[{"_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",6530104,"mediaKeyId","3726985-1b2551d2e49d2fa0291d0cf95dd42a3a","parentId",3726985,"title","Council votes unanimously to enter closed session to discuss city center property disposition and related contracts","audioSeconds",3901,"startMs",1659000,"endMs",5560000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3726985-1b2551d2e49d2fa0291d0cf95dd42a3a&start=1659&end=5560","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3726985-1b2551d2e49d2fa0291d0cf95dd42a3a/thumbnail_1659000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6530104/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Council-votes-unanimously-to-enter-closed-session-to-discuss-city-center-property-disposition-and-related-contracts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530104-43eddf3d94162aab042cdc8732bf9cef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156783&Signature=oybCabUlRXEhrRngxUZJGZaGsx-tmUaRE1tOkCZeN50ifMmP2yolQyx5GvwCIvm43cNUpZHbZOSMGgergh0EYjco2VT7XMXMIFA5dYWUGJIR~FZ7aA7rW2fHt~D1T4Iyiv5bhe2JmENooI8z5Ql7eI0o6Y4qsEoVglnGZQvMk2sAzph2qnkazUV3aBe7Foc9NELvkz~RnzjSUenhh-89w9Irul1n3JsDKC5K1GnsoIJj0RApyx7Z~QqfaX6ixeMHrc3v8vhrNc6LBqHkEOm5GFR4CCP60ef8yLXQFnVKwaW9Bj~y6uUqijXgFWB8CpzgNESqDoWma6oKqSieOUB5sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richmond City","date","2025-06-09T00:00:00Z","article","Councilmember Gibson moved that Richmond City Council go into a closed meeting under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act to discuss the disposition of publicly held real property and the award of contracts relating to the city center development project; the motion passed on a unanimous roll-call vote.

The legal basis for the closed session was cited by Gibson as Subdivisions A(3) and A(29) of Section 2.2-3711 of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, which the clerk read into the record during the motion.

Gibson read the motion: \"I move that the city council go into a closed meeting pursuant to Subdivision A 3 and A 29 of section 2.2-three 711 of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act to discuss, 1, the disposition of publicly held real property for the purpose of the city center development project, and 2, the award of a contract or contracts involving expenditure of public funds relating to such city center development project in the terms and scope of such contract or contracts because discussion in an open session would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the city.\" The council then voted by roll call; recorded votes in the transcript were affirmative from Gibson, Jones, Robertson, Lynch, Trammell, Abel Bacher, Vice President Jurden and President Newbill.

The council convened the closed meeting in the Second Floor Large Conference Room. After returning to open session, the council certified by roll call that, to the best of each member's knowledge, only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements were discussed and that only matters identified in the motion were considered; the certification vote was recorded as unanimous.

No contract awards, property dispositions or negotiated terms were announced in open session at the meeting time recorded in the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richmond City - Richmond City Council Informal Meeting on 2025-06-09 4:00 PM - Jun 09, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Richmond City Council voted unanimously to go into a closed meeting under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act to discuss the disposition of publicly held real property and the award of contracts related to the city center development project; the council later certified that only permitted matters were discussed.","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},6530108,"Council amends and continues several ordinances; multiple items set for June, July and September meetings",354,639000,993000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3726985-1b2551d2e49d2fa0291d0cf95dd42a3a&start=639&end=993","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3726985-1b2551d2e49d2fa0291d0cf95dd42a3a/thumbnail_639000.jpg","/articles/6530108/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Council-amends-and-continues-several-ordinances-multiple-items-set-for-June-July-and-September-meetings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530108-3fb769fe063b5c538ad5b0e8b05142cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156784&Signature=oK9E6JtCRMxbgftarg~hy9mmiRRpVJCi4LJ-zJsilpSpIaN6I1VdEXHWGxy0lflr2jQkVhy8MV-XMhhOXqD6O8EBbm-eZt-HngtIzalK7dUwsaYExldBV4zGcSJmnYmgwRU7KoWPgUhExLWx5RbS3sm-RngXe7j9al34gozyu7bYV~k5NcKFm4ThBqOrjaUcHpS8Kekvxsw-sI73myrvyDHVqjym0ahcYYnfNd1Bx0im9oCgmhGfZbOqYl9bfmyo-mvmW2rRGphxY2ZVLKcbmv22QxxBt40Xi0aheK8ao99pJ-lpX8Iv2mqLPI5tm5KWH~6cIskSJNnMHCh-CZp~uQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Madam Clerk reviewed the consent agenda and the council recorded multiple amendments and continuances for ordinances and one resolution on the consent and regular agendas.

The continuity of these items matters because continuances change public hearing schedules and delay final decisions on zoning and other land-use items that require Planning Commission and council action.

During the docket review the clerk said several listed ordinances would be amended later in the meeting and continued to future council dates: some items were scheduled for the June 23 council meeting, several for the July 28 meeting, and one was continued to Sept. 22. The clerk identified specific ordinance numbers and planning commission recommendations as read into the record.

Key items read into the record included: Item 1 (\"ordinance 20 20 five-twenty 5\") to be amended and continued to the July 28 meeting; Item 2 (\"ordinance 20 20 five-forty 6\") to be amended and continued to the June 23 meeting; Item 3 (\"ordinance 20 25 0 52\") continued to the Sept. 22 meeting per Planning Commission; Item 4 (\"ordinance 20 25 0 79\") to be continued to June 23; Item 5 (\"ordinance 20 25 0 80\") was noted as continued from May 12 and was to be continued to June 23; Item 6 (\"ordinance 20 25 0 81\") continued to June 23; Item 7 (\"ordinance 20 25 1 12\") was listed with Planning Commission recommended approval; Item 8 (\"ordinance 20 25 1 13\") continued to June 23; Items 9'14 (\"ordinance 20 25 1 14, 1 15, 1 16, 1 17, 1 18, and 1 19\") were listed with Planning Commission recommended approval; Item 15 (\"ordinance 20 25 1 20\") was noted as continued by Planning Commission and to be continued to June (date not fully specified in the record); Item 16 (\"resolution 20 25 r 20\") was continued to July because the June organization development standing committee meeting was cancelled; on the regular agenda Item 17 (\"20 24 1 87\") was continued to July 28; and Item 18 (\"resolution 20 24 r 041\") was discussed and Councilmember Robertson asked that it be continued to the June 23 meeting.

