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Richmond council approves rezoning for 8 Richmond Townhouse Road to match long-standing commercial use
Summary
The council approved rezoning of a 1.2-acre parcel at 8 Richmond Townhouse Road from residential R-2 to General Business after the applicant and planning board argued the site has functioned as commercial property for decades.
The Richmond Town Council voted to rezone 8 Richmond Townhouse Road — a 1.2-acre parcel currently occupied by Carroll Furniture — from R-2 residential to General Business.
Attorney William Nardone, representing E.P. Smith Properties LLC, told the council the request is intended to align zoning with current use. "This property has been zoned residential or, in our opinion, way too long. It's been operated as a business for close to 100 years," he said, and noted the planning board issued a favorable advisory opinion at two hearings.
The change would bring the lot into conformity with the minimum area required for the general business zone and reduce a number of nonconformities related to lot coverage, Nardone said. The planning board’s memorandum and unanimous advisory recommendation were cited as part of the rationale presented to the council.
Council members asked questions during the public hearing and the presiding officer closed public comment before a motion to approve was made, seconded and carried by voice vote. Because the council acted on the rezoning petition, the town will proceed with the administrative steps necessary to update the zoning map and related plan consistency notes.
What happens next: The rezoning approval will be reflected in the town’s zoning map and comprehensive plan future land-use references, and staff will complete the ministerial steps to record the change. Any further procedural steps (such as map amendments or recording requirements) will follow standard town practice.
