Category Archives: government

Important, Nearby, Water Pollution Public Meeting This Wednesday

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From Virginia Conservation Network announcement:

You may be aware that over 10,000 miles of Virginia’s rivers and streams are considered unhealthy. Virginia is required to ensure its streams and rivers are clean, and develop a clean-up plan for waters that don’t meet those standards. Recently Virginia has developed one of these plans and will host a meeting to get your input on Wednesday, May 23rd from 2 to 4 pm in Richmond

(ed. at VCU!)

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Boards and Billboards

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Supposedly, the following ordinance will be put up for vote at the City’s Planning Commission meeting on Monday:

Ord. No. 2012-74 (Patron: Mayor Jones) – To amend and reordain City Code §§ 114-402.2, concerning permitted accessory uses and structures, 114-620.5, concerning division of lots to accommodate existing dwelling units, and 114-1040.3 concerning additional exceptions granted by the Board of Zoning Appeals, for the purpose of discouraging the use of the special use permit process by expanding the special exceptions available under the zoning ordinance.
(Planning Commission, Monday, May 21, 2012, 1:30 p.m.)

One interpretation of this is that Mayor Jones has introduced the ordinance to expand the authority of the Board of Zoning Appeals. It allows for additional sign height except for billboards. Will the next step be to add billboards?

This ordinance is one that caused blogger C Wayne Taylor concern in the past. Last year the BZA decided 32 cases and only denied 3.

Anyone following the latest proceedings in the illegal Mayo Island billboard saga?

4th Precinct MPACT Meets Tomorrow Evening

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The Mayor’s Participation, Action, & Communication Team for 4th Precinct meets tomorrow evening.

From announcement:

PLEASE JOIN MPACT and THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION and COMMUNITY FACILITIES
TOMRROW!
Thursday, May 17, 2012 @ 6PM
Linwood Holton Elementary School
1600 W. Laburnum Ave.

As we embark on another fun filled summer and children begin their summer vacation it is important that they have constructive activities to partake in. It is just as important that parents are also able to enjoy the season with their children through other family activities and events.

Please join MPACT and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities to hear about these events and activities. Some of which include upcoming summer programs, this year’s Summer Camp Program, pool schedules, and Movies in the Park.

OHNA Letter for Victory Rug

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From the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association:

Ms. Lory Markham
Planning Department
City of Richmond

Dear Ms. Markham,

The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association (OHNA), on April 24, 2012, at its regular monthly meeting reviewed the Special Use Permit submitted by Guy Blundon for the proposed project located at 407 South Cherry Street and 811 Albemarle Street.

Both 407 S. Cherry Street and 811 Albemarle Street are within the R-7 zoning for the neighborhood. The Zoning Administrator determined that under the current zoning four to six apartments would be acceptable in the former Victory Rug Cleaning building.

OHNA corresponded with Mr. Blundon before he closed on the property, and welcomed the owner to two meetings of our association. In this correspondence and during the meetings, we shared our serious concerns with Mr. Blundon over aspects of his proposal. We were very disappointed to receive the plans and find that our major concerns were disregarded.

The membership of OHNA unanimously voted to strongly recommend against approval of the Special Use Permit as submitted.

We are dismayed that Mr. Blundon ignored our concerns regarding density and submitted a proposal for several times the acceptable number of apartments in this building.

We are also dismayed that Mr. Blundon submitted a plan in which 811 Albemarle Street is used for a parking lot. Even worse, he has proposed a driveway onto this parking lot from Albemarle Street, which would be very detrimental to the character of this historic block at the entrance to Hollywood Cemetery. The parking proposed for this lot does not even appear to be functional; all of the spaces are for compact cars and the aisle dimensions proposed are not even adequate for compact cars.

We are pleased that Mr. Blundon, the owner of the property, is proposing a historical renovation of the Victory Rug building with historic tax credits, and we urge the owner to submit a new application in line with the current zoning for the properties that would not be detrimental to the historic neighborhood.

We urge the city planning staff to recommend against approval of the Special Use Permit for 407 S. Cherry Street and 811 Albemarle Street as submitted. We believe that a revised project that takes into consideration the concerns listed above could be an important asset to the community.

Thank you for consideration of this request.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Hancock
OHNA, President

Richmond City Council GRTC and Transit Study Task Force Meets Thursday

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From City press release:

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.

WHEN Thursday, May 10, 2012
4:00-6:00 p.m.

