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Planning commission backs Veritas plan for six tennis courts at 1402 Westwood with conditions
Summary
The Richmond Planning Commission voted 5–2 to recommend approval of a community unit plan amendment allowing six tennis courts at 1402 Westwood Avenue, imposing conditions including a sound‑suppression fence, hours limits and pedestrian connections after months of neighborhood debate.
The Richmond City Planning Commission on Tuesday recommended approval of an amendment to the community unit plan governing 1300 Westwood Avenue that authorizes six tennis courts on the parcel at 1402 Westwood Avenue, voting 5–2 to forward the ordinance and companion resolution to city council with conditions.
Staff said the site is currently an underused surface parking lot within a larger community unit plan (CUP) for the Veritas School campus and that the proposed use is consistent with the Richmond 300 master plan’s treatment of institutional uses within a residential designation. The applicant requested a modification to the CUP ordinance that would also reduce overall parking on the CUP from 575 spaces to 200.
Applicant attorney Jennifer Mullin told the commission Veritas had modified the plan after community input and added four conditions on the final plan, saying, “We respectfully request your recommendation of approval tonight with the conditions as outlined.” Mullin described the measures as a sound‑suppression system attached to the court fence, posted hours of use from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., directional signage for parking, and a walking path and crosswalk to Westwood Avenue.
Neighbors and civic groups were split. Supporters — including residents and local users of Veritas athletic facilities — said the courts would activate an underused lot and provide daytime recreation for both the school and nearby residents. Landscape architect Andrew Bleckley testified in support, urging approval and noting the applicant proposed perimeter plantings to buffer adjacent properties.
Opponents said the courts are too close to backyards and condominium units and questioned whether the proposed buffers and operational rules would be enough to protect quality of life. Resident Ronald Cooper asked for an explicit written commitment protecting a historic eight‑foot masonry wall that separates his yard from the site, saying, “I would like something in writing to say that wall will not be touched.” Former councilor and nearby resident Chris Hilbert urged rejection, saying, “I respectfully request that you reject it.”
Commissioners debated community engagement and mitigation measures before amending the recommendation to require the four conditions be placed on the final plan dated 04/15/2025. The commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to city council with the amended plan.
Votes at a glance: The motion to recommend approval of Ordinance 2025‑046 (CUP amendment for 1300 Westwood/1402 Westwood Avenue) carried 5–2. A recorded roll call on the CUP amendment showed Poole, Greenfield, Pinnock, Robertson and White voting aye; Ebert and Roe voted no.
What’s next: The Planning Commission forwarded its recommendation and the companion resolution (Resolution 2025‑006) to city council for final action. If council approves the ordinances and the amended final plan is adopted, Veritas would be permitted to construct the six courts subject to the plan conditions.The planning commission’s file contains letters and public testimony from both neighborhood associations and individual residents raising concerns about buffer widths, possible future lighting, and public access enforcement. The final plan adopted by the commission requires no court lighting and sets posted hours at 8 a.m.–8 p.m., and includes the crosswalk and pedestrian connection shown on the 04/15/2025 plan.
