Attached, the Agenda for the 28 July Meeting of CAR which begins at 3:30 PM:

07-july28finalagenda.pdf

What: City Council Meeting

When: July 13 at 6 p.m.

Where: City Council Chambers, 900 East Broad Street

Why: Critical Vote on Future of Historic Richmond Riverfront East of Downtown

Dear Friend:

Richmond City Council will meet on July 13 at 6 p.m. to consider approval of an amendment to the Downtown Master Plan that provides a loophole for developers resulting in destructive consequences to one of the most historic portions of the Richmond Riverfront. Many people are under the impression that the recently announced James River conservation easement protects the Riverfront. It only protects portions of the river to the west of downtown. The section of the River to the east is unprotected at this point and open to private development. Included in this section of the Riverfront is the portion that inspired William Byrd to give Richmond its name after the same view from Richmond-on-Thames in England. Richmond’s Riverfront is a diamond in the rough with significant potential for economic development as a historical and natural tourism destination, but not if the historic portions of the riverfront are destroyed with additional private condo or other developments that impact the viewshed and restrict access. Once it’s gone it can never be recovered.

The relevant section of the Master Plan is listed below and enthusiastically supported by the People. Now, a developer and its attorneys are urging Richmond City Council to remove the critically important control on development by removing the reference “..to the Character Area designation”. This means that any developer can put forth an application for a Special Use Permit for private development with no limits on character (including height and impact on viewshed) of development in the most sensitive and historic portions of Richmond’s Riverfront east of downtown. City Council will vote on this amendment on July 13, and we must let them hear a strong unified voice that the amendment deleting “to the Character Area designation” should not pass. Development along the river must be managed in accordance with the Character Area designation—otherwise, the Master Plan is essentially negated. Richmond has the opportunity to develop the Richmond Riverfront in a manner that acknowledges its past and connects the River with the City for the enjoyment of all citizens and visitors.

Please make plans to attend and remind City Council that they govern at the will of the people. Our will is for sensible, well-managed development of the Riverfront for the common good that protects and preserves our historic heritage for generations to come. Our historic State capital deserves much better than second best!

Additionally, emails and letters to City Council members encouraging them to support our position will also greatly amplify our voice. Please take action!

Excerpt from Master Plan as enthusiastically supported by the citizens of Richmond, heartily endorsed by the Richmond Development Office and Adopted by the City Council Last Year:

SECTION 4: GETTING THERE

Page 4.45: Improve visual and physical access to the river

In order to draw more people to the riverfront, visual and physical access to the James River needs to be improved and emphasized. Improving streetscape elements such as street trees, furniture and paving on streets that run perpendicular to the river will serve to both highlight view corridors and create enhanced pedestrian and bicycle access to the water’s edge. Terminating as many streets as possible at river overlooks will create additional views that will invite visitors to explore the open spaces along the river.

In addition to creating new view corridors to the James River, preserving existing and historic viewsheds towards the river is essential to connecting the city to the river. Future development along the riverfront needs to be carefully considered so that it will not impact significant historic views such as “the view that named Richmond” from the top of LibbyHill Park. This would be accomplished through the control of building height and massing on a case-by-case basis according to the Character Area designation.”