Ordinance to AUTHORIZE temporary encroachments into a portion of City right-of-way known as Windsor Crescent re maintain existing stone patios, stone walls, PVC fence, brick steps, fire pit, wood fence and grassy area at the rear of 3868 Jefferson Boulevard (District 9, Formerly District 4 – Bayside)
Apparently there are at least 6 more including at least one that private property owner cut down live oaks on City Public Property.
Thank you to City Council for hearing our concerns!
We look forward to working with you and City Staff to create an appropriate encroachment policy
Live Oaks are not alone in lacking legal protection
By Mary Reid Barrow
Why doesn’t Virginia Beach have laws to protect the live oak, our official city tree?
This question comes up at the North End almost every time a live oak is cut down to make way for a new home or condo.
Part of the problem lies in the city’s stormwater regulations. Because of sea level rise, the regulations require that many low-lying properties be filled before starting new construction. No tree can survive if the land is built up around it. The regulations also require drainage improvements on lots that often adversely impact trees.
The other part of the problem lies with the Commonwealth of Virginia. State law says localities have no power to legislate tree protection ordinances on private property. The only exception now is the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act which protects trees generally within 100 feet of the Chesapeake Bay shoreline and its tributaries to protect against erosion and help water quality.
Legislation to grant localities the right to put other restrictions on trees on private property has been pending in the general assembly for two years. But if, and when, the legislation does pass, our city council then would have to pass its own ordinance governing what would be required in Virginia Beach.
If you want to help, stay informed about the legislation in the next session of the Assembly and let your senators and delegates know how you feel. Ask candidates where they stand on this issue, then follow through to make sure City council responds to the legislation if it is approved and enacts an ordinance that will keep our live oaks–and all trees safer.
This article was originally printed in the July 2022 issue of the North Virginia Beach Civic League News
Working with Nuckols Tree Care, they cut back and trimmed the much beloved but fading, ancient oak in one of the courtyards to give it a lift. Then they also planted a beautiful new live oak across the walkway to give the old tree a friend and to give the neighborhood a lift too! Thank you, Beach Colony and Nuckols Tree Care!
Join the Friends of Live Oaks this fall and you will get a free live oak sapling as long as the trees last!
We have lots of little saplings looking for a home. We had planned to give these trees to new members at the tree celebration, TreeTopia, at Mount Trashmore that was recently rained out.
Dues are $25 for individuals and $100 for a business or community group.
Mail a check, payable to Friends of Live Oaks, c/o Clay Bernick, 214 A 84th Street, Virginia Beach Va. 23451.
Give us your name, cell number/email and address and we’ll bring a live oak to you!!!
Friends of Live Oaks 
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