505 – 507 Libbie Avenue – Letter to City Council

October 25, 2010

Re:  Ordinance 2010-197 – Demolition of two dwelling structures and construction of office building in residential zone.

Dear Honorable Members of Council ,

For the record, ordinance 2010-197 should be stricken.

First, the applicant should request a rezoning to Residential-Office.  While the city charter gives the Council broad powers to grant special use permits that are not detrimental to the public welfare, it is an abuse of power to allow a landowner to circumvent the rezoning process.

Second, the proposed development violates the city’s Master Plan.  The plan limits the applicant’s property to transitional uses that protect the existing character of the adjacent residential zone.   The applicant’s residential structure at 505 Libbie Avenue has already been converted to transitional office use.  The proposed redevelopment would destroy the residential character and transitional buffer intended by the Plan.

Third, Rachel Flynn, Director of Planning and Development Review, misrepresented the facts when she stated in her report that:

The surrounding properties are also located in the R-4 district. Six of these nearby properties are currently authorized by special use permits for office uses. One of these properties, located across Libbie Avenue from the subject properties contains a similarly sized building with approximately 9,100 square feet.

In fact, the two office use properties across the street have buildings with only 2,132 and 2,160 square feet.  The average floor area to lot area ratio is .24 (FAR).  The applicant’s two properties have existing buildings with 1,850 and 1,163 square feet and a .10 FAR. The applicant proposes to triple the floor area  to .32 FAR.

It would be irresponsible, in a residentially zoned transitional buffer area, to approve the demolition of existing single family structures and allow the construction of an office building with triple the intensity.  The proposal is contrary to the zoning ordinances, the Master Plan, and the public welfare.

I am attaching a PDF file with photos and illustrations.

Urban-revitalization tour explores Broad Street corridor

This year, the tour explored the revitalization along the Broad Street corridor and simulated the proposed “bus rapid transit” route that would run west to Willow Lawn and east to Rocketts Landing. The former bank building, which was Richmond’s tallest from 1930 to 1971, was one of the properties toured by about 150 people on four buses yesterday.

via timesdispatch.com Jeremy Slayton.

Broad Street Rapid Transit Study

Fall 2009– Spring 2011
GRTC Transit System and Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) are managing the Broad Street Rapid Transit Study with assistance and guidance provided by two committees:  the Policy Advisory Committee and the Technical Advisory Committee.

via ridegrtc.com

Partnership Seeks A Greener Richmond

Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010: The Green Infrastructure Center Inc. (GIC) has partnered with the Richmond Regional Planning District Commission (RRPDC) , the City of Richmond and the firm of E2 Inc. to assess the city’s green infrastructure. Green infrastructure is the natural building blocks that make cities liveable and healthful. Green infrastructure includes the tree canopy that keeps the city cooler in summer while cleaning the air; the rivers that provide habitat for fish and recreation for people; and the parks and other greenways that provide respite for people and habitat for birds and other wildlife.

The project builds on a successful partnership begun in 2009, between the GIC, the Richmond Regional Planning District Commission (RRPDC) and the Capital Region Land Conservancy to map the region’s green infrastructure.

Richmond Press Release, February 2010 [PDF]

Richmond City Green Infrastructure Assessment

Carytown group neutral on Verizon building

“There was such a variety of opinions [among the group's board] that we couldn’t come out with a position one way or another” without causing a rift in the organization, said Anne Kennon

via timesdispatch.com LOUIS LLOVIO.

The Fan in Richmond Virginia

As predicted, Northside’s Wingnut Anarchist Collective, a group heavily involved in the weekly Food Not Bombs feeding, has published a critique of what they are calling attempts to genrify Monroe Park.

via fanofthefan.com.

A sign for Cedar Street

The CAR Submission Application for Cedar Street’s LED sign offers a clear idea of what they are seeking to put in place.

via chpn.net.

Va. Supreme Court refuses to hear Oakwood Heights case

Fulton Hill Properties is planning the 33-unit development on a bluff at the end of East Broad and Marshall streets, despite objections from neighbors and the city’s Commission of Architectural Review. Carson owns property in Church Hill.

The City Council’s 8-0 vote overturned a decision by the commission, which had determined that the project’s plans were incompatible with the Chimborazo Park Old and Historic District.

via timesdispatch.com.

Above Water

The plans to save Shockoe Bottom have come in many shapes and sizes. They go back years and span a cacophony of master plans, maps and market analyses. But six years after Tropical Storm Gaston ripped through the Bottom — destroying businesses and restaurants with floodwaters as deep as 10 feet in some places — none of the sweeping development plans has taken hold.

The latest study is under way, with the city awarding a $149,750 contract to Bay Area Economics, a real estate consulting company. That amount is almost $25,000 more than what City Council budgeted for it last year, $125,000. City spokeswoman Hawley says extra funding will draw from economic-development funds.

via styleweekly.com.

City leaders meet with public about East End revitalization

The city is hoping to gather all public comment by September 30th.

City leaders will hold similar meetings with civic associations throughout the east end all month long.

via nbc12.com.