Land Use, Housing and Transportation Standing Committee
Council Chamber, 2nd Floor - City Hall
Agenda — 102 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
- 3 Chamber Emergency Evacuation Announcement and Citizen Speaker Guidelines
- 3 Others in Attendance
- 4 Public Comment Period
- 4 Andrew Gore, Assistant City Attorney Pamela Nichols, Council Management Analyst Candice Reid, City Clerk Steve Taylor, Council Policy Analyst RJ Warren, Deputy City Clerk
- 5 Approval of Minutes
- 6 January 16, 2024 Land Use, Housing and Transportation Meeting Minutes
- 6 Chair Andreas Addison called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m., and presided.
- 7 Presentation(s)
- 8 Chamberlayne Avenue Road Safety Assessment
- 8 Deputy City Clerk RJ Warren provided information on the appropriate manner in which the Council Chamber is to be evacuated in the event of an emergency along with citizen speaker guidelines.
- 9 Road Safety Assessment Presentation
- 10 Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority Annual Report
- 10 There were no public comment speakers.
- 11 Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority Annual Report
- 12 page break
- 12 There were no amendments or corrections to the meeting minutes of January 16, 2024 and the committee approved the minutes as presented.
- 13 Zoning Ordinance Rewrite
- 14 Zoning Ordinance Rewrite Presentation
- 14 page break
- 15 Paper(s) for Consideration
- 16 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
- 16 The following ordinance was considered:
- 1. To amend City Code § 23-45, concerning refuse collection at a point other than a curb or alley for the elderly and persons with disabilities, for the purpose of authorizing the collection service for as many refuse receptacles as provided by the City.
- 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 Central Virginia Transportation Authority for the purpose of providing funding for the Fall Line Trail - Bryan Park Segment project.
- 18 Bobby Vincent, Director of Public Works (DPW), provided information regarding the proposed ordinance, and he stated that he believed the item was set to be withdrawn by the chief patron due to recent changes to the DPW standard operating procedures.
- 3. To designate the corner of 2300 Third Avenue and Juniper Street in honor of the late Dr. Clifton Whitaker, Jr. (6th District)
- 19 Vice Chair Ellen Robertson inquired what the city was concerned about regarding the proposed request.
- 4. To designate the corner of 300 North 11th Street and East Broad Street in honor of the late Lindsey Grizzard Braun. (6th District)
- 20 Mr. Vincent stated his concern was that certain households occupied by an elderly person or a person with a disability, could request that all supercans be retrieved by DPU employees, even though other individuals may reside in that household physically capable of moving supercans. Mr. Vincent also stated he was concerned that the service would be abused, and that the current process safeguards against that. Mr. Vincent informed the committee that he had a discussion with the chief patron regarding a withdrawal of the legislation, and that he would again discuss the matter with the patron.
- 5. To name the alley located in the block bounded by North Crenshaw Avenue, Ellwood Avenue, North Nansemond Street, and Floyd Avenue as “Crenshaw Mews Alley.”
- 21 There were no further comments or discussions and Vice Chair Ellen Robertson moved to forward ORD. 2023-286 to Council with no recommendation, which was seconded and unanimously approved.
- 6. To name the alley located in the block bounded by Grove Avenue, North Plum Street, Floyd Avenue, and North Lombardy Street as “Horse Barn Alley.”
- 22 The following ordinance was considered:
- 7. To express the City Council’s support for and request the Commonwealth Transportation Board to provide funding for the City’s SMART SCALE candidate projects for 2024.
- 24 DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
- 24 Dironna Moore Clarke, Department of Public Works Deputy Director of Equitable Transit and Mobility, provided an introduction and additional background information regarding the proposed ordinance.
- 8. To approve an amendment to the Master Plan for the City of Richmond, adopted by the City Planning Commission on Oct. 5, 2020, and approved by the City Council by Ord. No. 2020-236, adopted Dec.14, 2020, to incorporate the Shockoe Small Area Plan detailing the vision, major goals, big moves, and priority projects for the development of the Shockoe neighborhood.
- 25 Public Hearing
- 26 DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION & COMMUNITY FACILITIES
- 26 Richard Sauser spoke in opposition of ORD. 2024-042, and stated his concerns about the impact of the proposed trail. Mr. Sauser requested that Council obtain a clearer picture of the full trail design, set guardrails for the trail design, and ensure that the city allocates funds efficiently regarding trail design and construction.
- 9. To designate and establish certain City-owned property known as 6008 Rear Howard Road as an official City park named “Bay Street Commons.” (1st District)
- 27 Chair Andreas Addison and Vice Chair Ellen Robertson requested to be added as co-patrons of ORD. 2024-042.
- 28 Board Vacancies
- 28 There were no further comments or discussions and Vice Chair Ellen Robertson moved to forward ORD. 2024-042 to Council with a recommendation to approve, which was seconded and unanimously approved.
- 29 February 20, 2024 - Land Use, Housing and Transportation Board Vacancy Report
- 29 The following ordinances were considered:
- 30 Discussion Item(s)
- 31 There were no discussion items.
- 32 Staff Report
- 32 Public Hearing
- 33 Dr. Marcia Hathaway spoke in support of ORD. 2024-044, and informed the committee about the impact Dr. Clifton Whitaker, Jr. had on the city.
- 34 Beverly Whitaker Braxton spoke in support of ORD. 2024-044, and informed the committee that she was the sister of Dr. Clifton Whitaker, Jr. Ms. Braxton stated the street corner designation would honor the significant impact of her brother.
- 35 Member Ann-Frances Lambert requested to be added as a co-patron of ORD. 2024-044 and ORD. 2024-045.
