Category Archives: government

OHNA Meeting This Tuesday

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From email announcement:

Please plan to attend the OHNA meeting this Tuesday. The agenda is attached and below.
NOTE there will likely be a long discussion regarding recent events in the neighborhood such as out-of-control parties and the recent incident at Riverside park with dirtbikes and ATVs.

Be advised: after many complaints from multiple neighbors, parking enforcement will be coming through the neighborhood soon, and will be ticketing cars blocking alley access, in front of fire hydrants, on crosswalks, by no parking signs, and too close to intersections.

OREGON HILL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
Monthly Meeting Agenda
Tuesday 24 September 2024 – 7:00PM
This meeting will be held by Zoom, at the link below.
(Editor’s note: The Zoom link has been redacted. If you wish to attend, please email ohnarva@gmail.com in advance of meeting)

Welcome:
Community Updates:
1. Lt. Bill Brereton, City of Richmond Police Section Lt, 4th Precinct
2. Officer Cain Green, Police Liaison, VCU (greenc4@vcu.edu)
3. Ms. Verenda Cobbs, VCU
4. Ms. Stephanie Lynch, 5th District Councilperson
5. Ms. Colette McEachin, Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney

Candidates:
Harrison Roday; Mamie Taylor
Announcements:

Updates and Continued Business
1. Fall Festival Block Party, Halloween parade and activities (Harrison Moenich)
2. Action: vote on Zoning Resolution (Charles Poole) (see attached, introduced at August mtg)
3. Richmond Participatory Budget news https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/rvapbideas (Justin Liang)
4. Data collection: Events at Brown’s (Valerie L’Herrou)

2. New Business

Valerie L’Herrou, President
Bryan Clark Green, Co-Vice President
Harrison Moenich, Co-Vice-President
Jennifer Hancock, Co-Vice-President
Mike Matthews, Secretary
John Bolecek, Treasurer

2024 OHNA proposed zoning resolution
Whereas, the Oregon Hill Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic places and the Virginia Landmarks Register as a rare intact historic district built as a working class neighborhood, and
Whereas, Oregon Hill is a built-out neighborhood of two-story dwellings with great density, having the majority of the homes attached on one or both sides, and
Whereas, Oregon Hill residents fought long and hard to obtain our current R-7 residential zoning, and
Whereas, the current R-7 zoning with a 35 foot height limit matches the neighborhood’s historic fabric and helps to protect the historic character of Oregon Hill, and
Whereas, the current R-7 zoning has allowed the Oregon Hill Historic District to thrive, with very few empty lots, and
Whereas, Section 17.05 of the Richmond City Charter states that a duty of the Planning Commission is to, “… preserve historical landmarks …”, and
Whereas, Oregon Hill is adjacent to and has faced encroachment by the adjacent Virginia Commonwealth University, and
Whereas, the City of Richmond values the character of its unique historic districts which make Richmond a special place to live, and must protect the character of our historic district through appropriate zoning,
Therefore, be it Resolved that the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association strongly urges the Richmond Planning Commission and the Richmond City Council to respect and maintain the R-7 zoning or its equivalent with a 35′ height limit within the Oregon Hill Historic District, in keeping with the current designation’s purpose in preserving the character of older urban neighborhoods in the city’s inner areas.

Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association Meets Tuesday

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From email announcement:

Next Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association meeting: Tuesday, August 27 at 7pm via zoom. Agenda is attached and pasted below.

OH Events:
Next Pleasants Park clean up day: Sept 21
Fourth Annual OH Halloween Block Party: Oct 19

Other News:

JOIN a City of Richmond board, committee, or commission, and represent Oregon Hill. There are multiple openings, including the Civilian Review Boarrd (police oversight), Ethics Reform Commission, Social Services Committee, Sister Cities Commission, City Planning Commission, Participatory Budget Steering Commission, and Community Transportation Commission. Some commissions have slots for particular populations, so read the requirements before applying.
Find openings and apply: https://www.rva.gov/office-city-clerk/boards-and-commissions

Community Health Survey: City of Richmond and Henrico County Health Districts: https://redcap.vdh.virginia.gov/redcap/surveys/?s=HWRH78RCMDWKDRPD&fbclid=IwY2xjawEvHKVleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHcNq0NlbpZsBMXHCk0gGeXOZoEkpTPeQxFhIbGFs38GNaO_x2LjWopJPHg_aem_A6oVDWvLPWiyKQ1-8ftkHA

Monthly Meeting Agenda
Tuesday 27 August 2024 – 7:00PM
This meeting will be held by Zoom, at the link below.

