DPW Storm Debris Pick Up (Along With Regular Trash Pick Up Tomorrow)

From the City government:

As a result of the recent weather that the City of Richmond has experienced, beginning today and over the next two weeks (through Oct. 2), the Department of Public Works (DPW) will be picking up storm debris. Residents who would like storm debris to be picked up are asked to place it at their property line for pick-up. This service is being offered in addition to regular trash pick-up, which will continue on regular trash collection days. For questions, visit RVA311.com or call 311 or (804) 646-7000.

Open Letter In Regard To ONE VCU Master Plan Draft Open Houses

In Regard To ONE VCU Master Plan Draft Open Houses, the following was recently sent to VCU officials, local media, local government, neighbors, and ‘community partners’:

Dear Dr. Weiss,

Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association representatives have met with you repeatedly, and have repeatedly respectfully requested two things:
1) A commitment that VCU will not encroach further south of West Cary Street into the Oregon Hill Historic District.
2) A commitment that VCU will limit the height of buildings on the north side of West Cary Street to 3 or four stories out of respect for the Oregon Hill Historic District across the street.

Unfortunately, to my knowledge the neighborhood has yet to receive any commitment to these two issues.

Oregon Hill residents have pointed out that since VCU has a Memorandum of Understanding with the distant country of Cuba, it is perplexing why VCU cannot engage with a Memorandum of Understanding on these two points of neighborhood concern with VCU’s adjacent neighbor, Oregon Hill.

As you are finalizing the draft of the VCU Master Plan, please consider these valid concerns of your neighbors in Oregon Hill.

Sincerely,

Scott Burger
(served as President of the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association, 2003 to 2010, and as OHNA VCU liaison)

5th District Newsletter and Master Plans

Councilperson Parker Agelasto’s office has distributed a new 5th District newsletter. You may see a copy by clicking here. As usual, it is chock full of information.

Some things to highlight are the master plan sessions for both VCU and the City. Given past issues, it is totally understandable that Oregon Hill residents throw their hands up whenever ‘master plan’ is mentioned anywhere. The more recent controversies with Monroe Park and W. Cary underscore that. The not-so-funny joke is that the City’s ‘Richmond 300 Master Plan‘ is more about helping developers get the City to 300,000 in population than anything else, citizens be damned. VCU, in particular needs to acknowledge and understand what the neighborhood has repeatedly stated about building a better relationship.

From the Councilperson’s newsletter:

Attend an upcoming open house to preview a draft of the ONE VCU Master Plan.

Monday, September 17 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Kontos Medical Science Building, Rooms 104 and 105

Monday, September 17 from 5 – 7 p.m., University Student Commons, 1st floor Floyd Avenue Lobby (Parking in the West Main Street deck can be validated)

Tuesday, September 18 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., University Student Commons, Richmond Salons III and IV

From the City of Richmond press release:

RICHMOND, VA – Beginning September 20, Richmonders will have an opportunity to share their vision for Richmond’s future at upcoming open houses held throughout the city.

The Richmond 300 Master Plan impacts housing, zoning, transportation and recreational assets,” said Mayor Levar M. Stoney. “Providing a vision for the Master Plan update is an important first step. These open house events will help ensure every Richmonder has a say in how the city grows, and I encourage everyone to make an effort to attend.”

