[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6582403,"mediaKeyId","3093060-0d6fc5514fe4bfc1880cf24e27a62005","parentId",3093060,"title","Commission raises scale, material and streetscape concerns in conceptual review for proposed 22‑unit mixed‑use building at 715 Mosby Street","audioSeconds",349,"startMs",4084000,"endMs",4433000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3093060-0d6fc5514fe4bfc1880cf24e27a62005&start=4084&end=4433","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3093060-0d6fc5514fe4bfc1880cf24e27a62005/thumbnail_4084000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6582403/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Commission-raises-scale-material-and-streetscape-concerns-in-conceptual-review-for-proposed-22unit-mixeduse-building-at-715-Mosby-Street","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582403-d56812cecee866aad851f5f0bcc80ba2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770587432&Signature=FV5nPNmp7mSKrz1Hig1Oh14eJPZwTihoAzbNjYuDVmBi8phe00ZeowQnbFSyluyWI-n7t8EFegjnkadoVEi2WKocXgwjJn4tvasUhifJQT5ImGkqTiptMBQX7hF72P~aVFoWwcxHM4LnYESQLM5C-zYQ4E4DWTcxIPsiZeodh4NYnBHfSvkdjLp3MBzjYWInhY74T0ULN49iu42FSzwxUC6-CnXAX7uuWg9-vTDAWpbdU11ISykmZG212T754p1VbwqYlnajaaoUnbKgAHMetHjIInrsFmm4KFUtlcg7QiGAB-PLqwhS0aUBeIhbZb1IYrARQ3HLaVpnMgKSCFqU2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richmond City","date","2025-04-22T00:00:00Z","article","The Commission of Architectural Review took up a conceptual review of a proposed three‑story, 22‑unit mixed‑use building with a ground floor commercial space at 715 Mosby Street and raised multiple design and contextual concerns, including the building’s large, unmodulated massing, siding material, cornice treatment and how it relates to a one‑story commercial building across the alley.

Sam (staff member, Commission of Architectural Review) summarized staff’s assessment: the project should integrate with Union Hill’s character, step down toward the alley to relate to one‑story buildings across the alley, introduce material and form variation across the Mosby Street façade, add pedestrian‑scale elements and provide context elevations and topographic information that show the proposed building’s relationship to adjacent structures.

Lisa Clark (SMEW, project architect) described the submitted design and said the team was open to deeper articulation of the façade and additional modulation between the two primary masses. Clark noted they had stepped the two masses about three feet and had recessed balconies and entries; she asked whether the commission would accept the current two‑width window rhythm (one wide and one double‑wide window per module) or require uniform openings across the façade. Clark said the team was willing to look at porches and other human‑scale elements and suggested projecting a one‑story commercial volume to better relate to the alley‑facing building.

Commissioners and neighbors responded at length. Commissioners repeated staff’s request for more modulation, a stronger base and a defined cornice; they expressed concerns that the proposed white lap siding read as an industrial/tract style rather than referencing Union Hill’s brick‑based streetscape. Several commissioners and public commenters urged the team to study breaking the mass into distinct townhouse‑scale volumes rather than relying on small steps and recessed balconies to suggest multiple buildings. Multiple speakers recommended pulling material and compositional cues from nearby successful multifamily and mixed‑use projects on 20th Street and elsewhere rather than using broad, unbroken facades.

Public comment: Nancy Lampert (Union Hill resident) said the proposed massing would “dwarf” Union Hill and urged the commission to require designs that honor the historic neighborhood character.

Staff direction and next steps: The commission provided substantive guidance but did not vote on the project (conceptual review). Staff asked the applicant to provide additional documentation: context and topographic elevations (showing relative heights and the building’s relationship to the Mosby House and the one‑story commercial building across the alley), studies showing modulation strategies, alternative cornice and storefront treatments, and a clearer explanation of how the project will step down toward adjacent low‑scale buildings. The commission encouraged the applicant to meet with staff between hearings to develop revisions consistent with the CAR guidelines.