- 36 Vice Chair Ellen Robertson stated her appreciation for individuals that provided comment, and she also stated that the honorary designation for Dr. Clifton Whitaker, Jr. was deserved.
- 37 There were no further comments or discussions and Vice Chair Ellen Robertson moved to forward ORD. 2024-044 and ORD. 2024-045 to Council with a recommendation to approve, which was seconded and unanimously approved.
- 38 The following resolutions were considered:
- 41 M Khara, Department of Public Works Deputy Director and City Engineer, provided an introduction and additional background information regarding the proposed resolutions.
- 42 Chair Andreas Addison provided additional background information regarding the namings, and he stated his support for both resolutions.
- 43 There were no further comments or discussions and Member Ann-Frances Lambert moved to forward RES. 2024-R002 and RES. 2024-R003 to Council with a recommendation to approve, which was seconded and unanimously approved.
- 44 The following resolution was considered:
- 46 M Khara, Department of Public Works Deputy Director and City Engineer, provided an introduction and additional background information regarding the proposed resolution.
- 47 page break
- 48 Public Hearing
- 49 Caroline Tobe, United Methodist Family Services Student Support Coach, spoke in support of RES. 2024-R006, and stated that she was physically unable to drive, and that she relies on bus travel. Ms. Tobe also stated she had to change her preferred grocery store location due to the absence of a necessary crosswalk. Ms. Tobe further stated that the proposed resolution would help ensure proper crosswalks and street lights are installed in the city.
- 50 There were no further comments or discussions and Vice Chair Ellen Robertson moved to forward RES. 2024-R006 to Council with a recommendation to approve, which was seconded and unanimously approved.
- 51 The following ordinance was considered:
- 53 Kevin Vonck, Director of Planning and Development Review, provided an introduction and additional background information regarding the proposed ordinance.
- 54 Public Hearing
- 55 Ebony Jones, business owner, stated that the ordinance would help establish more development in Shockoe Bottom, which would help increase tourism and revenue for the city.
- 56 Vice Chair Ellen Robertson, Member Ann-Frances Lambert, and Chair Andreas Addison requested to be added as co-patrons of ORD. 2024-034.
- 57 There were no further comments or discussions and Member Ann-Frances Lambert moved to forward ORD. 2024-034 to Council with a recommendation to approve, which was seconded and unanimously approved.
- 58 The following ordinance was considered:
- 60 Chair Andreas Addison provided an introduction of ORD. 2024-043.
- 61 There were no further comments or discussions and Member Ann-Frances Lambert moved to forward ORD. 2024-043 to Council with a recommendation to approve, which was seconded and unanimously approved.
- 64 Steven Nesmith, Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) Chief Executive Officer, provided the committee with a presentation that addressed the RRHA strategic plan, annual report, and goals for promoting homeownership.
- 65 A copy of the material provided has been filed
- 67 Vice Chair Ellen Robertson stated that the city lacked a sufficient amount of affordable housing options, including for its own employees. Vice Chair Robertson also stated that RRHA could partner with the city to help increase affordable housing inventory. Vice Chair Robertson further stated that Council needed to be aware of that partnership as it reviews the upcoming city budget.
- 68 Mr. Nesmith stated that RRHA can partner with the city to increase construction and development of affordable housing options in the city through increased dialogue.
- 69 Chair Andreas Addison stated it was important that the city includes RRHA in future discussions regarding economic development projects.
- 70 Mr. Nesmith stated it is important that RRHA and the city include access to public transit options when deciding future economic development projects.
- 72 Andy Boenau, Department of Public Works (DPU) Transportation Engineering Program Manager, and Chris Daily, VHB Transportation Manager, provided the committee with a presentation that addressed a road safety assessment of Chamberlayne Avenue. Mr. Boenau stated that a majority of crashes on Chamberlayne Avenue occurred at intersections at a greater disparity from other streets in the city.
- 73 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
- 75 Member Ann-Frances Lambert stated her appreciation for the presentation, and she noted that she was working to include Chamberlayne Avenue traffic improvements in the upcoming city budget.
- 76 Vice Chair Ellen Robertson stated that she believed that the city could increase business opportunities on Chamberlayne Avenue if it addressed issues with speeding and traffic accidents.
- 77 Chair Andreas Addison stated that traffic calming measures were needed across the city. Chair Addison also suggested that improvements take place to increase pedestrian safety.
- 79 Kevin Vonck, Director of Planning and Development Review, provided the committee with a presentation that addressed the steps necessary for the city to complete a rewriting of its zoning ordinance. Mr. Vonck stated that the rewrite was necessary to implement Richmond 300 Master Plan recommendations.
- 80 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
- 82 Vice Chair Ellen Robertson confirmed that city administration hopes to finish the rezoning process by the end of 2025, and she stated that the city's zoning needed to catch up with the current development taking place and needed in the city.
- 83 Chair Andreas Addison stated that he believed the rezoning of the city could help increase equity in the city by removing some of the limitations on development.
- 85 Pamela Nichols, Council Management Analyst, reviewed board applications for consideration by the committee.
- 86 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
- 88 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:
- 89 PlanRVA (Richmond Regional Planning District Commission): Cameron George
- 90 Member Ann-Frances Lambert moved to forward the following board appointment application to Council with a recommendation to approve, which failed due to a lack of a second.
- 91 Board of Commissioners of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority: Chanté Holt
- 92 Vice Chair Ellen Robertson moved to forward the following board reappointment application to Council with a recommendation to approve, which was seconded and approved: Ayes 2, Robertson, Addison. Noes 1, Lambert.
- 93 Board of Commissioners of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority: Barrett Hardiman (reappointment)
- 96 Adjournment
- 97 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:07 p.m.