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Pine Street ‘Heights’
This photo is of the eastern side of the 100 block of S.Pine Street. You can see on the northern end where a row house was sacrificed for an apartment building’s parking lot, but the remaining historic houses have been beautifully renovated.
Sadly, this block was separated from the rest of “the Hill” by the construction of 195, but it is still considered part of Oregon Hill neighborhood. Some wryly refer to the area north of the expressway as “the Oregon Hill Heights”.
What’s even sadder is the the City’s own Planning Commission has recently drawn its new ‘pattern book’ for the neighborhood without including “the Heights”, challenging the neighborhood’s defined borders and angering many residents.
This is seen as part of a long campaign to do away with this historic neighborhood, even if it means gradually chipping away, decade after decade. It’s the long battle of preservation.
New Bulbs In Bloom In Pleasants Park
Neighborhood Threatened By Re-Zoning – Comments Due This Weekend
New development on W.Cary Street in the Fan.
This is very similar to what was warned about previously in a mock up from 5-years ago.
But, here we are. Oregon Hill residents have spoken up from the very beginning of the discussion, from the first ‘charrettes’ of the ‘Richmond300’ to the latest on ‘Code Refresh’ from the Planning Department. Every single step of the way, Oregon Hill residents and neighborhood association have reiterated support for protecting our historic streetscapes and keeping the R-7 zoning with its height limit. There have been heartfelt editorials and letters to the editor. There have been pleas to elected officials. There’s also pre-history on this, from street protests against demolition to smaller meetings with City officials about supposed overlays that turned out to be nothing but hot air.
But, again, here we are. Take a look at the proposed zoning changes. Even the RA-A designation would raise the height limit to 40′, incentivizing developers to demolish more houses and ruin the streetscapes of this nationally-recognized, historic neighborhood. It would undue decades of hard, preservation work by citizens who have stuck with this City for decades, through good and bad times.
In short, this is betrayal. It also speaks volumes on why citizens look askance at ‘focus meetings’ and ‘providing input’ – what do these things matter if the City government is going to always put developers over citizens?
Yet, one more chance to try to change minds-
From the City of Richmond Planning Department, Re: 300 Plan.
Proposed New Zoning Districts Survey
If you were unable to make it to the open houses, you can view the boards on the City’s webpage, and take our survey (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MYVYQCF) by March 31st to tell us your thoughts on the proposed new zoning districts.
OHNA Meeting Tomorrow Night
From email announcement:
MONTHLY MEETING:
Tuesday, March 25 at 7pm. Agenda and link to join attached and below.
Join Zoom Meeting (Editor’s note: Zoom link redacted. Please contact ohnarva@gmail.com)
A G E N D A
Welcome
Community and local Officials Updates: Police, VCU, RVA, City Council
Committee updates: Zoning, FoOHP, RvaPB, Stop Sign Safety (Bylaws cte will present during “Discussions” portion of the meeting
Announcements:
April OHNA meeting to be in person, 6pm at Pine Street Baptist; supper, presentation from PSB.
April “Big Event” neighborhood clean up day with VCU student volunteers
Discussions
Bylaws Committee presentation and discussion (no vote)
New Business:
______________________________________________________________________
O T H E R N E W S:
Save the Date: April OHNA meeting and Pasta Supper!
April’s OHNA meeting will be in person Tuesday April 22 at Pine Street Baptist Church! Our hosts will provide a pasta supper, make a presentation about updates at PSB, and surveying neighbors about what role they would like the church to have in the community. We will begin early: 6pm. Hope to see you there!
Friends of Oregon Hill Parks news:
Holly Street Playground upgrade: The next FOOHP HSP upgrade event, an engagement and feedback session, will be April 24 at 5:30 pm at Pine Street Baptist Church
Holly Street Playground cleanup day: Sunday Apr 13, Holly St. Playground
Oregon Hill Easter Egg Hunt, Holly Street Playground, Sunday April 13 at 3pm
Oregon Hill Open Garden Day: May 17.
