OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Richmond City Council Meeting - May 26, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, May 26, 2026
BodyRichmond, Virginia
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, May 26, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:04:08
Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Good evening, everyone.

0:03

Good evening.

0:04

The formal meeting of the Richmond City Council will now come to order.

0:09

Madam Clerk, if you would give us allow for direction regarding Spanish interpretation at this time.

0:17

Spanish interpretation is available in the council chamber.

0:20

Please see a representative at the rear of the room to receive the appropriate equipment.

0:24

Spanish interpretation is also available through Microsoft Teams for virtual attendees in need of this service.

0:49

Thank you.

0:51

At this time, we'll have the invocation provided by Pastor Ashon Williams of Broomfield Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, after which we will have the pledge of allegiance.

1:04

Welcome, Pastor.

1:06

Thank you for the opportunity.

1:10

Almighty God, we want to say thank you for bringing us here on this beautiful day.

1:16

We ask now God to fill our hearts with your love and keep your presence always with us.

1:21

We ask that you continue to strengthen the leaves of this great city, help them to do what you have called them to do, place the everlasting protection over them wherever they may go, help them to transform this city to make a great impact in our lives and help us to give them the support they need to move forward.

1:38

It was by your authority that allowed us to have this opportunity to acknowledge you for all the things that you do.

1:43

You have been so good to us, so please, please help us be good to one another at this time.

1:49

We love you and we thank you for listening to our prayer on this day.

1:53

Amen.

1:56

Thank you.

2:02

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

2:31

Upon activation of the emergency alarm signal, all persons should immediately exit the building.

2:36

Please use the exits to the left or right front of the council chamber or the north or south stairwells outside the rear doors of the chamber.

2:43

Do not use elevators or escalators.

2:45

After exiting the building, security will direct everyone down 9th Street to the fenced area located between Clay and Lee Streets.

2:52

Able persons should assist visually and hearing impaired visitors with exiting the building.

2:56

Individuals speaking during public hearings in the public comment period are generally allowed three minutes to speak.

3:02

Persons appearing before council are not allowed to campaign for public office, promote private business ventures, use language of a personal nature which insults or demeans any person, including comments directed at public officials or staff members that are not related to their official duties, or address or question staff members directly.

3:18

All questions are to be directed to the president of council.

3:21

Failure to adhere to the guidelines may result in speakers forfeiting any remaining time and further disciplinary action as necessary, which could include barring from attendance at future meetings of City Council for a period of six months.

3:32

And Madam President, for the record, all members of Council are in attendance this evening, except for Councillor Jones, you do have a quorum.

3:38

Also, if there are individuals standing in the rear of the chamber that are unauthorized, they are asked to be seated where seats are available.

3:45

Also, applause is not permitted during the course of tonight's meeting.

3:48

Thank you.

3:48

Thank you.

3:49

At this time, let's proceed with our speakers for the public comment period.

3:56

The first speaker is Thomas Courtney.

3:59

Welcome, Mr.

4:00

Courtney.

4:02

Thank you.

4:03

Good evening.

4:04

My name is Thomas Courtney from the first district.

4:06

I'm a nearby resident, and I also serve as registered agent for Floyd Grove Shepherd LLC, a small neighborhood group formed by impacted nearby residents.

4:17

The timer, by the way.

4:18

I'm here to provide a brief public update regarding the VMFA Grove Avenue storage facility and unresolved land use questions now reaching the certificate of occupancy stage.

4:29

The timeline is straightforward.

4:31

In 2024, the project was approved by Director Vonk after objections were raised.

4:36

In March of 2025, during the BZA process, the project was defended on the premise that it would operate as an institutional accessory connected to the VMFA and Commonwealth Control.

4:49

The facility has now reached the certificate of occupancy stage, while the public record still does not appear to confirm that institutional control condition.

4:58

The basic issue is simple.

5:01

If the facility is controlled and used by the VMFA or the Commonwealth, there should be records to support that.

5:07

If instead it is privately controlled storage or warehouse use on a separate parcel, then that reality should be reconciled.

5:15

A special use permit may still be required.

5:18

The problem is ambiguity.

5:21

The project has been described as institutional when that characterization supports zoning approval, but private ownership and private property restrictions have also been asserted in other contexts.

5:33

That shifting public-private posture is especially problematic where a state actor, nonprofit, or state affiliated institution is involved.

5:42

This concern is grounded in the city's own prior record.

5:46

In October of 2022, zoning administrator, Mr.

