Sunday, November 22, 2009

Richmond City Council Public Hearing & Vote Monday Nov 23, 2009

On Monday, November 23, 2009, at 6pm, Richmond City Council will vote on the future of Union Hill.  Please come out and support the designation as a City Old and Historic District.  City Council Chambers, 900 E. Broad Street, City Hall, 2nd floor Council Chambers.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

City of Richmond Planning Commission Public Hearing set for Monday November 16, 2009

On Monday November 16,  2009,  City Planners from the Department of Historic Preservation will make a presentation to the Planning Commission about Union Hill and it's significance as a National Historic District.

At that time, it is expected that planners will recommend that Union Hill be designated a City Old and Historic District in order to protect its existing 19th century building stock and insure that new construction on vacant lots be respectful of the neighborhood's historic character and be in keeping with the Secretary of the Interior's Guidelines for Preservation and New Construction.

Members of the community and interested parties are invited to attend this public hearing.  At the close of speakers' remarks, The Planning Commission will discuss the proposed district and make a recommendation to the City Council regarding the designation of Union Hill as the City of Richmond's 15th City Old and Historic District.

Planning Commission hearings are held in the 5th Floor conference room of City Hall, beginning at 1:30pm.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

C.A.R. Task Force Public Hearing Set for Thursday October 1, 2009

The Richmond City Council C.A.R. Task Force will facilitate a public discussion on the Commission of Architectural Review (CAR) on Thursday, October 1 from 6:30-8PM at the Richmond City Council Chambers. Issues that were raised by attendees at the first public hearing in June, hosted by the Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods, the Historic Richmond Foundation, and local community activist and historic preservationist, Laura Daab, have been noted by City of Richmond staff and provided to the City Council C.A.R. Task Force.

The upcoming meeting will be a continuation of the public hearing series initiated in June. The purpose of the Task Force is to review the process and guidelines of the Commission of Architectural Review, which is charged with providing oversight and review regarding the erection, reconstruction, alteration or restoration of buildings or structures within designated Richmond Historic Districts as to their architectural compatibility with existing historic landmarks, buildings or structures in that district.

Residents of City Old & Historic Districts and others who have worked with C.A.R. and the Department of Community Development staff on C.A.R. applications are asked to comment on the application process and the role of C.A.R. in protecting Richmond’s historic neighborhoods.

Your comments are valuable to the committee and will be taken into consideration by the Task Force in their review of C.A.R. guidelines.

CITIZENS WISHING TO SPEAK AT THE HEARING ARE REQUIRED TO REGISTER PRIOR TO NOON ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2009 BY CONTACTING THE COUNCIL CLERK’S OFFICE AT (804) 646-7955.

Written comments may be submitted to:
Steven A Taylor, Council Policy Analyst
Suite 305, City Hall
900 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Telephone: (804) 646-2780

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Public Meeting: City Council Task Force on the Commission of Architectural Review

The first meeting of the newly formed City Council Task Force to study the rules and guidelines of the Commission of Architectural Review (CAR) will take place this Thursday from 4 until 6 pm at the Richmond Fire Department Headquarters, located at 201 E. Franklin Street.

Richmond residents and those involved in City Old & Historic Districts (including proposed districts, such as Union Hill) are encouraged to attend. The discussion of how the CAR can best serve City Old & Historic Districts is ongoing. In order for the Task Force to be informed about CAR processes and guidelines, input from residents will be valuable. Subsequent meetings will be held in the same location on the first Thursday of each month until February of next year.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

DELAYED: Planning Commission Hearing

DELAYED: The Union Hill City Old and Historic District designation tentatively scheduled for the Planning Commission’s July 20, 2009 meeting at 1:30 pm in the 5th floor conference room of City Hall will not occur as anticipated.

Our resolution was not introduced at the 6-21-09, City Council meeting, and will not proceed to the Planning Commission Phase until it is introduced at a City Council meeting.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

A Public Conversation Regarding City Old & Historic Districts

The Commission of Architectural Review wants to hear from the citizens of Richmond. Wednesday, June 24th, 2009, from 6:30pm-8:30pm at the Fire House Theatre, 1609 W. Broad Street (ample, free parking across the street at Lowe's).

Topics of discussion • Why do we have Old & Historic Districts? • Why do we think they are important?• Why have we chosen to live in them? • What does the public want from them? • How can the Commission of Architectural Review (CAR), City and the residents be better custodians to O&HD’s. • How can we strengthen the alliance between the CAR, City and residents?

Free and open to all residents and interested parties of City Old and Historic Districts. For more info contact city staff at 646-6313 or james.hill@richmondgov.com

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Planning Commission Public Hearing slated for Monday July 20, 2009

The Union Hill City Old and Historic District designation is tentatively scheduled for the Planning Commission’s July 20, 2009 meeting at 1:30 pm in the 5th floor conference room of City Hall.

As of this writing, the agenda has yet to be finalized, and when we get it, we'll post it here.

A public comment period will be part of the Commission's review of the proposed district. Citizen comments are limited to 3 minutes.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Commission of Architectural Review: Unanimous Vote

On May 12, the Commission of Architectural Review (CAR) held a public hearing in City Council Chambers. Members of the Union Hill community gave their remarks regarding the proposed Union Hill City Old & Historic District Initiative.

The public comment period was followed by a discussion among the CAR members about the merits of a proposed district. The commissioners then voted unanimously to support the district and authorized city staff to draft a proposed ordinance creating the zoning overlay district for Union Hill.