[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,86,98,110],{"_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",6474663,"mediaKeyId","5739827-fab35658c91e188329515328700007d5","parentId",5739827,"title","Council delays decision on 2201 Venable Street after applicant agrees to staff conditions; item moved to Sept. 22","audioSeconds",526,"startMs",7983000,"endMs",8509000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5739827-fab35658c91e188329515328700007d5&start=7983&end=8509","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5739827-fab35658c91e188329515328700007d5/thumbnail_7983000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6474663/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Council-delays-decision-on-2201-Venable-Street-after-applicant-agrees-to-staff-conditions-item-moved-to-Sept-22","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474663-c29fcdadccb6a9794790cb74eaa14167/orig.mp4?Expires=1777360635&Signature=eFM5w1OH3oUz0HSxn7bfQryztJsIHEuuKoDceVA8R124mSU5Tf6EmCbhdElQETv4K8JQOjkNavsJARjz5vwhC6~b~gd39RR3WBfWlMy94z2T3O-8BmuLLlDyuMiByA7aCne1YhKLU7IPvAAiHhGVirV0hn~uTVuyvLnchvrbv2P3p3A9hRsMR5MQrf9B30Rxr7JbInMYa4tPGAPfJ1ZSReVkwC0GZG13TMXrXDl8HikJR1tXIvDnIimAYGBG0fMYKY0RbnScWXua9Ah32wVjeONax70KPjPm5pg0KxJZvMyxtQatPmYENb3vHIdd4~K0rMvM5TJRCU1QR58QquGauw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richmond City","date","2025-09-08T00:00:00Z","article","A resolution to reverse the Commission of Architectural Review's denial of a certificate of appropriateness for 2201 Venable Street was continued to the council's Sept. 22 meeting after the applicant agreed to construct the dwelling consistent with planning staff's recommended conditions.

Background. Planning staff recommended approval of the design, subject to conditions. The CAR commissioners voted, after multiple hearings, to deny the application; the applicant filed an appeal to the council.

Applicant agreement and staff support. Will Gillette, representing the applicant, told council that the applicant agrees to accept the conditions in the staff recommendation and to construct the dwelling consistent with those conditions. Kevin Jaebong, director of planning and development review, told council staff supported approval if the plan remained subject to the staff-recommended conditions.

Council action. Council voted to continue the expedited resolution to Sept. 22 to allow formal public posting of the resolution and to provide time for community review and any additional comment. Council members said they wanted the resolution posted for public review before a final vote.

Ending: The case will return to the council's Sept. 22 agenda with the applicant's agreement to meet staff conditions and with materials for public view.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richmond City - Richmond City Council Formal Meeting on 2025-09-08 6:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","After the Commission of Architectural Review denied an application for 2201 Venable Street, the applicant told council it will adopt the design conditions recommended by city staff; council agreed to continue the appeal to the Sept. 22 meeting so the resolution can be posted and the public can review the revised materials.","taxTitle","Richmond City (Independent City), Virginia","taxId",5755,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6474668,"Council adopts consent agenda amid public opposition to new density and support for Ronald McDonald House",0,3254000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5739827-fab35658c91e188329515328700007d5&start=3254&end=3254","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5739827-fab35658c91e188329515328700007d5/thumbnail_3254000.jpg","/articles/6474668/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Council-adopts-consent-agenda-amid-public-opposition-to-new-density-and-support-for-Ronald-McDonald-House","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474668-ea82500ee489cd6a23244132de4e1996/orig.mp4?Expires=1777360635&Signature=Ba~nrft04u8worwpc7a-V~il2LsDQt5b89tdNhUAncARiGXhFsXCIHm7r29ThVcClf~ALbUscTiTBn64GYvGqC76ulHyyde54zJ014cFUXlQSsam8ncZhg3HUCyasgvCvrlNDdXB9Hbm0~ZL8AbyI~e8wQafkTqIswr3ZIgOATZUFEBgk3fQWGEL~T-vwCpmrDZF-s-4XmAFLQcSXPOyO7T-NBRiCgSCJI1VT-hBoks5sTjk-R-W~uUX7zTpSS4sR-ZfkojpszWUB2j~RgpKT0b8XAnmSvrtyZr93rT6kHQSMf5HGBUgu6B8~Df33cOqm-HMA1flflw0RNwD8PBHQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richmond City Council adopted the consent agenda after a public hearing that included multiple speakers opposing special-use permits that would increase housing density across neighborhoods and at least one neighborhood endorsement for a hospital-adjacent Ronald McDonald House project.

