Richmond meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Planning Commission approves Shockoe Valley street improvements, overrides design panel

The Richmond Planning Commission voted 7-1 (with one recusal) on Aug. 4 to approve the Location, Character, and Extent review for street and transportation improvements in Shockoe Valley, overriding a denial recommendation from the Urban Design Committee. The approval includes an added pedestrian safety exhibit for the Leigh Street roundabout.

Planning Commission

The commission approved UDC 2026-07, the Shockoe Valley street and transportation improvements, with the pedestrian safety addition. It also continued a special-use permit for 3317 Rear Monument Avenue (ORD. 2026-093) to Sept. 1, 2026. Three other design reviews were referred to the Urban Design Committee: UDC 2026-10 (Hey Road improvements), UDC 2026-11 (shared use path), and UDC 2026-12 (Bryan Park stormwater pond). The commission adopted the July 21, 2026 minutes unanimously and allowed Commissioner Pinnock to participate virtually, also unanimously.

Urban Design Committee

At its Aug. 13 meeting, the Urban Design Committee approved its consent agenda with staff recommendations (unanimous, with Wehunt abstaining). It recommended approval to the Planning Commission for the Hey Road street/sidewalk/stormwater improvements (UDC 2026-10) and the Bryan Park stormwater pond (UDC 2026-12), both with no conditions. The shared use path from Terminal Place to Arthur Ashe Boulevard (UDC 2026-11) was recommended with one condition requiring pedestrian-scale lighting. The committee also requested minor changes to the Parks section of its guidelines.

Board of Zoning Appeals

The Board of Zoning Appeals met Aug. 5 to consider five special exception requests for additions or accessory structures that do not meet setback or lot-coverage requirements. Properties include 520 South Sheppard Street, 3908 Sterling Street, 3201 Grove Avenue, and 1508½ Williamsburg Road. Minutes from that meeting have not yet been published.

Coming up

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing and vote Aug. 18 on a consent agenda of 16 items, mostly special-use permits for housing, plus three larger requests: a 100-unit multifamily building at 1209 Overbrook Road (ORD. 2026-187), a multifamily with parking at 1101 Hampton Street and adjacent properties (ORD. 2026-183), and a nightclub at 2900 West Broad Street (ORD. 2026-174). The commission will also take final reviews of the shared use path and the Bryan Park stormwater pond. Written comments are accepted before noon on the meeting day.

The Commission of Architectural Review will meet Aug. 25 to review eight certificate of appropriateness applications, including a school construction project at 4213 Hermitage Road (demolition of a non-contributing building and construction of a 16-classroom school) and several residential alterations, such as roof-mounted solar panels at 511 West 21st Street and chimney repairs at 1101 West Grace Street. No consent items or public hearings are listed.

Richmond Council to Adopt New City Code, Approve Housing Permits and Fire Training Funds

Richmond City Council is set to take up a wide-ranging agenda at its July 27 meeting, including adopting a new city code, approving permits for more than 100 new homes, and transferring $480,000 for a fire training facility burn tower. The meeting is scheduled as a consent agenda, meaning items are expected to be voted on together unless pulled for separate discussion.

New City Code and Housing Permits

Council will consider Ordinance 2026-160, which would replace the 2020 City Code with a new consolidated version. The agenda also includes special use permits for up to 73 attached dwellings on Warwick Road and 31 attached homes on South Meadow Street.

Fire Training and Preservation Funding

The council will vote on transferring $480,000 from the Fire and Emergency Services fund to finance the Fire Training Facility Burn Tower Replacement. It will also accept $36,000 from the Church Hill Association and $15,987 from the state for work on the Libby Hill Park House and Forest View Cemetery.

Right-of-Way Closures

A separate item would close portions of public right-of-way near Brookland Park Boulevard and Lafayette Street to public travel.

Other Recent Meetings

Several other city bodies met in the past two weeks, though minutes have not yet been published.

