From announcement:
City of Richmond & consultants Commonwealth Preservation Group, will present the 2nd draft of the Plan:
Monday, October 7, 2024
6:00 – 7:30 pm
Activity Room, First Floor
Main Library, 101 E. Franklin Street
Hybrid meeting link is available on the project website https://www.rva.gov/planning-development-review/cultural-heritage-stewardship-plan
Photo by Julia M Cameron via Pexels.
New school year, but you know the drill…
If you are a candidate for political office (state or City), and in particular a City mayoral candidate, please submit via official campaign email to info@oregonhill.net both a pledge (to defend the neighborhood from more VCU disrespect and encroachment, to recognize the demands already made to Richmond300 and the City of Richmond’s Planning Commission, and to do everything in your power to get VCU to make a written Memorandum of Understanding (aka MOU or commitment) to Oregon Hill, including but not limited to requesting a meeting with VCU Board of Visitors), but also a description of how you personally plan to defend and help this historic neighborhood if you win your election. In other words, what will you do to protect and defend, but also help and improve the Oregon Hill neighborhood.
This work will be accepted up to October 15. Late work will NOT be accepted. Grades will NOT be on a sliding scale.
By October 16, neighbors will know who NOT to vote for. We are looking for candidates who we CAN vote for. And make no mistake about it, Oregon Hill votes strongly and can be a deciding factor for the 5th District.
This comes at a time when the historic Oregon Hill district is under incredible pressure from developers (and let’s make no mistake about it, some of these people are little better than gangsters) and a new, corporate, riverfront amphitheater. Neighbors see the high-rise apartment buildings in Manchester and Scott’s Addition and don’t even recognize those neighborhoods anymore.
Neighbors are also watching the campaign contributions and making lists. Many of you may have taken part in the OHNA zoom meetings, but we know talk is cheap. Let’s see how your writing fares.
Historic preservationists have worked tirelessly to protect this small neighborhood’s historic streetscapes for decades. If you believe in historic preservation, now it is a good time to make the commitment.
From email announcement:
Please plan to attend the OHNA meeting this Tuesday. The agenda is attached and below.
NOTE there will likely be a long discussion regarding recent events in the neighborhood such as out-of-control parties and the recent incident at Riverside park with dirtbikes and ATVs.Be advised: after many complaints from multiple neighbors, parking enforcement will be coming through the neighborhood soon, and will be ticketing cars blocking alley access, in front of fire hydrants, on crosswalks, by no parking signs, and too close to intersections.
OREGON HILL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
Monthly Meeting Agenda
Tuesday 24 September 2024 – 7:00PM
This meeting will be held by Zoom, at the link below.
(Editor’s note: The Zoom link has been redacted. If you wish to attend, please email ohnarva@gmail.com in advance of meeting)Welcome:
Community Updates:
1. Lt. Bill Brereton, City of Richmond Police Section Lt, 4th Precinct
2. Officer Cain Green, Police Liaison, VCU (greenc4@vcu.edu)
3. Ms. Verenda Cobbs, VCU
4. Ms. Stephanie Lynch, 5th District Councilperson
5. Ms. Colette McEachin, Richmond Commonwealth’s AttorneyCandidates:
Harrison Roday; Mamie Taylor
Announcements:Updates and Continued Business
1. Fall Festival Block Party, Halloween parade and activities (Harrison Moenich)
2. Action: vote on Zoning Resolution (Charles Poole) (see attached, introduced at August mtg)
3. Richmond Participatory Budget news https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/rvapbideas (Justin Liang)
4. Data collection: Events at Brown’s (Valerie L’Herrou)2. New Business
Valerie L’Herrou, President
Bryan Clark Green, Co-Vice President
Harrison Moenich, Co-Vice-President
Jennifer Hancock, Co-Vice-President
Mike Matthews, Secretary
John Bolecek, Treasurer2024 OHNA proposed zoning resolution
Whereas, the Oregon Hill Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic places and the Virginia Landmarks Register as a rare intact historic district built as a working class neighborhood, and
Whereas, Oregon Hill is a built-out neighborhood of two-story dwellings with great density, having the majority of the homes attached on one or both sides, and
Whereas, Oregon Hill residents fought long and hard to obtain our current R-7 residential zoning, and
Whereas, the current R-7 zoning with a 35 foot height limit matches the neighborhood’s historic fabric and helps to protect the historic character of Oregon Hill, and
Whereas, the current R-7 zoning has allowed the Oregon Hill Historic District to thrive, with very few empty lots, and
Whereas, Section 17.05 of the Richmond City Charter states that a duty of the Planning Commission is to, “… preserve historical landmarks …”, and
Whereas, Oregon Hill is adjacent to and has faced encroachment by the adjacent Virginia Commonwealth University, and
Whereas, the City of Richmond values the character of its unique historic districts which make Richmond a special place to live, and must protect the character of our historic district through appropriate zoning,
Therefore, be it Resolved that the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association strongly urges the Richmond Planning Commission and the Richmond City Council to respect and maintain the R-7 zoning or its equivalent with a 35′ height limit within the Oregon Hill Historic District, in keeping with the current designation’s purpose in preserving the character of older urban neighborhoods in the city’s inner areas.