5:49

Davidson, stated that a use of a separate lot for the museum, if owned by the foundation, was not permitted as a principal use.

5:58

The later pathway depended on commonwealth lease or control.

6:02

Yet no final written zoning determination or supporting document has resolved that use and control question.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████53%
Land Use and Zoning████████████████████23%
Affordable Housing███████8%
Personnel Matters███████8%
Transportation Safety████5%
Historic Preservation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Richmond City Council Meeting - May 26, 2026

The Richmond City Council held a formal meeting on May 26, 2026, beginning at approximately 11:15 AM. The meeting included public comments, amendments to the agenda, public hearings, votes on several ordinances and resolutions, and council member announcements. Key topics included a zoning dispute over a VMFA storage facility, concerns about housing affordability and parking, approval of a special use permit for residential development on West Franklin Street, and amendments to studies on affordable housing and collective bargaining.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent agenda consisted of 13 items (ordinances and resolutions), including routine approvals. All items were adopted unanimously (8-0) after a public hearing with no speakers. The consent agenda included items 1-4, 8, 11, 13-15, 17-19 as read by the clerk, with item 10 moved to the regular agenda.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Thomas Courtney (1st District resident, registered agent for Floyd Grove Shepherd LLC) spoke regarding the VMFA Grove Avenue storage facility. He stated that the project was approved in 2024 under an institutional use premise but now, at the certificate of occupancy stage, the public record does not confirm institutional control. He argued that shifting public-private descriptions create ambiguity and requested the city either issue a zoning confirmation letter identifying the factual basis for institutional control or require a special use permit review before occupancy is finalized.
  • Sharon Harper (concerned resident) addressed escalating housing prices and rental costs, citing a shortage of over 1,000 units in Richmond and 300,000 homes statewide. She noted the lack of statewide rent control and described personal difficulty affording market-rate apartments despite working for a reputable company. She highlighted a nearly 40% rental cost increase between 2019 and 2026 and called for action.
  • Tyrone Hurd (parent of a resident on Ingram Avenue) spoke about parking issues caused by tenants of a new apartment complex (on the site of former Oak Grove Elementary) refusing to use the parking lot and instead parking on the street, blocking homeowners. He requested signage for resident-only parking and noted abandoned cars and increased traffic. Councilwoman Trammell responded, stating she had spoken to the apartment owner, John Gregory, who said signage and parking passes will be in place within three weeks, and that expired vehicles will be ticketed and towed by police.
  • Jeff Burnson (Chief of Staff, SCIU Virginia 512) spoke during the public comment period for item 25 (collective bargaining ordinance, continued to June 8). He supported updating the ordinance to allow bargaining over promotions and transfers but urged that the change apply to all city bargaining units, not just public safety, for fairness and consistency.
  • Crystal Brown and Felicia Boney also spoke on the collective bargaining issue, arguing that all five bargaining units should be treated equally and that the ordinance change should not exclude general government or public works employees.

Discussion Items

  • Items 7 and 10 (Ordinances 2026-104 and 2026-107) – Special Use Permit for 1117 West Franklin Street: These companion ordinances authorized the conversion of two institutional buildings into two single-family detached dwellings and two accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on each parcel. Planning Director Kevin Javong summarized that the proposal fits the master plan and staff recommended approval. Laura Potter (West Avenue area resident) spoke in opposition, citing concerns about scale, alley character, cumulative precedent, and the ongoing code refresh. She requested the items be sent back to the planning committee. Mark Baker (Baker Development Resources) spoke in favor, noting the buildings were historically residential and that the ADUs would be by-right if not for the prior institutional SUP. He stated the planning commission unanimously recommended approval and the Commission of Architectural Review issued a certificate of appropriateness. Vice President Jordan expressed support, noting that the West Avenue Improvement Association was briefed and that most feedback was positive. Council voted 8-0 to adopt both ordinances.
  • Item 9 (Ordinance 2026-106) – Mosby Court South Redevelopment: A motion was made and seconded to amend this ordinance (modifying maximum residential density and excluding certain building materials) and continue it to the June 8, 2026 council meeting. The motion passed unanimously (8-0).
  • Item 20 (Resolution 2026-R021) – Study on Registration System for Nonprofit Housing Providers: An amendment was approved to include for-profit housing providers in the study. The resolution as amended was then adopted unanimously (8-0) after a public hearing with no speakers.
  • Item 21 (Resolution 2026-R022) – Study on City Purchase of Real Property for Affordable Housing: An amendment modifying the due date of written recommendations was approved. The resolution as amended was adopted unanimously (8-0) after a public hearing with no speakers.
  • Item 23 (Ordinance 2025-282) – Real Estate Tax Deferral Program: A motion to amend (extending implementation date and modifying requirements) and continue to the June 8, 2026 meeting passed unanimously (8-0).
  • Item 25 (Ordinance 2026-090) – Collective Bargaining Ordinance: Although continued to June 8, 2026, the public was allowed to speak. The item concerns updating the collective bargaining ordinance to allow bargaining over promotions and transfers for public safety employees only; speakers requested expansion to all bargaining units.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved the consent agenda (13 items) unanimously.
  • Adopted Ordinances 2026-104 and 2026-107 for the special use permit at 1117 West Franklin Street (8-0).
  • Approved the amendment and continuance of Ordinance 2026-106 to June 8, 2026 (8-0).
  • Adopted Resolution 2026-R021 as amended (8-0).
  • Adopted Resolution 2026-R022 as amended (8-0).
  • Approved the amendment and continuance of Ordinance 2025-282 to June 8, 2026 (8-0).
  • Approved minutes from the May 11, 2026 informal meetings.
  • Introduced new legislation (items 5-19) with copies available on the city website starting May 27, 2026.
  • Council members made announcements regarding upcoming community events, tax due dates, and services (e.g., smoke alarm checks, fare-free GRTC through June 2027, bike lane enforcement).

