Organizational Development Standing Committee Meeting - September 8, 2026

The Organizational Development Standing Committee of the Richmond City Council met on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 4:00 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting covered the Richmond 300 annual report, a detailed presentation on Code Refresh Draft #3, a reappointment to the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA), and an ordinance to establish an Affordable Dwelling Unit Advisory Committee. Councilmember Andrew Breton participated remotely due to weather-canceled travel.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approved: The minutes from the July 6, 2026 Organizational Development Standing Committee meeting were approved as presented.
• Resolution 2026-R031 Continued: A motion to continue the resolution adopting the City's Emergency Operations Plan to the next committee meeting passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Affordable Dwelling Unit Advisory Committee: One speaker, Annika Shun from Housing Opportunities Made Equal, spoke in favor of the ordinance. She recommended renaming the committee to "Inclusionary Housing Committee," adding representatives from community-based or tenant advocacy groups, including a planning/housing professional not employed by the city, and simplifying deadlines to six months after ordinance enactment. She emphasized the committee's role in press-testing incentives and ensuring appropriate expertise.

Richmond 300 Annual Report (Marianne Pitts, Senior Deputy Director)

• Overview: The citywide master plan, adopted in 2020, is being implemented through six "big moves." Over the past fiscal year, staff engaged in over 90 meetings with more than 2,650 individuals, focused on Code Refresh, small area plans (Jackson Ward, node plans), and community plans (Oak Grove/Hillside/Bellmead approved; Mosby South approved).
• Metrics Update: The plan requires biannual metrics updates; the 2023 numbers were reported in 2024, but 2025 data from the American Community Survey are not yet available. Staff will provide them later this year.
• Key Big Moves Progress:
  • Rewrite Zoning Ordinance: Code Refresh underway.
  • Reimagine Priority Growth Nodes: Downtown transfer center RFP, Diamond District construction, Shaco Institute opening, Southside work (Oak Grove/Hillside/Bellmead plan approved).
  • Expand Housing Opportunity: Units completed (numbers provided but not detailed in transcript); affordable housing strategic plan update begun; Mosby South and Creighton Court redevelopments progressing.
  • Greenways and Parks: Fall Line Trail (Bryan Park segment under construction), James River Branch Trail complete, Parks Master Plan approved by Planning Commission, Urban Forestry Plan engagement completed.
  • Reconnect the City: Reconnect Jackson Ward project led by transportation division; bridge projects (Art Thur Ash, Mayo) proceeding; North-South BRT in planning.
  • Realign City Facilities: City center redevelopment, recreation centers (Southside, T.B. Smith, Lux, Calhoun) renovated or underway; Police Precinct 1 and Fire Station 21 finished; monthly meetings with public schools on facility planning and development impacts.
• Future Work: Code Refresh nearing completion; node plans for Six Points, SEMS Hull Cordon, Westwood, and Five Points; master plan update process underway (data/insights report, review/refine amendments, public engagement, then Planning Commission and Council).
• Council Discussion: Councilmember Gibson requested more detailed metrics (jobs, poverty, education, median income, transportation safety) and clarification on the five-year review required by Virginia Code §15.2-2230. Staff stated capacity constraints due to Code Refresh; city attorney's office indicated amendments qualify as review. Councilmember Jones asked about tracking growth vs. school enrollment and infrastructure capacity; staff committed to providing development data, school enrollment projections, and public safety/infrastructure metrics. Councilmember Trammell reported citizen concerns about city services, police staffing, water/sewer capacity, and property assessments.

Code Refresh Draft #3 Presentation (Kevin Vonck, Director of Planning and Development Review)

