Commission recommends R63 rezoning for vacant Glenwood/30th parcels, with proffers for sidewalks and trees

The Richmond Planning Commission voted Monday to recommend that City Council rezone five vacant parcels between Glenwood Avenue and North 30th Street to R63 (multifamily urban residential), contingent on developer proffers to install sidewalks, plant street trees and limit building heights.

Planning staff said the parcels total about 2.43 acres and that the Richmond 300 master plan designates the site as “neighborhood mixed use,” a category that envisions predominantly residential, walkable blocks with some small‑scale retail or civic uses. Under the proffered concept plan, the applicant would extend a street grid, add alleys for rear parking, construct sidewalks to the city’s Better Streets guidelines, and install street trees to urban forestry standards. The applicant also added two recent proffers: a minimum of one off‑street parking space per dwelling lot “to the extent practicable” and a height limitation of three stories.

Staff concluded the proffers and concept align with Richmond 300 objectives for walkability, connectivity and a mix of housing types, and recommended approval. Attorney and applicant representative Alessandro Legasse said the rezoning would enable a mix of single‑family attached and two‑family units consistent with the surrounding urban pattern and the plan’s neighborhood‑mixed‑use guidance. The applicant also said the owner would offer approximately ten of the final lots to affordable housing providers.

A small number of written responses were filed with staff; one letter in opposition was received and two letters of support were added to the record shortly before the meeting. A neighborhood supporter who lives nearby said the proposal would expand options for families looking to move to the area while keeping a pedestrian orientation.

The commission voted to recommend rezoning to R63 and forward the ordinance and proffers to City Council with the commission’s recommendation for approval.

Why it matters: The rezoning would convert a cluster of vacant, underutilized parcels into a walkable residential pocket that staff and the applicant say is consistent with the city’s master plan goals. The developer’s proffers aim to ensure sidewalks, trees and alleys to reduce curbside parking pressure.

What’s next: The rezoning will go to City Council for public hearing and final action. If approved, site engineering, stormwater and final lot layouts will be reviewed during subdivision and site plan reviews.

Votes and formal action

- Motion: Recommend approval of rezoning Ordinance 20‑25‑1‑20 (R5 to R63) with proffered conditions (sidewalks, street trees, alleys, off‑street parking pledge, three‑story height limit, offering ~10 lots to affordable providers). - Outcome: Recommendation for approval forwarded to City Council (motion passed by roll call).