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. Good evening. The formal meeting of the Richmond City Council will now come to order. Madam Clerk, if you would give us allow for direction regarding Spanish interpretation at this time. Spanish interpretation is available in the council chamber. Please see a representative at the rear of the room to receive the appropriate equipment. Spanish interpretation is also available through Microsoft Teams for virtual attendees in need of this service. Thank you. At this time, we'll have the invocation provided by Pastor Ashon Williams of Broomfield Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, after which we will have the pledge of allegiance. Welcome, Pastor. Thank you for the opportunity. Almighty God, we want to say thank you for bringing us here on this beautiful day. We ask now God to fill our hearts with your love and keep your presence always with us. We ask that you continue to strengthen the leaves of this great city, help them to do what you have called them to do, place the everlasting protection over them wherever they may go, help them to transform this city to make a great impact in our lives and help us to give them the support they need to move forward. It was by your authority that allowed us to have this opportunity to acknowledge you for all the things that you do. You have been so good to us, so please, please help us be good to one another at this time. We love you and we thank you for listening to our prayer on this day. Amen. Thank you. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Upon activation of the emergency alarm signal, all persons should immediately exit the building. Please use the exits to the left or right front of the council chamber or the north or south stairwells outside the rear doors of the chamber. Do not use elevators or escalators. After exiting the building, security will direct everyone down 9th Street to the fenced area located between Clay and Lee Streets. Able persons should assist visually and hearing impaired visitors with exiting the building. Individuals speaking during public hearings in the public comment period are generally allowed three minutes to speak. Persons appearing before council are not allowed to campaign for public office, promote private business ventures, use language of a personal nature which insults or demeans any person, including comments directed at public officials or staff members that are not related to their official duties, or address or question staff members directly. All questions are to be directed to the president of council. Failure to adhere to the guidelines may result in speakers forfeiting any remaining time and further disciplinary action as necessary, which could include barring from attendance at future meetings of City Council for a period of six months. And Madam President, for the record, all members of Council are in attendance this evening, except for Councillor Jones, you do have a quorum. Also, if there are individuals standing in the rear of the chamber that are unauthorized, they are asked to be seated where seats are available. Also, applause is not permitted during the course of tonight's meeting. Thank you. Thank you. At this time, let's proceed with our speakers for the public comment period. The first speaker is Thomas Courtney. Welcome, Mr. Courtney. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Thomas Courtney from the first district. I'm a nearby resident, and I also serve as registered agent for Floyd Grove Shepherd LLC, a small neighborhood group formed by impacted nearby residents. The timer, by the way. I'm here to provide a brief public update regarding the VMFA Grove Avenue storage facility and unresolved land use questions now reaching the certificate of occupancy stage. The timeline is straightforward. In 2024, the project was approved by Director Vonk after objections were raised. In March of 2025, during the BZA process, the project was defended on the premise that it would operate as an institutional accessory connected to the VMFA and Commonwealth Control. The facility has now reached the certificate of occupancy stage, while the public record still does not appear to confirm that institutional control condition. The basic issue is simple. If the facility is controlled and used by the VMFA or the Commonwealth, there should be records to support that.

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