Organizational Development Standing Committee Meeting - September 9, 2026
Organizational Development Standing Committee Meeting - September 9, 2026
The Organizational Development Standing Committee met on September 9, 2026, to discuss the Richmond 300 master plan annual report, a detailed review of the third draft of Code Refresh (zoning ordinance rewrite), and an ordinance to establish an Affordable Dwelling Unit Advisory Committee. The committee also approved the minutes, continued a resolution on emergency operations plan adoption, and reappointed a tenant representative to the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously.
- Continuation of Resolution 2026 R031 (Emergency Operations Plan Adoption): A motion to continue this resolution to the next Organizational Development Standing Committee meeting passed unanimously (7 ayes: Breton, Gibson, Jones, Trammell, Vice Chair Jordan, Chair Newbill — no nays recorded).
- Reappointment to Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA): The committee voted on the reappointment of Ms. Brody as a tenant representative. The vote: Breton aye, Gibson abstain, Jones aye, Lynch no, Trammell aye, Abu Baker aye, Vice Chair Jordan aye, Chair Newbill aye. The motion was approved.
Public Comments & Testimony
- On Ordinance 2026-190 (Affordable Dwelling Unit Advisory Committee): Annika Shun, housing policy advocate at Housing Opportunities Made Equal, spoke in favor of the paper. She recommended renaming the committee to "Inclusionary Housing Committee," adjusting the committee makeup to include two representatives from community-based organizations/tenant advocacy groups and one planning/housing professional not employed by the city, prioritizing Richmond residents for appointments, and simplifying deadlines to six months after ordinance enactment. She noted this was a recommendation from the Homes for All Our Neighbors Coalition.
Discussion Items
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Richmond 300 Master Plan Annual Report (presented by Mary Ann Pitts, Department of Planning and Development Review): Pitts provided an update on the citywide master plan adopted in 2020. Key progress included work on six "big moves": rewriting the zoning ordinance (Code Refresh), reimagining priority growth nodes (e.g., Diamond District, Jackson Ward, Southside Plaza), expanding housing opportunity (with affordable housing unit completions by fiscal year), greenways and parks (Fall Line Trail, parks master plan), reconnecting the city (Reconnect Jackson Ward, bridge projects, North-South BRT), and realigning city facilities (recreation centers, police/fire stations, school facility planning). Pitts noted that metrics from the American Community Survey one-year estimates for 2025 are not yet available; 2024 data may be provided. Councilmembers requested additional demographic data, school enrollment information, development impact data, and legal clarification regarding the five-year comprehensive plan review requirement (Virginia Code §15.2-2230). Councilmember Trammell expressed constituent concerns about infrastructure, public safety, and the pace of development in the 8th district. Councilmember Jones asked for more visualization of zoning changes to help residents understand potential impacts.
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Code Refresh (Draft Three Overview) (presented by Kevin Vonk, Director of Planning and Development Review): Vonk outlined key changes from Draft Two to Draft Three based on public feedback. Major changes include: reducing maximum dwelling units per lot from three to one primary plus one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) under 1200 sq ft (detached ADU must be smaller than primary); defining household as no more than five adults over 18; adding minimum vegetation space and tree canopy requirements for new development; requiring special use permits for auto-oriented uses (gas stations, drive-throughs, car washes) in most districts (by right only in industrial); eliminating the CG district; separating food and beverage uses by square footage; converting many uses from special use permits to conditional use permits (with sunset provisions); zoning places of worship from MX3 to RM districts (RMA, RMB, RMC) to better fit neighborhoods; adjusting high-frequency transit corridor zoning to MX3 with select MX5 on corners/vacant lots; reducing RMA maximum units from six to four; adjusting minimum lot width for RDC lots from 25 to 30 feet; adding RMS (low-rise, no unit cap) and campus designation (CMP) for institutional layouts; and recalibrating mapping between RA and RMA districts. Vonk confirmed that the timeline for formal introduction is not yet firm. Lawson from the Mayor's Office (chief of staff) indicated a target of introducing the ordinance at the October 13 council meeting, with a possible vote before year-end, but noted the ordinance has not yet been formally submitted to the City Attorney's Office for legal review. Councilmembers Gibson, Jones, and Trammell raised concerns about: the lack of a formal interdepartmental review (fire, police, utilities); insufficient public understanding of visual impacts; potential property assessment increases from ADUs; infrastructure capacity (water, sewer, combined sewer overflow); and the need for data on ADU uptake and market effects. Councilmember Gibson requested a one-pager on overlay protection options from the cultural heritage stewardship plan. Councilmember Trammell recounted a specific example of auto-oriented development by right on Richmond Highway, noting that Code Refresh would require a special use permit for such uses in the future.
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Ordinance 2026-190: Affordable Dwelling Unit Advisory Committee (introduced by Councilmember Breton): The ordinance would establish a temporary (six-month) advisory committee to craft recommendations for an affordable housing incentive program, enabled by state legislation effective July 2027. Committee members would be recommended by the Mayor and appointed by City Council. Councilmembers Lynch, Jones, Gibson, and Abu Baker raised concerns: the committee should have more direct community representation, the appointment process may be overly controlled by the Mayor, the paper came to OD instead of the Land Use Committee (staff noted consistency with other advisory committees), potential overlap with the existing Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and that the estimated $5,000 and 40 staff hours may be insufficient. Councilmember Breton indicated openness to amendments (e.g., requiring a council member as the 10th member, renaming the committee). Vincent Melone (Housing and Community Development) emphasized the committee's role in "pressure testing" incentives. Vice Chair Jordan commended the effort. The committee voted unanimously to continue the ordinance to the next OD meeting (7 ayes).
Key Outcomes
- Resolution 2026 R031 continued to next OD meeting.
- RRHA reappointment approved with one abstention and one no vote.
- Richmond 300 Report: Staff committed to provide updated metrics (2024 data if 2025 unavailable), a development mapper tool, baseline school enrollment data, and legal clarification on the five-year review timeline.
- Code Refresh: Planning Commission will consider a resolution of intent in the coming month; the Mayor's Office targets council introduction by October 13, 2026, with a possible vote before year-end. Staff will maintain a redline of changes from Draft Three to the final ordinance and provide a one-pager on overlay protection options.
- Ordinance 2026-190 continued to the next OD meeting to allow for amendments and further discussion.
- New staff member introduced: Catherine Brown, new 9th District Liaison.
Meeting Transcript
I'll now call the organizational development standing committee to order. And if you again would provide the chamber evacuation plan announcement and public speaker guidelines. 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 stairwell 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. Individuals wishing to speak during 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 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 committee chair. 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 committee meetings for a period of six months. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Let's proceed with the agenda, the approval of minutes, and then reports from city administration, council staff, and other. Those minutes have been approved. Mr. Clerk, I'd like to uh have us considered the continuation of resolution number two. Emergency operations plan adoption to the next OD meeting. Sorry. Is there a second? Second. Committee is now voting on a motion to continue resolution 2026 R031 to the next organizational development standing committee meeting. Mr. Breton. Aye. Ms. Gibson. Yes. Ms. Jones. Aye. Ms. Trammel. Aye. Vice Chair Jordan. Aye. And Chair New Bill. Aye. That motion has been approved. Thank you. Mr. Clark, I'm sorry. Um, the next we will continue with the reports from City Administration, Council, staff, and uh other parties. The first item is Richmond 300. And the report. Welcome, Ms. Pitts. Can you hear me? Oh, great. To my classes left so we can see.
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