Land Use, Housing and Transportation Standing Committee
Council Chamber, 2nd Floor - City Hall
Agenda — 102 items
- 1 Persons requesting to provide comments virtually during the public hearings or public comment period held at this meeting, must call the Office of the City Clerk at (804) 646-7955, option 3, by no later than 10:00 a.m., on Tuesday, November 19, 2024.
- 1 Committee Members and Other Council Members in Attendance
- 2 Call to Order
- 2 The Honorable Andreas Addison – Chair The Honorable Ellen Robertson – Vice Chair The Honorable Ann-Frances Lambert – Committee Member The Honorable Katherine Jordan – Councilmember (early departure)
- 3 Chamber Emergency Evacuation Plan Announcement and Public Speaker Guidelines
- 3 Staff in Attendance
- 4 Public Comment Period
- 4 Bonnie Ashley, Deputy City Attorney Tamiya Lunsford, Council Budget Analyst Nahdiyah Muhammad, Assistant City Clerk Pamela Nichols, Council Management Analyst Candice Reid, City Clerk RJ Warren, Deputy City Clerk
- 5 Approval of Minutes
- 6 October 22, 2024 - Land Use, Housing and Transportation Standing Committee Meeting Minutes
- 6 Chair Andreas Addison called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m., and presided
- 7 Presentation(s)
- 8 Diamond District Project Update
- 8 Upon the Chair’s request, Assistant City Clerk Nahdiyah Muhammad provided information on the appropriate manner in which the Council Chamber is to be evacuated in the event of an emergency along with public speaker guidelines.
- 9 November 19, 2024 - Diamond District Project Update
- 10 Paper(s) for Consideration
- 10 There were no public comment speakers.
- 11 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
- 1. To designate the 100 block of West Leigh Street in honor of William Isaac Johnson, Sr. (2nd District)
- 12 There were no amendments or corrections to the meeting minutes of October 22, 2024 and the committee approved the minutes as presented.
- 2. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Standard Project Administration Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Virginia Department of Transportation for the purpose of providing funding for the installation of 252 high visibility signal backplates at approximately 32 signal controlled intersections and 54 left turn flashing yellow arrow signal heads at approximately 24 signal controlled intersections.
- 3. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Standard Project Administration Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Virginia Department of Transportation for the purpose of providing funding for the installation of left turn hardening measures at approximately 30 stop controlled intersections and 36 raised crossings at unsignalized intersections with stationed school crossing guards.
- 4. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Standard Project Administration Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Virginia Department of Transportation for the purpose of providing funding for the installation of various regulatory and warning signs and pavement markings at stop controlled intersections.
- 5. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Franchise Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Greater Richmond Transit Co. for the purpose of displaying advertisements on Greater Richmond Transit Co. bus stops and bus rapid transit system stations.
- 16 Sharon Ebert, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Planning and Economic Development, provided the committee a presentation of Diamond District project updates.
- 6. To name the alley located in the block bounded by Russell Street, Carrington Street, North 25th Street, and Venable Street as “Union Grace Alley.” (7th District)
- 18 DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
- 18 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
- 7. To amend Ord. No. 2022-172, adopted Jun. 27, 2022, which authorized the Chief Administrative Officer to submit a PY 2022 / FY 2023 Annual Action Plan to the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as an application for the receipt of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) funds, Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) funds; accepted funds from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in the total amount of $8,826,296.00; and appropriated $8,826,296.00 for various projects, for the purpose of changing the subrecipient of HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) funds from the Better Housing Coalition to Cameo Street LLC.
- 19 Member Ann-Frances Lambert requested additional information regarding the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) plan. Member Lambert asked if a utilities contract had been procured. Member Lambert inquired about a job training center, in partnership with Richmond Public Schools (RPS), that was included in the original plan for the development. Member Lambert referenced a previous request for a side-by-side comparison of the design that was originally accepted by Council, versus where the current development design stands.
- 8. To designate the property known as 250 East German School Road as a revitalization area pursuant to Va. Code § 36-55.30:2. (9th District)
- 20 DCAO Ebert stated the MBE plan was submitted by both developers, but has not yet been approved by the Economic Development Authority (EDA). DCAO Ebert also stated that the public infrastructure work that involves the utility components will not be completed until 2025. DCAO Ebert stated that the original plan to have a job training center was not a requirement, the developer was not successful in making contact with Richmond Public Schools (RPS), and J&G Workforce Development will partner with a different organization. DCAO Ebert stated that she requested an update from Diamond District Partners, and that community benefit agreements Council made were carried forward into the current development.
- 21 DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATIONAL AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES
- 21 DCAO Ebert further discussed the Diamond District project with the committee.
- 9. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Lease Agreement between the City of Richmond, as landlord, and the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, as tenant, for the purpose of leasing office space and a computer laboratory located at 436 Calhoun Street, commonly known as the “Calhoun Family Investment Center.” (3rd District)
- 10. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Lease Agreement between the City of Richmond, as lessor, and Cancer Retreat Centers, Inc., as lessee, for the purpose of allowing Cancer Retreat Centers, Inc. to lease the first floor of Blanton House located at 700 Blanton Avenue. (5th District)
- 23 The following ordinance was considered:
- 24 Board Vacancies
- 1. To designate the 100 block of West Leigh Street in honor of William Isaac Johnson, Sr. (2nd District)
- 25 November 19, 2024 - Land Use, Housing and Transportation Board Vacancy Report
- 25 Councilmember Katherine Jordan, provided an introduction and additional background information regarding the proposed ordinance.
