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

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.