WHERE Richmond Department of Economic Development
Richmond Main Street Station – 3rd Floor Conference Room
1500 East Main Street; Richmond, Virginia 23219
(PARKING: Free parking is available on the west side of the building 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 Councilman Bruce W. Tyler, Richmond City Council, West End 1st District, at 804.357.6007; or bruce.tyler@richmondgov.com.

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OHNA Letter for 349 S. Laurel

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From the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association:

Ms. Lory Markham
Planning Department
City of Richmond

Dear Ms. Markham,

At the April 24, 2012 meeting of the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association (OHNA), we considered the Special Use Permit requested by Nolen Blackwood for 349 South Laurel Street. The neighborhood association voted to support the Special Use Permit with the following two stipulations that were agreed upon by the applicant:

1). Only one dwelling unit would be permitted on the property in addition to the business use of the first floor of the building.
2). No alcohol sales would be permitted on the property

Mr. Blackwood is requesting the Special Use Permit to allow a retail/commercial use on the first floor of the building. Historically, there was a storefront on the first floor of 349 S. Laurel, and this use would be in keeping with the historical function of the building. Corner storefronts were a common feature of 19th century neighborhoods, such as Oregon Hill, and OHNA has encouraged the use of these storefronts by neighborhood-friendly businesses.

The building at 349 S. Laurel Street has limited parking, other than a two car garage on the property that will be dedicated to the one residential unit above the commercial space. Although adequate parking is of great concern in the Oregon Hill neighborhood, in voting to support the Special Use Permit, we considered the special nature of the business proposed as the tenant of the first floor of the building. A bicycle shop is the proposed tenant, and it would, to some extent, cater to clientele traveling by bicycle. A bicycle store at this location should encourage more bicycle transportation in the neighborhood. We note that the proprietors of the proposed bicycle shop live only a half block away, on the 400 block of S. Laurel, so minimal staff parking will be required. Furthermore, by agreeing to the stipulation that there will be only one dwelling unit permitted on the property, the owner has reduced the possibility that a large number of occupants would have vehicles.

Thank you for your consideration of the comments of OHNA concerning the proposed Special Use Permit at 349 S. Laurel Street. We would encourage you to approve the Special Use Permit and to permanently incorporate the two agreed upon stipulations above into the Special Use Permit.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Hancock
OHNA, President
April 25, 2012

4th Precinct MPACT Meeting – This THURSDAY

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From announcement:

MPACT MONTHLY MEETING
on
THURSDAY, April 19, 2012 @ 6PM
at
Linwood Holton Elementary School (1600 West Laburnum Ave.)

Please join MPACT on Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 6PM as our Department of Planning and Development Review will be present to discuss major corridor revitalizations projects that will be taking place in your community.

NOTE: CAPS and the Richmond Police Department will ‘kick-off’ the meeting!

Zane Robinson
Office of the Chief Administrative Officer

‘Watchdog’ C. Wayne Taylor Holds His Bite On 2nd Street Connector

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I have written before about how C. Wayne Taylor has taken on City Hall on the 2nd Street Connector and Special Use Permit Issues. Here’s the latest:

April 12, 2012

The Honorable City Council
City of Richmond
900 E. Broad St., Suite 200
Richmond, VA 23219 USA

Re: 2nd Street Connector Information

Dear Honorable Members of Council,

On March 15th 2012 I requested certain information from Councilor Tyler regarding the proposed 2nd Street connector. He said he would give me a response by the end of the week. On April 2nd I send an email to Councilor Tyler advising him that I had not received anything. As of this evening, I still have not received any of the information I requested.

The citizens of Richmond are being denied a meaningful voice in the political process if you do not give them the relevant information. Will you please take the appropriate action to obtain and make public the information I requested.

Sincerely yours,

C. Wayne Taylor
www.CityHallReview.com

Attachments: Copies of the emails are included below.

Links: http://cityhallreview.com/tag/2nd-street-connector/

Copy: Liaisons, Planning Commission via Secretary, Press, Interested Citizens

—– Forwarded Message —–
From: C WAYNE TAYLOR
To: Bruce Tyler
Cc: C WAYNE TAYLOR
Sent: Monday, April 2, 2012 4:41 AM
Subject: Tyler – 2nd Street Connector Information

Dear Mr. Tyler,

I have not received the information.

C. Wayne Taylor

—– Forwarded Message —–
From: “Tyler, Bruce W. – Council Member”
To: C WAYNE TAYLOR
Sent: Sunday, March 18, 2012 1:26 PM
Subject: RE: Tyler – 2nd Street Connector Information

Mr. Taylor:

I will give you a response this week.

