Land Use, Housing and Transportation Standing Committee
Council Chamber, 2nd Floor - City Hall
Agenda — 85 items
- 1 Committee 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 (early departure)
- 3 Chamber Emergency Evacuation Announcement and Public Speaker Guidelines
- 3 Others in Attendance
- 4 Public Comment Period
- 4 Bonnie Ashley, Deputy City Attorney Tamiya Lunsford, Council Budget Analyst Kimberly Morris, Assistant City Clerk Candice Reid, City Clerk Steve Taylor, Council Policy Analyst RJ Warren, Deputy City Clerk
- 5 Approval of Minutes
- 6 February 20, 2024 Land Use, Housing and Transportation Meeting Minutes
- 6 Chair Andreas Addison called the meeting to order at 3:12 p.m.,and presided.
- 7 Presentation(s)
- 8 None
- 8 Assistant City Clerk Kimberly Morris 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 Paper(s) for Consideration
- 10 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
- 10 There were no public comment speakers.
- 1. To designate the corner of 1601 Littlepage Street and Mechanicsville Turnpike in honor of Reverend Shady Clark, Jr. (6th District)
- 2. To erect all-way stop signs at the intersection of Grayland Avenue and South Sheppard Street. (5th District)
- 12 There were no amendments or corrections to the meeting minutes of February 20, 2024 and the committee approved the minutes as presented.
- 3. To erect all-way stop signs at the intersection of Parkwood Avenue and McCloy Street. (5th District)
- 4. To designate that portion of East 32nd Street located between its intersection with Midlothian Turnpike and its intersection with McRand Street in honor of the late Frank J. Wilkins, Sr. (5th District)
- 5. To adopt Richmond Connects, Strategic Plan: A Multimodal Plan for Improving Transportation Equity in Richmond as the official comprehensive transportation plan for the City of Richmond in accordance with Res. No. 2019-R065, adopted Dec. 9, 2019, and Res. No. 2021-R032, adopted Jun. 14, 2021.
- 15 The following ordinances were considered:
- 16 DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
- 6. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept a donation from The Valentine Museum of a two-part sculpture to be installed in front of the property known as 1015 East Clay Street, along with maintenance services thereto, valued in the total amount of approximately $37,500.00 for the purpose of the aesthetic enhancement of the 1000 block of East Clay Street. (6th District)
- 18 There were no further comments or discussions and Member Ann-Frances Lambert moved to forward ORD. 2024-056 to Council for Council recommendation to approve, which was seconded and unanimously approved.
- 18 Public Hearing
- 7. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a License Agreement between the Capital Region Land Conservancy, Inc., as licensor, and the City of Richmond, as licensee, for the purpose of granting the City of Richmond access to the portion of the Richmond Slave Trail located on the property known as 1401 Brander Street in the city of Richmond to make certain improvements. (6th District)
- 19 Pastor MJ Jefferson, Blessed Hope Baptist Church, spoke in support of ORD. 2024-055, and informed the committee about the impact Reverend Shady Clark, Jr. had on the city.
- 20 Board Vacancies
- 20 There were no further comments or discussions and Member Ann-Frances Lambert moved to forward ORD. 2024-055 and ORD. 2024-080 to Council with a recommendation to approve, which was seconded and unanimously approved.
- 21 There were no board vacancies.
- 21 The following ordinances were considered:
- 22 Discussion Item(s)
- 23 Performance Grant Agreements for Affordable Housing
- 24 Update On Performance Grants And Partial Tax Exemptions To Further Affordable Housing
- 24 Amy Robins, Fifth District Council Liaison, provided an introduction and additional background information regarding the proposed ordinances. Ms. Robins also stated that 34 individuals have written in support of the ordinances.
- 25 Page break
- 25 Andy Boenau, Department of Public Works Transportation Engineering Program Manager, provided information regarding the proposed ordinances, and he stated city administration is working on a plan to evaluate both intersections. Mr. Boenau requested a continuance to allow for additional time to conduct the evaluation.
- 26 Staff Report
- 26 Public Hearing
- 27 March LUHT Staff Report
- 27 Kelsy Boyle spoke in support of ORD. 2024-078 and ORD. 2024-079, and informed the committee she lives in the Fifth District. She stated she frequents Carytown and would like for the ordinances to move forward without delay.
- 28 Robert Cordova spoke in opposition of ORD. 2024-078 and ORD. 2024-079, and stated his concerns about the impact of the proposed stop signs. Mr. Cordova also stated he is not in opposition to traffic calming techniques in neighborhoods with highway exits, however, according to federal regulations, the stop signs would be illegal.
- 29 City administration had continued discussion with the committee regarding the timeline of the proposed ordinances.
- 30 There were no further comments or discussions and Vice Chair Ellen Robertson moved to forward ORD. 2024-078 and ORD. 2024-079 to Council with recommendation to approve, which was seconded and unanimously approved.
- 31 The following resolution was considered:
- 33 Dironna Moore-Clarke, Deputy Director of Department of Public Works, and Kelli Rowan, Department of Public Works Transit, Planning and Mobility Program Management Consultant, provided an introduction and additional background information regarding the proposed resolution.