We have been there before… and now…
From email announcement:
Next Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association meeting: Tuesday, August 27 at 7pm via zoom. Agenda is attached and pasted below.
OH Events:
Next Pleasants Park clean up day: Sept 21
Fourth Annual OH Halloween Block Party: Oct 19
Other News:
JOIN a City of Richmond board, committee, or commission, and represent Oregon Hill. There are multiple openings, including the Civilian Review Boarrd (police oversight), Ethics Reform Commission, Social Services Committee, Sister Cities Commission, City Planning Commission, Participatory Budget Steering Commission, and Community Transportation Commission. Some commissions have slots for particular populations, so read the requirements before applying.
Find openings and apply: https://www.rva.gov/office-city-clerk/boards-and-commissions
Community Health Survey: City of Richmond and Henrico County Health Districts: https://redcap.vdh.virginia.gov/redcap/surveys/?s=HWRH78RCMDWKDRPD&fbclid=IwY2xjawEvHKVleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHcNq0NlbpZsBMXHCk0gGeXOZoEkpTPeQxFhIbGFs38GNaO_x2LjWopJPHg_aem_A6oVDWvLPWiyKQ1-8ftkHA
Monthly Meeting Agenda
Tuesday 27 August 2024 – 7:00PM
This meeting will be held by Zoom, at the link below.
Join Zoom Meeting (Editor’s note: Zoom link has been redacted. If you wish to attend, please request from ohnarva@gmail.com)
Welcome:
Community Updates:
1. Lt. Bill Brereton, City of Richmond Police Section Lt, 4th Precinct
2. Officer Cain Green, Police Liaison, VCU (greenc4@vcu.edu)
3. Ms. Verenda Cobbs, VCU
4. Ms. Stephanie Lynch, 5th District Councilperson
5. Ms. Colette McEachin, Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney
Candidates:
Harrison Roday; Stephanie Rizzi
Announcements:
1. Fall Festival Block Party
Updates and Continued Business
1. The Friends of Oregon Hill Parks
b. Pleasants Park cleanup: weeding, mulching, cleaning sidewalks: Sat Sept 21
2. New Business
1. Discussion: Form an Ad Hoc Committee to review bylaws?
2. Discussion: Should we ask for a speed camera on Belvidere at Holly (within 1,000’ of Open High, where there was a pedestrian fatality in 2021) under new definition of “high-risk intersection segment”? Va Code § 46.2-882.1: “Use of photo speed monitoring devices in highway work zones, school crossing zones, and high-risk intersection segments; civil penalty.
A. For the purposes of this section: “High-risk intersection segment” means any highway or portion thereof located not more than 1,000 feet from the limits of the property of a school that is part of or adjacent to an intersection containing a marked crosswalk that is identified in the manner provided in this section as one in which a traffic fatality has occurred since January 1, 2014.”
Valerie L’Herrou, President
Bryan Clark Green, Co-Vice President
Harrison Moenich, Co-Vice-President
Jennifer Hancock, Co-Vice-President
Mike Matthews, Secretary
John Bolecek, Treasurer
Again, from the start of Richmond300, the neighborhood has been concerned because code usually reflects land us decisions.
Before approving the Richmond 300 master plan, the Richmond City Council was assured by the Stoney administration that their voice in amending the master plan would be respected.
The question remains…Is this setting up the neighborhood for success (to use previous OHNA Preisdent Todd Woodson’s wording) or failure?
From email announcement:
Monthly Meeting Agenda
Tuesday 23 July 2024
7:00PM
This meeting will be held by Zoom, at the link below.