Public opposition to special-use permits. Dozens of commenters asked council to slow or deny special-use permits and zoning changes that would allow higher-density development. Speakers including Linda Woods, Jennifer Beausoleil (whose written remarks asked council to reject a planned 12-unit project at 400 North Robinson Street), Anna Makowitz and others said the city should protect existing residents, require better-maintained rentals, and avoid converting family neighborhoods to corporate-owned rental blocks. Concerns raised included parking, local infrastructure strain, displacement risks and lack of guarantees that new units would be affordable rather than market-rate or luxury units.

Support for Ronald McDonald House. Janice Allen, president of the Historic Jackson Ward Association, spoke in favor of ordinance 20-25-155 (a conditional use/rezoning item on the consent agenda) for a Ronald McDonald House at Belvedere and Lee, calling the proposal a compassionate community asset for families of pediatric patients and saying community engagement by the foundation had been thorough.

Consent action. The clerk called the question after the public hearing; the council adopted the consent agenda as listed, with the exception of item 28 (the Henrico parcel sale) which the council continued for separate consideration. Several individual special-use items were the subject of public comment and will progress through the regular review process; councilmembers acknowledged residents' concerns and discussed need for policy-level answers around long-term displacement and corporate ownership of housing.

Ending: Advocates seeking limits on density and corporate ownership said they will continue outreach and follow-up; supporters of the Ronald McDonald House said they appreciated the council's approval and will proceed with project planning.

","Council approved the consent agenda after a public hearing featuring opposition to several special-use permits and concerns about increased density, parking and corporate ownership of rental housing; the Jackson Ward community voiced support for a proposed Ronald McDonald House project included on the consent list.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6474672,"Council delays sale of Henrico-adjacent parcel after public questions about price and process",1779,2397000,4176000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5739827-fab35658c91e188329515328700007d5&start=2397&end=4176","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5739827-fab35658c91e188329515328700007d5/thumbnail_2397000.jpg","/articles/6474672/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Council-delays-sale-of-Henrico-adjacent-parcel-after-public-questions-about-price-and-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474672-417047a9ade3bbc6f7f820d4953d66cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1777360635&Signature=OhcOvOz-DCwNriqhGemPtXK0dDUZJ7lZ1EL0-QZ~L8JlmgryW6c98pmku6G-tvULf5E326YZ22aJcVR5CGXp~3UwaqEHeTl~emfDRFmZ0~MBmKW13r6gKfjB~tEA1JFTGZRXX8XNmXh4vziN3Taitx1Acur~V0ypGC7LdVkuJ4V9L59KLWJLowWEte34LyA4hZPourz6R7E4ExRLBkvPkp8BTOXXxkBNTfRUZ7vTXohwOTeOKOyX8cCYYqL9pm~JJq74lRfuooo2~3NdIHQTEABhEq4ysvCM66BvEf1j5Qg-bbQtblHM~s-m2ITp9I5KMCu57EUCnvZ2owtRtWhctA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richmond City Council voted to continue consideration of ordinance 20-25-180, a proposed conveyance of a nearly nine-tenths-acre parcel located at or described as 8790 Strath Road in Henrico County, to the Monday, Nov. 10 council meeting so the city could solicit broader bids and provide more detail on valuation.

Public concern and request for fairness. Tyrese Johnson testified in opposition and asked the council to continue the sale so the city could allow higher bids. Johnson said the parcel (nearly 0.9 acre) had been proposed for conveyance for a sum he characterized as $6,500 and argued the city's process had not offered an adequate competitive process to realize fair market value.

Administration explanation. Sharon Ebert, Deputy CAO for planning and economic development, said the Department of Utilities had bought the parcel years earlier and that the city had received an unsolicited offer from an adjacent property owner who intends to use the lot as side yard space. Ebert said the city code allows unsolicited offers and that council could, if it wished, put the parcel out for public solicitation.

Council action. Councilman Britton moved to continue the item to allow time to put the property out to bid; Councilmember Auerbacher seconded. The motion to continue the ordinance to Nov. 10 passed on a roll-call vote.

Clarifying facts. City staff told council they could put the parcel out for solicitation in about 60 days and recommended a Nov. 10 continuance to allow a formal public solicitation and bidding period.

Ending: Council members said they would review the city's practice for handling unsolicited offers and consider whether a consistent, codified approach to surplus land conveyances is needed across districts.