Richmond 300 Open House details are as follows:
East End: Thurs. Sept. 20, 6 – 8:30 p.m., MLK Middle School, 1000 Mosby St.
Downtown: Fri. Sept. 21, 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., City Hall Lobby, 900 E. Broad St.
South Side: Sat. Sept. 22, 9:30 a.m. – noon, South Side Community Service Center, 4100 Hull St. Rd.
Bellemeade: Tues. Sept. 25, 6 – 8:30 p.m., Bellemeade Community Center, 1800 Lynhaven Ave.
North Side: Wed. Sept. 26, 6 – 8:30 p.m., Hotchkiss Community Center, 701 E. Brookland Park Blvd.
Huguenot: Thurs. Sept. 27, 6 – 8:30 p.m., Huguenot High School, 7945 Forest Hill Ave.
West End: Sat. Sept 29, 9:30 a.m. – noon, Thomas Jefferson High, 4100 W. Grace St.
Citizens are able to attend any location. Additionally, Richmonders can provide input online beginning September 17 by visiting the Richmond 300 website. Children are welcome to attend the open houses. Spanish-language translators will be available. If participants have a disability and require accommodation in order to fully participate in the open house, email richmond300@richmondgov.com by September 14 to arrange accommodations. American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters can be provided upon request.

To prepare for the Richmond 300 Open Houses, please read the Insights Report. Also, explore the newly-developed interactive maps which provide context and data on Richmond’s current conditions.

For more information about the Master Plan update, please visit Richmond300.com.

City’s Oregon Hill Parking Survey

The following information was supplied by Fifth District City Council Liaison Amy Robins:

Dear Oregon Hill Neighbors,

Below you will find the results (minus personal information) from Parking Survey in a PDF. This is the same powerpoint that was rotating last night. The flyers and this survey were a tool to notify neighbors of the parking conversation. This survey as stated in the survey were never to replace the petition process. The results were to be used to draft a new petition with the help of city staff answering questions and clearing up misinformation. Neighbors wishing to have restricted parking have every right to petition their blocks. Oregon Hill neighbors can decide on porch steps whether they are for or against restricted parking.

Currently, there is no new petition. Last night’s meeting turned to an information session with DPW’s Lynne Lancaster & Steve Bergin. I thank the folks who stays throughout the evening and asked great questions.

The attached file shows all the 245 responses. Out of that number 175 people used an OH addresses. 115 responding lived south of Albemarle.

______
Copy/Paste from the survey:

“This survey to collect feedback from the community regarding a potential restricted parking district (permit parking) in the Oregon Hill neighborhood. This survey will close on Tuesday, August 21, 2018 at 11:59pm. The feedback excluding personal contact information will be condensed and shared at the next OHNA meeting on Tuesday, August 28, 2018. At that time neighborhood residents will vote on the perimeters of a brand new petition. Perimeters: include the blocks, number of permits per household, and hours of restriction.

Please stop and read through the city’s restricted parking district page before moving forward with this survey: http://www.richmondgov.com/…/RestrictedParkingDistricts.aspx. Please note that Oregon Hill’s district will be different from the Fan and Carver Districts since each neighborhood is unique. Please make note of the items that you like or do not like in the descriptions.

The Randolph Neighborhood Association is also moving forward with a petition for a restricted parking district starting along Harrison. You can learn more by visiting their website: https://randolphrva.com/…/restricted-decal-permit-parking-…/

Additional Information:
There are approximately 500+ houses in Oregon Hill.

Two Schools:
St.Andrew’s School – 229 S. Cherry Street
Open High School – 600 S. Pine Street

Two churches:
St. Andrews Episcopal Church – 240 S. Laurel Street
Pine Street Baptist Church – 400 S. Pine Street

Seven businesses South of I-195:

Peddler of Pine Street – 238 S. Pine Street
Monday – Thursday 11:00am to 9:00pm
Friday 11:00am to 10:00pm
Saturday 12:00pm to 10:00pm
Sunday 12:00pm to 8:00pm

Fine Food Market – 700 Idlewood Ave
Monday-Sunday 9am-12am

Vinyl Conflict Record Store – 324 S. Pine Street
Monday: 12:00pm until 6:00pm
Tuesday through Saturday: 11:00am until 7:00pm
Sunday: 12:00pm until 6:00pm

Rest in Pieces – 349 S Laurel Street
Mondays: closed
Tuesday-Sunday: 12pm-7pm

Pine Street Barber Shop – 224 S. Pine Street
Sunday & Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Friday: 9am-6pm
Saturday: 9am-2pm