Bruce W. Tyler

1st District Councilman
City of Richmond

City Council
900 E. Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219

cell: 804.357.6007
fax: 804.343.0909

From: C WAYNE TAYLOR [mailto:cwaynetaylor@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thu 3/15/2012 4:16 PM
To: Tyler, Bruce W. – Council Member
Cc: C WAYNE TAYLOR
Subject: Tyler – 2nd Street Connector Information

March 15, 2012

VIA EMAIL TO: Bruce.Tyler@Richmondgov.com
The Honorable Bruce Tyler
City Council
City of Richmond
900 E. Broad St., Suite 200
Richmond, VA 23219 USA

Re: 2nd Street Connector Information

Dear Honorable Council Member,

The proposed 2nd Street connector would cause a major change in the character of the area. I think it is very important to fully understand the proposal and the various factors involved.

As you know, the administration has not been transparent in this matter. Economic Development even tried to charge me for copies of the documents discuss with city council.

Therefore, I request that you help insure that citizens have all the facts. Will you please provide or obtain answers to the following for the public and me:

1. Has an elevation rendering of the proposed crossing of the historic canal been presented to council?

2. Has a perspective rendering of the proposed connector been presented to council?

3. What is the acreage of the land that is proposed to be conveyed to the city west of the connector?

4. Why does the Planning Commission letter state that the area on both sides of the connector will be privately owned?

5. Why is there a proposed parcel boundary down the middle of the historic canal?

6. What is the acreage of the land that the city is providing for stormwater detention.

7. Does the stormwater detention facility essentially block access of city land to Tredegar Street?

8. Does the parking area connect to Tredegar Street or the connector?

9. How many parking spaces are gained or lost?

10. Does the city have the right to require that the connector be put on the Tredegar Ironworks parcel under alternative B-3 of the 1995 agreement?

11. Does alternative B-3 provide better topography to cross the historic canal and provide more clearance for boats.

12. Why was the connector project assigned to Development rather than Planning?

13. Has Planning been prohibited from commenting to citizens about the connector?

14. Has the planning director issued an analysis of the pros and cons of a connector?

15. Has the city traffic engineer issued a report on the connector?

16. Who prepared the traffic analysis report?

17. Has part of the traffic analysis report been redacted?

18. Is it correct that the connector is not shown on the Downtown Master Plan?

19. What elements of the connector are not consistent with the Downtown Plan and UDC Guidelines.

20. Why were the trees cut down after the Planning Commission reviewed the connector concept plan?

21. What happens if the city requires clearance over the historic canal and refuses to pay the cost?

I believe the following is correct:

22. Road construction grading will cut into the profile of the historic canal.

23. The stormwater detention facility will cut into the profile of the historic canal.

24. Water flowed in the historic canal until about 1970.

25. Slave labor was used to construct the historic canal.

26. An 1880 bridge was built over the unused canal in a traditional arched style.

27. The historic canal is on the National Register of Historic Places.

28. The top executive at Dominion Resources received total compensation of $16.9 million in 2010.

I have attached copies of the documents that the Jones Administration attempted to charge me to have.

Thank you for your attention,

C. Wayne Taylor
www.CityHallReview.com

Copy: Council, Liaisons, Press

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

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From City announcement:

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.

WHEN Thursday, April 12, 2012
4:00-6:00 p.m.

WHERE Richmond Department of Economic Development
Richmond Main Street Station – 3rd Floor Conference Room
1500 East Main Street; Richmond, Virginia 23219
(PARKING: Free parking is available on the west side of the building 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 Councilman Bruce W. Tyler, Richmond City Council, West End 1st District, at 804.357.6007; or bruce.tyler@richmondgov.com.

Background ____________________________________________________________________________

Richmond City Council GRTC and Transit Study Task Force
Richmond City Council established the Richmond City Council GRTC and Transit Study Task Force on September 27, 2010 by Richmond City Council Ordinance No. 2010-173-166.

The objective of the Richmond City Council GRTC and Transit Study Task Force is to provide a report to Council within in a year of its first meeting which recommends the following:

1. Any legislation, plans, policies, and programs that promote efficient mass transit in the city;

2. Economic development, economic growth, employment and tourism strategies that include public transportation; and,

3. Public relations and education programs to increase public use of mass transit.

4. The Task Force shall also work with interested private organizations to improve the service and efficiency of the GRTC.