Richmond Land Use, Housing and Transportation Committee Meeting - July 21, 2026
Richmond Land Use, Housing and Transportation Committee Meeting - July 21, 2026
The Land Use, Housing and Transportation Standing Committee met on July 21, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET. The meeting covered board appointments, a five-year evaluation of the partial tax exemption program, amendments to the weed ordinance to allow native landscaping, adoption of the Oak Grove Hillside Bellmead community plan, a resolution to preserve the historic Westwood neighborhood, support for regional Smart Scale transportation projects, and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the city and Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) for public housing transformation.
Consent Calendar
- No consent calendar items were listed; all items were considered individually.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 1 (Ordinance 2026-113 – Native plants): Robin Allman (speaking in support) expressed gratitude for the amended ordinance, stating it is a "beautiful example of democracy in action" and praised collaboration with the Office of Sustainability.
- Item 3 (Resolution 2026-R024 – Westwood neighborhood plan): Multiple speakers expressed support:
- Jeanette Brown (president, Westwood Civic League) described the neighborhood's 150-year history and struggles with the city over infrastructure, urging approval.
- Amy Addicts (homeowner, cultural preservationist) spoke in favor, citing her background and the need to protect the neighborhood.
- Crystal Randolph (50-year resident) highlighted the community's resilience through Jim Crow and redlining, asking for protection.
- Kate McHugh (new homeowner) described infrastructure issues (water pressure, sinkholes, construction debris) and asked for support.
- Tammy Rose (long-time resident) expressed concern about potential rezoning of churches to mixed-use, which could lead to encroachment.
- Robin Levy (resident of Bird Park) spoke in support, noting Westwood's vulnerability to redevelopment and displacement.
- Ron Skinner (resident) emphasized the dignity and history of the community, calling it "worth saving."
- Trina Lewis (trustee, Westwood Baptist Church) spoke about personal family history and the need to preserve the endangered historic community.
- Cyan Crump (executive director, Historic Richmond) stated that the city's tax assessments increased land values by approximately 50% in the past year, driving displacement, and urged adoption of the resolution.
- Items 4 and 5 (Smart Scale resolutions): No public comment.
- Item 6 (MOU for Gilpin Court transformation): No public comment.
Discussion Items
- Boards and Commissions Report: Pamela Nichols presented current and projected vacancies through November 2026. The committee discussed appointments for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Supervisory Board, Commission of Architectural Review, Community Transportation Advisory Committee, Public Arts Commission, Voice of Commission for RRHA, and Safety and Healthy Streets Commission. Several vacancies were continued to the October meeting. The committee voted to forward the recommended slate to council.
- Presentation on Partial Tax Exemption Program (Five-Year Evaluation): Michelle Brown Peters (Deputy Director, DHCD) reported that the program has incentivized affordable housing creation and preservation. Key statistics: 20 applications received, 7 ineligible, 13 approved, 4 projects completed. Completed projects yielded 52 new affordable units, 117 market rate units, and 130 preserved affordable units. Pipeline includes 100 affordable units under renovation and 142 under construction. Current revenue impact positive ($86,009). Committee members asked about enforcement (annual reviews), anti-demolition conditions, and marketing. Concerns were raised about the 20% investment threshold for single-family homeowners at 80% AMI, with a suggestion to evaluate that requirement.
- Item 1 – Ordinance 2026-113 (Weeds and native plants): Daniel Klein (Office of Sustainability) presented amendments removing the certification requirement and adding native plants to existing exemptions. Woody debris is allowed if part of a native landscape, and "cues to care" are included. The ordinance also includes a 90-day rollout and reporting. Committee members asked about the relationship between weed violations and native plants, and the need for education on maintenance. The committee voted to approve the amendment and forward to council.
- Item 2 – Ordinance 2026-166 (Oak Grove Hillside Bellmead community plan): Mary Ann Pitts (PDR) presented the plan, which was developed 2023-2025, focusing on preserving the residential core while allowing development along corridors. Planning Commission approved in October 2025. Councilmember Robertson requested that the committee look at implementation benchmarks and timelines. The committee voted to approve and forward to council.
- Item 3 – Resolution 2026-R024 (Westwood neighborhood plan): Councilmember Breton introduced the resolution, requesting PDR to work with residents to develop a community-driven plan to preserve the historic and cultural character of Westwood. Amendments were made to clarify boundaries and add historical context. Committee members expressed strong support, emphasizing the need to document history and protect marginalized communities. The committee voted to approve with amendments and forward to council.
- Items 4 and 5 – Resolutions 2026-R026 and R027 (Smart Scale support): Mr. Wagner (administration) noted that these resolutions support regional partner projects. For Chesterfield, the city is partnering on a traffic calming project near River City Middle School. The committee voted to approve and forward to council.