• **Public Safety Standing Committee (July 28):** Received a semi-annual update on city crime statistics and reviewed adoption rates for Richmond Animal Care and Control.
• **Commission of Architectural Review (July 28):** Considered certificates of appropriateness for renovations and demolitions, including a proposal to demolish a building at 4213 Hermitage Road and construct a 16-classroom school. Other items included new attached housing at 215 North 29th Street, a two-story residence at 520 Brook Road, an addition at 2219 M Street, and a mural at 2405 Jefferson Avenue.
• **Planning Commission (August 4):** Reviewed a special use request for up to four single-family attached dwellings at 3317 Rear Monument Avenue, plus final reviews for street and sidewalk improvements on Hey Road, a shared-use path from Terminal Place to Arthur Ashe Boulevard, and a stormwater pond in Bryan Park.
• **Board of Zoning Appeals (August 5):** Considered five special exception requests, including a second-story addition at 520 South Sheppard Street, an accessory garage at 3908 Sterling Street, an addition at 3201 Grove Avenue, and a one-story accessory structure at 1508½ Williamsburg Road.

Coming Up

• **Urban Design Committee (August 13):** Final reviews for Hey Road improvements, a Bryan Park stormwater pond, and a shared-use path to Arthur Ashe Boulevard. The committee will also discuss a setback recommendation for an apartment building at 201 Orleans Street and updates to its guidelines for parks and buildings.
• **Land Use, Housing and Transportation Standing Committee (August 18):** Procedural meeting with no substantive items or public hearings scheduled.
• **Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee (August 19):** Routine procedures only; no papers, presentations, or discussion topics listed.

Richmond meetings: City Code overhaul, $480K fire tower transfer, transitional housing review on recent agendas

Richmond's City Council was scheduled to vote July 27 on adopting a new consolidated City Code to replace the 2020 version, transferring $480,000 for a fire training burn tower, and approving special use permits for more than 100 attached dwellings. Minutes have not yet been published for any of the meetings below, so outcomes are not confirmed; this roundup reflects what each agenda listed for consideration.

City Council — July 27

The council's consent agenda included Ordinance 2026-160, which would replace the 2020 City Code with a new consolidated version. Also listed was a $480,000 transfer from the Fire and Emergency Services fund to finance the Fire Training Facility Burn Tower Replacement.

The agenda included special use permits for up to 73 attached dwellings on Warwick Road and up to 31 attached homes on South Meadow Street. Grant acceptances totaled $36,000 from the Church Hill Association for the Libby Hill Park House and $15,987 from the state for Forest View Cemetery. The council was also asked to close portions of public right-of-way near Brookland Park Boulevard and Lafayette Street to public travel.

Earlier that day, an informal meeting focused on referring service delivery issues to the City Administration. No specific legislative actions or public hearings were listed.

Planning Commission — July 21

The commission was set to consider Ordinance 2026-167, authorizing special use of 1110 Oakwood Avenue for transitional housing in the 7th District. Ordinance 2026-168 would amend and re-ordain Ordinance No. 2025-152 for 2300 Ingram Avenue to permit up to seven single-family attached dwellings in the 8th District.

Also on the agenda: a UDC 2026-08 review of an architectural proposal for an archaeological pavilion at the Lumpkin's Jail site, 1500 East Franklin Street, part of the Shockoe Campus project.

Land Use, Housing and Transportation Committee — July 21

Items included Ordinance 2026-113, which would establish exemptions for "Virginia Friendly Landscapes" from weed ordinances, and Ordinance 2026-166, amending the Master Plan for Oak Grove, Hillside, and Bellemeade. Resolution 2026-R024 covered community design guidelines for the Westwood neighborhood. Resolutions 2026-R026 and 2026-R027 expressed funding support for Chesterfield County and Henrico County SMART SCALE projects.