","Council voted to continue consideration of the proposed conveyance of a nearly nine-tenths-acre parcel in Henrico County (ordinance 20-25-180) to allow staff time to solicit competitive bids and provide additional valuation information after public commenters argued the listed price and process were insufficiently transparent.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6474677,"Immigration, surveillance and rent gouging top public-comments at Richmond council meeting",535,761000,1296000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5739827-fab35658c91e188329515328700007d5&start=761&end=1296","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5739827-fab35658c91e188329515328700007d5/thumbnail_761000.jpg","/articles/6474677/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Immigration-surveillance-and-rent-gouging-top-public-comments-at-Richmond-council-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474677-59c6308e1df70e0f4b30a76d19a43737/orig.mp4?Expires=1777360635&Signature=gRZ8tO8oU810xpI-C5Ph12u3XhboVcU62mQQNJrcqcDemkHPK5yh4nP71SVvkWavVJiKNDrtyZNkoBSgtFQ27XS7-wzme~SFX1WpmyEg-E~SYbf0NV3iJmwd6~EyiiDbqB~sMNgyTEO1CNEhDaKu~GJWB3FUnr~PJog6nVTNdS0cAMU5nGGh7u52OYxQi~w8bc5fwG9hn95gMTYSS07mln8CIkwa-LvclnuzbhaM~JXQ9mHXcaDgjnvO~timnJwH~gO2lyetvDTwSPHpWaTatfHhwFYhSOpsQKaZNf2pY8CDDx2kwrSJocPUKDiDcGJb-KK3wXHqhnBc1gw8oetDIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the public-comment period at the Richmond City Council meeting, several residents and advocates called on council to adopt legally enforceable protections for immigrants, to end contracts with mass surveillance vendors, and to prioritize state legislation to limit rent gouging.

Calls for a trust policy and to end surveillance. Fern Diaz Castro and speakers representing New Virginia Majority and other immigrant-rights groups urged council to adopt a legally binding \"trust policy\" like Arlington County's, which would bar local agencies from honoring ICE detainers without a judicial warrant, prohibit release of personal or jail data to federal immigration authorities, and deny ICE access to people in local custody. Victoria McCullough and Lisa DeLeo urged the council to terminate the city's contract with a license-plate-reader vendor, Flock (referred to in testimony as the vendor providing automatic license-plate readers), arguing the cameras create mass location databases and can be misused or shared across jurisdictions and with federal agents.

Public testimony referenced incidents and risks. McCullough said council staff had acknowledged that a federal agent used Richmond Police Department license-plate data in an inquiry earlier in the year and that Chesterfield County actively shares its system. Fern Diaz Castro described national raids and local detentions and urged the city to act pre-emptively to protect immigrant families.

Housing and anti-rent-gouging demands. Multiple speakers asked the council to add anti-rent-gouging protections to the city's state legislative agenda. Casey Miller and Jana Hobbs described rising rents, displacement pressures, and the failure of state bills such as SB 1136 (referenced by a speaker) in previous sessions. Miller and Hobbs also criticized the diversion of what they described as funds earmarked for affordable housing toward other projects.

Other concerns. Commenters tied surveillance and housing insecurity to broader community safety and equity arguments, arguing that surveillance tools enable profiling and that unchecked rent increases and corporate ownership patterns are pricing longtime residents out of neighborhoods.

Ending: Council members heard the testimony; several said they would pursue follow-up and legislative advocacy. The topic is likely to reappear in committee or during the council's legislative agenda development process.

","Multiple public commenters urged Richmond City Council to adopt a legal trust policy protecting immigrants from ICE collaboration, end the city's contract with Flock license-plate readers, and prioritize anti-rent-gouging legislation on the city's state agenda.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6474682,"Richmond City Council approves $5.8 million restitution payment to wrongfully convicted man; council debates using delinquent-tax funds",2798,5038000,7836000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5739827-fab35658c91e188329515328700007d5&start=5038&end=7836","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5739827-fab35658c91e188329515328700007d5/thumbnail_5038000.jpg","/articles/6474682/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Richmond-City-Council-approves-58-million-restitution-payment-to-wrongfully-convicted-man-council-debates-using-delinquent-tax-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474682-ee3cd2bc5561a4eb78f2e62331f1b246/orig.mp4?Expires=1777360635&Signature=anatq6STQA4FZtxPbYugOSjEm2GuHlT~-cehithX4vQrhHPr4UGm185~msfk5MZdIEflZSZ-JtKbedvoim9aQhpvwREO~On5Z1CFq~anpdPrrsl4u5OYQkPoASiXbGxMh-OWy468vDwNRCtH9PynAe16NmpysBBZeUyov0lKKhD~2xmHCngANvpLQWvvOROtIkwmSA2Kkj3BNK5CzeBMRZtV3bAuksQOdjkn5G762KhThvrUwp-jnchNJeMCftjlwOukDWTVJvQW-10RBiuihodO2wvhzJ2bYIoHyP4ERrhdCyRifybwQ9tZ5kLsQncJKDwlK8koobqkXes~LhXnTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richmond City Council voted to adopt an ordinance authorizing a $5,800,000 restitution payment to Marvin Grimm and to amend the FY 2026 budgets to transfer those funds from the delinquent tax sale special fund into a newly created restitution line item.

