VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WVEC) -- Residents at a Virginia Beach apartment complex have only a couple of days to gather their belongings and search for a new home after complex staffers terminated their leases Friday.
According to a notice residents received through e-mail Friday morning, they were told that unprecedented flooding caused by Hurricane Matthew caused massive damage to many of the ground floor and townhome units at the complex.
They were told that during repair work, the presence of asbestos-containing material was discovered.
Due to toxic pollutants and sewer water in particular units, officials declared them unsafe for occupancy and said that residents must gather their belongings and fully vacate the premises by Monday.
Shannon Kane, a Virginia Beach City Councilwoman who represents the district where Waypoint at Lynnhaven is located, was denied access twice when she tried to enter the complex.
She reported to 13News Now that she brought a police escort with her the second time she tried to access the complex, but was still denied entry by Waypoint's security.
Residents' security deposits are expected to be refunded.
Leasing officials also made clear that they will dispose of any personal property left at the complex.
The e-mail also included available resources for needed services as well as the availability information of other apartment communities.
A copy of the e-mail is below:
October 21, 2016To: Residents of all Ground Floor and Townhome Units at Waypoint at Lynnhaven
Re: NOTICE OF LEASE TERMINATION AND PRESENCE OF ASBESTOS
Attention Residents:
We appreciate your continued patience as we continue to address the catastrophic and unprecedented flooding caused by Hurricane Matthew. We are working diligently on the repair and remediation work needed to ensure that Waypoint at Lynnhaven remains a safe and clean community for our residents. We know many of you are anxious to return to your homes. However, our top priority is ensuring the safety of our residents.. PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY.
As set forth more fully below, the ground floor and townhome units are not safe for occupancy, and your leases are hereby TERMINATED.
A. NOTIFICATION TO OCCUPANTS REGARDING THE PRESENCE OF ASBESTOS
In the course of commencing the repair work, we discovered the existence of previously undetected asbestos-containing material. Asbestos in certain units may have been disturbed in connection with the remediation work. These materials will be removed, and the impacted units will have to be abated. The following units have been identified for asbestos abatement and removal:
- PINE CONE CIRCLE
- 1300-100, 1300-101, 1302-101, 1304-100, 1304-101, 1306, 1311-100, 1311-101, 1313, 1315, 1317, 1319, 1320, 1321-100, 1321-101, 1322, 1324-100, 1324-101, 1326, 1328, 1341-100, 1341-101, 1343, 1345, 1347, 1349, 1351-100, 1351- 101, 1353-100, 1353-101, 1369-100, 1369-101, 1392
- LYNNHAVEN PARKWAY
- 1316, 1324-100, 1324-101, 1326-100, 1326-101, 1328-100, 1328-101,1338-100, 1338-101, 1340-100, 1340-101, 1342-100, 1342-101, 1346, 1356-100, 1356-101, 1358, 1360, 1362, 1364, 1366-100, 1366-101, 1370
- EVERGREEN COURT
- 1300-100, 1300-101, 1301, 1302, 1303, 1304, 1305-100, 1305-101, 1306, 1307, 1308, 1309, 1310-100, 1310-101, 1316, 1318, 1320-100, 1320-101, 1322
- CONIFER COURT
- 1302, 1304-100, 1304-101, 1306
- SCOTCH COURT
- 1300, 1302-100, 1302-101, 1304
The abatement work will take place in the impacted units commencing on October 24, 2016 with an estimated completion time of 5 months. The abatement project will be performed by a state-licensed asbestos abatement contractor, Rolyn Companies, Inc., License # 3306001141. The abatement project will be monitored continuously by Hillmann Consulting, LLC, an independent environmental consultant. The monitoring will include, but is not limited to, pre-work inspection, inspection and air sampling during the abatement process, final visual inspection, and final air clearance testing.
We have engaged the environmental consultant to survey the remaining units on property for asbestos. Based on preliminary testing, we understand that there is additional asbestos present in the remaining units. As part of our continued repair work from the storm, we will have to remove drywall in the remaining ground floor and townhome units, which will potentially disturb additional asbestos fiber, and require additional abatement work similar to the work outlined above. The environmental consultant has been engaged to monitor and supervise any such additional abatement work needed in accordance with the procedures outlined above.
For the safety of our residents, once the abatement work commences, no residents in the ground floor and townhome units will be permitted on site at the Community until buildings are cleared for occupancy. If you are a resident of one of the units specifically listed above, you will not be permitted access to your unit or the personal property therein until such time as the abatement project is completed.
If you are a resident of any other ground-floor or townhome unit not listed above, you may access your unit during the hours of 10 am-5 pm on Saturday, October 22, Sunday, October 23 from 10 am-5 pm and Monday, October 24 from 9 am – 5 pm to remove certain personal items and possessions from your apartment, provided that you check in at the Leasing Office first, as you will need an escort from property management. However, please be advised that due to the hurricane, there may be sewage water contamination, mold and other hazardous conditions in your unit and within your property and possessions, which pose health risks. If you choose to enter your unit and remove potentially contaminated possessions, in accordance with the terms herein, you do so at your own risk. If you do not remove any personal items or possessions from the apartment before Monday, October 24, they will be removed and disposed of at no cost or expense to you.
