The meeting reconvened just after 9 A.M. this morning. Things began with a review of Thursday afternoon's answers and input.
Six tables then held discussions on various principles: efficient land use, urban services and infrastructure, compatible mix of uses, Transportation, human-scale design, and environmental stewardship. The ideas were then shared with the full group before we broke for a shorter and (IMO) better lunch than Thursday.
After lunch the Strategic Growth Area (SGA) was divided into five zones, with separate tables dealing in details for each zone. People started to file out around 2:50 P.M., so we adjourned without gathering everyone together again.
Most of all, I'm happy to report that things look safe on Weaver Drive. The only thing in the plans of concern nearby is a generic notation to make the Virginia Beach Boulevard/Witchduck Road intersection a "gateway".
This afternoon The Virginian-Pravda went online with a story on the meetings: http://hamptonroads.com/2009/01/virginia-beach-leaders-thinking-big-plans-pembroke
A few comments:
1. Housing - as this is one of four SGAs compatible for housing, expect the final plan to have a large dose of residential.
2. Municipal Center - while one lady kept insisting on moving the Municipal Center to the SGA, the only two parcels suitable are under contract for private redevelopment. Expect this attempt to move the City government to the Central Business District to die as hard and quick as the previous.
3. Arena - it would be adjacent to the Witchduck Road light rail station, making for easy access (in due course) from elsewhere in Hampton Roads. The site centers on a former steel facility. Given the environmental issues associated with it's previous use, it's unfit for residential.
4. Light rail - without a Redevelopment Authority, it's essential as the catalyst for redevelopment.
The story mentions "4-5 stations"; at one table yesterday, a real estate mogul was pushing for 5. However, today's Transportation submission had 3: Witchduck Road, Aragona Boulevard, and Town Center. Those three would leave everything along the rail line in the SGA in the quarter mile Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) radius of a station, so more aren't needed.
5. Thalia Creek Greenway - it was already in City plans, and the consensus was to incorporate it. A few people had more ambitious ideas, centered on dredging Thalia Creek to allow charter and party boats to sail in from the Chesapeake Bay via the Lynnhaven River.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Pembroke Area Implementation Plan, Charrette 1, Day 1
Today was the first day of the 12 hours of initial planning on Town Center's Strategic Growth Area (SGA).
The morning session was well-attended and centered on background Presentations on the possibilities. They were on the proposed Transportation plan (including the crack-induced idea to ram Broad Street through Pembroke Mall, KMart, and Princess Anne High School), the Thalia Creek Greenway, mass transit options, Planning & Placemaking Principles, and Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). Jayne Whitney of Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) arrived late for her segment, leading me to joke a Steering Committee member that she had tried taking the bus there.
We got through the morning's business ahead of schedule, leading to a long (96 minute) lunch break. After finishing the supplied lunch from the Westin, I used the time to go to Cold Stone Creamery for ice cream.
In the afternoon, participants started by answering four pages of questions, then giving opinions on a number of land use photos. We were asked what the role of the Pembroke area should be in the city, and the character of the area. Following that, we used dot stickers and markers to code maps of the SGA for it's strengths (red), opportunities (green), and challenges (blue).
Of particular interest for me has been the issue of the two apartment complexes on Weaver Drive, just outside the SGA. Aden Park contains 10% of Virginia Beach's apartments in it's price range, while Ebbets Plaza is one of four directly-subsidized apartment complexes in our city. Given our acute shortage of low-income units, losing them out of redevelopment of the SGA would be a disaster. I spoke to Andy Friedman (Director of the Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation) and Tom Pauls (the City's chief land planner) about it. In addition, I got the area marked for preservation on the map at my table.
The disappointment of the day was that more members of the general public weren't there for the afternoon session, but it was a weekday during the day. I hope we get a large crowd for the session on the evening of February 5.
The morning session was well-attended and centered on background Presentations on the possibilities. They were on the proposed Transportation plan (including the crack-induced idea to ram Broad Street through Pembroke Mall, KMart, and Princess Anne High School), the Thalia Creek Greenway, mass transit options, Planning & Placemaking Principles, and Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). Jayne Whitney of Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) arrived late for her segment, leading me to joke a Steering Committee member that she had tried taking the bus there.
