5th District Councilperson Stephanie Lynch has an upcoming ‘town hall meeting’ on February 16th.
From announcement:
We would love to see you for the IN PERSON 5th District Town Hall next Thursday, February 16 at the Woodland Heights Baptist Church (611 W. 31st Street).
We will focused on the upcoming budget season, your priorities, and there will be a short update on the Charter Change Commission.
We will be recording the meeting for upload after the meeting.
AXIOS Richmond, in a recent piece, describes L’Opossum as one of ‘Richmond’s Most Romantic Restaurants’.
From the menu descriptions to stained-glass and crocheted phalluses (or is it phalli?), this Oregon Hill restaurant is all top-notch food and sexual innuendo. Start with the Vegan Orgy, feast on the Swank Bank and sip the French Tickler.
From announcement:
Forward Party of Virginia, UpVote Virginia, and FairVote Virginia will co-host a Ranked Choice Voting Roundtable in Richmond.
When: February 16, 2023 at 6:00pm
Where: Richmond Main Library, Annex room
101 East Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23219, United States
Contact: Erin Phelan erin.forwardparty@gmail.com
BTW, I don’t think any Richmond university student governments have claimed my money yet…
UPDATE/CORRECTION: Since posting this, the editor has learned that Pinnock resigned from the Richmond Board of Zoning Appeals.
Contrary to state code, there currently are two members of the Richmond Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) who are simultaneously serving on the Richmond City Planning Commission. Virginia code Section 15.2-2308 specifically limits the number of Board of Zoning Appeals members serving on the local planning commission to one member: “…Members of the board shall hold no other public office in the locality, except that one may be a member of the local planning commission…” [emphasis added].
Mr. Rodney Poole and Mr. Burchell “Burt” Pinnock are both members of the Richmond Board of Zoning Appeals and both are currently serving as members of the Planning Commission. Rodney Poole is the current Chair of the Richmond Planning Commission, and he is also a member of the Richmond Board of Zoning Appeals. Mr. Burchell “Burt” Pinnock is the current Chair of the Richmond Board of Zoning Appeals, and he is also a member of the Richmond Planning Commission.
Since Va. Code Section 15.2-2308 limits the number of BZA members who also may serve on the Planning Commission to one member, and since both Mr. Poole and Mr. Burchell are simultaneously serving on the BZA and Planning Commission, one or both must resign or be removed from the Planning Commission.
It is worth noting that, contrary to state code, Mr. Rodney Poole and Mr. Burchell “Burt” Pinnock also recently served in other public office in the locality as the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Richmond 300 Master Plan Advisory Council. The Virginia Code Section 15.2-2308 specifically prohibits members of the Board of Zoning Appeals from serving in other public offices in the locality.
If Mr. Poole and/or Mr. Pinnock are unwilling to resign their seats on the Planning Commission, it is within the authority of City Council to remove them in order to comply with Section 15.2-2308.
It’s worth noting that according to the minutes of the Feb. 6th Planning Commission meeting, Rodney Poole and Burt Pinnock both participated in the Planning Commission meeting as members of the Planning Commission. And both Poole and Pinnock are also still listed as members of the Board of Zoning Appeals.
UPDATE/CORRECTION: Since posting this, the editor has learned that Pinnock resigned from the Richmond Board of Zoning Appeals.
From police report:
February 7, 2023
Car Club Suspect Arrested and Charged with Assault on a Richmond Police Officer During Intentional Traffic Disruption on Lee Bridge Highway
Richmond Police officers have arrested a suspect involved in the car club disruption to traffic that occurred on the Lee Bridge Highway Friday night. Ryan Anderson, 18 of Virginia Beach, was arrested by RPD officers and faces numerous charges including assault of a law enforcement officer. The booking photo is attached.
At approximately 10:40 p.m. on Friday, February 3, officers were called to the 700 block of South Belvidere Street for the report of the south bound lanes of the Lee Bridge Highway being shut down by an illegal gathering of a car club. Hundreds of individuals and cars were engaged in dangerous, unlawful activity on the Lee Bridge. Officers arrived on scene to diffuse and disband the activity when Anderson struck an officer while operating his vehicle. The officer sustained a non-life threatening injury and was transported to a local hospital.
Officers recovered a stolen weapon from Anderson’s vehicle and charged him with the following:
· Assault On LEO 18.2-57 (F)
· Possession Of Stolen Firearm 18.2-108.1 (F)
· Concealed Firearm 18.2-308 (M)
· Blocking Roadway 46.2-818 (M)
· Dangling Objects On Mirror 46.2-1054 (T)
Anyone with additional information about this incident is asked to call Detective R. Payne at (804) 646-1712 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones also may be used. All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.
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.
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
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.
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.”
It’s happening! SAVE THE DATE!! Saturday, April 15, 2023!! SHARE THE NEWS!!