Richmond City Council Formal Meeting - July 27, 2026

The Richmond City Council held its formal meeting on Monday, July 27, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chamber at City Hall. The meeting opened with an invocation by Pastor Peter DuMont of Eternity Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda included awards, public comments, consent agenda items, several regular agenda items (including a right-of-way closure, a resolution for the Westwood neighborhood plan, and a resolution to place a sales tax referendum for school funding on the ballot), and an expedited resolution for housing authority bonds. Many items were amended and continued to future meetings. The meeting adjourned after councilmember announcements.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda, adopted by a single roll-call vote (all council members present voted aye), included: Ordinance 2026-152 (street closure on Lafayette Street), Ordinance 2026-153 (day nursery at 2502 4th Avenue), Ordinance 2026-154 (special use at 1235 North 36th Street), Ordinances 2026-156 through 2026-163 (various special uses, code adoption, budget transfers, property acquisitions, and the Hobby Hill Lake Dam project), Ordinances 2026-164 through 2026-172 (affordable housing trust fund amendments, grant agreements, budget amendments for housing relief, and the Oak Grove Hillside Bellemeade Community Plan), and Resolutions 2026-R026 and 2026-R027 (support for SMART SCALE projects in Chesterfield and Henrico counties). No public opposition was voiced; one speaker spoke in favor of the special use permit for transitional housing at 1110 Oakwood Avenue (item 21), which was part of the consent agenda and approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Aurora Britt spoke against the use of Flock license plate reader (LPR) cameras, citing federal access and potential misuse for political surveillance. She requested disabling the cameras until after the midterms.
• Jalma Planas detailed concerns about mass surveillance via Flock cameras, including alleged violations of state law (an RPD officer sending data to the FBI), lack of transparency, and documented stalking cases. He questioned the city's risk assessment and audit of the system.
• Morgan Haefer criticized the city's lack of bike infrastructure and pedestrian safety improvements since 2009, citing bike deaths and inadequate enforcement. He also questioned taxes and the absence of Spanish in public schools.
• Macy O. Jones (resident, 7th District) described crime and safety issues in her alley, including a shooting that damaged her property, and requested assistance with repairs and police attention.
• Selden Richardson (local historian) expressed opposition to density-increasing zoning changes in the historic Westwood neighborhood, calling for exemption from code refresh to preserve the African American community.
• Charles Poole (Oregon Hill Home Improvement Council) spoke against proposed upzoning (MX-5 and RMA) in the Oregon Hill Historic District under Code Refresh, arguing it would incentivize demolition and displace residents.
• Anas El Khatan (homeowner on Hall Street) detailed damage to his property from an adjacent development approved via special use permit (2024-020), claiming the city failed to enforce commitments made during the permit process and that an independent engineering review was lacking.
• Speakers in favor of consent agenda items: Murray Withrow and George White supported the special use permit for a residential mentorship program at 1110 Oakwood Avenue (transitional housing), stating it provides structured support for young men.

