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Planning Commission sends 2201–2203 Fenton special-use request to City Council after public comment
Summary
The Richmond Planning Commission agreed to forward a special-use request that would split 2201 and 2203 Fenton Street into three lots and allow three single-family detached homes; commissioners recommended approval and will send the item to City Council on July 28.
The Richmond Planning Commission voted to forward a special-use permit for 2201 and 2203 Fenton Street to City Council with a recommendation for approval after public comment and developer presentation.
The application proposes dividing two existing legal lots (about 10,000 square feet total) into three lots of roughly 3,600 square feet each and constructing one single-family detached home on each lot. Alessandro Vagazzi, the applicant’s representative, told the commission the project is intended to “permit high quality infill consistent with the Richmond 300 plan” and described the proposed houses as “about one and a half stories in height, approximately 1,500 square feet” with two rear parking spaces per unit.
Neighbors raised concerns about lot width and overcrowding. One resident who identified herself as Ms. Fabio said the request would reduce lot widths from the 50-foot requirement to as little as about 11.6 feet for the third lot, and asked the commission to limit approval to two homes. In contrast, several speakers supported denser infill; an attendee who gave his name as “Sleeves” said he favored “all kinds of density and infill,” and another resident, Alex Boddington, urged more housing.
Vagazzi and staff said the three proposed lots would each be roughly 26 feet wide (not an 11-foot parcel), that the developer is providing sidewalk, two parking spaces per dwelling and quality exterior materials, and that the proposal aligns with the future zoning in the Richmond 300 code refresh. The commission discussed compatibility with nearby lot patterns and whether required public benefits justified the special permit.
After discussion a motion to approve the recommendation passed on a roll-call vote. Commissioners Poole, Greenfield, Ebert, Knight, Pinnock, Robertson, Roe, White and McKenzie recorded aye votes. The commission’s action forwards the item to City Council, which will consider the special-use permit on July 28.
Votes at a glance: The commission voted to forward the special-use request for 2201 and 2203 Fenton Street to City Council with a recommendation for approval; the roll-call vote was recorded as unanimous by members present.
The commission’s recommendation does not itself change zoning or authorize construction; final approval rests with City Council and any conditions council imposes.
