OHNA: Please oppose General Assembly SB 1391 and HB 2271

From email:

Dear OHNA (Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association) Members,

As was mentioned in Tuesday evening’s OPHNA meeting, there is legislation pending in the General Assembly that would eliminate a locality’s ability to regulate STRs if those STRs are managed by a Virginia REALTOR. A copy of the bill is below. This bill would override any local regulations related to primary residence, days the property may be occupied, requirements related to parking, annual inspection, etc.

https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=231&typ=bil&val=SB1391

I am writing to ask you to OPPOSE SB 1391, patroned by Lynwood Lewis, and HB 2271, patroned by Danny Marshall. Both increase affordable housing issues and eliminate common sense local regulation of short-term rental (“STR”) properties across the Commonwealth

This legislation claims to protect STR properties managed by Virginia REALTORS from restrictive local ordinances that have been enacted across the Commonwealth. In reality, the legislation removes the right of localities to impose reasonable restrictions on any STR property, so long as that property is managed by a Virginia REALTOR.

The two most significant issues with this legislation are (1) the impact on affordable housing and (2) the “one size fits all” approach to diverse communities across the Commonwealth.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING: First, this legislation would worsen an already very difficult situation in Virginia communities facing a lack of affordable housing. Investors would be able to buy up as many STRs as they want, anywhere, in any community, so long as those STRs are managed by a Virginia REALTOR. Every STR is one unit removed from the pool of properties available for home buyers or year-round renters.

REMOVES LOCAL CONTROL OF LAND USE DECISIONS: Second, this legislation strips localities of the right to make reasonable decisions for their own community. For example, localities would not even be able to require registration and annual safety inspections. This legislation is an inappropriate “one size fits all” solution across the Commonwealth, ignoring the significant differences between different kinds of communities – dense cities, resort towns, and rural areas.

This legislation clearly favors the commercial interests of STR owners, operators, and hosting platforms like Airbnb and VRBO over the interests of individuals, neighborhoods, and communities. I urge you to OPPOSE SB 1391 and HB 2271

HOUSE:
Dawn Adams – deldadams@house.virginia.gov 804-698-1068
Betsy Carr – delbcarr@house.virginia.gov 804-698-1069
Delores McQuinn – Deldmcquinn@house.virginia.gov 804-698-1070
Jeff Bourne – Deljbourne@house.virginia.gov 804-698-1071
Schyler Van Valkenburg – Delsvanvalkenburg@house.virginia.gov 804-698-1072
Rodney Willett – Delrwillett@house.virginia.gov 804-698-1073
Lamont Bagley – Dellbagley@house.virginia.gov 804-698-1074
Rozanne Robinson – drrobinson@house.virginia.gov 804-698-1027

SENATE:
Jennifer McClellan – district09@senate.virginia.gov (804) 698-7509
Hashmi Ghazala – district10@senate.virginia.gov 804-698-7510
Joe Morrissey – district16@senate.virginia.gov 804-698-7516
Siobhan Dunnavant -district12@senate.virginia.gov 804-698-7512

Trash/Recycling Tomorrow

This Wednesday is a “Red Wednesday”, which means trash and recycling pickup.

Please go over what can be recycled. Ideally, rolling recycling containers are stored and deployed in the back alleys along with trash cans. Please make sure you pick up containers after pickup tomorrow night.

If it seems like pickup did not happen, use this online form:
https://cvwma.com/programs/residential-recycling/recycling-service-request-form/

If you have not done so already, don’t forget to sign up for your Recycling Perks.
In order to take your recycling to the next level, read this: 10 ways to improve your recycling.

In recycling news (from WasteDive.com), “a final report from Virginia’s Waste Diversion & Recycling Task Force recommends the Commonwealth invest more time and resources into collecting accurate waste and recycling data while also pursuing recycling business growth opportunities and assessing possible policy changes.

Virginia’s legislature directed the state’s Department of Environmental Quality in 2020 to create the task force to examine how the state could improve recycling, waste diversion and source reduction. The group, made up of waste and recycling organizations, business groups, government agencies and other stakeholders, submitted the final report in late 2022.”

OHNA Meeting Tomorrow Night

The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association will be meeting online on Zoom tomorrow, Tuesday, January 24th, at 7pm.

Monthly Meeting Agenda
Tuesday 24 January 2023
7:00PM
This meeting will be by Zoom only.