No formal action was taken; the item will return for formal review after the applicant submits the requested materials.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richmond City - Commission of Architectural Review on 2025-04-22 3:30 PM - Virtual Meeting Link: https://tinyurl.com/yx6cucku - Apr 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At a conceptual review the commission and public expressed strong concerns about massing, siding and the building’s relationship to the one‑story commercial building across the alley; staff recommended more modulation, context elevations and a stronger storefront treatment for the proposed 22‑unit mixed‑use project.","taxTitle","Richmond City (Independent City), Virginia","taxId",5755,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6582408,"Commission approves 212–218 North Twentieth Street townhomes after requiring larger street‑facing windows and red brick",3516,2687000,6203000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3093060-0d6fc5514fe4bfc1880cf24e27a62005&start=2687&end=6203","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3093060-0d6fc5514fe4bfc1880cf24e27a62005/thumbnail_2687000.jpg","/articles/6582408/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Commission-approves-212218-North-Twentieth-Street-townhomes-after-requiring-larger-streetfacing-windows-and-red-brick","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582408-4e941a9f723f7519dd34f83da21f2499/orig.mp4?Expires=1770587432&Signature=eBLB9liVH0gWtOF813Y1NvpZsT7uda7FJap-33vgqw6oPD-R8uho4FjGNwVKfb8sy1Nu2ttaMi-bz60sNvrt4ZpbgrdNsZUuDIG5mN028Dxe5Oeo4zg~EMOEnXwwtPjzqxQI-Cq-mcs~4h268F~4X4koTpXW13xiEU5HRx7rnGrkwzwXZ-V8gvN9haoe84pCZ7fI-gDtp7WlmJ4uz0rModUBnwMXtWCwNhVEhxYj0zfl8xkFauz87bzYRzpoQZn-2XPLDLcgdUqznqe0yG3eoEY~Bv24iV12escA7LPDW~fczq72XgZ-uQHIMnclm-iWGSvxlCgjk-w-VmmwIkcAUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richmond Commission of Architectural Review on April 2025 approved the design for a multi‑unit townhouse project at 212–218 North Twentieth Street, subject to changes the commission added during deliberations. The vote followed staff recommendations with the commission removing two prescriptive conditions and instead requiring three third‑floor windows on the Twentieth Street elevation to be resized to match the larger primary openings; commissioners also asked that the primary brick color be a red tone consistent with the surrounding block.

Sam (staff member, Commission of Architectural Review) reviewed prior comments from the commission’s February conceptual review and explained staff’s suggested conditions: remove the brick wall at the Twentieth Street entry and replace it with a more transparent element, require a red brick selection for the principal facade (submitted for staff approval), ensure consistent window sizes on the primary elevation and submit revised plans to the chair and vice‑chair for approval.

Greg Schron (Center Creek Homes, applicant) said the team had already reduced window sizes to two primary dimensions compared with the conceptual submission and was willing to work with the commission; he requested “softening” of the staff language that would make approval contingent on identical window sizes across the entire project. After discussion commissioners agreed the most important change was to enlarge three small third‑floor windows on the Twentieth Street façade so they match the larger openings. The applicant signaled agreement to make that change and to work with staff on brick selection.

Commissioners debated material color and façade rhythm. Supporters of staff’s original text said consistent openings help the project read more like the large, vertically proportioned industrial/warehouse buildings nearby; others said some smaller ground‑level openings can be appropriate near entries. Several commissioners argued the building should use red/brown brick for the base to better match nearby construction and the recently approved 220 North Twentieth project.