Join Zoom Meeting (Editor’s note: Zoom meeting information has been redacted. If you wish to join the meeting and receive the Zoom link, please contact ohnarva@gmail.com)Welcome
Community Updates:
Lt. William Brereton, City of Richmond Police Section Lt, 4th Precinct
Officer Caine Green, Police Liaison, VCU
Ms. Verenda Cobbs, VCU
Ms. Stephanie Lynch, 5th District Councilperson
Introductions: Richmond Mayoral Candidate Harrison Roday
All announced mayoral candidates were invited to attend a meeting of OHNA to introduce their platforms. Each will have three minutes to speak, followed by questions from OHNA members. We have previously heard from Andreas Addison, Danny Avula, Michelle Mosby, and Maurice Neblett.Updates:
Discussion with Amphitheater developer’s representative re the amphitheater at Tredegar Green.
It is slated to seat 5,000 people and accommodate and additional 2,500 standing. No additional parking is planned for the Amphitheatre.Continued Business
New Business
From email announcement:
Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association
Monthly Meeting Agenda
Tuesday 25 June 2024
7:00PM
This meeting will be held by Zoom, at the link below.Topic: OHNA Monthly Meeting – January 2024
Time: June 25, 2024 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
(Editor’s note: Zoom meeting information redacted. Contact ohnarva@gmail.com)Welcome:
Community Updates:
Lt. Brian Robinson, City of Richmond Police Section Lt, 4th Precinct
Officer Caine Green, Police Liaison, VCU
Ms. Verenda Cobbs, VCU
Ms. Stephanie Lynch, 5th District Councilperson / Amy RobinsIntroductions: Richmond Mayoral Candidates
All announced mayoral candidates have been invited to attend a meeting of OHNA to introduce their platforms. Each will have three minutes to speak, followed by questions from OHNA members.Updates and Continued Business
Grants from 5th District Council Fund to FOOHP and OHNA
Venture Richmond email to note Brown’s Island noise complaints: brownsisland@venturerichmond.com
The Friends of Oregon Hill Parks (FOOHP) update
Pleasants Park:
Ongoing need: watering
Upcoming weeding workday June 30 9am
Bulletin Board
Holly Street:
New Business
Any other new items?Valerie L’Herrou, president
Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association
From email announcement from ohnarva@gmail.com:
The next OHNA meeting will be Tuesday, May 28 at 7pm. A link will be emailed along with the final agenda on the weekend, but the draft agenda includes:
Updates: from community partners, city & VCU police and community liaisons, & city council representation
Candidate introductions: Richmond Mayoral Candidates
All announced mayoral candidates have been invited to attend a meeting of OHNA to introduce their platforms. Each will have three minutes to speak, followed by questions from OHNA members.Announcements:
OHNA Participatory Budget Delegate Committee members. Next Participatory Budget Richmond participatory budget committee presentation: May 29th 6-9pm, Southside Community Service Center. Participate in a mock participatory budget process.Updates and Continued Business
The Friends of Oregon Hill Parks
Pleasants Park update & request for watering volunteers
Report: Oregon Hill Open Garden Day: May 18
Other Friends of OH Parks news
New Business
Action: Join Richmond Citizens Coalition?
Action: Ask city council to change the day/time so meetings of city council and school board are not at the same time?
The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association meets tonight.
From email announcement:
Topic: OHNA Monthly Meeting – April 2024
Time: April 23, 2024 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
(Editor’s note: meeting information redacted. If you would like to join the meeting, please email ohnarva@gmail.com )
Welcome:
Community Updates:
Lt. Brian Robinson, City of Richmond Police Section Lt, 4th Precinct
Major Nicole Dailey, VCU Police Dept
Ms. Verenda Cobbs, VCU
Ms. Stephanie Lynch, 5th District Councilperson and Amy Robins
____ from DPU
Announcements:
1. Vision Zero Survey: https://arcg.is/01GC1n.
Five Vision Zero projects to improve safety on the High Injury Network. Those in Bold are in the 5th district; those in ital are adjacent to the 5th district.
A. Reconfiguration and Bike Lanes on Franklin Street
B. Reconfiguration and Bike Lanes on Hopkins Road
C. Curb Extensions on Main Street & Cary Street
D. Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements on Forest Hill Avenue
E. Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon on Hull Street at 29th Street
2. Speed Management Symposium, May 14 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. at Main Street Station,
Updates and Continued Business
The Friends of Oregon Hill Parks
Volunteer signup: Pleasants Park watering duty
Oregon Hill Open Garden Day: May 18, 11a-2p, centered in Pleasants Park
Results of speed table survey; second infrastructure walk; flood spreadsheet (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Nnn7o7ilJ00f9DKyhHvQg7ApMOJBVu4qCrjDpXGkqE4/edit?usp=sharing)
Action Item: Forming an Ad Hoc OHNA Budget Delegate Committee to represent us in the RVA Participatory Budgeting process that will begin in the fall.
New Business?
Discussion: do we want to hear from candidates for 2024 city elections?