Add your garden to the tour! Email: Friendsoforegonhillparks@gmail.com
Historic Richmond is hosting a free community lecture, “Preservation is Planning,” Thursday, March 27th at 6 – 8pm, at Monumental Church (1224 E Broad St) https://historicrichmond.com/detail/preservation-as-planning-2/
Zoning “Code Refresh:”
Learn more about this project, review neighborhood “Pattern Books” and provide your opinion: https://www.rva.gov/planning-development-review/code-refresh [rva.gov]
Online survey ends March 31: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MYVYQCF [surveymonkey.com]
SIGN UP to receive updates from our City Council Member, Stephanie Lynch: http://bit.ly/4bUbRJy
People’s Budget (Participatory Budgeting)
It’s almost time to vote for the projects submitted, including an OH Dog Park. CLICK HERE to learn everything you need to know! You can vote:
Online – Vote from anywhere, anytime between April 1-15
In-Person – Visit a voting location on select dates in April
V O L U N T E E R:
VCU “Big Event” OH neighborhood Cleanup
Students will volunteer to help us in a neighborhood clean up, meeting at Pleasants Park on Sat April 5 at 9:30 am.
Volunteer for your street! Email: OHNArva@gmail.com
Joint OHNA / VCU Community-Student Problem-Solving Workgroup
Frustrated by students throwing loud parties and littering? Volunteer to meet with VCU police and students affairs staff to develop plans to integrate students into the neighborhood and reduce problem behavior. Email: OHNArva@gmail.com
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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
Valentine-sponsored Walking Tours in April
The Valentine museum will be offering two Oregon Hill walking tours in April to explore the history of the neighborhood. They would love to have residents join us, share their stories, and learn some history! Tour tickets are $20 ($10 for Valentine members) and are now on sale via the museum website:
– April 13th at 10am — History Hounds Explore Oregon Hill Walking Tour – The Valentine Museum (dog-friendly tour in collaboration with the SPCA)
– April 19th at 10am — History of Oregon Hill Walking Tour – The Valentine Museum
All tours will begin at St. Andrews Episcopal Church.
The Late Clark Davis
Oregon Hill board members are very saddened to learn of the recent passing of Clark Davis (1950-2025). Clark was for many years the head carpenter and construction manager for the Oregon Hill Home Improvement Council. He managed the renovation of many historic homes in the neighborhood and was well respected for his high standards in the building trades.
Clark renovated his home in the 600 block of South Pine Street where he lived for many years with his daughter Zella, son Zero and former wife Alexandra “Sandy” Pappas, who survive him. His daughter, Nelly Jean, preceded him in death. Clark lived happily in Richmond with his devoted wife, Gail Leviner, until he passed away.
Clark was a talented guitarist and loved spending time at the river. He had an infectious sense of humor and was always willing to give a helping hand. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
5th District Meeting Tonight
Councilperson Lynch an the Byrd Park Civic League are hosting a 5th District meeting tonight..
We are excited to be hosting a 5th District Town Hall at Lois Harrison-Jones Elementary School (formerly John B. Cary ES) on Thursday, March 20 at 6pm.
Agenda
• Water Crisis / DPU Updates – Director Scott Morris (confirmed)
• Budget Update
• 5th District Updates
• Q&A
We look forward to seeing you there!
Trash/Recycling Pickup This Morning
Today is a “Red Wednesday”, which means trash and recycling pickup. Sorry for the late notice, been distracted by other matters.
Please go over what can be recycled.
NOTE: CVWMA (Central Virginia Waste Management Authority) has announced that all curbside recycling must now be INSIDE the CVWMA containers with lid closed. Items beside the container or on top of it will not be collected. In fact, incorrect setouts may not be collected at all. This is new as of July 1 for all our curbside recyclers, with the exception of townhomes/condos still using small bins. (And yes, this also applies to flattened cardboard boxes.)
Ideally, rolling recycling containers are stored and deployed in the back alleys along with trash cans. Please make sure you pick up containers after pickup tomorrow night. More CVWMA information can be found at this link:
https://cvwma.com/cvwma-locations/richmond/
In order to take your recycling to the next level, read this: 10 ways to improve your recycling.
Dominion Sends Power Outage Notification
Probably in relation to the installation of new poles, Dominion has been texting customers in parts of the neighborhood in regard to planned power outages.