Planning commission backs Veritas School tennis courts with sound‑mitigation, hours and parking conditions

The Richmond City Planning Commission voted 5–2 to recommend approval of a community unit plan amendment and a final plan to allow six tennis courts at 1402 Westwood Avenue, a parcel owned by Veritas School.

The proposal amends an existing community unit plan adopted in 2003 and 2008 and seeks to replace an underutilized surface parking lot with six non‑lit tennis courts, landscaping and associated walkways. The applicant also sought an amendment that would reduce the total off‑street parking credited to the overall community unit plan from the historical 575 spaces to 200.

Jennifer Mullen, an attorney representing Veritas, said the courts would be fenced with a 10‑foot powder‑coated fence and that, beyond a typical windscreen, the applicant will install a sound‑suppression system “in or on the fence” to reduce ball noise. Mullen said Veritas had added four conditions in response to neighborhood input: a sound suppression system on the fence; signage listing hours of use between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.; directional signs from Westwood Avenue to a nearby existing parking parcel; and a walking path and crosswalk to connect that parking to the sidewalk on Westwood Avenue.

“At no time are lights proposed,” Mullen said; commissioners and staff confirmed that installing lights later would require a separate amendment.

Neighbors and community members were split during public comment. Supporters — including current and former Veritas students, residents who said Veritas had invested in the neighborhood and a landscape architect who reviewed the plan — said the courts would replace an impervious, unused parking lot, preserve perimeter trees and expand recreational options. Veritas officials said the courts would allow teams that currently travel off campus to practice at home and noted a long history of engagement with neighborhood associations and condominium boards.

Opponents, including the Ginter Park Residents Association, single‑family homeowners adjacent to the site and several nearby pastors, said concerns remained about the buffer between courts and private yards, the proximity of courts to rear yards and condominium windows, the possibility of lighting in the future, and whether on‑site parking and internal circulation around the Ginter Place condominium entrance were adequately addressed. Several neighbors asked that the commission delay action so the immediately affected property owners could negotiate further with the applicant.

Staff recommended approval with the added conditions; commissioners ultimately voted 5–2 in favor. The commission’s roll call recorded five votes in favor and two opposed; the application and the resolution approving the final plan will be forwarded to City Council with the commission's recommendation.

Key conditions on the final plan (as added by the applicant and accepted by staff and commission) include: installation of a sound suppression system in/on the fence; posted hours of operation of 8 a.m.–8 p.m. daily; directional signage to off‑site parking and an on‑site walking path/crosswalk to connect that parking to the Westwood sidewalk; and adherence to the landscaping palette and fencing shown on the April 15, 2025 final plan. Mullen said Veritas will operate security monitoring for the courts and that the school will maintain the facilities.

The commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to City Council for final action.