Join Zoom Meeting (Editor’s note: Zoom link has been redacted. If you wish to attend, please request from ohnarva@gmail.com)

Welcome:
Community Updates:
1. Lt. Bill Brereton, City of Richmond Police Section Lt, 4th Precinct
2. Officer Cain Green, Police Liaison, VCU (greenc4@vcu.edu)
3. Ms. Verenda Cobbs, VCU
4. Ms. Stephanie Lynch, 5th District Councilperson
5. Ms. Colette McEachin, Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney

Candidates:
Harrison Roday; Stephanie Rizzi
Announcements:
1. Fall Festival Block Party

Updates and Continued Business
1. The Friends of Oregon Hill Parks
b. Pleasants Park cleanup: weeding, mulching, cleaning sidewalks: Sat Sept 21

2. New Business
1. Discussion: Form an Ad Hoc Committee to review bylaws?
2. Discussion: Should we ask for a speed camera on Belvidere at Holly (within 1,000’ of Open High, where there was a pedestrian fatality in 2021) under new definition of “high-risk intersection segment”? Va Code § 46.2-882.1: “Use of photo speed monitoring devices in highway work zones, school crossing zones, and high-risk intersection segments; civil penalty.
A. For the purposes of this section: “High-risk intersection segment” means any highway or portion thereof located not more than 1,000 feet from the limits of the property of a school that is part of or adjacent to an intersection containing a marked crosswalk that is identified in the manner provided in this section as one in which a traffic fatality has occurred since January 1, 2014.”

Valerie L’Herrou, President
Bryan Clark Green, Co-Vice President
Harrison Moenich, Co-Vice-President
Jennifer Hancock, Co-Vice-President
Mike Matthews, Secretary
John Bolecek, Treasurer

Richmond300 ‘Code Refresh’ Meetings This Week

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Again, from the start of Richmond300, the neighborhood has been concerned because code usually reflects land us decisions.

Before approving the Richmond 300 master plan, the Richmond City Council was assured by the Stoney administration that their voice in amending the master plan would be respected.

The question remains…Is this setting up the neighborhood for success (to use previous OHNA Preisdent Todd Woodson’s wording) or failure?

Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association Meeting Tomorrow Night

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From email announcement:

Monthly Meeting Agenda
Tuesday 23 July 2024
7:00PM
This meeting will be held by Zoom, at the link below.
Join Zoom Meeting (Editor’s note: Zoom meeting information has been redacted. If you wish to join the meeting and receive the Zoom link, please contact ohnarva@gmail.com)

Welcome

Community Updates:
Lt. William Brereton, City of Richmond Police Section Lt, 4th Precinct
Officer Caine Green, Police Liaison, VCU
Ms. Verenda Cobbs, VCU
Ms. Stephanie Lynch, 5th District Councilperson
Introductions: Richmond Mayoral Candidate Harrison Roday
All announced mayoral candidates were invited to attend a meeting of OHNA to introduce their platforms. Each will have three minutes to speak, followed by questions from OHNA members. We have previously heard from Andreas Addison, Danny Avula, Michelle Mosby, and Maurice Neblett.

Updates:

Discussion with Amphitheater developer’s representative re the amphitheater at Tredegar Green.
It is slated to seat 5,000 people and accommodate and additional 2,500 standing. No additional parking is planned for the Amphitheatre.

Continued Business

New Business

OHNA Meeting On Tuesday

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From email announcement:

Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association
Monthly Meeting Agenda
Tuesday 25 June 2024
7:00PM
This meeting will be held by Zoom, at the link below.

