Richmond subcommittee hears public support and affordability concerns as staff and HCD prepare revised Cultural Heritage Stewardship Plan draft

The Richmond City Cultural Heritage Stewardship Plan (CHSP) subcommittee on Sept. 19 heard public comments urging adoption for cultural and educational reasons, while city housing officials and developers warned that some plan provisions could increase costs for rehabilitation and slow affordable-housing production.

The meeting centered on balancing preservation goals with the city’s affordable-housing priorities. Merrick Malone, director of Housing and Community Development, told the subcommittee his department is “charged with the production and preservation of affordable housing” and warned that provisions creating additional regulatory burdens could be “antithetical” to the city’s housing goals. “Money goes where it’s treated best,” Malone said, arguing that added cost, delay and inspection requirements could deter investment in affordable housing.

The comments came after several residents and stakeholders described different perspectives on the CHSP. Nancy Lambert, a former advisory-committee member, urged adoption as a cultural guideline tied to Richmond 300 and said the plan “isn’t pro developer. It’s not pro resident. It’s just pro Richmond.” Greta Harris, president of the Better Housing Coalition, said preservation…