Coal In Their Stocking- Dominion’s Permit Has Expired

Speaking of Special Use Permits, local citizen watchdog C.Wayne Taylor has been just as concerned about the latest flurry of riverfront planning as Oregon Hill neighbors.

He has started asking some very pertinent questions and has come to the conclusion that, despite what local officials may or may not say, Dominion Resources’ riverfront SUP has legally expired:

In 2001, City Council approved a special use permit for the Dominion Resources headquarters on Tredegar Street. The permit increased the maximum allowed building heights within a sloping “envelope” that extended from 60 feet above ground level to 160 feet above ground level.
Under the terms of the permit, it would automatically expire if certain conditions were not met. The city maintains that the conditions were met and that the permit is “still valid.”
The facts indicate that the permit expired. The property owner failed to meet the deadline for using the special use permit. The development that occurred on the property complied with the zoning regulations and did not require the special use permit.

Look for Dominion to try to quietly go behind the scenes and change things to their advantage. After all, this is what they do. And continue to do.

And don’t look for the local corporate media to cover it, after all, this is what they they won’t do. Why is it up to this little neighborhood community news site to mention the local connection to the MF Global story, where a former United States Congressperson and Governor “doesn’t know” where over a billion dollars went?

Citizens, remain vigilant!

Victory Rug Sells For $600,000

From Times Dispatch article:

A parcel in Oregon Hill, which also is part of the Ferguson bankruptcy, sold separately at a live auction for $600,000 to a developer.

Both transactions took place at the law offices of Hirschler Fleischer in Richmond and are subject to court approval.

Guy Blundon from Somerset near Charlottesville said he plans to build apartments in the building at 407 S. Cherry St. The property is the location for Victory Rug Cleaning Co., an affiliate of Mercer Rug Cleansing.

Click here and here for previous posts.

Interest and Concern for Victory Rug Building’s Future

With auction time approaching, at least three different developers have contacted Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association leadership about the Victory Rug building on Cherry Street. Some of them are known for previous projects in the neighborhood.

At the same time, neighbors are becoming increasingly concerned about what type of redevelopment will take place. There is hope that a low impact business, non-profit, or art gallery may find residence in the building. Many are concerned that if the building is retrofitted for a dozen or so VCU student apartments, it will be detrimental for the neighborhood. Some plan to attend the auction itself to make sure that developers understand their concerns.

Exacerbating these fears is the news that developers are already contacting property owners on Albemarle Street with an interest in purchasing property adjacent to Victory Rug. The assumption is that the developers are interested in demolishing these properties for parking for apartments in the Victory Rug building. A parking lot is not a permitted use of property in the R-7 zoning. This could really devastate the 800 block of Albemarle Street and the historic fabric of the neighborhood.

WBCH’s Byrd House WINTER Renegade Market

From email announcement:

Winter hours: Tuesdays, 3pm til Sunset for the friendliest farmers market in Richmond.

Visit ByrdHouseMarket.blogspot.com for this week’s news on the market, vendors, classes, events, recipes, community garden and farmlet and related issues in fresh, local foods, nutrition and transformative, sustainable living practices…
Byrd Farm / Rural Va Market – winter produce, honey, preserves, eggs, pork, chicken
CityGarden – holiday greenery, crocheted wire jewelry
Epic Gardens – young, tender ginger root
Faith Farm – herd shares, beef, chicken, eggs, Amish butter
Mugsey’s Dogtown Lounge – tastiest raw meat and poultry treats for dogs and cats
Sub Rosa Breads (our own cover boy in Style Weekly)
And, you never know who else might be there…
INDOORS:
We’ve had two of the most delicious CSL classes recently, so mark your Jan and Feb 2012 calendar for the 3rd Saturdays of the month: Polish Cuisine (parts 1 and 2) starts the year off right!
Urban Chicken Farming 2-part Workshop: Jan 19 and 28 – details to come soon


Byrd House Market
William Byrd Community House
224 South Cherry St. Richmond, VA 23220
ByrdHouseMarket@gmail.com
(804) 643-2717
byrdhousemarket.blogspot.com

Victory Rug Up For Auction

It is with some sadness that this neighborhood small business has ended, under unfortunate circumstances.