- Item 6 – Resolution 2026-R029 (MOU for Gilpin Court transformation): Thad Williamson, Sharon Ebert (DCAO), and Stephen Neismith (RRHA CEO) presented the MOU. Key provisions: creation of a joint Gilpin Transformation Working Group, a Jackson Ward Community Plan Steering Committee, one-for-one replacement of all 781 deeply affordable housing units, case management for residents, and a 10-year timeline. Councilmembers raised concerns about alignment with the code refresh, the people plan, and support for residents already moved out with vouchers. They requested an implementation strategy. The committee voted to approve and forward to council.
Key Outcomes
- Boards and Commissions: The committee approved the slate of appointments and reappointments as discussed, with some vacancies continued to October. (Vote: 3-0, all ayes)
- Item 1 (Ordinance 2026-113): Approved with amendment to forward to City Council. (Vote: 3-0)
- Item 2 (Ordinance 2026-166): Approved to forward to City Council. (Vote: 3-0)
- Item 3 (Resolution 2026-R024): Approved with amendment to forward to City Council. (Vote: 3-0)
- Items 4 and 5 (Resolutions 2026-R026 and R027): Approved to forward to City Council. (Vote: 3-0)
- Item 6 (Resolution 2026-R029): Approved to forward to City Council. (Vote: 3-0)
- Follow-ups: The committee will not meet in August. The next meeting is scheduled for September 22, 2026. Staff will follow up on: feasibility of anti-demolition conditions for partial tax exemption; evaluation of 20% investment threshold for single-family homes; 90-day report on native plant ordinance; implementation benchmarks for Oak Grove Hillside Bellmead plan; and implementation strategy, alignment with RPA Rising and code refresh, and support for voucher holders outside the Gilpin people plan for the MOU.
Meeting Transcript
All right, Madam Cook. I just got yes. We'll call the land use housing and transportation committee meeting to order. Madam Clerk, can you read the chamber emergency evacuation announcement? 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 west stairwells outside of the rear doors of the chamber. Do not use elevators or escalators. At the exit in the building, security would direct everyone down ninth street to the fenced area located between Clay and Lee Streets. Able persons, so this is visually and hearing a pair of visitors with exiting the building. Persons wish you to speak during the public comment period and or public hearings are generally allowed three minutes to speak. Persons appearing before the committee are not allowed to campaign for public office, promote private business ventures, use language or personal nature, which is also demeans any person, including comments directed at public officials or staff members that are not related to their official duties or just in question staff members directly. All questions are to be directed to the committee chair for AT to the guidelines, maybe resort and speakers for any meaning time and further disciplinary action as necessary, which can include barring from attendance at future meetings of the committee for a period of six months. Members of the public who register in advance to speak virtually will be called at the appropriate time, either during the public comment period or during the public hearing for the legislation on which they sign them to address. This concludes the announcement. Oh well yes, that's the public comment and then boards and commissions. Is there anyone that would like to address the committee regarding items not on today's agenda? Seeing none, the public comment period is now closed. Thank you. We'll move to move to uh boards and commission report. Okay. Would you like to do the approval of the minutes? Yes, ma'am. The minutes to be approved from the June 16th, 2026, land use housing and transportation standing committee meeting. If there are no amendments or corrections, then those meeting minutes stand approved as presented. Those minutes have been approved. Pamela Nichols, Council Management Analyst. And so I will be reviewing for you today the current and projected vacancies through November of this month. And starting with the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Supervisory Board, there is one vacancy for a service provider assistant low-income individuals, and we have two applications from one from Karen Imus and Sandra Smith. And we did reach out and um staff does not have rejections for either any of these individuals. Um to get more applications, and we're going to approve um the representative of a chair of the institution. And also would like to note that on the 21st, the mayor did fill his last vacancy for Linda from a financial institution, uh Mary White. So she will be she has now um become a member of the affordable housing trust fund. And then moving down to the commission of architectural review for Richmond Association of Realtors nominee, and we have a reappointment application from Library Nutt and an initial application from Marie Crow. Accept the reappointment. We'll accept the reappointment. Wonderful. And then for the community transportation advisory committee, um we have Rodney Bonner and could we see Powell. Yeah, so even though district representation is not a requirement, the um the roster currently sits of an individual from the first, third, and seventh district. So let's continue that one as well to uh provide for more applications. Okay, and then moving down to the public arts commission. Um we have one vacancy, and we have three applications Unique Abuster, Kimley Newberry, and Kat Bromley. We have received a recommendation that you all would consider um recommending your Nika Buster. Okay. Yep, that's good. And for the um voice of commission for the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority for a tenant representative, we have a reappointment application from Diane Brody. That's good. Okay. And that recommendation would also be before the organization development standing committee pursuant to the resolution. And then moving on to um for individual who reside or have a principal place of employment in the city. There are two vacancies.
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