“The whole idea is that you should be able to go online and not have to ask,” said Emily Siebert, a marketing and public relations specialist for the Virginia Information Technology Agency, which oversees the state government’s computer operations.
via groundreport.com Brenda Acevedo.
Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Herring spoke Wednesday against the noise ordinance adopted by City Council in February, saying the law “is bad and needs to be stricken.”
styleweekly.com Don Harrison and Sara Dabney Tisdale.
With jail planning approaching a more-detailed phase, the City Council has asked the Jones administration to explain its decision to choose the current site over ones offered in South Richmond.
via timesdispatch.com WILL JONES.
Does anyone really notice the Henrico County jail as they drive by the Parham Road government complex?
via timesdispatch.com MICHAEL PAUL WILLIAMS.
The city expects the electric vehicles would cost $40,000 to $41,000 each, but the test project’s expense could be lowered with federal help.
via timesdispatch.com Peter Bacque.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael N. Herring said the city should “scrap” the ordinance and adopt one based on set decibel levels.
Richmond General District Chief Judge Robert A. Pustilnik said, “I am not crazy about most language in the statute.”
timesdispatch.com Reed Williams.
At the request of Mayor Dwight C. Jones, the City Council agreed Monday on a fast-track basis to allow City Stadium to be leased or used by outside groups for less than one year.
via timesdispatch.com JOHN O’CONNOR AND WILL JONES.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch is partnering with the St. Petersburg Times in Florida to launch PolitiFactVirginia.com, a website dedicated to fact-checking statements made by elected officials and other political figures around the state.
via timesdispatch.com Daniel Finnegan.
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.
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.
