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Downtown resident urges action on long-running code-enforcement problem; neighborhood association schedules walk Sept. 16
Summary
A downtown resident told the Richmond commission that an unpermitted construction business at 310 and 314 North Second Street has operated in the neighborhood for roughly 14 months, and the city manager said staff would readdress the case.
At the meeting's public-comment period, a downtown resident said longstanding code-enforcement problems with an unpermitted construction business have persisted for about 14 months and are damaging neighborhood quality of life. The Richmond City Manager responded that code enforcement "has been working on it" and said staff would readdress the property.
Joe Kokinda, who identified himself as a downtown resident, said two properties at 310 and 314 North Second Street were developed and that the developer had built drive access that uses Kokinda's adjacent lot and alley. He told the commission the site has hosted heavy equipment, semi deliveries and an on-site portable toilet for months and that prior complaints had produced limited change: "He's been running this business, not just here in the city, but across the state ... he's flaunting the law because he's still operating at this minute," Kokinda said.
The city manager replied from the dais that staff had previously addressed the matter and at one point had shut the operation down, but that he would have staff investigate again and obtain both sides of the story.
Separately, Ed Brown, representing the Richmond Downtown Neighborhood Association, invited commissioners to join a neighborhood walk at 5 p.m. on Sept. 16 beginning in the City Hall parking lot. Brown said walking the neighborhood offers a clearer sense of local issues than driving through and urged commissioners to attend as the city continues downtown revitalization work.
Why it matters: Kokinda's comments request enforcement action and raise questions about potential alley damage and unpermitted business activity in residential areas. The neighborhood walk is a coordination step between residents and city officials that may spotlight additional issues requiring staff follow-up.
What's next: The city manager asked Kokinda to give his contact information to the clerk and said code enforcement would reexamine the situation; the walk is scheduled for Sept. 16 at 5 p.m. starting at City Hall.
