Category Archives: government

OHNA Press Release with Letter In Regard To W. Cary Development

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From press release:

For Immediate Release March 16, 2018

The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association, in alliance with the Oregon Hill Home Improvement Council, is committed to ensuring a successful and historically sensitive development on the 800 block of W Cary Street. After meeting with the developers and reviewing the interpretations of the Richmond Department of Planning and Development Review regarding the plan of development for this project, we and other interested parties have identified serious concerns and seek clarification on a number of issues regarding allowances made that may be inconsistent with the established zoning parameters for the applicable zoning designation for this area and may cause irreparable damage to this historic district.. We find it in the best interest of the Oregon Hill Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as the residents of the City of Richmond, to fairly and accurately apply these regulations in a lawful manner.

In light of the fact that the existing buildings on this block are profoundly important to the intrinsic fabric of our historic district, we ask that the city be especially cautious and re-examine their determinations cited in our attached letter. These buildings date from the 1830’s and later into the 19th century and stand as a testament to the craftsmanship and ingenuity of our forefathers. They deserve to be saved and preserved for the future.

This alliance of neighborhood advocacy groups has chosen to retain Andrew McRoberts of the Sands Anderson Law firm to represent our interests in this matter. We hereby respectfully present to the City of Richmond as well as to interested members of the public, an attached letter sent to the Richmond Department of Planning and Development Review outlining our concerns.

Sincerely,

Charles Todd Woodson, president
Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association

LTR to Richard Saunders re Proposed Plan of Development

City’s “Tax Relief for the Elderly and Disabled” Program

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From press release:

Richmond, VA – The city’s Department of Finance is still accepting applications for the Tax Relief for the Elderly and Disabled Program. The program opened on January 8, 2018 and the application deadline is April 2, 2018.

The tax relief program provides assistance to Richmond’s qualifying elderly and disabled homeowners through their real estate taxes. Citizens who participate in the program have their annual real estate tax bills reduced by 30% and 100%, depending upon their household income. Citizens must own and reside in their home, be 65 or older or permanently and totally disabled, earn less than $50,000 annually and have assets (net worth) of less than $200,000. Taxpayers must provide proof of income and assets. A list of necessary documents can be found on the application.

Applications are located on the City of Richmond website, at city libraries and from the city’s Finance Department payment locations. Assistance in completing applications or re-certifications is also being offered throughout the city. Perspective applicants and existing participants may visit the following locations for any help that may be needed:

The East End Initiative Building
701 N. 25th St.
every Thursday through March 29 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Huguenot High School
Building #26 located at 7945 Forest Hill Ave.
every Tuesday through March 27 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

5th Street Baptist Church
One Stop Resource Center located at 2800 3rd Ave.
every Wednesday through March 28 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Bellemeade Community Center
1800 Lynnhaven Ave.
every Friday through March 30 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Assistance at City Hall (Room 100) will be available during normal business days and hours.

More information about the Tax Relief for the Elderly and Disabled Program is available by calling (804) 646-6015 or by visiting the Finance Department webpage.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, March 2, 2018

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From press release:

The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association, by unanimous vote of its membership, has passed a resolution supporting the conservation of the buildings on the 800 block of W Cary St that are threatened with demolition by Richmond developers looking to erect an apartment building on the footprint. These buildings, the oldest being circa 1840, are listed as contributing structures to the National Register of Historic Spaces and serve as a gateway to both the Oregon Hill Historic District and to Downtown Richmond. We have offered to meet with the developers and see how we can come to the table and figure out an alternative to tearing them down. It would be tragic to lose these valuable historic resources.

C. Todd Woodson, president
Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association, inc
302 S Cherry St
Richmond Va 23220
804-783-8829

VCU Master Plan Process

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VCU announcement:

“VCU Vice-President for Administration Dr. Meredith Weiss announced the second round of public meetings in support of the University’s ONE VCU master site plan process. Please see the attached document or visit https://masterplan.vcu.edu/ for more information. The University is committed to providing an open, thoughtful, transparent and inclusive master planning process designed to engage the VCU community and our external stakeholders. To that end, we are holding several public presentations (details below) that may be of interest to you.”
Please feel free to distribute this information:
Daytime
MCV Campus
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
Time: 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Location: Kontos Medical Sciences Building Auditorium (basement level), 1217 E. Marshall Street
A live webcast of the MCV campus presentation will be streamed on VCU’s Facebook page: go.vcu.edu/vcufacebook.

Monroe Park Campus
Wednesday February 28, 2018
Time: 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Location: Temple Building room 1160 (first floor), 901 W. Main Street
Evening
Monroe Park Campus*
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Temple Building room 1164 (first floor), 901 W. Main Street
*Free parking is available at the West Main Street Parking Deck, 801 W. Main St., for those who attend the evening session. Ask for parking validation before you leave the meeting room.

