Residents urge preservation as committee forwards Westwood design‑guideline resolution with amendment

Council member Bridal introduced Resolution 2026 R024, asking Planning & Development Review to collaborate with Westwood residents and stakeholders to develop community‑informed design guidelines and strategies to preserve the neighborhood’s cultural and historic character.

The committee then heard public testimony from numerous Westwood residents and preservation advocates. "The history is rich... Over 150 years in existence," said Jeanette Brown, president of the Westwood Civic League, who asked the committee to approve the resolution and continue collaboration. Sian Crump, executive director of Historic Richmond, urged support and described recent market pressure: "The city's tax assessments on Westwood's land values have increased approximately 50% in the past year," she said, arguing that rising assessments and nearby development are contributing to displacement pressure.

Residents described infrastructure issues, demolition risk, and the neighborhood's long history of advocacy. Council member Bridal said he had worked to bring the resolution forward and planned a small amendment to clarify Dunbar Street, Glen Burnie, Stokes Lane and Patterson Avenue as the neighborhood’s outer limits and to add historical language. The committee voted unanimously to forward the resolution to council with the recommended amendment.

The committee limited public comment to two minutes per speaker because of the number of speakers and asked staff to incorporate the amendment and follow up on implementation, documentation of history and community engagement.