• Background: Draft #3 reflects public input from over 90 meetings and 2,650 individuals. Key changes from Draft #2:
  • Dwelling Units: Reduced from allowing up to three units to one primary + one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) up to 1,200 sq ft, detached ADU must be smaller than primary. Current code allows ADU up to 1/3 of primary; new code allows larger ADU but with height and footprint restrictions.
  • Household Definition: Changed to not more than five adults (over 18) to address overcrowding concerns.
  • Sustainability: Added minimum vegetation space requirements (real organic vegetation) for new development in most zones, supplementing tree canopy requirements.
  • Traffic Impacts: Uses generating substantial vehicular traffic (gas stations, drive-throughs, car washes) require a special use permit in all but industrial districts; eliminated CG district where many were by-right.
  • Use Tables: More conditional uses (with sunset clauses) instead of special use permits to better govern operators over time. Food and beverage uses differentiated by size (e.g., <1,500 sq ft allowed in more areas).
  • Places of Worship: Rezoned from MX3 to RM districts (RMA, RMB, RMC) to better fit neighborhoods and allow small-scale housing/commercial.
  • High-Frequency Transit Corridors: Some corridors changed from MX5 to MX3 with select MX5 on corners/vacant lots to avoid demolition and displacement.
  • Residential Districts: RMA reduced from six to four units; RDC lot splits adjusted (minimum lot width from 25 to 30 feet) to limit by-right splitting; added RMS (low-rise, no unit cap) for suburban-style apartment complexes; added CMP campus designation for institutional uses.
• Timeline: Mayor's Chief of Staff Lawson indicated target introduction at Council's October 13 meeting with a vote before end of 2026, but stressed no firm date. The ordinance is still being drafted; formal legal review not yet submitted. Planning Commission resolution of intent expected within a month.
• Council Discussion:
  • Councilmember Gibson questioned the timeline and legal review, emphasizing need for fire/police department vetting. Staff said formal assessments will be included with the final package.
  • Councilmember Jones requested visualizations of what new development would look like, better communication on capacity (water, utilities, police), and clearer distinction between ADU as affordable housing vs. market-rate rentals. Staff committed to providing redline changes and more graphics.
  • Councilmember Lynch raised concerns about ADU size and property value impacts, requested data on ADU construction rates and home value projections, and asked for a one-pager on overlay protections. She also advocated for allowing three unrelated persons as per Code of Virginia.
  • Councilmember Trammell cited a constituent example of a tree-cleared lot becoming a junkyard under current zoning; staff noted that under Code Refresh, auto-oriented uses would require a special use permit. She reported that at a September 1 meeting of 200 people, no one raised a hand in favor of Code Refresh. She urged more public conversation and not rushing to an October 13 introduction.
  • Vice Chair Jordan asked about impact fees; staff explained limitations under Code of Virginia and suggested internal discussions on updating fees, but no proposal in current package. She thanked staff for engagement and encouraged continued public input.

Appointments to Boards, Commissions, and Similar Entities

• RRHA Tenant Representative Reappointment: The committee reviewed and approved the reappointment of Ms. Brody as the tenant representative from the Fairfield community to the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority. Vote: 6-1-1 (Ms. Gibson abstained, Ms. Lynch voted no).

Paper for Consideration: Ordinance 2026-190 – Affordable Dwelling Unit Advisory Committee

• Purpose: To establish an advisory committee to develop recommendations for an affordable housing dwelling unit program, as required by new state law (effective July 2027). The committee would be technical and time-limited (six months), with members recommended by the Mayor and approved by Council.
• Public Comment: One supporter spoke, offering amendments (see Public Comments).
• Council Discussion:
  • Councilmember Lynch questioned why the paper came to OD instead of Land Use (staff said for consistency with other advisory committees). She raised concerns about appointment process (Mayor recommendation), lack of community representation, and broad latitude of the committee.
  • Councilmember Jones expressed discomfort with the process and preferred the proper committee vetting.
  • Councilmember Gibson noted the paper's language does not align with the state code and questioned intersection with the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
  • Councilmember Ottlebacher asked about resource allocation (estimated $5,000 and 40 staff hours) and whether it is adequate.
  • Councilmember Breton (patron) was open to amendments, including naming the committee, adding a Council member as a mandatory member, and clarifying extension options. Director Merrick Malone (HCD) emphasized the committee's role in pressure-testing incentives.
• Outcome: The paper was continued to the next OD committee meeting by unanimous vote.

Reports of Standing Committees

• Council Chief of Staff reported no items due to cancellation of August committee meetings.

New Staff Introduction

• Councilmember Trammell welcomed Catherine Brown as the new Ninth District Liaison.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes Approved from July 6, 2026 meeting.
• Resolution 2026-R031 continued to next meeting.
• Motion to allow Councilmember Breton's electronic participation approved (unanimous).
• RRHA tenant representative reappointment approved (6-1-1).
• Ordinance 2026-190 continued to next OD committee meeting for further amendments and discussion.
• Code Refresh timeline: Target introduction October 13, 2026, but no firm date; staff to provide redline changes, visualizations, data on ADU impacts, and formal departmental assessments. Planning Commission resolution of intent expected within a month.