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.
Earlier weeks
- week of 2026-06-29 — Richmond Government Operations Committee advances new city code; council to weigh school sales tax
Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.