The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
Six months after a nor'easter wrecked hundreds of private walkways that some residents of Ocean View and Willoughby used for beach access, the City Council gave the go-ahead for a handful of residents to build replacements.
The council on Tuesday unanimously approved four permits to build new walkways, including one that will provide beach access for 52 condominium owners.
The issue of walkways has been a prickly one for thousands of residents who live along the seven miles of Chesapeake Bay in Norfolk. In part because of disputes over who owns the sand dunes, the city long refused most who asked for walkway building permits.
That, in part, led to more than 400 walkways being built without city permission, including some with illegal fire pits, boat storage units, swing sets and dog runs. Many were constructed on fragile sand dunes.
After November's nor'easter, hundreds of angry residents gathered at a meeting to demand that the city allow them to rebuild their ramps. At the time, a committee established by the city to study the walkway issue had recommended restrictive rules on building new ones. However, Councilman W. Randy Wright and Barclay C. Winn negotiated a less-restrictive compromise this winter.
The city will grant easements across the dunes and allow residents to build walkways, but only in an environmentally friendly manner, Wright said.
"We'll allow people to rebuild, but in a manner that has less impact on the dunes," he said. Wright said the city wants residents to have access to the beach, but not in a way that obscures the views of other residents.
Winn said the committee produced a study "that had too much detail. This is a good compromise that so far everyone appears to be happy with."
Wright said the city's goal is not to have a ramp at every home. Priority, he said, will be provided to groups of homeowners who combine to build a ramp.
"Someone working with three or four neighbors is going to get quicker approval," he said.
Harry Minium, (757) 446-2371, harry.minium@pilotonline.com
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"New" walkways going up
Well, I had the pleasure of seeing one of the replacement walkways being erected today. It serves ONE condo (the access is fenced). It is located within 100 feet of a public walkway - talk about lazy. When I asked to see the permit it was shown to me, then all the builders started telling me to mind my own business and get walking down the beach. I am waiting for a call back from the city to get the official's name who signed off on the repairs (rather than the demolition).
If every house and apartment built a walkway to the water it would solve our problems - there would be no sand to see for anyone.
rebuilding walkways in OV
How is it that if you have money you can build on "city" property but for us the "common" folk, we cannot build on "city" property. I dont have the money to live on the beach. If I tried to build a deck at my house and an inch of it was on "city" property I would get fined and have to take it down. Children of our future: make lots of money, be "in" with city council and you can do whatever you want!
WAKE UP!!! Next Time it Won't Be Just a Deck or Two
Mother Nature did what the corrupted city could not do... wipe the slate clean and start over again. Unfortunaltey nobody listen. Maybe next time she will team up with Almighty Above and clean all of Ocean View right off the map. Possibly than people will wake up and realize that the sea oats and dunes exist for a reason and not to prop up the BBQ grill of a select few.
Beach Walkways and Ocean View
I'm a resident of Norfolk OV area. I don't live on the Bay front but can only afford to live on the "other" side of the street. I often wonder why we continue to call the area "Ocean View". I can only find a few small openings between and among the high-dollar structures on the Bay side that allow a brief view of the beautiful water. Forget a view of the beach area. It is plain as the nose on one's face where the city's priorities are. I suggest change the name to "Ocean View for a Few". Few meaning those who can afford it.
or
we could just rename it capitalism?? The more money you have the better view you have. Pretty basic and what are country is founded on. Should we rename freemason...freemason for a few?
A cop-out.
A true non-solution.
Either NO walkways (preferred) or walkways for all.
This "policy" is just going to insidiously progress back into the very same situation it was supposed to fix.
They had the guts to hide behind their lawyer and shut down Waterside restaurants, but couldn't find the courage to protect the beaches at the risk of saying "No" to some of their Ocean View in-crowd.
Barclay Winn needs to go so he can join that pinochle game under a shade tree (his) in Town Point Park with Michael Townes, Randy Wright, NPS Supe Jones, and Chief Marquis.
sand on my feet
Now you wouldn't want those campaign contributors to get sand in their shoes.
Just got back from an early morning walk on the beach
Here is what I saw:
Used tampon, beer cans, (yes I threw them away), construction debris, broken benches, strewn lawn chairs, ripped U.S. flags, fire pits, several broken sailboats blocking residents views, and three dog owners who let their pooches defecate in front me and my better half without cleaning it up. (There's more but I only have so much space.)
ALL OF THIS ON CITY PROPERTY. It's going to get worse now with the preferential permits to build on city property by those wealthy and connected few.
Winn on the proposed regulations: "the study had too much detail".
Huh? Nothing like shredding rules that would help clean up the beaches in OV. Instead, it looks like a run down trailer park (or worse) in several places. No backbone Barclay.
Wright: "We'll allow people to rebuild, but in a manner that has less impact on the dunes."
Private buildings on public property. No one should be able to build on public property, especially the beaches. A few structures lead to a few more and then non permitted building takes over like before. That's because there is no code enforcement in OV either.
Norfolk needs to get its act together and STOP this type of
OV turns into a trailer park con't
Norfolk needs to get its act together and STOP this type of building, not promote it.
Your public beaches in OV are being fouled by its beach residents and sanctioned by city officials.
It's just another major setback for those who want CLEAN, PUBLIC beaches in Norfolk, especially Ocean View.
Ruining Norfolk's most precious asset should not be an agenda item for the local yahoos.
Lost chance, again.
Going away present.
Randy's going away present to OV contributers.