(Editor’s note: Zoom connection information redacted, request it by sending email to ohnarva@gmail.com)

Welcome

• Treasurer’s Report

Community Updates:

1. Lt. Brian Robinson, City of Richmond Police Section Lt, 4th Precinct
2. Officer Luke Schrader, Police Liaison, VCU
3. Ms. Verenda Cobbs, VCU
4. Ms. Stephanie Lynch, 5th District Councilperson
5. Ms. Colette McEachin, Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney

Updates:

1. Amphitheater planned for Tredegar Green.
· It is slated to seat 5,000 people and accommodate and additional 5,000 standing, as per our meeting with the developer’s representative. No additional parking is planned.
· When the previous amphitheater plan was proposed, the neighborhood raised questions about hours of operation, noise levels, and parking, none of which were ever answered.
o Applicant has not yet scheduled a meeting with OHNA
2. An SUP application has been filed with the City of Richmond for the demolition of 708 China Street, and its replacement with a building.
· The Zoning Committee met with the applicant, and asked them to reconsider demolition and incorporate the historic building into their new construction
· The applicant has not yet come back to the neighborhood with a revision
Continued Business

3. Traffic issues along Idlewood at Cherry and Pine Streets
· There have been a number of recent accidents at these two locations.
· These two intersections suffer from poor visibility and the high speed of cars exiting 195 east onto Idlewood.

New Business

4. Any items?

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

OHNA: Meeting Schedule, 2023
Fourth Tuesday of each month
Zoom information to be sent before meeting, while meeting remotely

Tuesday, 24 January 2023, 7:00pm
Tuesday, 28 February 2023, 7:00pm
Tuesday, 28 March 2023,7:00pm
Tuesday, 25 April 2023,7:00pm
Tuesday, 23 May 2023, 7:00pm
Tuesday, 27 June 2023,7:00pm
Tuesday, 25 July 2023, 7:00pm
Tuesday, 22 August 2023, 7:00pm
Tuesday, 26 September 2023, 7:00pm
Tuesday, 24 October 2023 7:00pm
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 7:00pm
Tuesday, 19 December 2023, 7:00pm [moved up one week to avoid Christmas]

Trash/Recycling Tomorrow

This Wednesday is a “Red Wednesday”, which means trash and recycling pickup.

Please go over what can be recycled. Ideally, rolling recycling containers are stored and deployed in the back alleys along with trash cans. Please make sure you pick up containers after pickup tomorrow night.

If it seems like pickup did not happen, use this online form:
https://cvwma.com/programs/residential-recycling/recycling-service-request-form/

If you have not done so already, don’t forget to sign up for your Recycling Perks.
In order to take your recycling to the next level, read this: 10 ways to improve your recycling.

Several communities across Central Virginia are allowing residents to recycle or discard their real Christmas trees.
RICHMOND (Dec. 27-Jan. 14)
East Richmond Road Convenience Center, 3800 East Richmond Road — yard waste area
Parker Field Annex – Corner of North Arthur Ashe Boulevard and Robin Hood Road — designated tree drop-off
Note: City of Richmond Department of Public Works and the Clean City Commission will host the annual Bring One for the Chipper Tree Recycling Event Jan. 14, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at North Arthur Ashe Boulevard & Robin Hood Road (Parker Field Annex). Electronics recycling (fees apply) and paper shredding will also be offered. For information, contact the City of Richmond Department of Public Works.

Holiday related items that should not be recycled:

Strands of Christmas lights.
Tinsel because it contains plastic.
Plastic bags, bubble wrap and foam peanuts.
Christmas tree lights or broken bulbs.
Metallic or foil wrapping paper.
Wrapping paper that is coated or has glitter.
Bows, ribbons and tags.
Stockings, holiday sweaters and other clothing.

Trash/Recycling Tomorrow

This Wednesday is a “Red Wednesday”, which means trash and recycling pickup.

Please go over what can be recycled. Ideally, rolling recycling containers are stored and deployed in the back alleys along with trash cans. Please make sure you pick up containers after pickup tomorrow night.

If it seems like pickup did not happen, use this online form:
https://cvwma.com/programs/residential-recycling/recycling-service-request-form/

If you have not done so already, don’t forget to sign up for your Recycling Perks.
In order to take your recycling to the next level, read this: 10 ways to improve your recycling.

Several communities across Central Virginia are allowing residents to recycle or discard their real Christmas trees.
RICHMOND (Dec. 27-Jan. 14)
East Richmond Road Convenience Center, 3800 East Richmond Road — yard waste area
Parker Field Annex – Corner of North Arthur Ashe Boulevard and Robin Hood Road — designated tree drop-off
Note: City of Richmond Department of Public Works and the Clean City Commission will host the annual Bring One for the Chipper Tree Recycling Event Jan. 14, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at North Arthur Ashe Boulevard & Robin Hood Road (Parker Field Annex). Electronics recycling (fees apply) and paper shredding will also be offered. For information, contact the City of Richmond Department of Public Works.

Holiday related items that should not be recycled:

Strands of Christmas lights.
Tinsel because it contains plastic.
Plastic bags, bubble wrap and foam peanuts.
Christmas tree lights or broken bulbs.
Metallic or foil wrapping paper.
Wrapping paper that is coated or has glitter.
Bows, ribbons and tags.
Stockings, holiday sweaters and other clothing.