It’s noteworthy that many neighbors are still very concerned about VCU’s encroachment into Oregon Hill and the neighborhood association has repeatedly asked for a memorandum of understanding over the last fifteen years.

VCU Stormwater Survey

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Virginia Commonwealth University graduate student, Jesse Harris, is looking into stormwater infrastructure surrounding the Monroe Campus. She has a short survey to help identity areas that VCU should be mindful of in planning for sustainable community development in the future.
This office as asked for the final results to report and share with the city’s stormwater division.

https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/efc0baf4a81f4d429e94637019eaabf9

Councilperson Agelasto’s Meeting Tonight

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From Amy Robins, 5th District Liaison:

REMINDER: Councilmember Parker Agelasto is holding a 5th District meeting this Thursday, February 22, 2018 at Southside Community Service Center (4100 Hull Street).
Richmond Public Schools new Superintendent Jason Kamras and 5th District School Board Representative Dr. Pat Sapini will be holding a “Meet & Greet” at the same location starting at 6pm.
Starting around 6:45pm, the meeting will cover the following agenda:
~Cigarette Tax Discussion
~Crime & Public Safety, Richmond Police Department
~5th District Updates & Discussion
~Q&A
UPDATE: Code Enforcement has been moved to the April 26th meeting.

Monroe Park Conservancy Shortfall And Tree Removal

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Neighbors are still very disheartened by the Monroe Park Conservancy. They keep contacting City Council members about their actions.

From Cherry Street neighbor and Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association president Todd Woodson:

Dear Councilman Agelasto,

As you know, I recently sent a list of concerns/questions to Councilperson Gray and MPC president Alice Massie regarding the renovation of Monroe Park which is scheduled to be completed in Spring of this year. Although the request for information has not been responded to, the MPC website has just been updated not only to include a new board chair for Dominion Energy, but also the revelation that the Conservancy is now short $1.5 million to complete the renovation “with all amenities”. You may have noticed that work in the park has slowed to a crawl.

The City of Richmond has already made up well over $800,000.00 in shortfalls for the park redo in addition to over $3 million in infrastructure and “soft” costs.

The Falls of the James chapter of the Sierra Club has already called for the termination of the lease to the MPC and I add my voice to that end. Monroe Park is Richmond’s oldest and most historic city park and although the MPC doesn’t get control through the lease until after the renovation, they have meddled constantly with changes to the master plan to include a most unfortunate destruction of much of the old growth tree canopy as well as other historically inappropriate park “features”.

Details of the shortfall may be found here:
https://www.monroepark.com/about/monroe-park-conservancy/

Other concerns include inconsistencies of the design changes with approved master plan and work documents.

The current situation is extremely troubling as is the persistent lack of transparency and community involvement with the project. Please take action on behalf of your constituents.

Thank you,

Charles T. Woodson.

He followed up with this:

In addition to the MPC previously having posted their completion of fund raising on their website, they, along with Dwight Jones, made this press release in 2016 on the completion of the fundraising for the park renovation.

https://www.monroepark.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/PressRelease-9-21-16.pdf

The “amenities” they refer to in the update on the shortfall are garbage like the gazebo and the “rill” that the citizens have spoken up against time and time again. I’ve heard you use the meaningful phrase “get back to basics” in reference to city government policy. I truly believe we need to get back to basics and restore the park as the community vetted master plan envisioned, not with architectural detritus and treeless corporate campgrounds. Ms Massie has not approached the public for financial support because she doesn’t care what the community says and prefers her corporate funds. Instead, she has fomented non transparency and divisiveness and she has indulged in back room shady corporate deals and unnecessary features/alterations of the master plan. I know you see this. Hopefully, now that there is another substantial shortfall the rest of council will see the wisdom of getting back to basics and honoring a historically sensitive renovation of the park. Please terminate the lease, especially now that there is a real parks director.

Thanks again.

And if that was not enough…on February 18, Todd added this:

Although the planning commission requested that the Monroe Park “Conservancy” consider alternatives to the destruction of a beautiful healthy and mature Magnolia as well as a nearby Maple, this is what is left of the Maggie. It was destroyed over the last two days…

The lack of coverage in the local media is troubling.

Councilperson Agelasto Proposes Cigarette Tax For Schools

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With the Mayor and City Council having successfully jammed through a meals tax increase this past Monday, it will be interesting to see if Councilperson Agelasto receives support from the rest of City leadership for his upcoming attempt at implementing a cigarette tax, something that has not passed before. After all, it’s also ‘for the children’ and has the support of the American Heart Association.

In the meantime, the original Put School First referendum is still in the Virginia General Assembly. Oregon Hill’s state senator, Glen Sturtevant, was able to navigate it through the senate side quite easily.