Public Safety Standing Committee — July 28

The committee was scheduled to receive a semi-annual crime statistics update and a review of Richmond Animal Care and Control adoption rates.

Governmental Operations Standing Committee — July 22

A presentation on Citizen Service and Response (311) standard operating procedures and service level agreements was listed, along with a boards and commissions vacancy report and confirmation of committee meeting presentations through February 2027.

Commission of Architectural Review — July 28

Certificates of appropriateness on the agenda included a proposal to demolish a building at 4213 Hermitage Road and construct a 16-classroom school; new single-family attached buildings at 215 North 29th Street; an amended two-story single-family residence at 520 Brook Road; a new addition at 2219 M Street; and a paint mural at 2405 Jefferson Avenue.

Public Art Commission — July 23

The commission was to approve June 2026 minutes and review a Department of Transportation proposal for painted planters at the 2nd Street bus platform. Public comments could be submitted by email to Monica Kinsey before 10:00 AM or by phone or Microsoft Teams during the meeting.

Coming up

• **Aug. 4 — Planning Commission:** Special use request for 3317 Rear Monument Avenue for up to four single-family attached dwellings; location, character, and extent reviews for street and transportation improvements in Shockoe Valley; final reviews for Hey Road sidewalk and stormwater improvements, a shared use path from Terminal Place to Arthur Ashe Boulevard, and a stormwater sediment catchment pond in Bryan Park.
• **Aug. 5 — Board of Zoning Appeals:** Five special exception applications, including a second-story addition at 520 South Sheppard Street, an accessory garage at 3908 Sterling Street, a dwelling addition at 3201 Grove Avenue, and a detached accessory structure at 1508½ Williamsburg Road.

Richmond panels advance $480K fire training transfer and school sales tax referendum

Richmond's Planning Commission has recommended transferring $480,000 to replace a fire training burn tower, while council committees advanced a proposed 1% sales tax referendum for public school projects and multiple housing grants to the full City Council for a July 27 vote.

Planning Commission

On July 7, the Planning Commission voted to recommend several property use changes and a budget transfer to City Council. The commission recommended transferring $480,000 from the fire department’s special fund to finance a new burn tower, which will support live firefighter training. The panel also recommended approval for a day nursery (up to 12 children) at 2502 4th Avenue, up to six attached garages at 5 North Colonial Avenue Rear, and two single-family detached dwellings at 1235 North 36th Street. A special use request for up to four attached dwellings at 3317 Rear Monument Avenue was continued to August 4. The commission adopted its June 16 meeting minutes with a 6-1 vote (6 aye, 1 abstain) and approved the Public Art Commission Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2027.

Council Committees

The Education and Human Services Standing Committee forwarded two proposals to the full City Council for July 27 with a recommendation to approve. The first, ORD. 2026-169, would adjust fiscal year budget line items and transfer funds to support community service grants. The second, RES. 2026-R028, would place a one-percent local sales tax question on the ballot to fund public school construction or renovation.

The Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee forwarded seven ordinances to the July 27 council meeting with a recommendation to approve. These include a grant agreement with ECG Rady, LP for affordable housing at 2811 Rady Street (ORD. 2026-170), a grant contract with Shockoe Legacy Foundation for the Slavey and Freedom Heritage Site (ORD. 2026-171), and a $3,168,000 re-appropriation for housing cost relief programs (ORD. 2026-172). One resolution (Res. 2026-R019) was forwarded without a recommendation, and Ord. 2026-081 was scheduled for further discussion on September 16.

Coming up

• **July 21**: Land Use, Housing and Transportation Standing Committee will review landscape weed ordinance exemptions and regional transit funding requests for Chesterfield and Henrico counties.
• **July 21**: Planning Commission will consider authorizing transitional housing at 1110 Oakwood Avenue and an archaeological pavilion at 1500 East Franklin Street.
• **July 22**: Governmental Operations Standing Committee will receive a presentation on Citizen Service and Response (311) standard operating procedures.
• **July 27**: City Council will vote on adopting a new City Code, the $480,000 fire training transfer, and multiple special use permits for attached dwellings.
• **July 28**: Public Safety Standing Committee will review semi-annual crime statistics and Richmond Animal Care and Control adoption rates.
• **July 28**: Commission of Architectural Review will consider certificates of appropriateness for a 16-classroom school at 4213 Hermitage Road and residential additions.