L’opossum – 626 China Street
Sunday-Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Saturday: 5pm-12am

Mamma’Zu – 501 S. Pine Street
Sunday: Closed
Monday-Friday: 11am-2pm; 5:30pm-10:30pm
Saturday: 5:30pm-10:30pm

Tourist Destinations/Amenities: Rest in Pieces, Hollywood Cemetery, Oregon Hill Overlook, access to the James River
Parks, Oregon Hill Linear Park, Pleasant’s Park, Holly Street Park

Due to financial and time constraints this survey will only be available via the internet. Neighbors without internet are encourage to attend the Tuesday, August 28 meeting at St. Andrew’s Church.”

“Please note OHNA has thrown out all petitions and previous ideas regarding the restricted parking area. We will be starting from scratch.

The streets running North and South include: South Cherry, South Laurel, and South Pine.

The streets running East and West include: Cumberland, Idlewood, Albemarle, Spring, China, Holly, and the Oregon Hill Parkway/S. 2nd Street.

60% of the block MUST sign the hand written petition for the DPW Parking Division to consider it in the study. This survey does not replace the hand written petition.

You can weigh in on each block or just select the blocks closest to you.

You can review the Fan’s application for:
Owners – http://www.richmondgov.com/…/Fan_2017_OwnersParkingPermitZo…
Renters – http://www.richmondgov.com/…/Fan_2017_RentersParkingPermitZ… ”

_________
I’ll load the City Ordinance that allows for Restricted Parking Areas to the file area.

General Information/clarification from last night:

– Neighbors approached OHNA to sponsor the petition. The City Ordinance states the civic association must be the one to apply. This is neighbor driven not city driven.

– Neighbors gets to decide on what will or will not be included in the ordinance if a new petition is generated. The ordinance must reflect the petition.

– Renters can get parking passes; in some district they are not eligible for guest passes. Parking passes and guest passes are different. Again, you all as a community can decide. Please note you can over sell a parking district.

– The base fee of $25/per permit and $35/per guest pass are set in the code and cannot be changed. These are annual fees. The fee helps cover the program’s cost.

– The neighbors gets to decide the district. A district must be 10 block faces.

– The neighbors get to decide the hours and days for restriction.

– The neighbors get to decide the number of petitions per household.

– The petition (if a new one is created) will include a for or against column.

– Restrictions would not be place directly in front of churches or businesses. Neighbors can make decisions to help protect businesses when drafting the petition.

– Please be sure to add all “for” responses together to see the discussion is closer than a land slide.

– The greatest push from neighbors was the 100, 200, and 300 blocks closest to VCU.

– Cars in violation of the parking restriction would be ticketed. The ticket is $50. Part of the fine would go into a fund to help support safety infrastructure like crosswalks and cleaning/sweeping roads/signs within Oregon Hill.

– The only time a car would be towed is if they had multiple outstanding tickets. This is a citywide practice not unique to restricted parking areas.

-Again, the attached file shows all the 245 responses. Out of that number 175 people used an OH address. 115 responding lived south of Albemarle.

If shared, please include all of the information above. Thank you.

OH Parking Survey August 28 2018

City Offices Closed For Labor Day

From City press release:

Media Advisory
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Contact: Tyler Hill
Office: (804) 646-4642
Tyler.Hill@Richmondgov.com

City Offices Closed for Labor Day

Richmond, VA – City government offices, including City Hall, will be closed on Monday, September 3 for Labor Day. City offices will reopen at regular business hours on Tuesday, September 4.

Labor Day closings include all branches of the Richmond Public Library which will reopen on Tuesday, September 4. Broad Rock Library, which is normally open on Sundays, will be closed on Sunday, September 2.

The following community centers will be open Saturday, September 1: Bellemade, Southside, Randolph, Powhatan and Hotchkiss.

