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Richmond Planning Commission forwards amended Jolina Court PUD language to Select Board
Summary
The commission voted to send amended zoning language to the Select Board that removes a hard commercial‑use requirement for part of building one in the Jolina Court PUD and asks staff to convert the 900 sq ft callout to an administrable percentage before the Select Board’s June 2 meeting.
The Richmond Planning Commission voted on May 21, 2025 to forward an amended draft of the Jolina Court Planned Unit Development (PUD) rules to the Select Board, removing a strict commercial‑use requirement tied to a 900‑square‑foot ground‑floor unit and directing staff to calculate a percentage-based frontage requirement for Bridge Street.
Chair opened the discussion by summarizing the Select Board’s request to revise section 5.12.2 of the PUD rules so residential uses can be allowed on most floors while preserving commercial frontage along Bridge Street for the unit that faces that street. “We were asked by the Select Board to revise our recommendations concerning the Jolina Court zoning district,” the Chair said, noting the change is intended to allow more residential flexibility while keeping active storefronts on Bridge Street.
Commissioners debated drafting details and scope. Several members worried a literal 900 sq ft specification could become a source of spot zoning or be difficult for future zoning administrators to apply. One commissioner argued a percentage of first‑floor frontage would be easier to administer and would allow the existing unit in the former Blue Seal Feeds/Richmond Community Kitchen building to conform without requiring interior reconfiguration. Staff (Keith) agreed to compute the exact percentage that corresponds to the existing 900 sq ft unit and update the revised language accordingly.
After brief discussion the commission moved and seconded a motion to forward the amended PUD language to the Select Board, with the staff calculation to replace the hard 900 sq ft figure. The motion was seconded by Chris and was recorded as passing. Chair said the commission will send the revised language to the Select Board for their June 2 meeting.
Why it matters: the amendment is step one of a multi‑step review that could allow additional residential uses in portions of building one while keeping active storefronts on Bridge Street. The change affects the redevelopment footprint in the Jolina Court district and will inform subsequent Select Board direction on density and project approvals.
Next steps: staff will calculate and insert a percentage equivalent for the 900 sq ft frontage, then the Planning Commission will forward the revised language to the Select Board for consideration on June 2, 2025.