Motion and outcome: On a motion to approve with staff recommendations but removing conditions 3 and 5 and replacing them with the commission’s edited requirement for the three third‑floor windows, the commission voted to approve. The exact motion modified staff wording so the three small third‑floor windows on the Twentieth Street facade are to be resized to match the larger windows on that elevation and so the brick selection is to be a red tone submitted for staff approval. The applicant must submit revised drawings and samples for staff review before permits are issued.","Center Creek Homes’ townhome project at 212–218 N. 20th won approval after the commission modified staff conditions to require resizing three small third‑floor windows on the Twentieth Street façade to match larger openings and to require a red brick selection for the primary street elevation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6582413,"Commission approves 9‑unit Project Homes building at 815–821 Mosby Street with conditions",1070,2515000,3585000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3093060-0d6fc5514fe4bfc1880cf24e27a62005&start=2515&end=3585","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3093060-0d6fc5514fe4bfc1880cf24e27a62005/thumbnail_2515000.jpg","/articles/6582413/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Commission-approves-9unit-Project-Homes-building-at-815821-Mosby-Street-with-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582413-912ac1b0b95d7a5e970207f6f07f26d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770587432&Signature=AULvosGbWrPZkJ3tOcR58oS3jPoMtxNFq6WiRtV7Ypendq8RWpnRTaRudTeUZOZZzR66F40ACvUbggNxd5okZKnjuxvq1wDqXeKSbTkGo2ltNr9VsatWG0Rc7Nj8o3VqLo5393o1yUjprl7~NBzMd~LfjqEopn~r-DXylQRMxEM31frEX7hY5H6bvceXgnCuZcxEBPPIxrVnKAtT0-7d2vSwiW2kJFVnu1Syp0o5DGmJAK-PZ88z~ZQ9Y3Akgjshq6fzTP9YWXO7rsnImnrI2nqmQOG2GMHa2ZwWCF0pfbUTCsqZiPmG7GHEQeeM-lsc~S~f56zUVTEg-4JiK0A6Mw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richmond Commission of Architectural Review on April 2025 approved a three‑story, nine‑unit multifamily building at 815–821 Mosby Street in the Union Hill historic district, subject to staff conditions requiring final site regrading plans, material samples and screening of mechanical equipment and parking.

Staff presented the April submission, noting the applicant had revised the project after a February conceptual review. Alex (staff member, Commission of Architectural Review) said the updated plans add front stoops and a sidewalk parallel to the public right of way, extend the first‑floor brick farther toward the rear, lower the relationship between the third‑floor window hoods and the cornice, and propose regrading that would reduce the building's apparent height by roughly 10 feet.

Will Gillette (Baker Development Resources, applicant representative) told the commission the dwelling will be built by Project Homes, will include nine units and is partially funded by a grant from Virginia Housing; Urban Hope was named as the anticipated property manager and service partner. Gillette described design changes made after prior reviews: adding front stairs to the three first‑floor units, adding vertically aligned windows on the north elevation, correcting an earlier height typo (plans are intended to show a maximum around 180 feet as displayed), and providing additional HVAC and parking screening details.

Several commissioners pressed the applicant on how the finished building will relate to the Mosby House (809 Mosby) and to the Mosby Street streetscape. Commissioners asked for a site regrading plan and final spot elevations so staff can confirm the building's final measured height and enforce the approved limit. Commissioners also discussed the configuration of front entrances and whether the new stoops would create “desire paths” through proposed landscaping. Alex said ADA compliance and final ramp details can be approved administratively, but the commission asked those details to be provided before permits are issued.

In public comment, Nancy Lampert (Union Hill resident) urged the commission to ensure the project does not overwhelm the neighborhood and to make the building feel compatible with Union Hill’s existing scale and porches.

Motion and outcome: A motion to approve the project with staff recommendations carried. The commission adopted a set of staff conditions requiring submission of a final site regrading plan, use of historically appropriate materials for any new retaining walls (brick, concrete or paver block), adequate vegetation screening for the parking area, and final material samples for staff approval.

The applicant was told to provide the required documentation for staff review and to coordinate with staff on final ADA ramp details before building permits are issued.","The Richmond Commission of Architectural Review approved a three‑story, nine‑unit multifamily building at 815–821 Mosby Street with staff conditions including a site regrading plan, materials approval and screening for mechanicals and parking.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission raises scale, material and streetscape concerns in conceptual review for proposed 22‑unit mixed‑use building at 715 Mosby Street

Commission approves 212–218 North Twentieth Street townhomes after requiring larger street‑facing windows and red brick

Commission approves 9‑unit Project Homes building at 815–821 Mosby Street with conditions