We got through the morning's business ahead of schedule, leading to a long (96 minute) lunch break. After finishing the supplied lunch from the Westin, I used the time to go to Cold Stone Creamery for ice cream.
In the afternoon, participants started by answering four pages of questions, then giving opinions on a number of land use photos. We were asked what the role of the Pembroke area should be in the city, and the character of the area. Following that, we used dot stickers and markers to code maps of the SGA for it's strengths (red), opportunities (green), and challenges (blue).
Of particular interest for me has been the issue of the two apartment complexes on Weaver Drive, just outside the SGA. Aden Park contains 10% of Virginia Beach's apartments in it's price range, while Ebbets Plaza is one of four directly-subsidized apartment complexes in our city. Given our acute shortage of low-income units, losing them out of redevelopment of the SGA would be a disaster. I spoke to Andy Friedman (Director of the Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation) and Tom Pauls (the City's chief land planner) about it. In addition, I got the area marked for preservation on the map at my table.
The disappointment of the day was that more members of the general public weren't there for the afternoon session, but it was a weekday during the day. I hope we get a large crowd for the session on the evening of February 5.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Public Input On Pembroke Area Implementation Plan
The work on the Pembroke Area Implementation Plan, the land use plan for the Strategic Growth Area that includes Town Center, is underway. Thursday and Friday there will be Charettes at the Westin Hotel from 9-3. The public is invited.
For those who can't do a couple of weekdays, there will be a meeting at Strayer University's Town Center campus on Thursday, February 5 from 7-9 P.M.
I have all three meetings in my calendar book, so watch this blog for coverage if you can't make it.
For those who can't do a couple of weekdays, there will be a meeting at Strayer University's Town Center campus on Thursday, February 5 from 7-9 P.M.
I have all three meetings in my calendar book, so watch this blog for coverage if you can't make it.
For Those Wanting To Get Rid Of Me
Sorry, folks, I just signed a one year extension on my apartment lease this morning. I'll be at my current address for the 7th year. The new lease will run through January 31, 2010.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
In Praise Of The Virginia Department Of Taxation
That title got your attention, didn't it? They're hardly favorites this time of year, but I want to give credit where credit is due.
I filed my Virginia income taxes online on the evening of Friday, January 16. My form was processed and my refund authorized on Thursday the 22nd, the money sent on Friday the 23rd, and it direct deposited into my bank account this morning.
When you also realize that Monday was a holiday, you couldn't expect faster service.
I filed my Virginia income taxes online on the evening of Friday, January 16. My form was processed and my refund authorized on Thursday the 22nd, the money sent on Friday the 23rd, and it direct deposited into my bank account this morning.
When you also realize that Monday was a holiday, you couldn't expect faster service.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Congratulations To Les Lilley
Our City Attorney has been named a Judge on the Virginia Beach Circuit Court. http://hamptonroads.com/2009/01/ending-delay-assembly-elects-four-norfolk-beach-courts
Les is a great guy and has done a pretty good job as City Attorney. Best wishes on his new position.
That raises the obvious question: who is going to be the new City Attorney? Stay tuned!
Les is a great guy and has done a pretty good job as City Attorney. Best wishes on his new position.
That raises the obvious question: who is going to be the new City Attorney? Stay tuned!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Should We Redevelop The Dome Site?
In our latest poll, 11% think Virginia Beach does great with Budget priorities, 43% a good job, 11% fair, and 32% poor.
There was an attempt to flood the poll with "Poor" votes, which commenters attributed to the Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance (VBTA). As I anticipated, there was a counterflooding to prevent Poor from winning.
The new question: should Virginia Beach redevelop the Dome site? Michael Jenkins is required to return to the City with a plan sometime in March.
There was an attempt to flood the poll with "Poor" votes, which commenters attributed to the Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance (VBTA). As I anticipated, there was a counterflooding to prevent Poor from winning.
The new question: should Virginia Beach redevelop the Dome site? Michael Jenkins is required to return to the City with a plan sometime in March.
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