Category Archives: government

James River Park History

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I have uncovered some of the what-ifs, but thanks to Phil Riggan for this “History of Splashy Plans for James River Parks” on Richmond.com.

Excerpt:

According to the RTD archives, there were proposals to have “water-related leisure development” on Belle Isle — Richmond’s downtown gem on the James — including an visitor’s center, ice skating rink, waterfront auditorium and a conference center. People could have gotten to the island by way of a monorail that would have connected to downtown Richmond.
The $6 million in riverfront plans at that time did not cover for the proposed monorail and other buildings on Belle Isle, which would have been paid for through private funding. Monorail screams “Disney,” right? We would have been robbed of the pleasure of walking across the Belle Isle pedestrian bridge under the Robert E. Lee Bridge, which opened in 1992. The view of the city skyline from there alone is worth any price and we’re much better off.

Something to think about as more of the area gets paved over.

Richmond City Council GRTC and Transit Study Task Force to hold meeting

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From City press release:

New parking pass requirements for the parking lot on the side of the building: All residents are invited and encouraged to attend

WHAT The Richmond City Council GRTC and Transit Study Task Force will hold a meeting. The purpose of the Task Force is to make recommendations to Richmond City Council with regard to enhancing mass transit in the Metro-Richmond area and the efficiency and effectiveness of the GRTC Transit System. The meeting is free and open to the public and all residents are invited and encouraged to attend.

Free street parking is available nearby and in the lot on the west side of the building. Passes are now required for lot parking: Those wishing to park in lot are requested to please contact Ms. Marianne Pitts, at 804.646.5935 (tel); or marianne.pitts@richmondgov.com (email), two to three days before the event to arrange for a pass.

WHEN Thursday, December 13. 2012
4:00-6:00 p.m.

WHERE Richmond Department of Economic Development
Richmond Main Street Train Station – 3rd Floor Conference Room
1500 East Main Street; Richmond, Virginia 23219
(PARKING: Free street parking is available nearby and in the lot on the west side of the building. Passes are now required for lot parking: Those wishing to park in lot are requested to please contact Ms. Marianne Pitts, at 804.646.5935 (tel); or marianne.pitts@richmondgov.com (email), two to three days before the event to arrange for a pass. The lot is accessible by using the Franklin Street Entrance and using the lot below the Interstate. When facing the Train Station from the Franklin Street Entrance, make a right and park towards the Clock Tower end. When facing the building from the parking lot, the entrance door to the Richmond Department of Economic Development is located on the right of the building.)

WHO Members of the Richmond City Council GRTC and Transit Study Task Force

CONTACT For more information, please contact Marianne Pitts, at 804.646.5935;
or marianne.pitts at richmondgov.com.

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Election Controversies Continue

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There are still some strong allegations being made about the recent election.
Received via email:

PARTICULARIZED COMPLAINT FOR CIVIL ACTION NUMBER 3:12-CV-00650

L. SHIRLEY HARVEY,
CHRISTOPHER DORSEY,
Plaintiffs

v.

JANE KIRK SHOWALTER,
GEORGE WILLIAM THOMAS,
CECELIA DABNEY,
ERNESTO SAMPSON, JR.
DONALD PALMER,
KIMBERLY BOWERS,
CHARLES JUDD,
Defendants

COMPLAINT
The Plaintiffs comes to the Court to request an investigation into the process of qualification of candidates by the Registrar, Jane Kirk Showalter, regarding local elections for the City of Richmond on November 6, 2012. The Plaintiffs research has found that in several instances, the Registrar has either made gross mistakes or deliberately made decisions that are not in accordance with the Virginia State Code 24.2 regarding elections and further noted in the procedures for registrars called the GREbook (General Registrar and Electoral Board Handbook See Exhibit I) which provides procedures for the Registrar’s office to accomplish the mandates set forth in Virginia Code 24.2.

The Richmond Electoral Board and the State Board of Elections have the authority and the power to avoid these discrepancies by overseeing the work completed by the Registrar. The lack of supervision allows that any registrar in Virginia could be bribed, could make gross mistakes, could discriminate, and could, in essence, decide elections before the citizen vote. The Plaintiffs have attempted on many occasions without success to bring about an investigation or review by filing written and verbal complaints as prescribed by the Code to several authorities including the Richmond Electoral Board and the State Board of Elections. These Boards did not respond.

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Victory Not Delayed?

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Oregon Hill residents are once again left wondering what is happening in City Hall.