Topic: OHNA Monthly Meeting – January 2024
Time: June 25, 2024 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
(Editor’s note: Zoom meeting information redacted. Contact ohnarva@gmail.com)

Welcome:

Community Updates:
Lt. Brian Robinson, City of Richmond Police Section Lt, 4th Precinct
Officer Caine Green, Police Liaison, VCU
Ms. Verenda Cobbs, VCU
Ms. Stephanie Lynch, 5th District Councilperson / Amy Robins

Introductions: Richmond Mayoral Candidates
All announced mayoral candidates have been invited to attend a meeting of OHNA to introduce their platforms. Each will have three minutes to speak, followed by questions from OHNA members.

Updates and Continued Business
Grants from 5th District Council Fund to FOOHP and OHNA
Venture Richmond email to note Brown’s Island noise complaints: brownsisland@venturerichmond.com
The Friends of Oregon Hill Parks (FOOHP) update
Pleasants Park:
Ongoing need: watering
Upcoming weeding workday June 30 9am
Bulletin Board
Holly Street:
New Business
Any other new items?

Valerie L’Herrou, president
Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association

OHNA Meeting This Coming Tuesday

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From email announcement from ohnarva@gmail.com:

The next OHNA meeting will be Tuesday, May 28 at 7pm. A link will be emailed along with the final agenda on the weekend, but the draft agenda includes:

Updates: from community partners, city & VCU police and community liaisons, & city council representation

Candidate introductions: Richmond Mayoral Candidates
All announced mayoral candidates have been invited to attend a meeting of OHNA to introduce their platforms. Each will have three minutes to speak, followed by questions from OHNA members.

Announcements:
OHNA Participatory Budget Delegate Committee members. Next Participatory Budget Richmond participatory budget committee presentation: May 29th 6-9pm, Southside Community Service Center. Participate in a mock participatory budget process.

Updates and Continued Business
The Friends of Oregon Hill Parks
Pleasants Park update & request for watering volunteers
Report: Oregon Hill Open Garden Day: May 18
Other Friends of OH Parks news
New Business
Action: Join Richmond Citizens Coalition?
Action: Ask city council to change the day/time so meetings of city council and school board are not at the same time?

OHNA Meeting Tonight

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The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association meets tonight.

From email announcement:

Topic: OHNA Monthly Meeting – April 2024
Time: April 23, 2024 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
(Editor’s note: meeting information redacted. If you would like to join the meeting, please email ohnarva@gmail.com )

Welcome:

Community Updates:
Lt. Brian Robinson, City of Richmond Police Section Lt, 4th Precinct
Major Nicole Dailey, VCU Police Dept
Ms. Verenda Cobbs, VCU
Ms. Stephanie Lynch, 5th District Councilperson and Amy Robins
____ from DPU

Announcements:
1. Vision Zero Survey: https://arcg.is/01GC1n.
Five Vision Zero projects to improve safety on the High Injury Network. Those in Bold are in the 5th district; those in ital are adjacent to the 5th district.
A. Reconfiguration and Bike Lanes on Franklin Street
B. Reconfiguration and Bike Lanes on Hopkins Road
C. Curb Extensions on Main Street & Cary Street
D. Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements on Forest Hill Avenue
E. Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon on Hull Street at 29th Street
2. Speed Management Symposium, May 14 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. at Main Street Station,

Updates and Continued Business
The Friends of Oregon Hill Parks
Volunteer signup: Pleasants Park watering duty
Oregon Hill Open Garden Day: May 18, 11a-2p, centered in Pleasants Park

Results of speed table survey; second infrastructure walk; flood spreadsheet (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Nnn7o7ilJ00f9DKyhHvQg7ApMOJBVu4qCrjDpXGkqE4/edit?usp=sharing)

Action Item: Forming an Ad Hoc OHNA Budget Delegate Committee to represent us in the RVA Participatory Budgeting process that will begin in the fall.

New Business?
Discussion: do we want to hear from candidates for 2024 city elections?

