Meeting - September 15, 2025

September 15, 2025

Board Members Present

  • Leah Hopper (President)
  • Joy Rogers (Vice President)
  • Gayle Goldberg (Treasurer)
  • Kirk Millikan (Secretary)

Community Members Present

  • Charles Blevins
  • Gloria Bouldin
  • Mark Brandon
  • James Browne
  • Denise Campbell
  • State Delegate Betsy Carr
  • Bernice Coleman
  • Elise Corliss
  • Spencer Cox
  • Morgan Day
  • Carla De Lellis
  • Christina Garnett
  • Katherine Garrett-Cox (Maymont Foundation)
  • Joe Goldberg
  • Toni Halsey
  • Becca Jones
  • Mike Jones
  • Patricia Lunsford
  • Katie McBride
  • Hugo Mendoza
  • Daniel Milbum
  • Emily Morris
  • Marianne Pitts (City of Richmond Planning Department)
  • Susan Rischewski
  • Amy Robins (5th District Councilmember Liaison)
  • Jacob Sherrod
  • Mike Slavin
  • Ethan Smith
  • Jim Starr
  • Sharon Taylor
  • Kelsey Thayer
  • George Walker
  • Craig Wise
  • Hannah Zegler

Police Department Updates

  • Update from the 3rd Police Precinct:

    • In the last 28 days, the only crime in the neighborhood was one theft from a motor vehicle.

    • A neighbor asked about what sounds like gun shots at night.

    • The police officer said that people shoot guns and light fireworks down at the river, most likely hearing that.

5th District and Maymont Updates

  • Update from the Maymont Foundation’s Curator and Director of Historic Resources and Collections (Katherine Garrett-Cox):

    • Maymont’s 100th Anniversary is in 2026. The mansion will be reopening in March 2026, the wildlife trail will be reopening in April 2026, and the 100th celebration will be in June 2026.

    • Maymont is collecting oral histories, photos, and interviews as part of the anniversary. Neighborhood residents are encouraged to share stories.

    • Maymont’s Bier-Garden event is this weekend.

    • Garden Glow starts October 15th and will last four weeks.

    • The entrance will be at the Nature Center again.

    • Tickets are available for neighborhood residents. Email maymontcivicleaguerva@gmail.com if interested in tickets.

    • Maymont has three new exterior signs, and the sign at the Magnolia Gates will be replaced.

    • A neighbor asked about re-striping the Hampton Street parking lot to fit in more cars and thus fewer cars on neighborhood streets.

    • Maymont said that re-striping is a city issue and not a Maymont issue.

    • Delegate Carr said Maymont should contact Bobby Vincent, City of Richmond Director of Public Works.

    • A neighbor mentioned safety concerns with the Shields Lake gravel parking lot during Garden Glow, and Maymont said they will look into it.

    • A neighbor mentioned concerns with Maymont habitats, and Maymont said they are at least annually monitored by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

  • Update from the 5th District City Councilmember Liaison Amy Robins:

    • There have been two zoning refresh meetings the last few weeks involving the 5th District. One had 130 attendees and the other had 80 attendees.
    • There is a 5th District Town Hall this Thursday September 18 at 6pm at the Randolph Community Center. - The mayor will be in attendance in addition to planning staff to discuss the zoning refresh. Input from neighbors is very important.
    • Amy and 5th District Councilmember Stephanie Lynch are in favor of cleaning up existing zoning to an extent. More information on the zoning refresh can be found in the 5th District newsletter.
    • The honorary naming of the 1600 block of South Meadow Street for Dr. Joan Christian is moving forward. A ceremony for the honorary street naming is planned for spring 2026.
    • There is a neighborhood playground meeting planned for Friday September 19 to review questions regarding a James River Park System easement. The playground is currently delayed.

General Community Notes

  • Presentation on Richmond’s Zoning Ordinance Rewrite by City of Richmond Planning Department (Marianne Pitts):

    • Zoning was last substantially updated in 1976.
    • The process is currently in Phase 5, drafting and finalizing the zoning ordinance.
    • Comments on the zoning rewrite will be accepted through September 28, 2025.
    • There will be an additional comment period in November 2025.
    • The full final draft will be available in February 2026.
    • In our neighborhood, the main change is to the minimum lot width for residential detached districts.
    • Everything is in draft and subject to public comments.
    • Our neighborhood is currently zoned R-5, and the new proposed zoning is RD-C. RD-C was selected because for the majority of the neighborhood, lots are less than 50’ and would be non-conforming if the proposed zoning was RD-B (minimum lot width of 50’).
    • The zoning goal is to provide more residential opportunities across the city.
    • Website for more information: https://www.rva.gov/coderefresh.
    • Any comments can be emailed to Marianne Pitts, Marianne.Pitts3@rva.gov.

  • Comments and concerns from neighborhood residents in attendance:

    • The proposed up to 75% lot coverage allowed by-right is too high.
    • Future tree coverage and green space will decrease.
    • Increased density is not preferred.
    • Big houses will overlook the majority single story homes in the neighborhood.
    • Lack of confidence in the outcome of the zoning process.
    • The City should address vacant homes, which goes hand in hand with zoning. Ms. Pitts said that once a property is delinquent on property taxes for two years, the City can move to sell the property.
    • Property taxes will increase. My Pitts said that zoning will not automatically raise taxes, though new development could increase property values which would increase property taxes.
    • Noise in the neighborhood will increase with reduced side yard setbacks.
    • Zoning changes will change the feel of the neighborhood, and the neighborhood is currently a jewel for working class people.
    • This will not bring about more affordable housing.
    • Increased development will negatively impact stormwater in the future.
    • Increased development will make parking worse in the neighborhood, particularly during events at Maymont and with the future reopening of the Texas Beach bridge.
    • This will further gentrification in the neighborhood.
    • The 25’ minimum lot width should be applicable across the City.
    • The neighborhood is being treated like the Fan.
    • Maymont is a special neighborhood that should not be impacted.
    • Unclear who is behind the zoning rewrite. Ms. Pitts said that the Code Refresh Zoning Advisory Council is leading the zoning rewrite.

  • Presentation by a representative from Strong Towns on the zoning rewrite

    • Strong Towns encourages density and argues that parking requirements, setbacks, and lot minimums negatively impact neighborhoods.
    • The segregation of uses impacts developments and increases sprawl.
    • The solution is to lessen zoning restrictions to make neighborhoods more walkable and encourage the missing middle housing (between single family homes and apartments).
    • Strong Towns supports the zoning rewrite.

  • A neighbor brought up concerns with litter around the skatepark.

    Neighborhood discussion

    • The Civic League board will send out a survey in a few days for compiling neighborhood comments on the zoning rewrite.
    • Neighbors are also encouraged to submit individual comments on the City’s website.
    • Leah mentioned that it would be beneficial to have block captains in the neighborhood to inform neighbors of any updates or events. A sign up sheet was provided and anyone interested can also email maymontcivicleaguerva@gmail.com.
    • Dues ($10 per household per calendar year) were collected at the end of the meeting. Dues can be paid at any Civic League meeting or via Paypal (@MaymontCivicLeague).

  • Meeting adjourned at 8:40pm

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