Richmond Planning Commission Meeting - April 22, 2026
Richmond Planning Commission Meeting - April 22, 2026
The Planning Commission met on April 22, 2026 (note: official minutes list the meeting as April 21, 2026; this summary uses the specified date). Chair Poole called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. All commissioners were present except Burchell Pinnock. The meeting adjourned at 6:37 p.m.
Consent Calendar
- Ordinance 2026-075: Approved unanimously to amend a previous ordinance for a 2.274-acre parcel on Forest Hill Avenue east of Bliley Road, authorizing 18 townhouse condominium units (for sale) with accessory parking.
- Ordinance 2026-083: Approved unanimously to accept $10,369,508 from the Central Virginia Transportation Authority for the Diamond District Transportation Infrastructure Project.
- UDC 2026-05: Approved concept review of Bryan Park dam removal and stream restoration at 4308 Hermitage Road.
- CPCR.2026.002: Approved resolution for a final community unit plan at 1300 Westwood Avenue and 1219 Palmyra Avenue to authorize a field house.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public spoke during the public hearing for either the consent agenda or the regular agenda items.
Discussion Items
- Item 7 (ORD. 2026-073) – 1215 North 29th Street: Special use permit request for one two-family detached dwelling and one accessory dwelling unit in the Church Hill North neighborhood. Principal Planner Jonathan Brown presented the staff recommendation. Applicant Alessandro Ragazzi (Development Resources) explained that the proposal was revised after community feedback, reducing density from four units to three, lot coverage to 39% (below the 55% R6 threshold), and increasing rear setbacks. The Churchill Central Civic Association was supportive. Commissioner Knight abstained. The commission voted 7-0-1 to recommend approval to City Council.
- Item 8 (ORD. 2026-074) – 101 Cowardin Avenue: Special use permit request for a five-story multifamily building with up to 120 units in the Manchester neighborhood. Jonathan Brown presented staff findings that the proposal aligns with Richmond 300 goals for density and walkability. Applicants Will Allen (Harper Associates) and Eric Smith described community outreach, including meetings with the Manchester Alliance and adjacent property owners. Commissioner Knight raised the importance of robust public outreach for larger projects; Chair Poole and Commissioner Robertson acknowledged the applicant's efforts. The commission approved the item with two amendments: (1) include a fire access markup sheet (dated April 14, 2026) and (2) update the schematic concept plan revision date. Additionally, the applicant requested and the commission accepted an amendment to the building facade glazing requirement to match B5 zoning standards (35% glazing, minimum 25% brick veneer, 25% cementitious siding). The vote was 7-0-1, with Commissioner Knight abstaining.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda adopted unanimously.
- Item 7 recommended for approval to City Council by a vote of 7-0-1 (Commissioner Knight abstaining).
- Item 8 recommended for approval to City Council with two amendments by a vote of 7-0-1 (Commissioner Knight abstaining).
- Council action update: Three new special use permits were introduced at the April 13 City Council meeting; two others (North 18th Street, 1705 Commonwealth/Lavender Hill, and Tuxedo Boulevard) remain pending at council.
- Meeting adjourned at 6:37 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. This is the regularly scheduled meeting, City of Richmond Planning Commission. We're glad to see you all here. Adam Secretary, would you give the electronic notice? This meeting is being held in person in the fifth floor conference room of City Hall while staff in a quorum of planning commissioners are attending the meeting in person. Citizens may choose to participate in the meeting virtually. All written comments that were received by email prior to 12 p.m. today have been provided to the planning commissioners in advance of the meeting. During the public comment period, speakers will be asked to limit their comments to three minutes for an individual or five minutes of representing. Very much for establishing quantum vote. Mr. Poole? Ms. Greenfield, Miss Ever. Ms. Knight? Here. Ms. Robertson. Here. Miss Rowe. Mr. White? Here. Mr. McKinsey. Here. And we have form. Very much. That's a minutes. First is August 19th of 2025. Is there a motion? Second. Any discussion? None. I'll call the question. We're voting on approval of the minutes of August 19th, 2025. Please call the roll. Mr. Poole? Aye. Ms. Greenfield? Aye. Ms. Ebert? Abstain. Ms. Knight? Aye.
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