The administration said the payment is authorized under Virginia Code Section 8.01-195.13 and identified proceeds from delinquent tax sales as a lawful source to complete the payment. CAO Odie Donald told council the administration had identified a lawful funding source and additional resources to invest in affordable housing priorities while resolving the matter.

Why it matters: The payment closes a long-running wrongful-conviction claim, but several affordable-housing advocates and residents said the chosen funding source undermines an already underfunded Affordable Housing Trust Fund and asked the council to identify a different source.

Advocates urged alternative funding. Tracy Hartney Scott, housing chair for the Virginia State Conference NAACP, said the city should ensure Grimm receives restitution but “identify an alternative funding source that does not undercut the city's affordable housing effort.” Ralph Hodge and Alex Krieger, speaking with members of the coalition RISC, said the delinquent-tax-sale proceeds were intended by ordinance to support affordable housing and that diverting them would harm families at the lowest income levels.

Council response and commitments. Councilwoman Kimberly Robertson, who led negotiations on the item, said she supported the payment but pressed the administration for binding follow-up: she said staff had promised an ordinance and administrative steps that would guarantee a dedicated, enforceable stream of revenue into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and additional transfers to make the public whole. Robertson said she would vote for the payment while giving the administration 30 days to return with concrete, verifiable steps to preserve or restore housing revenue streams.

Other council members raised process and policy concerns. Councilmember Kenya Gibson said she planned to vote no as a signal that the council must follow and enforce the city's existing ordinances about dedicated housing funds; Gibson also requested more regular, clearer reporting on how housing dollars are spent. Councilmember Rena Trammell and others pressed for public reporting showing how previously committed housing dollars have been spent.

Vote and outcome. The ordinance passed. The clerk recorded aye and nay votes during the roll call; the chamber recorded a majority in favor and one recorded no vote by a member of the council. (See Actions section for the motion and available vote record.)

What the ordinance does. The ordinance amends the FY '26 special fund budget by transferring $5.8 million from the delinquent tax sale special fund and amends the general fund budget by creating a restitution payments line item and appropriating the transferred funds to that line. The ordinance cites Virginia Code Section 8.01-195.13 as the legal authority to provide restitution payments.

Next steps. Councilmembers asked the administration to return with an ordinance revision and financial accounting that would lock future tax-abatement and delinquent-tax proceeds into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund or another legally dedicated housing source. Robertson said the administration committed to specific follow-up within 30 days; the council indicated it will require verifiable documentation before allowing similar diversions again.

Votes at a glance
Ordinance 20-25-188 (amend FY '26 special fund and general fund budgets to provide $5,800,000 restitution payment pursuant to Va. Code \u0000 8.01-195.13): Adopted. Motion text: Approve ordinance as presented and amend FY '26 budgets to create restitution payments line and transfer funds from delinquent tax sale special fund. Outcome: adopted.

Speakers quoted in this story are from the public hearing and the administration and include Tracy Hartney Scott (Virginia State Conference NAACP housing chair), Alex Krieger (Presbyterian pastor and RISC), Ralph Hodge (RISC), CAO Odie Donald, and Councilwoman Kimberly Robertson.

Ending: Council members said they would continue work on a revised ordinance and financial report to ensure the Affordable Housing Trust Fund receives the revenues intended for it and to reduce the risk the city must again reallocate housing-dedicated revenues to satisfy restitution obligations.

","The council voted to transfer $5.8 million from the delinquent tax sale special fund to pay restitution to Marvin Grimm under state law, prompting advocates to warn the move drains funds intended for affordable housing and prompting council members to demand tighter safeguards for the city's housing trust revenues.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council delays decision on 2201 Venable Street after applicant agrees to staff conditions; item moved to Sept. 22

Council adopts consent agenda amid public opposition to new density and support for Ronald McDonald House

Council delays sale of Henrico-adjacent parcel after public questions about price and process

Immigration, surveillance and rent gouging top public-comments at Richmond council meeting

Richmond City Council approves $5.8 million restitution payment to wrongfully convicted man; council debates using delinquent-tax funds