- 34 Public Hearing
- 35 Charisma Owens spoke in support of RES. 2024-R011, and stated the impact the RVA Rapid Transit Plan will have on her neighborhood.
- 36 Faith Walker, RVA Rapid Transit Executive Director, spoke in support of RES. 2024-R011, and thanked the committee for their support in allowing the community to have a voice in decision making.
- 37 Courtney Farrar spoke in support of RES. 2024-R011, and stated that the RVA Rapid Transit Plan will allow for new sidewalks and pedestrian safety.
- 38 Caroline Toby spoke in support of RES. 2024-R011, and stated that the resolution will allow for bus stations with shorter distances and accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
- 39 Sawaja Johnson spoke in support of RES. 2024-R011, and stated she is in support of the Fall Line Trail, and more lights and safety improvements in unsafe areas that utilize public transportation.
- 40 Aaliyah Brown spoke in support of RES. 2024-R011, and stated the resolution will offer safer ways to cross the street and provide better bus stop shelters.
- 41 Stephanie Power, RVA Rapid Transit staff member, spoke in support of RES. 2004-R011, and stated that she supported the plan because it would continue to provide free bus fares.
- 42 Kelsy Boyle spoke in support of RES. 2024-R011, and stated the positive impact safety lanes and protection barriers will have on the city.
- 43 Member Ann-Frances Lambert stated her support for the RVA Rapid Transit Plan, and she requested to be added as a co-patron of RES. 2024-R011.
- 44 Vice Chair Ellen Robertson stated her appreciation for the efforts necessary to establish the RVA Rapid Transit Plan, and she requested to be added as a co-patron of RES. 2024-R011.
- 45 Chair Andreas Addison provided a summary of the steps necessary to draft the resolution, and he stated his appreciation for the individuals involved with drafting the plan.
- 46 There were no further comments or discussions and Vice Chair Ellen Robertson moved to forward RES. 2023-R011 to Council with a recommendation, which was seconded and unanimously approved.
- 47 The following ordinance was considered:
- 49 Kevin Vonck, Director of Planning and Development Review, provided an introduction and additional background information regarding the proposed ordinance.
- 50 Vice Chair Ellen Robertson and Member Ann-Frances Lambert requested to be added as co-patrons of ORD. 2024-056.
- 52 The following ordinance was considered:
- 54 Ryan Rinn, Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Economic Development Business Service Manager, provided an introduction and additional background information regarding the proposed ordinance.
- 55 Member Ann-Frances Lambert inquired about the land transfer timeline.
- 56 Mr. Rinn stated that the land transfer was underway, and he confirmed that the final transfer would require additional action by Council.
- 57 There were no further comments or discussions and Vice Chair Ellen Robertson moved to forward ORD. 2024-075 to Council for Council recommendation to approve, which was seconded and unanimously approved.
- 62 Sherrill Hampton, Director of Housing and Community Development, discussed with the committee tools, such as performance grants and tax exemptions, used by the city to incentivize affordable housing development in the city.
- 63 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
- 65 City Assessor Richie McKeithen clarified the City Assessor's role regarding performance grant agreements.
- 66 Vice Chair Ellen Robertson inquired if there is a better process that can be implemented regarding the assessment of properties with rent restrictions.
- 67 City Assessor McKeithen stated the Office of the City Assessor has tried to collaborate with city administration's affordable housing efforts by requesting an income and expense statement to determine who qualifies for any relief. City Assessor McKeithen also stated that additional action by the city, and assistance from the state, will be necessary for the city to fully address the need for affordable housing in the city.
- 68 Justin Stanley, Multi Family Supervisor, Office of the City Assessor, stated improvements have been made in reference to receiving income and expense statements, and that the Office of the City Assessor is meeting with the Department of Housing and Community Development to determine what entities are actually affordable housing and if those entities are in compliance with the City Code.
- 69 Chair Andreas Addison stated it is important to maintain affordable housing developments previously approved in the city, and he inquired how the city can help ensure the city protects them from rising assessments.
- 70 Mr. McKeithen stated systems that identify such properties can be used by the city to protect incentives, but he noted that rising assessments can not be prevented.
- 71 Ms. Hampton stated that there are programs in place that provide partial tax exemption for certain renovations to affordable housing developments. Ms. Hampton also stated that a survey would be necessary to fully identify all the affordable housing developments in the city, for the city to provide such assistance. Ms. Hampton further stated that the survey would require household income information in order for the city to identify any potential relief or assistance.
- 72 Vice Chair Ellen Robertson discussed the impact of rising area median income (AMI) on providing rental relief or restrictions.
- 73 Member Ann-Frances Lambert left the meeting at 4:39 p.m.
- 74 Chair Addison stated that the city needs to take steps to protect current rental units in the city that could be described as affordable housing, but not under any certain agreement or incentive program.
- 75 Staff Report
- 76 Council staff provided the committee with the March Land Use, Housing and Transportation Standing Committee staff report.
- 78 Adjournment
- 79 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:47 p.m