[{"_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",6493283,"mediaKeyId","5610191-446b4a4ce0d14e3819dfffa34e526cac","parentId",5610191,"title","Planning Commission approves consent agenda and multiple special‑use permits; items forwarded to City Council","audioSeconds",1032,"startMs",288000,"endMs",1320000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5610191-446b4a4ce0d14e3819dfffa34e526cac&start=288&end=1320","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5610191-446b4a4ce0d14e3819dfffa34e526cac/thumbnail_288000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6493283/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Planning-Commission-approves-consent-agenda-and-multiple-specialuse-permits-items-forwarded-to-City-Council","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493283-85a8a8c36163d6d6aa85ef4be7a952d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770434652&Signature=QEcX7G7ffGgZviwgHxM2JmX5qMnoAijY-8o1g0VowyrNHHU9Rmr8C0k30Vju3im77Q6xe0qLC-uMxXUFQH5eyjWXojft05S8NTtKYYhR6zDd6Gr~qEeXk44BZ9DKyk2ixOG3OGD7-pBAePD4l7ohcRl7x5cSfO3kfeD1l01OVu0OAuT-QwU3GnTntV-EaLpA9-9H5gUjNGKuYZN7OtxN6kJ3V8zSaeEogn77EyihKWCCRZZIoftSGUJ9yxXQYR2OuY1mdmpGRW~~dChhllCdVNBfOEkw7Q60RsQd-9I6mAh8lnrrKO~OzBPGgGUERqSs-OsQhMI5s4wDojxivapzuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richmond City","date","2025-08-20T00:00:00Z","article","The Richmond Planning Commission approved its consent agenda and recommended approval for several regular‑agenda special‑use permits. The consent agenda, taken as a block, included multiple ordinances authorizing special uses and several city property conveyances; commission action forwards the items with recommendation to City Council.

Consent agenda highlights
- Ordinances 2025-167 through 2025-182: a series of special‑use authorizations summarizing residential and mixed‑use proposals on multiple addresses (including 212–218 N. 20th St., 817 N. 20th St., 1813 1/2 N. 28th St., 1612 N. 30th St., 2201 N. Lombardy St., 210 W. Marshall St., 2510 Porter St., 400 N. Robinson St., 1400 School Rd. (student housing), and others). The commission voted to forward the consent agenda to City Council with a recommendation of approval; recorded roll call showed unanimous ayes from commissioners present. Specific public comment occurred on ordinance 2025-181 (parcel conveyances at Belmont Road) and ordinance 2025-182 (a multi‑lot conveyance to Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity); a nearby resident (Al Simon) pressed staff to confirm unit counts and flooding considerations for the Habitat parcels; staff responded that the proposal contemplates approximately 14 units across the Habitat application and that site permitting will address stormwater and floodplain concerns.

Regular agenda roundup
- 707 East Main Street (Ordinance 2025-166): Staff recommended and the commission recommended approval to allow residential uses and a new rooftop sign as part of a historic rehabilitation in the downtown B‑4 district. The applicant said rehabilitation was feasible because of historic tax credits and that mechanical ventilation will meet code where fenestration does not meet current operable-window standards.
- 1010 North 20th Street (Ordinance 2025-169): The commission recommended approval of a special‑use permit to subdivide the lot and allow two new two‑family detached dwellings in addition to retaining the existing house; staff found the proposal consistent with neighborhood‑mixed‑use guidance though the lots would not meet certain R63 lot‑area thresholds without an SUP.
- 1711 & 1715 Georgia Avenue (Ordinance 2025-172): Staff recommended and the commission recommended approval to subdivide two parcels, preserve one historic house and add three additional single‑family detached homes consistent with neighborhood context; the Maymont Civic League provided a letter supporting the SUP.

Votes and next steps
All items approved by the commission will be forwarded to City Council for final action. The commission’s roll calls and recorded votes are included in the actions array; staff will include SUP conditions or revised plan sets in the transmittal packet to council.

