Planning commission recommends approval of special‑use permit for 418 Hunt Avenue infill dwelling

The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of a special‑use permit to allow up to one new single‑family detached dwelling at 418 Hunt Avenue, where an existing two‑family converted dwelling will be retained.

Staff presented the request noting the lot would be subdivided into historic subdivision lots that do not meet current R‑5 minimum lot‑area and lot‑width standards, which is the basis for the special‑use application. Staff’s recommendation was approval because the proposed development is consistent with the Richmond 300 master plan designation of Residential and the plan’s specification that single‑family dwellings are an appropriate primary use.

Applicant representative Alessandro Regazzi said the new house would be approximately 1,500 square feet, two stories, include a full‑width front porch and two off‑street parking spaces although the R‑5 district usually sets a 6,000‑square‑foot minimum for lots and 50‑foot minimum width. Regazzi said the lots are original subdivision lots and that most homes on the block are similar in scale; he noted utility and construction reviews would still apply to manage stormwater.

Neighbors spoke in opposition during the public hearing, citing multiple recent infill projects on the block, stormwater and flooding concerns, limited street parking and loss of light and privacy from new two‑story houses placed close to existing smaller homes. Councilmember Gibson and multiple residents told commissioners the block has experienced a rapid succession of approvals for two‑story infill and urged caution about continuing that pattern without broader infrastructure work. One resident who lives at the duplex adjacent to the site noted the presentation image did not show a now‑constructed concrete foundation on the neighboring lot, which she said misrepresented current conditions.

Regazzi told commissioners that public utilities and water resources had reviewed the proposal and that final construction permitting would address stormwater concerns. The commission adopted a motion to forward the special‑use permit to City Council with a recommendation for approval by unanimous roll call vote.

Clarifying details recorded: staff said the proposed lot division would reconstitute two original 30‑foot subdivision lots (combined 60 foot width), the applicant will provide two off‑street parking spaces for the new home and final stormwater control will be decided during construction permitting reviews.