Friday until Monday morning showed a lot of cars after hours until after midnight each night but no apparent loitering in the parking lots.  Onsite security did a great job keeping non-trailered vehicles out of the trailer lot.
  • Parking Enforcement – 31 citations were written from July4th – July 7th. 340 total citations since April 1.“

“Lastly, on the morning of Tuesday, July 8 at 12:04am, the police Real Time Crime Center was monitoring the boat ramp cameras and saw a white mustang doing a donut in the trailer lot. A zone unit was called by the RTCC staff, and he responded in time to stop the vehicle. Summonses for Reckless Driving and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor issued to the driver of the vehicle. This is a great example of how positive the cameras are at this site.”

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