Message from the President

February, 2013

Greetings neighbors! While we’ve had a cold and damp January, progress continues in and around Lago Mar. Here are a few updates to keep you in the know.

• Sentara Medical Building – Many of you recall this project slated for Princess Anne Road in front of Three Oaks Elementary School. Developers presented information about this at our general meeting at Red Mill Elementary School a few months ago. City Council recently approved this project with a number of changes since it was presented to us. The building will now be 60,000 square feet, two stories, and have green and colonial white metal panel veneer. The site will have 42% open space. No construction date has been set.
• Harris Teeter Shopping Center – This project was presented at the same time as Sentara’s. Armada Hoffler plans to develop a retail center with Harris Teeter as anchor. It is sited west of the Sandbridge/Princess Anne/Upton traffic signal. The project is tentatively scheduled to be heard by the Planning Commission March 13^th.
• Nimmo Parkway Drain improvements – Additional 8” pipe has been installed parallel to Nimmo Parkway west of Camino Real. This project should help balance the flood waters on the north and south sides of the road. While it will not eliminate water between Nimmo and Ranchero, it should reduce flooding. Much of the area on either side of Nimmo is deemed wetlands and will remain wet in a normal state.
• Sandbridge Marketplace – This development is behind Food Lion with entrances on Princess Anne Rd. to the west and across from St. Johns on Sandbridge Rd. to the east. Developer Michael Zarpos reports that 98% of the underground site work is complete. Other than a sewer pump station, the only building under construction is a Primrose Pre-School. Zarpos hopes to close a deal with Tractor Supply garden center within the next couple of weeks, and a local dentist soon after. The center is zoned 50% office and 50% retail. He has other potential buyers in the mill.

Civic League activities continue as well.

• Several hundred families enjoyed a beautiful fall day at the large park in Back Bay. Special thanks are in order for the board members who made this possible. Next year’s event will be scaled down and we hope to break out neighborhood grills for hot dogs and hamburgers.
• Sharon Holmstrom pulled off other fantastic Toys for Tots benefit on December 7^th in Artesia Park. This annual event is a great opportunity for hundreds of Lago Mar’s youngest to experience the spirit of giving.
• A special thank you goes to Chief Elf Gina Koehler for all of her efforts to coordinate in home visits by Santa. This wonderful tradition brings Santa right into the homes and hearts of young children in Lago Mar. Rumor has it Santa even stopped in to liven up a party of adults! Could we have the start of a new tradition? Santa noticed many neighbors open their homes for entertaining during the holidays.
• The Sandbridge Road landscape was recently mulched and is looking much better. We are in the process of re-bidding the landscape contract and notice of a decision will be posted on our website.  Treasurer Scott Carlson, Arborist Beth Richardson and I walked the grounds recently to get a feel for the overall condition of the site. We identified a number of projects that need attention and feel some present a great opportunity for a Community Day. If you are interested in pruning, digging or cutting, please let us know. We hope to pick a Saturday in the near future to complete some of this work.
• Mike Mundy has graciously agreed to coordinate the Independence Day parade again, and he needs 15-20 volunteers to help line up parade participants and control traffic at intersections. He says it shouldn’t take more than an hour and a half. If interested, please give Mike a call at 426-0129. This is a great opportunity to get involved in the neighborhood.

Membership in the Lago Mar Civic League is a great way to get involved in your community. I am grateful for those who help throughout the year to produce special events and especially for the leadership of the board. Renee Joseph – Vice President, Scott Carlson – Treasurer, Beverly Hornick – Secretary, and Shawn Roewer – Membership Chairman are a great team. Please feel free to contact any of us if you want to become involved. I hope you and your family remain warm through the winter.

Best Regards,

Courtney Dyer, President

Lago Mar Civic League

 Courtney Dyer is a native of Virginia Beach and has lived in Lago Mar for 20 years. As a father, he is proud to have raised two daughters in Lago Mar and takes great comfort and satisfaction in what our neighborhood offers.