A number of items on the consent agenda involved disposition of city‑owned lots to nonprofit or private buyers (including two separate conveyances that facilitate affordable housing and a Habitat for Humanity purchase). For those items staff emphasized that site plan and building permit reviews (including stormwater and floodplain reviews) remain required before construction or conveyance is finalized.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richmond City - Planning Commission - August 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved the consent agenda and recommended approval for several special‑use permits including 707 East Main (B‑4 downtown building rehabilitation), 1010 N. 20th Street subdivision, and 1711/1715 Georgia Avenue infill; consent items include multiple property conveyances and UDC reviews.","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},6493286,"Commission approves front‑yard driveway at 3607 Northside Ave over staff objection",6873,2727000,9600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5610191-446b4a4ce0d14e3819dfffa34e526cac&start=2727&end=9600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5610191-446b4a4ce0d14e3819dfffa34e526cac/thumbnail_2727000.jpg","/articles/6493286/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Commission-approves-frontyard-driveway-at-3607-Northside-Ave-over-staff-objection","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493286-97ea809a883fc7b0f26672e10032d49e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770434652&Signature=DbJs7HObrGyKmdMdlCZWjDL4jOj28gbml5l49N9shHGKnnUxNrRCHJmcWzJx1dk2WbQGOnzzFCEHxgxHPeCGCxJ94IwpYVDjTZc8pc2H7B4tDoULRyGd9ksU16Rxx5G4Htnr1Z~DH~hjMkQ-WickjvG1qCzuDn2WcFwt-HFLLpPFjlNZW4Sif5CNhS8eHe~lb0e1QkdPh07vaKsLd6JYL7zw4BZ3geMmSnIlWjLMWfdS-Hh59AiUZ1SilNYnJWzw2gkmEW4ns~YUentOpsXtHksRsCdgkGasrhlGBXWmSo9FoznSISAkSTyASZ1Sv7kWylmqYRZ254AOxTlY0uDL2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richmond Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a special‑use permit authorizing a front‑yard driveway at 3607 Northside Avenue in Ginter Park, reversing the Planning Department’s recommendation for denial.

Planner Madison Wilson told the commission that while many homes on the block already have front driveways, the city’s guidance and Richmond 300 objectives discourage creation of curb cuts when alley access exists. Staff cited pedestrian safety, loss of on‑street parking and increased conflict points between vehicles and pedestrians as reasons to deny the permit. Wilson said Department of Public Works (DPW) prefers rear‑alley access where alleys exist.

Applicant Liz Arline and neighbors urged approval. Arline told the commission her family bought the house for the yard and safety for their children and that the current alley had potholes, standing water and glass that made alley access unsafe. “Our goal for our driveway is to improve the usability of our home in a way that fits within the character of the neighborhood while also prioritizing the safety of our neighbors, family and guests,” Arline said. A petition and letters of support from nearby households were submitted.

Supporters said most properties on the same and adjacent blocks already have driveways and that a curb cut would reduce cars parked on the street. Opponents were limited; staff pointed to the presence of usable alley access behind the property and to the city policy discouraging new curb cuts where alleys exist.

Commissioners debated precedent and neighborhood context. Some members expressed concern about consistency with previous denials of similar requests and about encouraging additional curb cuts citywide. Others said the particular street pattern and the prevalence of existing front driveways on the block made this case different.

On a divided roll call the commission voted to recommend approval and to forward the matter to City Council; the recorded vote on the motion showed Commissioners Poole and Greenfield voting no while several other commissioners voted yes. The case now goes to City Council for final action.