- 26 page break
- 26 Public Hearing
- 27 Discussion Item(s)
- 27 Pierre Lamar Johnson, Sr., great-great grandson of William Isaac Johnson, Sr., spoke in support of the proposed ordinance. Mr. Johnson provided the committee with additional information about the work that his great-great grandfather did for the Richmond community.
- 28 There were no discussion items.
- 28 Member Ann-Frances Lambert, Vice Chair Ellen Robertson and Chair Andreas Addison requested to be added as co-patrons of the proposed ordinance.
- 29 Staff Report
- 29 There were no further comments or discussions and Vice Chair Ellen Robertson moved to forward ORD. 2024-257 to Council with recommendation to approve, which was seconded and unanimously approved.
- 30 November 19, 2024 - Land Use, Housing and Transportation Standing Committee Staff Report
- 30 Councilor Katherine Jordan left the meeting at 3:40 p.m.
- 31 The following ordinances were considered:
- 35 M Khara, Department of Public Works Deputy Director and City Engineer, provided an introduction and additional background information regarding the proposed ordinances.
- 36 Vice Chair Ellen Robertson requested additional information regarding the changes outlined in the proposed ordinances. Vice Chair Robertson asked what changes would be seen after the ordinances take effect.
- 37 Bobby Vincent, Director of Public Works, provided the committee with additional background information regarding the proposed ordinances. Mr. Vincent further discussed the proposed ordinances with the committee and provided additional information regarding traffic flow and safety.
- 38 Public Hearing
- 39 There were no public hearing speakers.
- 40 There were no further comments or discussions and Member Ann-Frances Lambert moved to forward ORD. 2024-288, ORD. 2024-289 and ORD. 2024-290 to Council with recommendation to approve, which was seconded and unanimously approved.
- 41 The following ordinance was considered:
- 43 Dironna Moore Clarke, Department of Public Works (DPW) Deputy Director of the Office of Equitable Transit and Mobility, provided an introduction and additional background information regarding the proposed ordinance.
- 44 Public Hearing
- 45 There were no public hearing speakers.
- 46 There were no comments or discussions and Vice Chair Ellen Robertson moved to forward ORD. 2024-291 to Council with recommendation to approve, which was seconded and unanimously approved.
- 47 The following resolution was considered:
- 49 M Khara, Department of Public Works Deputy Director and City Engineer, provided an introduction and additional background information regarding the proposed resolution.
- 50 Vice Chair Ellen Robertson asked if the alley referenced in the proposed resolution would now serve as a street.
- 51 M Khara stated the alley will still function as an alley and will allow for cars to travel through, while utilities and trash services are still accessible in the alley.
- 52 M Khara further discussed the proposed resolution with the committee.
- 53 Public Hearing
- 54 There were no public hearing speakers.
- 55 There were no further comments or discussions and Member Ann-Frances Lambert moved to forward RES. 2024-R037 to Council with recommendation to approve, which was seconded and unanimously approved.
- 56 The following ordinance was considered:
- 58 Loren Brown, Senior Project Development Manager for Housing and Community Development, provided an introduction and additional background information regarding the proposed ordinance.
- 59 Public Hearing
- 60 There were no public hearing speakers.
- 61 There were no comments or discussions and Vice Chair Ellen Robertson moved to forward ORD. 2024-292 to Council with recommendation to approve, which was seconded and unanimously approved.
- 62 The following resolution was considered:
- 64 Michelle Brown Peters, Deputy Director for Housing and Community Development, provided an introduction and additional background information regarding the proposed resolution.
- 65 Public Hearing
- 66 There were no public hearing speakers.
- 67 Vice Chair Ellen Robertson stated that the details referenced in the proposed resolution should be monitored and applied to future developments.
- 68 Chair Andreas Addison stated that the revitalization zone process has been used across multiple developments within the Commonwealth of Virginia and that it should be explored with future developments.
- 69 There were no further comments or discussions and Vice Chair Ellen Robertson moved to forward RES. 2024-R036 to Council with recommendation to approve, which was seconded and unanimously approved.
- 70 The following ordinance was considered:
- 72 Nissa Richardson, Deputy Director of Capital Projects for Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities, provided an introduction and additional background information regarding the proposed ordinance.
- 73 Public Hearing
- 74 There were no public hearing speakers.
- 75 Member Ann-Frances Lambert requested to be added as a co-patron to the proposed ordinance.
- 76 There were no further comments or discussions and Member Ann-Frances Lambert moved to forward ORD. 2024-293 to Council with recommendation to approve, which was seconded and unanimously approved.
- 77 The following ordinance was considered:
- 79 Nissa Richardson, Deputy Director of Capital Projects for Park, Recreation, and Community Facilities, provided an introduction and additional background information regarding the proposed ordinance.
- 80 Public Hearing
- 81 Kristin Harris, Founder and Chief Executive Officer for Cancer Retreat Centers, spoke in support of the proposed ordinance. Ms. Harris stated that her own experiences with cancer led her to development Cancer Retreat Centers. Ms. Harris provided the committee with additional information regarding the services and support that will be offered to patients.
- 82 There were no further comments or discussions and Member Ann-Frances Lambert moved to forward ORD. 2024-294 to Council with recommendation to approve, which was seconded and unanimously approved.
- 84 Pamela Nichols, Council Management Analyst, reviewed board vacancies and applications for consideration by the committee.
- 86 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
- 87 Member Ann-Frances Lambert moved to forward the following board appointment application to Council with a recommendation to approve, which was seconded and unanimously approved:
- 88 History and Culture Commission: Aaron-Paula Thompson
- 92 Council staff provided the committee with the November Land Use, Housing and Transportation Standing Committee staff report.
- 94 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
- 95 Adjournment
- 96 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:29 p.m.