Stormwater Way to go

People want to feel safe in their homes and neighborhoods, and the city has made a commitment to tighten standards for development and prioritize stormwater management. Development must first pass the test that it will do no harm to its community.

People are rightly alarmed when they find out there is a builder desiring to buy a parcel of property that has long been home to a natural lake and tree canopy and wants to fill the lake to build houses. This is happening in the neighborhood of Great Neck Estates on property that now belongs to Wycliffe Presbyterian Church.

The church wants to sell part of its land, a nearly 4-acre parcel, which includes a natural lake. The people of the Great Neck community — as well as other areas of Virginia Beach — are strongly opposed to clearing the path for development that would fill in the lake.

The opposition is not against building some houses but rather filling the lake for even more houses. For decades, this property has provided a natural stormwater protection to the community. To remove that resource would be destructive.

The Virginia Beach planning commission on Aug. 9 voted against making a recommendation that City Council remove the “religious use” condition for this parcel. This vote was a win for the community, but now the matter is expected to go before our council Sept.

19.

We will be there in numbers to make our case, but I am asking all citizens who care about stormwater management to please speak up or write to the council.

— Martha J. Thereault, Virginia Beach

Starting up a new restaurant has to be a very hard task.

I recently took a very large group to the new 501 Galley on Richmond Road in Norge.

The owner and his staff did a phenomenal job of serving 58 diners an assortment of meals. There were seven meal options and a steady refreshment demand.

I wish to compliment this establishment for being caring and delivering excellent food for the group.

— George W. Spalthoff, Williamsburg