Details and votes
- Item: Ordinance 2025-176, special-use permit to authorize a driveway within the front yard at 3607 Northside Avenue (Ginter Park).
- Staff recommendation: deny (inconsistent with Richmond 300 objectives and public-works guidance).
- Commission recommendation: approve and forward to City Council (vote: mixed; recorded nos: Poole, Greenfield; other recorded yes votes included Donald, Pinnick, Roe, McKenzie, White).","The Planning Commission recommended approval of a special-use permit for a circular front‑yard driveway at 3607 Northside Avenue despite staff finding the request inconsistent with Richmond 300 and Department of Public Works guidance; commissioners split but the motion passed and will go to City Council.",{"_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},6493292,"Planning Commission backs Center Creek plan for 3923 Grove Avenue after hours of debate",6806,1294000,8100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5610191-446b4a4ce0d14e3819dfffa34e526cac&start=1294&end=8100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5610191-446b4a4ce0d14e3819dfffa34e526cac/thumbnail_1294000.jpg","/articles/6493292/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Planning-Commission-backs-Center-Creek-plan-for-3923-Grove-Avenue-after-hours-of-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6493292-5de2061895bad2b8452430b10ec13366/orig.mp4?Expires=1770434652&Signature=kOd~3NkOH5n0xW-pjI95ldfBptOAs5JzHk-K~jZqipRsWi5E9OmVxOa4d1uLKZX4xIpD7GyU~A31q04-00nVLT7EJ3bJn1kdi1EwHzNCmQzKlQzOm3zSrt2YND-Y9ciPCvKGwRaUkHZ9nuCRvobFkh9HfUpuIh98QubSplwZOQhViOV8d0HfyWBwcgS4aoTKxStbua25dsxBry-C6dKi1RYKvatO1DmqwD7-aoOcp8oDmFAFuVlMGAr2OOY0Kwago0YMSkBMLTOXE-M6qY~TXkXuKA-UkJjo18u7-L-yEWr-7BoeFIch2HEAsdyPFQzcltfgIqg1RsajNigrauRgjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richmond Planning Commission voted to recommend that City Council approve a special-use permit for 3923 Grove Avenue, a proposal that would preserve an existing historic dwelling and add 16 single-family attached homes, after a lengthy hearing with organized neighborhood opposition and developer testimony.

Commission staff said the plan aligns with the Richmond 300 master plan’s objectives for placing higher-density housing on major streets and for preserving historic buildings. Jonathan Brown, a city planning staff presenter, said the project would provide 32 off-street parking spaces and that transportation staff raised no objections to congestion from the proposed use.

The applicant, Craig Shron of Center Creek Homes, told the commission the developer reduced earlier concepts from 24 to 20 to 18 units and eventually to the current design while working with staff and councilmember feedback. “We thought this site provided an opportunity to build three times as many new homes, sell them for approximately half the average price,” Shron said, describing the effort to produce “market-driven attainable housing” and to preserve the historic house on-site. He also said the team shortened townhouse rows, added landscape amenities and would widen Sterling Street as part of the project.

Neighborhood speakers urged denial or changes. Warren Campbell, a nearby resident, said the proposal would remove extensive tree canopy and substantially increase impervious surface, which he said would exacerbate flooding in Henry Place. “Converting that much property green space to concrete surfaces will likely increase the likelihood of flooding,” Campbell said. William Ellis, a 25‑year resident, told commissioners the block was built for returning World War II veterans and that the design as presented is incompatible with the mid‑century scale of Henry Place.

Other opponents raised concerns about displacement, affordability and streetscape character. Several speakers — including neighborhood architect Beau Fairland — offered alternative site plans that they said would keep the historic house and add fewer units with better backyard green space and less infrastructure work.

Commissioners debated the balance between neighborhood character and the city’s broader housing goals. Several commissioners said they were persuaded by staff’s assessment that the site is a transition location between denser multifamily to the west (Malvern Manor) and single‑family blocks to the east, and that the proposed density is within planning guidance for major residential streets. A motion to recommend approval passed on a roll call and will be forwarded to City Council with the applicant’s revised site plan and the applicant‑stated conditions (preserving the historic structure, providing specified parking, and street‑front design changes). The roll call recorded ayes from Commissioners Poole, Greenfield, Donald, Knight, Pennock, Roe, White and McKenzie.

The commission also asked the applicant to make “every reasonable effort” to preserve a large specimen oak on the property; the applicant said he and his team would attempt to retain as much of the historic house and tree canopy as practicable but could not guarantee preservation.

The case will next appear before City Council, which will make the final decision on the special‑use permit and any binding conditions.

Details and votes
- Item: Ordinance 2025-150, special-use permit for 3923 Grove Avenue to allow 1 existing detached dwelling and 16 new single-family attached dwellings.
- Staff recommendation: approval.
- Commission recommendation: approve and forward to City Council (vote: recorded ayes: Poole; Greenfield; Donald; Knight; Pennock; Roe; White; McKenzie).","The Richmond Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a special-use permit allowing preservation of a historic house and construction of 16 new single-family attached dwellings at 3923 Grove Avenue after extended public comment on density, trees, parking and runoff.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning Commission approves consent agenda and multiple special‑use permits; items forwarded to City Council

Commission approves front‑yard driveway at 3607 Northside Ave over staff objection

Planning Commission backs Center Creek plan for 3923 Grove Avenue after hours of debate