Richmond planning commission backs 3-unit infill at 2618 Rear West Main Street

The City of Richmond Planning Commission voted to recommend approval to City Council of a special-use permit allowing a three-unit multifamily dwelling at 2618 Rear West Main Street, with conditions and amended plans that reduced the proposal from four to three units.

Planning staff presented the case, saying the parcel sits in an R-7 single- and two-family urban residential district and is designated Community Mixed Use in the Richmond 300 future land use plan. Staff recommended approval, noting the amended plans reduced height, increased setbacks and excluded white as a facade color, and found the project compatible with neighborhood form and walkability goals.

Developer representative Alessandro Regazzi of Vacant Development Resources described multiple design changes made after neighborhood meetings, including removing one unit, lowering the height by roughly one story, increasing the western setback to about 21 feet (from roughly 2.8 feet at the existing garage), adding a common rear courtyard, and committing to a pre-construction meeting with neighbors on staging, pest remediation and timelines. Regazzi said each unit would include a one-car garage accessed from the alley and rooftop terraces; exterior materials would be cementitious panels.

Several neighbors who spoke at the public hearing said they support the revised plan because it addressed many earlier concerns. Resident Daniel Estrada, who lives at 7 North Mulberry Street adjacent to the site, said the added setback and developer commitments improved access and staging for construction. Online speaker Jackson Miller said he supported adding housing in the Fan and welcomed replacing a dilapidated garage with new homes.

Opponents pressed safety and access concerns related to the alley. Elena Ferrante, who lives at 2615 Floyd Avenue, said the proposed building’s second-floor projection could cause vehicles and delivery drivers to block the alley while entering or exiting garages and raised concerns about emergency vehicle access and routine maintenance staging interfering with the alley.

Commissioners discussed alley access, trash collection, and how the Department of Public Works would manage permits if construction required alley work. Regazzi and staff said DPW permitting generally would not permit full alley closures and that the developer had committed to coordinate staging and access through required land-disturbance and street-permitting processes.

The commission called the question and, after roll call, approved the special-use permit with the amended conditions. The motion will be forwarded to City Council with the Planning Commission’s recommendation for approval.

Votes: Roll call recorded the motion as passing with all members voting aye. The file will move to City Council for final action.