
                         THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 29, 1994                    TAG: 9406290412 
SECTION: LOCAL                     PAGE: B5    EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: BY DEBBIE MESSINA, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: 940629                                 LENGTH: VIRGINIA BEACH

CITY COUNCIL DELAYS VOTE ON BEACH OUTDOORS PLAN

{LEAD} The City Council deferred action Tuesday on a proposed outdoors plan to allow more citizen comment and to clarify some of its recommendations.

The proposed Virginia Beach Outdoors Plan, which is still in draft form, offers a new approach to recreation and outdoor planning for the city.

{REST} It recommends an extensive network of greenways and trails for walkers, hikers and bikers that would link recreation areas together.

The plan advocates preserving and restoring natural areas to protect the environment and provide refuge for wildlife.

It is the city's first attempt at an outdoors plan and treats recreational resources as a system rather than a collection of individual sites.

The plan also would extend scenic waterways, increase canoe access, improve beach access and develop parks around historical and cultural sites.

Some council members felt, however, that there wasn't enough citizen involvement and had questions about some recommendations.

``I feel it would be inappropriate to vote on the plan without getting the input of the neighborhoods and citizens,'' said Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf, who suggested that two public hearings with the City Council be scheduled.

Susie Walston, parks and recreation director, told the council that several community groups were consulted while developing the plan and that a public meeting had been held.

``Nothing can be hurt with additional input,'' said Walston, who expects to present a final draft of the plan to council in the fall.

by CNB