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Richmond council approves special-use changes to return two West Franklin properties to residences with ADUs
Summary
The City Council voted to adopt companion ordinances authorizing the reversion of two former institutional buildings on West Franklin Street to single-family dwellings with accessory dwelling units after planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval amid neighborhood concerns about scale.
Richmond City Council on Thursday adopted companion ordinances (2026-104 and 2026-107) allowing two large properties on West Franklin Street to be reauthorized for residential use and to include accessory dwelling units.
Council members heard a summary from Kevin Baughn, director of planning and development review, who said the request rescinds an earlier special-use permit and would permit conversion of the two buildings into detached dwellings with an accessory unit on each parcel — four dwelling units in total. Staff recommended approval and the planning commission unanimously recommended the change.
In public comment, Laura Potter, a longtime West Avenue resident, urged council to return the proposal to the planning committee. "The ADUs raised significant concerns about scale, alley character, and cumulative precedent in fan alleys," Potter said, asking council to wait for the pending code refresh and further review.
Mark Baker of Baker Development Resources, the applicant, said the project would restore the two historic houses (1109 and 1111 West Franklin) to residential use and noted prior architectural-review approvals and outreach. "The buildings are large ... this is probably one of the least intense requests Maker Development Resources has ever brought before the council," Baker said, adding that the proposal is consistent with historic use.
Vice President Jernan said the project returned homes to their original use and cited both neighborhood outreach and some resident support; he announced his support. The council then called the question and the ordinances were adopted by recorded assent from council members present.
The measures modify the city’s special-use-permit approvals for the properties and allow the proposed accessory dwelling units subject to the terms the ordinances specify. Implementation details such as permits, site plans and any required inspections will proceed through the city’s normal permitting channels.
The council took the vote after hearing testimony and planning staff recommendations; there were no amendments reported on the floor. The ordinances were adopted at the meeting and will be reflected in the city’s public records and permitting workflow.