Planning Commission backs $480K fire training transfer; school sales tax referendum heads to full council

The Richmond Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend a $480,000 budget transfer for a new firefighter training burn tower, while a City Council committee advanced a proposed 1% local sales tax referendum for public school construction to the full council for a July 27 vote.

Planning Commission recommends zoning changes and fire training funds

On July 7, the Planning Commission voted to recommend several items to City Council, including a $480,000 transfer from the fire department's special fund to finance the Fire Training Facility Burn Tower Replacement project, which would support live firefighter training.

The commission also recommended approval to City Council for a day nursery serving up to 12 children at 2502 4th Avenue, up to six attached garages at 5 North Colonial Avenue Rear, and two single-family detached dwellings at 1235 North 36th Street.

The commission adopted its June 16 meeting minutes with a 6-aye, 1-abstain vote. A special use request for up to four attached dwellings at 3317 Rear Monument Avenue was continued to August 4. Two urban design reviews were referred to other city committees. The commission also approved the Public Art Commission Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2027.

School sales tax referendum and budget amendment forwarded to full council

The Education and Human Services Standing Committee met July 9 and forwarded two proposals to the full City Council for its July 27 meeting with a recommendation to approve. The committee did not take a final vote on either item.

The first, ORD. 2026-169, would adjust fiscal year budget line items and transfer funds to support community service grants. The second, RES. 2026-R028, would place a 1% local sales tax question on the ballot to fund public school construction or renovation.

City Council reviewed housing grants and Gilpin Court redevelopment

On July 6, City Council reviewed several items for which minutes have not yet been published. The agenda included ORD. 2026-170, a grant agreement with ECG Rady, LP for affordable housing at 2811 Rady Street, and ORD. 2026-171, a grant contract with Shockoe Legacy Foundation for the Slavery and Freedom Heritage Site. ORD. 2026-172 would re-appropriate $3,168,000 for housing cost relief programs.

RES. 2026-R029 would establish a memorandum of understanding with the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority for redevelopment of the Gilpin Court public housing community.

Other recent meetings

The Board of Zoning Appeals on July 1 considered lot splits and two new dwellings each at 1520 National Street and 718 Lincoln Avenue, plus a multifamily dwelling addition at 2303 Parkwood Avenue. Minutes have not yet been published.

The Organizational Development Standing Committee on July 6 reviewed a solar power purchase agreement presentation and received a status update on transitioning emergency medical call services to the Richmond Ambulance Authority. The committee also held a closed session on active litigation. No binding actions were scheduled.

Coming up

• **July 15 — Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee:** Reviews affordable housing trust fund rule changes, a grant amendment for 512 Hull Street, payment register transparency measures, and economic development updates.
• **July 16 — Urban Design Committee:** Reviews Shockoe Valley street improvements, a setback for apartments at 201 Orleans Street, and a pavilion design for the Lumpkin's Jail site at 1500 E Franklin St.
• **July 21 — Land Use, Housing and Transportation Standing Committee:** Considers Virginia Friendly Landscape weed ordinance exemptions, master plan updates for Oak Grove/Hillside/Bellemeade, and SMART SCALE funding support for Chesterfield and Henrico counties.
• **July 27 — City Council:** Votes on adopting a new consolidated City Code, the $480,000 fire training transfer, special use permits for 73 attached dwellings on Warwick Road and 31 on South Meadow Street, and acceptance of $36,000 from the Church Hill Association and $15,987 from the state for Libby Hill Park House and Forest View Cemetery.