Discussion Items

• Resolution 2026-R024 (Westwood Neighborhood Plan) – Councilmember Breton introduced a resolution requesting the Department of Planning and Development Review to collaborate with residents and stakeholders of the historic Westwood neighborhood (bordered by Dunbar Street, Patterson Avenue, and Glenburnie Road) to evaluate land use, zoning, and policy tools, develop community-informed design guidelines, and provide a written report. An amendment to modify the neighborhood boundaries was approved unanimously. Public testimony overwhelmingly supported the resolution; speakers included Jeanette Brown (Westwood Civic League president), S. Norwood Thornton (descendant of founder), Brianna Princess (Westwood Baptist Church member), Ron Skinner (parent), and Cyan Crump (Historic Richmond). They emphasized the neighborhood's 150-year history, community resilience, and the need to protect against displacement from rising assessments and development. Councilmembers Gibson, Jones, Trammell, and Robertson expressed strong support and added their names as co-patrons. Councilmember Gibson stressed that the resolution should be tied to the city's cultural heritage stewardship plan and urged that code refresh not be passed before such plans are completed. The resolution passed unanimously (9-0).
• Ordinance 2026-109 (Right-of-Way Closure on Brookland Park Boulevard) – This item sought to close a portion of public right-of-way (approximately 11,105 square feet) south of Brookland Park Boulevard and east of Robin Hood Road to facilitate a parking lot for the Richmond Waldorf School. Councilmember Gibson moved to move it from the consent agenda to the regular agenda to allow public comment, which passed unanimously. Public testimony was heavily opposed: Chris Banks (Sherwood Park Civic Association) argued the closure would eliminate space that could be used for pedestrian and cyclist safety, noting 180 on-street parking spaces exist nearby. David Mayer (resident) highlighted the site's Olmsted-designed landscape (Sherwood Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in 1891) and presented photos showing the pocket park and tree canopy. Robert Hood (neighbor) emphasized that the park is part of a national historic landscape and that the school's plans would pave over a green space. Tara Fitzpatrick (resident and parent) detailed safety concerns and noted that the location is on the high-injury network. John Gass (Sherwood Park Civic Association committee chair) explained that the civic association's earlier letter of support was a straw vote from 16 months ago and no longer reflects current opinion. Speakers in favor (Waldorf school representatives: a parent and Lori Markham, an urban planner) argued that the slip lane has been closed for four years, that the acquisition would improve safety and create a more welcoming environment at no cost to the city, and that they are willing to negotiate design changes. Councilmember Gibson moved to continue the item to September 28, 2026, to allow for amendment of the parking count in the notice (from 34 to 24 spaces as per updated plans) and to receive requested traffic studies. The motion passed unanimously (9-0).
• Resolution 2026-R028 (School Sales Tax Referendum) – Vice President Jordan introduced a resolution to order a referendum for voters in November 2026 on whether to levy an additional 1% local sales tax (excluding groceries, medicine, and hygiene products) for school construction and renovation. CAO Odie Donald highlighted that the tax would generate approximately $45-47 million annually, with 45% paid by non-residents, and that funds would be held in a dedicated lockbox. David Rose (Davenport & Company) presented financial projections showing $47 million in FY2028, growing to ~$70 million by 2046, and that the tax would allow completion of the remaining phases of the $850 million school facilities plan. Public testimony: School Board Chair Shivonda Fernandez and Superintendent Jason Kamras strongly supported the referendum, citing aging facilities (average 60+ years), deferred maintenance, and the need for safe learning environments. Dr. Jackie McDonough (former teacher) supported the referendum but questioned current RPS spending (0% of $20M allocated for school improvements spent in FY2026, 9.6M overspend in other professional compensation, and lack of a 5-year facilities plan). Another speaker (name not provided) supported the referendum but asked for legal earmarking and transparency, noting that past meals tax revenues were not fully used for schools. Councilmember Gibson raised concerns about ensuring the revenue is additive (not replacing existing funding) and requested an annual accounting of the 1.5% meals tax fund, a comprehensive school facilities plan, and a public education campaign. Councilmember Jones emphasized the need to reach renters and families with clear messaging. Councilmember Robertson noted the need for tough budget choices and that the referendum would shift the burden to a broader tax base. The resolution passed unanimously (9-0).
• Resolution 2026-R030 (RRHA Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds) – An expedited resolution to authorize the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority to issue up to $20 million in multifamily housing revenue bonds for a 126-unit affordable housing project (70 new units, 55 renovated) at 815 N. 35th St. and 823 N. 36th St. (7th District). Bond counsel explained that expedited consideration was needed to secure state bond volume cap allocation before a summer recess. Councilmember Breton expressed general reluctance for expedited processes but acknowledged the time‑sensitive funding opportunity. Councilmember Gibson noted the project is in her district and wanted public input, but stated she was aware of the project and abstained; Councilmember Lynch also abstained. The resolution passed 7-2 (Breton, Jones, Robertson, Trammell, Jordan, Newbille voted aye; Gibson and Lynch abstained).
• Multiple Amendments and Continuances – The following items were amended and continued to future meetings:
  • Ordinance 2026-102 (Crenshaw Mews alley garages) – amended, continued to Sept 14.
  • Ordinance 2026-113 (Virginia Friendly Landscapes exemption) – amended, continued to Sept 14.
  • Ordinance 2026-120 (South Meadow Street dwellings) – amended, continued to Sept 14.
  • Ordinance 2026-081 (payment register transparency) – amended, continued to Sept 28.
  • Ordinance 2026-093 (Monument Avenue special use) – continued to Sept 14.
  • Ordinance 2026-155 (North Colonial Avenue garages) – continued to Sept 14.
  • Resolution 2026-R029 (Gilpin Transformation MOU) – continued to Sept 14.
  • Resolution 2026-R019 (investigation of payment register failure) – continued to Sept 28.
• Minutes Approval – Minutes from FY2027 Budget Work Session, June 15 Code Refresh Work Session, June 22 Informal and Formal Meetings, and July 6 Special Meeting were approved as presented.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 2026-R024 (Westwood neighborhood plan) was adopted unanimously (9-0).
• Ordinance 2026-109 (Brookland Park Boulevard right-of-way closure) was continued to September 28, 2026, to allow for amendment of parking figures and review of traffic studies.
• Resolution 2026-R028 (sales tax referendum) was adopted unanimously (9-0), placing a 1% sales tax measure for school construction on the November 2026 ballot.
• Resolution 2026-R030 (RRHA bonds) was adopted (7-2, with two abstentions).
• Multiple zoning and code items were amended and continued to September dates as noted above.
• The council directed the administration to provide requested documentation on meals tax spending, a school facilities plan, and a public education campaign for the sales tax referendum.