City Officials Announce New Solution For Citizens’ Noise Concerns

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Richmond City Council, along with VCU and Venture Richmond officials, have announced a new solution for citizen and neighborhood noise concerns.

With the usual upsurge of public and private complaints at this time of of year involving loud student parties, large sporting events, and a growing number of outdoor concerts, City authorities have long looked for a general panacea.

Many are nervously watching how in other localities across the country, noise complaints have spurred citizen lawsuits.

The local search for a different response had taken on new urgency as the population has grown and new venues like the Tredegar riverfront amphitheater and a new Diamond stadium are constructed and planned.

Now, these officials say, that search is over.

“We have embraced technology, and believe stylized, noise cancelling headphones for individuals will work for most, if not all situations,” a City spokesperson announced at this morning’s news conference at City Hall.

Noise-cancelling audio devices use a built-in microphone to analyze the ambient sound waves and generate the opposite sound waves to reduce surrounding sound. Noise-cancelling devices have a built-in microphone which produces the opposite reversed sound waves to neutralize surrounding noise.

From the joint press release:
“Every household in the City of Richmond can request up to four sets of headphones. Mass quantities of these headphones are being procured using a combination of leftover federal funding for pandemic public health programs and various private investment funds, many of which are related to venue operations. As with what happened with masks and coronavirus testing kits during the pandemic, public libraries and community health centers will help with distribution.”

In addition, James River Park will have headphones for rent at self-service kiosks, similar to the RVA Bike Share program.

In addition to cancelling outside noise, these new headphones have the capability to play stored sound files for wearers. For example, if headphone wearers are not only trying to stop bleedover outside concert noise from reaching their ears, but are also searching for something to listen to, they can choose from pre-loaded files like music recorded by VPM of previous Richmond Folk Festival sessions, VCU classroom lectures, or previous City Council meetings and public service announcements.

“We not only want to solve problems, but we are looking to enhance residents’ lives” gushed part of the press release for the program. “In the future, we may partner with VCU hospital system to experiment with new brain–computer interface (BCI) technology instead of relying on the physical headphones.”

At the end of the morning press conference, some braver reporters asked pointed questions.

One asked about going back to noise sources and negotiating stronger decibel limits, to which a City Councilperson replied, “Our corporate partners are not interested in entertaining anything like that at this time.”

This goes in line with what neighborhood leaders are hearing. For example, the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association has made simple, direct requests like banning fireworks from shows at the new Tredegar riverfront amphitheater, only to be met with stoney silence.

Another reporter asked about how officials planned to protect birds and other wildlife from new noise sources. The answer: “We expect them to move on.”

Another exasperated City Councilperson, tired of questions, simply pointed to the new headphones she was modeling, and said “Sorry, I can’t hear you. I have my headphones on.”

Greenery Part of Mayor Stoney’s City Environmental And Beautification Initiatives

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Along with more funding and new employees for the City’s Sustainability Office, the mayor recently announced new planting efforts with neighborhood equity and beautification in mind.
As with the larger efforts, the new program could “help Richmond work with private organizations to target specific burdens.”

Mayor Stoney, in his remarks, said he was responding to Richmonders who want more shade and pride in their neighborhoods, while at the same time, he expressed adamance that new construction and public spending must also continue at a strong pace.

To that end, the City, recognizing how long it takes to nurture trees and vibrant greenery, is now buying artificial plants as a stopgap measure. In a City-run, Northside warehouse, thousands of plastic items imported from China are assembled and inventoried on its concrete floor, being made ready for immediate deployment.

A DPW spokesperson stated that Richmond residents can expect these new type of adornments to start appearing in public parks, streetscapes “within the week”, though he did not reply when queried about new ‘plantings’ for Monroe Park. He also hinted that the City might partner with Dominion Energy to supply ‘uplighting’ for these new plantings in certain locations.

Richmond residents who do want to make requests for their own neighborhoods and parks should inquire with their Councilperson’s office.

When asked, a Richmond Tree Stewards member opined that while she was thankful for the funding allocations that the Mayor’s Office is making to her group, the Richmond Tree Stewards will only be involved in ‘planting and caring for real, natural trees’.