All community centers will be closed Sunday, September 2 and Monday, September 3. City pools will be open from noon until 5 p.m. on Monday, September 3.

Richmond Animal Care and Control will be closed Sunday, September 2.

Refuse collection will not be performed on Monday, September 3 as the City’s Solid Waste Management Division will also be closed. This closure will result in a one-day delay of refuse collection for the week, as the collection schedule will begin on Tuesday, September 4 and continue through Friday, September 7.

The East Richmond Road Convenience Center and Hopkins Road Transfer Stations are also closed on Monday, September 3. Each facility will resume its normal schedule on Tuesday.

##

OHNA Meeting Tuesday Night

From email announcement:

This Tuesday, OHNA will hold its monthly meeting at 7PM at St. Andrews Church at S Laurel and Idlewood. City Council liaison Amy Robins will present the results of the parking permit survey and hopefully we can agree on parameters for those seeking parking permits on their individual blocks.

We will also have our regular updates from RPD, VCU Police, VCU, and Councilman Agelasto’s office has provided petitions to make the recently changed stop signs into all way stops which I will distribute. We look forward to seeing you and having a productive meeting!

Aging Assistance

While the City population is going to be instantly getting a lot younger as VCU students move in this weekend, it’s important to recognize that much of the City’s full-time population is getting older.

One resource that should not be overlooked is the City of Richmond’s OAPD. The primary goal of the Office on Aging & Persons with Disabilities (OAPD) is to promote independence and enhance the dignity of Richmond’s aging and disabled populations by connecting these individuals with the necessary resources to meet their needs. The office targets older adults age 55 and older and persons with physical and sensory disabilities.

Councilman Agelasto to hold meeting for the Richmond Central 5th Voter District

From City press release:

All Richmond Central 5th Voter District residents invited and encouraged to attend

WHAT Richmond, Virginia – The Honorable Parker C. Agelasto, Richmond City Council, Richmond Central 5th Voter District, will hold a meeting for the Richmond Central 5th Voter District. The planned program/agenda for this meeting includes the following:

· Virginia General Assembly Legislative Update

The Honorable Jennifer McClellan, Virginia State Senator
Senate of Virginia – 9th Voter District

The Honorable Betsy Carr, Virginia State Delegate
Virginia House of Delegates – 69th Voter District

· Richmond 300 City Master Plan Updates

· Richmond Central 5th Voter District Updates

· Questions and Comments

WHEN Thursday, August 16, 2018
6:45-8:00 p.m.

WHERE Richmond Public Schools – Binford Middle School
1701 Floyd Avenue; Richmond, Virginia

CONTACT For more information, please contact: Amy Robins, Liaison for The Honorable Parker C. Agelasto, at 804.646.5724 (tel), or amy.robins@richmondgov.com (email).

Background
Councilman Agelasto typically holds individual meetings throughout the year that include information on his goals and accomplishments; a topical agenda; and, special guests. All Richmond Central 5th Voter District residents are invited and encouraged to attend.

Councilman Agelasto’s upcoming individually scheduled meetings and community clean-ups:

COUNCILMAN AGELASTO’S MEETINGS

Thursday, October 25, 2018; 6:45-8:00 p.m.
Patrick Henry School of Science & Arts
3411 Semmes Avenue; Richmond, Virginia

Thursday, December 13, 2018; 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Woodland Heights Baptist Church
611 West 31st Street; Richmond, Virginia

COMMUNITY CLEAN-UPS
The following community clean-up meet-up locations will be announced through the civic associations, through Councilman Agelasto’s e-newsletter, and on his Facebook page.

Saturday, September 15, 2018; 9:00 a.m. – Noon
Reedy Creek and Swansboro West Neighborhoods
Morning meet-up location to be determined

Saturday, October 20, 2018; 9:00 a.m. – Noon
Swansboro and Woodland Heights Neighborhoods
Morning meet-up location to be determined

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