From latest letter:

Dear Ms. Markam and Mr. Ebinger,

The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association requests a postponement of the Victory Apt. SUP Ordinance No. 2012-200 scheduled hearing at the City Planning Commission on December 3, 2012. This postponement is necessary because two of the plans attached and referenced in the Victory Apartment Special Use Permit Ordinance No. 2012-200 are not the latest revisions that were required by the Planning Department and because the property was not posted properly per the requirements of city code Section 114-1050.5 (4).

The wrong plans have been attached to the ordinance: the latest revised Cover and A1.00 sheets of the Victory Apt. SUP are dated 10/22/12, but an earlier, incorrect version dated 9/21/12 are attached to the Victory Apt. SUP Ordinance No. 2012-200. The correct 10/22/12 revisions of the Cover and A1.00 sheets are attached to this e-mail. (Please see attachments: “Cover-SUP.PDF” and “A1.00-SUP.PDF”).

We received these 10/22/12 revisions of the Cover and A1.00 sheets as attachments to the Oct. 23rd e-mail from Mr. Ebinger below, and we were assured in the e-mail below that these revised plans would be attached to the Ordinance: “Updated plan sheets were recently provided and have been attached. The property lines for the Victory Rug Building have been modified to exclude the alley in common on Sheet A1.00 and the area of the alley in common has been excluded from the Site Data on the Cover Sheet.”

The incorrect sheet A1.00 dated 9/21/12 mistakenly shows the property line of the Victory building encroaching upon the property of the adjacent owner at 411 S. Cherry Street, as shown in the land survey of the property. (Please see attachment: “Plat of 411 S. Cherry Street.jpg”).

Unfortunately, the incorrect Cover and A1.00 sheets dated 9/21/12 are attached to the Ordinance No. 2012-200 that is being advertised and distributed by the City Clerk’s office: http://eservices.ci.richmond.va.us/applications/clerkstracking/getPDF.asp?NO=2012-200

There are substantial differences in these two versions of the plans. The incorrect 9/21/12 version of the Cover sheet notes the wrong square footage for the Site Area, Paved Area, Open Space and Usable Open Space. The incorrect 9/21/12 version of the A1.00 sheet indicates the wrong location of the property line to the south of the Victory Rug building. This error results in a 1,405 sq. ft. difference in the “Usable Open Space” available in the plan. The Planning Commission hearing scheduled for December 3, 2012 must be postponed so that the correct Cover and A1.00 sheets may be attached and referenced in the Ordinance No. 2012-200, with ample time for public review of the correct documents.

In addition, the property was not posted properly in accordance with city code Section 114-1050.5(4). The sign posted on the lot at 811 Albemarle Street is made of plastic, whereas city code Section 114-1050.5 (4) requires that, “The sign(s) shall be of wood or metal material … ” Also, much of the lettering on the sign posted at 407 S. Cherry is considerably smaller than the 3 inch letter size required by city code Section 114-1050.5 (4): “… with black lettering at least three inches in height … ” In fact, the majority of the letters on the sign posted at 407 S. Cherry are 1-1/4 inch in height, which is less than half the required size. (Please see attachments: “Sign with small lettering at 407 Cherry St.jpg” and “Plastic sign at 811 Albemarle St.jpg”).

We fear that the applicant’s non-compliance with the technical requirements of the city code regarding posting of the property may impact the community attendance at the Planning Commission. We request that both of the signs be corrected and be re-posted for the required two week period.

Additionally, we have received correspondence from residents confused by the fact that the City Council Agenda for November 26, 2012 still lists the ordinance as being heard at that session.

In summary, we request a postponement of the Planning Commission hearing scheduled December 3, 2012 for Ordinance 2012-200. The correct, revised Cover and A1.00 sheets dated 10/22/12 must be attached to the Ordinance as promised by city staff, with adequate time for public review, and the signage must be correctly posted on the property per city code.

Thank you for your consideration of this request. Please let us know as soon as possible when the Ordinance 2012-200 has been rescheduled.

Sincerely,

Charles Todd Woodson, Treasurer
Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association, inc

Speech to Council

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This is a speech that neighbor Todd Woodson gave to City Council this past Monday night:

Hi- I’m Todd Woodson and I’m here to speak for the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association. I have served as treasurer for the last 11 years. We have serious concerns on an sup proposal pending on the Victory Rug Building on S Cherry St. We feel there have been serious flaws committed and don’t think that fair or due process has been served to our residents.

some background info on sup:

The Victory Rug current parcel assessment of 270K has risen 236% in last 10 years. We believe this assessment is correct and fair for a building in this condition.

The parcel was bought at auction for 660,000 by developer.

a message was sent to developer from OHNA before closing on the property outlining inherent problems in developing the building.

