The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association released the following statement early this morning and encouraged neighbors to submit comments:

The deadline to provide comments on the proposed re-zoning of Richmond is Sept. 28 at 11:59 pm.
Many neighbors have concerns about the process the city is using to re-zone Richmond’s neighborhoods (including the number of
developers on the city’s Zoning Advisory Council); and, that the recommendations seem to benefit developers over residents, especially in
neighborhoods that are already dense and have lower-cost housing, while there does not seem to be a push for densifying other
neighborhoods.
Another concern about the process: most recently, a previously unpublicized document came to light, indicating that the zoning
designation for Oregon Hill (RA-A) would allow (for example) alcohol sales by right–both on and off premises. This list of “use
permissions” has never been discussed at most of the public forums presented by the zoning staff (see graphic):

Other concerns:

The maximum lot coverage area in RA-A would be expanded to 85%, reducing trees and greenspace needed to offset the urban heat-island effect.

Additionally, building heights in some parts of the neighborhood could be as high as 90 feet, with 4-story buildings allowed in Parson’s Row, the soccer field behind St Andrews School, and parts of the 100 blocks of Cherry, Laurel, and Pine (brown areas) and 6-story buildings on W. Cary (dark orange areas). See graphic:

Further, the format for submitting comments is to add them to an “Interactive map” — which is difficult to view or enter comments, especially using a phone (the device the majority of people use to access the internet).
Access the interactive map: https://app.atlas.co/shared/I8Qyj4dPdVO11HYQAGTm
Draft zoning plan: https://www.rva.gov/sites/default/files/2025-06/Richmond_Zoning-Districts-June2025-DRAFT.pdf
At its July meeting, the OHNA membership approved the following official comments. You may use these to help draft your own comments, if you wish.
• Maximum Lot Coverage in RA-A: The maximum lot-coverage ratio in the RA-A district shall be reduced to fifty-five percent (55%), matching the existing standard under R-7 zoning.
• VCU Circle of Influence: The Oregon Hill Historic District, including the Jacob House boundary, shall be excluded in its entirety from the VCU circle of influence map.
• Parsons House Condominiums (Parsons Street Parcel): The zoning classification for the Parsons House condominium property shall be revised from RX-4 to RA-A.
• Field to the west of St. Andrew’s School: The zoning classification for the open field parcel north of the school shall be revised from RX-6 to RA-A.
• Cary Street Corridor: The zoning classification for properties fronting Cary Street shall be revised from MX-6 and RX-4 to MX-3.
• Residences North of the Alley Near Cary Street: The zoning classification for the existing R-7 residential lots north of the alley between Cary Street and Green Alley shall be revised from MX-6 and RX-6 to RA-A.
• Citywide duplex: Duplexes should be permitted citywide, as they are in RA-A.
• Cultural Heritage Stewardship Plan: While not a function of the map, the Planning Commission should adopt and implement without delay the draft Cultural Heritage Stewardship Plan

Join the OHNA Events Committee!
First meeting: Sept 30 at 7pm. Join via Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85446651429?pwd6sNQYxrtgmgNf75wvhsQ6kNOpI6ZUk.1=

Get Involved! Join an OHNA committee:
Or become an officer: https://forms.gle/YvKkpBAn4bCPYF11A
Indicate your interest in joining an OHNA committee, or serving as an OHNA officer.

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Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association
Valerie L’Herrou, President
Bryan Clark Green, Co-Vice President
Jennifer Hancock, Co-Vice President
Susan Hill, Co-Vice President
Harrison Moenich, Co-Vice-President
David Shannon, Co-Vice President
Scott Racette, Secretary
John Bolecek, Treasurer
JOIN OHNA: https://forms.gle/joCpHqcPrShu8qf86
See events and more: https://ohnarva.org/