We have been advised that based upon the scope of the Work, it will likely be at least several months before the remediation and restoration efforts are completed.
B. NOTICE OF LEASE TERMINATION
Our environmental consultants and remediation contractor have advised us that all ground floor and townhome units are unsafe for occupancy, due to the exposure to toxic pollutants and/or sewer water and related environmental concerns caused by Hurricane Matthew. The termination of your lease is necessary due to our determination that your unit has been damaged or destroyed to an extent that it is unsafe and conditions require you to vacate the Unit. In accordance with Section 33 of your lease agreement, we hereby VACATE all ground floor and townhome leases, effective immediately. Security Deposits on file will be processed and refunded to you shortly. If you have accepted our offer of temporary relocation to a hotel, please note that we cannot not pay for any hotel stay (or reimburse for any hotel stay) beyond the evening of October 30, 2016. If you have not accepted our offer of temporary relocation to a hotel or reimbursement for temporary relocation, we will process a rent rebate for your portion of paid rent from October 10-31.
For units that have been identified for asbestos abatement and removal, if any personal property in your unit is salvageable and not deemed to be a health hazard, it will be removed and stored on site as soon as the building work is completed. The office will contact you to arrange for pickup as quickly as possible. Any personal property, including soft furnishings, clothing, or items that are deemed to be a health hazard to contamination and/or exposure to environmental pollutants, will be removed and disposed of at no cost or expense to you.
We will continue to work with you to help you find temporary housing and relocation services.
C. AVAILABLE RESOURCES
As set forth in our e-blasts and flyers circulated last week to residents, we provided information regarding many Services available to residents on site, and at nearby community facilities. As we continue to work with the local government agencies, including the City of Virginia Beach, please remember that you can reach out directly to any of the resources previously provided.
In addition to the services and support previously mentioned, we wanted to make you aware of the following services available:
Project Hope Virginia Beach – For information regarding transportation for children to VA Beach public schools and additional educational services offered. 757-263-2300. ProjectHope@vbschools.com
Foodbank of Southeast Virginia – For information regarding food pantries across the City. 877-HUNGERX
City Relocation Assistance – For residents needing relocation assistance information www.vbgov.com. Income restrictions may apply.
The following apartment communities have provided information regarding their availability and pricing as follows, specifically to Waypoint at Lynnhaven Residents. This information is subject to change at each communities’ discretion and is provided for informational purposes only. Waypoint at Lynnhaven makes no representations or recommendations as to the communities below.
Brookfield Apartments – 757-420-7732, Waived Application Fees, Security Deposit Only - $87.50, and waived prorated rent fees for October. 32 Available apartments.
Lynnhaven Landing – 757-486-4044, $100 Security Deposit Only.
Emerald Point – 757-422-3547 - 3 BR are $999 (lowered rent).
Harpers Square
1401 E. Intruder Circle
Virginia Beach, VA 23454
1 and 2 bedroom units.
harpers.square@lawsoncompanies.com
757-422-1571
Waived Application Fees; $99 Security Deposit
Chartwell Apartments
6464 Chartwell Dr.
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
1 and 2 bedroom units
chartwell@lawsoncompanies.com
757-420-0677
Waived Application Fees; $99 Security Deposit
Greenlakes Apartments (income restricted Tax Credit) will accept Section 8 vouchers
3218 Greenlakes Dr.
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
1 and 2 bedroom units
greenlakes@lawsoncompanies.com
757-340-0542
Waived Application Fees; $99 Security Deposit
Crosswinds Place Apartments (near Chartwell) (income restricted Tax Credit) will accept Section 8 vouchers
910 Providence Rd.
Chesapeake, VA 23325
1 and 2 bedroom units
crosswinds@lawsoncompanies.com
757-420-8308
Waived Application Fees; $99 Security Deposit
Oakmont North Apartments
1324 Johnstons Rd. B4
Norfolk, VA 23513
3 vacant ready two bedrooms @ $780.00 water/sewer/gas heat and hot water included
3 vacant available two bedrooms @ $780.00 water/sewer/gas heat and hot water included
oakmont.north@lawsoncompanies.com
757-855-0672
Waived Application Fee and either: (1) free prorated rent if you move in October; or (2) $100 off first month’s rent in you move in November. The Security Deposit can be paid within 30 days of move-in.
Dundale Square Apartments
6600 Chesapeake Blvd.
1, 2 and 3 Bedroom units
dundale.square@lawsoncompanies.com
757-855-9177
Waived Application Fee; $99 Security Deposit
We thank you for your cooperation during this most difficult time.
Your Waypoint at Lynnhaven Staff
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