Richmond committee advances new City Code to full Council; sales tax referendum, housing grants on tap this week

New City Code heads to full Council

The only confirmed decision from the past two weeks came from the Governmental Operations Standing Committee on June 24. Members reviewed Ordinance 2026-160, which would repeal the 2020 City Code and adopt a new version. The committee recommended approval and forwarded the ordinance to the full City Council, which is scheduled to vote July 27. No other substantive actions were taken in that session, according to official minutes.

City Council agenda included $1.68M in grant acceptances

The June 22 City Council meeting agenda listed several funding and land-use items, but minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes are not confirmed. The agenda included:

• Acceptance of $1,000,000 from the National Park Service for Broad Rock Creek Park improvements.
• Acceptance of $611,807.50 from the National Opioid Settlement Fund for abatement strategies.
• Acceptance of $69,920 from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources for African American cemeteries.
• Special use permits for residential projects on South Meadow St, Grayland Ave, and North 28th St.
• Street closure and right-of-way changes near Brookland Park Boulevard.

A separate June 22 informal meeting referred service delivery issues to the City Administration. No specific legislative actions were listed.

Public Safety, zoning, and design reviews

The Public Safety Standing Committee met June 23 to review presentations on 2026 hurricane season preparations and on current illegal dumping and graffiti operations. Minutes are not yet published.

The Commission of Architectural Review met June 23 to review exterior renovation requests across several properties, including window replacements at 2822 East Marshall Street, a porch trim addition and brick wall at 303 West Clay Street, and conceptual reviews for new multi-family buildings at 3008 Monument Avenue and 2516 East Marshall Street. Outcomes are not yet confirmed.

The Public Art Commission met June 25 to elect a Vice Chair and discuss public art at City Hall. Minutes are not yet published.

On July 1, the Board of Zoning Appeals was scheduled to consider lot splits for new single-family homes at 1520 National Street and 718 Lincoln Avenue, plus a multifamily dwelling addition at 2303 Parkwood Avenue. Outcomes are not yet confirmed.

Coming up

July 6 — City Council. The agenda includes a proposed sales tax referendum (RES. 2026-R028) allowing up to a 1% local sales tax for public school capital projects, a re-appropriation of $3,168,000 for housing cost relief programs (ORD. 2026-172), grant agreements for affordable housing at 2811 Rady Street (ORD. 2026-170) and the Shockoe Legacy Foundation's Slavery and Freedom Heritage Site (ORD. 2026-171), and an MOU with RRHA for Gilpin Court redevelopment (RES. 2026-R029).

July 6 — Organizational Development Standing Committee. Reviews a solar power purchase agreement presentation, an update on transitioning emergency medical call services to the Richmond Ambulance Authority, and a closed session on active litigation.

July 7 — Planning Commission. Votes on a $480,000 budget transfer from Fire Services to fund a Fire Training Facility Burn Tower Replacement, special use permits for up to 73 attached dwellings on Warwick Road and 6 dwellings on Euclid Avenue, Shockoe Valley infrastructure plans, and land acquisitions for the Hobby Hill Lake Dam Rehabilitation and CSO-012 Storage Tank projects.

July 9 — Education and Human Services Standing Committee. Receives updates from the Richmond Public Schools superintendent and the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services. No binding votes scheduled.

July 15 — Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee. Reviews amendments to Affordable Housing Trust Fund rules (ORD. 2026-164), a 512 Hull Street grant agreement amendment (ORD. 2026-165), payment register transparency measures (ORD. 2026-081, RES. 2026-R019), and staff presentations on economic development metrics and the delinquent tax sale program relaunch.

July 16 — Urban Design Committee. Reviews a setback recommendation for an apartment building at 201 Orleans Street, Shockoe Valley street and transit improvements, and architecture for a pavilion over the Lumpkin's Jail site at 1500 E Franklin St.

