People near Carytown fighting big box retailers

It won’t be a Walmart, but people who live near a proposed retail center near Carytown fear that could change.

via nbc12.com Tara Morgan.

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.

When Chains Break

The city’s master plan calls for mixed residential and commercial zoning on the parcels where Verizon stands. This type of new-urbanist sensibility works well in the current context of Carytown: not more surface parking but more infill and infrastructure-friendly development to pedestrians who walk or drive, park and shop. Many big-box stores are destinations in themselves, which is fine in a place that is no place: the suburban strip. In a community, however, new development needs to respect the history and commercial potentials of residents and merchants.

via styleweekly.com.

Carytown – Protesting Big Box Stores in Carytown

City of Richmond, Virginia

Some few new, big stores could ruin neighborhood’s appeal.  wtvr.com

1st Tyler, B. – I will use for the final consideration

City of Richmond, Virginia

“I want to take a look at the whole report,” Tyler said. “The Special Use Permit is very clear: There are five things they have to do to be successful, and that is the criteria I will use for the final consideration,” Tyler said.  richmondbizsense.com

Standards can be read to allow or deny an extremely broad range of uses:

Code of the City of Richmond, VA – Chapter 114 ZONING – ARTICLE X. ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT – DIVISION 6. SPECIAL USE PERMITS – Sec. 114-1050.1. Issuance.

Pursuant to section 17.11 of the Charter and in accordance with the requirements set forth therein, the city council may authorize the use of land, buildings and structures which do not conform to the regulations and restrictions prescribed for the district in which they are situated and may authorize the issuance of special use permits therefor to the owners of fee simple title thereto and their successors in fee simple title, whenever the council finds that the proposed use will not:

(1) Be detrimental to the safety, health, morals and general welfare of the community involved.

(2) Tend to create congestion in streets, roads, alleys and other public ways and places in the area involved.

(3) Create hazards from fire, panic or other dangers.

(4) Tend to overcrowding of land and cause an undue concentration of population.

(5) Adversely affect or interfere with public or private schools, parks, playgrounds, water supplies, sewage disposal, transportation or other public requirements, conveniences and improvements.

(6) Interfere with adequate light and air.

(Code 1993, § 32-1050.1)

Planning – Carytown business community thinks outside the box

City of Richmond, Virginia

As part of the campaign, Bishop said the group created a petition to send to city council opposing the special use permit needed to allow retail use of the property. The petition also states that the SUP “violates the City’s Master Plan, and would encroach unduly on the Museum District and diminish the unique charm of Carytown.”

Condlin said that the developers are currently revising the SUP to address 14 revisions that were requested by the city department of Planning and Development Review.  rvanews.com facebook.com typepad.com richmondbizsense.com