Councilmember Robertson said she had not yet conferred with the paper's lead patron, Miss Lynch, and requested more time to review proposed amendments; Robertson said she is not opposed to the paper but preferred additional factual work before amendments are finalized.

The clerk confirmed that the docket concluded and the council moved on to the next agenda item.

No final votes on the substantive content of the listed ordinances were taken at this docket review; the actions noted were continuances and referrals to later council meetings as listed above.","The clerk reviewed the consent agenda and recommended amendments and continuances for numerous ordinances and one resolution; several items were continued to June 23, others to July 28 and one to Sept. 22, while multiple items received planning commission approval and remain on the docket for future action.",{"_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},6530111,"Council hears update on citywide zoning \"code refresh\" as draft map and districts near public review",596,1031000,1627000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3726985-1b2551d2e49d2fa0291d0cf95dd42a3a&start=1031&end=1627","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3726985-1b2551d2e49d2fa0291d0cf95dd42a3a/thumbnail_1031000.jpg","/articles/6530111/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Council-hears-update-on-citywide-zoning-code-refresh-as-draft-map-and-districts-near-public-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530111-c923c345a7489108ef28752cf69a6946/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156784&Signature=VWGUkekWGMoSWsjx8VnFfqmjn~T8tdsfEdiowFi8ppKRMC4wsgjj-hZuCRpFqtpKZH3pdchRTmJxNblhk8-VdV1RSNgrLG6aQwTZw0TDHG2Bx9mTnCAUv4MPGA~qoV5YT-kDCMJuA7ntzIFPyqWWTdL7LTCbYp6yeqoLN0RlzLLEA9KL4WcRG6c7de5ivQuT3G3JqSoo-GIaIYaK0vXyV-Ouyrg6YQPiTqz9-NJP3nYUGYenHE1HJddM-gFbU4ofHMZnlXWws09ig~oHu4-vkF2MiG-WWgsyl~-oAaRlCJY5g2dmhJvgrn1uLKS41tFmVnJkKJe6350j059HCigJGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mary Anne Pitts, deputy director of the Planning Department, told Richmond City Council that the city's code refresh project has moved from background analysis into drafting of the zoning ordinance and a draft zoning map.

The update matters because the code rewrite will replace the existing zoning ordinance citywide and implement the Richmond 300 master plan, setting district rules that affect building types, uses and potential density across neighborhoods.

Pitts said the project began in February 2024 and staff are now working on a draft ordinance, draft map and use tables. The team is delivering the work in modules: the current module covers districts, uses and the draft map; the next module, expected later this year, will address development standards such as landscaping, buffering, transitions and vehicle access requirements and administrative provisions for applying or seeking relief from requirements.

Pitts described outreach to date: two series of open houses, pop-ups, roundtables with stakeholders, panel discussions, \"community ambassadors\" to reach underrepresented groups and youth engagement at the Boys & Girls Club. She said a draft zoning map is available online and the city's Zoning Advisory Council (ZAC) is reviewing it; the consultant team is scheduled to be in town to support a concentrated round of public meetings at the end of the month. Pitts said staff will post a revised draft map at the end of the month to collect public input.

Councilmember Gibson said residents appreciated staff's presence at a recent district meeting and noted one specific neighborhood concern: a draft that briefly showed six-story heights on MacArthur Avenue had been reduced in the revised draft to three stories, a change residents welcomed. Gibson also urged that the zoning rewrite be coordinated with historic preservation work and with a clearly defined infrastructure plan to address increased density.

Pitts said the cultural heritage stewardship plan has been continued at the Planning Commission and moved to a subcommittee for deeper review; she also said staff will begin conversations this fall about options short of full local historic-district review, such as standards focused on new construction or demolition. On infrastructure, Pitts acknowledged the council's concern and said staff will continue to discuss how zoning changes relate to investments and capacity.

Pitts listed upcoming in-person engagement tied to the draft maps and draft use tables: an open house 4'7 p.m. at Southside Community Center; two sessions the following day at City Hall (9 a.m. to noon) and at the Main Library (4'7 p.m.), with equivalent online materials for those who cannot attend. She encouraged civic associations to request staff presentations.

Councilmember Robertson told staff she is volunteering to serve on the Zoning Advisory Council and said she has been meeting with staff to review districts in detail. Pitts said the draft map will be revised based on ZAC comments and reposted for public input.

Staff provided the project website and offered their contact information for councilmembers; Pitts gave the web address as rva.gov/coderefresh and said she could be reached by email and phone for follow-up.

The council did not take formal action on the code refresh at the meeting; Pitts said more community meetings and draft materials are expected in the coming weeks.","Planning staff told Richmond City Council the citywide zoning ordinance rewrite is moving into drafting of ordinance language and a draft zoning map, with public open houses and further review by the Zoning Advisory Council planned this month; councilmembers raised historic preservation and infrastructure concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council votes unanimously to enter closed session to discuss city center property disposition and related contracts

Council amends and continues several ordinances; multiple items set for June, July and September meetings

Council hears update on citywide zoning "code refresh" as draft map and districts near public review