Richmond Government Operations Committee advances new city code; council to weigh school sales tax

The Richmond Governmental Operations Standing Committee voted June 24 to recommend adoption of a comprehensive new city code, forwarding Ordinance 2026-160 to the full City Council for a July 27 vote. The ordinance would repeal the 2020 City Code and replace it with an updated version. The committee took no other substantive actions.

What was on this week’s agendas

City Council (June 22) – The council’s docket included special use permits for residential projects on South Meadow Street, Grayland Avenue and North 28th Street, along with votes to accept $1,000,000 from the National Park Service for Broad Rock Creek Park improvements, $611,807.50 from the National Opioid Settlement Fund for abatement strategies, and $69,920 from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources for African American cemeteries. A street‑closure and right‑of‑way change near Brookland Park Boulevard was also listed.

Public Safety Standing Committee (June 23) – Presentations were scheduled on hurricane season preparations and illegal dumping and graffiti operations.

Commission of Architectural Review (June 23) – The commission reviewed window replacements, wall constructions, and conceptual designs for new multi‑family buildings on Monument Avenue and East Marshall Street, among other items.

Public Art Commission (June 25) – A vote for a vice chair and a discussion about public art at City Hall were on the agenda.

Board of Zoning Appeals (July 1) – The board considered special exceptions for lot splits to build two new dwellings at 1520 National Street and at 718 Lincoln Avenue, and a multifamily dwelling addition at 2303 Parkwood Avenue.

Coming up

July 6 City Council – A resolution (RES. 2026‑R028) would authorize a referendum on an up‑to‑1% local sales tax to fund public school capital projects. Council will also consider a grant agreement for affordable housing at 2811 Rady Street (ORD. 2026‑170), a grant contract with the Shockoe Legacy Foundation for a slavery and freedom heritage site (ORD. 2026‑171), a $3,168,000 re‑appropriation for housing cost relief programs (ORD. 2026‑172), and a memorandum of understanding with the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority to redevelop Gilpin Court (RES. 2026‑R029).

July 6 Organizational Development Standing Committee – A presentation on a solar power purchase agreement and a status update on transitioning emergency medical call services to the Richmond Ambulance Authority are scheduled. A closed session on active litigation will follow.

July 7 Planning Commission – The commission will vote on transferring $480,000 from Fire Services to fund a replacement burn tower at the Fire Training Facility, and on special use permits for up to 73 attached dwellings on Warwick Road, six dwellings on Euclid Avenue, a day nursery at 2502 4th Avenue, and four attached dwellings at 3317 Rear Monument Avenue. It will also review infrastructure plans for Shockoe Valley streets including Oliver Hill Way and North 18th Street, and authorize land acquisitions for the Hobby Hill Lake Dam Rehabilitation and CSO‑012 storage tank projects.

July 9 Education and Human Services Standing Committee – Informational updates from the Richmond Public Schools superintendent and the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services, board vacancy reports, and confirmation of committee presentations through February 2027 are on the agenda.

July 15 Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee – The committee will discuss an ordinance requiring public publication of the city’s payment register (ORD. 2026‑081), changes to Affordable Housing Trust Fund rules to direct all loan and grant receipts back to the fund (ORD. 2026‑164), an amendment to affordable‑housing requirements in a grant agreement with 512 Hull Street, LLC (ORD. 2026‑165), and a resolution directing investigation into failures to publish the monthly payment register (RES. 2026‑R019). Staff will present on economic development pipelines and the relaunch of the delinquent real estate tax sale program.

July 16 Urban Design Committee – The committee will review setbacks for a proposed apartment building at 201 Orleans Street, design of street and transit improvements across Shockoe Valley (Oliver Hill Way, North 18th, Venable, Mosby and Leigh streets), architecture for an archaeological pavilion over the historic Lumpkin’s Jail site at 1500 E. Franklin St., and updates to the city’s urban design guidelines.