From Tranzon Fox auction ad:

Auction: Monday, December 19, 1 p.m.,
at the Law Offices of Hirschler Fleischer
The Edgeworth Building, 2100 E. Cary St, 3rd Fl, Richmond, VA 23233

Absolute Bankruptcy Auction
17,319± sq. ft. building with adjacent lot
in Richmond’s Oregon Hill

Sells regardless of price!
Walking distance to VCU
Ideal candidate for rehab, and state and federal historic tax credits
Subject to city approval, this is the best potential multifamily conversion project in the vicinity of VCU, with views of historic Hollywood Cemetery and the skyline
Zoned R-7
407 South Cherry St.

Neighbors note that Victory Rug is not zoned multifamily, nor is it in the neighborhood’s best interest to have student apartments there.

Byrd House Market Reigns This Afternoon

From email announcement:

Our hardy providers of late fall and winter goods will be here from 3pm til Dark. 
Cause y’know there’s beefs, porks, sweet potatoes, bread, greens, honey, cheese, soaps, eggs, roasts and mushrooms and all kinds of delicious things to eat now and later! (Don’t forget Max, Spot, Fifi, Sprout, Shadow, Bumstead, KittyKitty …)
Thinking gifts and decor? 
CityGarden’s selling Holiday Greenery, crocheted pets and crocheted wire jewelry – through Xmas… Bonnyclabbers’ got handmade goat soaps
All the vendors have Gift Certificates…eh? eh? eh?
Reminders
On-street parking is available on Idlewood and S. Linden streets. More parking on the soccer field behind the gym on market day to minimize impact on the neighborhood streets – this is accessed from S. Linden St.
Cash low? A few of our vendors take Credit/Debit cards, so just ask. SNAP/Credit/Debit card services provided by Byrd House Market are ended for the season. 
Happening At WBCH:
Nov 30: Last Vegan cooking class in the series – something yummy this way comes… Register at EatGoodGrowGreat.blogspot.com
Dec 7: WBCH hosts Virginia Friends of Mali’s Open House/Welcome Day. Learn more and RSVP at VirginiaFriendsOfMali.blogspot.com
Dec 10: Cooking as a 2nd Language features Honduran Cuisine with returning inspiration Elicet Von Der Lippe! Register at EatGoodGrowGreat.blogspot.com
Dec 16, 17, 18: WBCH’s Annual Tacky Lights Tour, see details at WBCH.org
Ongoing: Our wonderful, family support programs – Learn more at WBCH.org


Byrd House Market
William Byrd Community House
224 South Cherry St. Richmond, VA 23220
ByrdHouseMarket@gmail.com
(804) 643-2717
byrdhousemarket.blogspot.com

Renegade Market Today

From email announcement:

a few reminders…

11/15: Byrd House Renegade Market Tuesday, 3-Sunset

11/16 & 11/30: Vegan 101 Wednesdays, 6-8pm

11/19: Cooking as a 2nd Language: Rescheduled from October – Senegalese Cuisine with Ndeye Diallo of the Goree African Restaurant in Shockoe Bottom – Register by Wednesday at 5pm!

12/7: Va Friends of Mali Open House & Welcome Day, 4-8pm

12/16-18: WBCH Tacky Light Tours, details at wbch.org

www.byrdhousemarket.blogspot.com

Byrd House Market

William Byrd Community House
224 South Cherry St. Richmond, VA 23220

Amazing Blue Glitter Vinyl Chair And Matching Ottoman

From Craigslist ad:

This is thee most amazing chair and ottoman I have ever seen in my whole life! I believe it was made in the mid 1950’s. This is a very rare item, you may never see another one again in your lifetime!
The set is in near mint (close to mint) condition!!!! Would look amazing in anyones living room! very unique.

(go to link for more pictures, asking $150)

And on that note, don’t forget about the Fancy Flea tomorrow outside Fine Foods.