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