Consequently, hardship cannot be used to justify the aggressive density requested with off street parking limited to only 8 questionable spaces. The proposal is for 29 bedrooms which would require somewhere between 30 and 45 parking spaces. Parking is already a hardship due to our proximity to VCU. This development is 2 1/2 blocks from the mammoth VCU recreation center.

The City has received 114 letters of opposition- no letters in favor—

A main concern is that in early October, neighborhood reps met with Mr. Jewell, the developer and Mark Baker of Baker Development Resources who is representing the developer on this sup. No concessions were made and the meeting was a disappointment. On Oct 22, the SUP ordinance was introduced. Sometime between then and Oct 30, Councilman Jewell solicited help in securing campaign funds from Mr Baker and an email was sent to other developers as well as to a networking group maintained by Baker. I mean no disrespect to Mr Jewell and am not an attorney so I cant say if this is illegal. I will say that the hundreds of residents facing hardship from this sup find the appearance of impropriety of major concern.
I have included the solicitation in your package.
————————————————————————-

we feel it to be prudent and reasonable for the Council hearing on this SUP be postponed until after our concerns are fully resolved and the new council is seated.

We are anxious for a quality reasonable development at the Victory Rug Building and hope for an enterprise that has the best interest of the community at heart.

City Council’s GRTC Task Force Meets Wednesday

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From City press release:

Richmond City Council GRTC and Transit Study Task Force to hold meeting (NOTE New location and date)

All residents are invited and encouraged to attend

WHAT The Richmond City Council GRTC and Transit Study Task Force will hold a meeting. (NOTE: The location and date schedule of this meeting are different from previously held meetings.) The purpose of the Task Force is to make recommendations to Richmond City Council with regard to enhancing mass transit in the Metro-Richmond area and the efficiency and effectiveness of the GRTC Transit System. The meeting is free and open to the public and all residents are invited and encouraged to attend.
WHEN Wednesday, November 14, 2012
4:00-6:00 p.m.
WHERE Richmond Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau Offices
401 North 3rd Street, 2nd floor – Richmond, Virginia 23219
Located inside the Greater Richmond Convention Center at the Corner of 3rd & Marshall Streets on the 2nd floor.
Parking is available in the Greater Richmond Convention Center parking garage located at 3rd & Marshall Streets. Once you have parked, exit the garage and cross Marshall Street. Enter the Exhibit Hall building at the corner of 3rd & Marshall Streets. Take elevator to the 2nd floor. The RMCVB’s offices are to the right.
WHO Members of the Richmond City Council GRTC and Transit Study Task Force
CONTACT For more information, please contact Marianne Pitts, at 804.646.5935;
or marianne.pitts@richmondgov.com.

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Victory Postponed

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With the elections over, neighbors are watching to see how they might effect Victory Rug building’s proposed Special Use Permit (SUP). Neighborhood leaders remain in strong opposition. The City Planning Commission’s consideration of the Victory Apt. Special Use Permit has been postponed at the developer’s request until Dec. 3. The assumption is that City Council will consider the issue the following Monday on Dec. 10.

Supporting My Neighbors

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Someone knocked on my door and told me something was happening Tuesday that I should be aware of, and then I heard a few things from the television also….

I do know that I support and endorse my neighbor from the Overlook condos, Maurice Henderson, for another term on the Richmond School Board. While I recognize that Henderson angered many of the Patrick Henry charter school parents with some blunt antics that I agree are troubling and questionable, and I really do appreciate that that he does have serious competition from challenger Mamie Taylor, I believe he is the best qualified and suited for the position. I have seen him diligently work first hand to improve standards. I am hoping that with a second term he will become even more outspoken in challenging the Richmond leadership to improve the public schools.

I also support my Pine Street neighbor, former roommate, and longtime friend Silver Persinger in yet another political campaign for office. If you are not aware of Silver’s political activities and some of the things he has accomplished with his citizen advocacy, then you have not been paying attention. This time, he is running for Mayor as a write-in. With the new electronic machines, its pretty easy to do a write-in vote, and hopefully they might actually be secure and accurate with your vote (though I have my concerns).

As for our incumbent Mayor, I have supported him in the past. And while I have applauded certain efforts, I looked down at others, and wonder how much he is considering the big picture. I support Silver, but also remain hopeful that Jones’ second term will be bring better things.

I am looking forward to new representation on City Council, but beyond that, I will leave you with the thought that my personal choices for President and Vice President were not even allowed in the Presidential and Vice Presidential debates, which should tell you something about how disappointed I am with our nation’s politics these days, no matter who is visiting us.

For voting information, you can click here. Oregon Hill’s polling site is Clark Springs Elementary.