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To request that the Chief Administrative Officer cause the Department of Planning and Development Review to (i) collaborate with the residents of and community stakeholders in the Westwood neighborhood, bordered by Dunbar Street[, Patterson Avenue, and] to Glenburnie Road and from Stokes Lane to the north side of Patterson Avenue, to evaluate and recommend appropriate land use, zoning, and policy tools, , and (ii) develop community-informed design guidelines and strategies to preserve the cultural and historic character of the Westwood neighborhood and support neighborhood stability, and (iii) provide a written report of such findings and recommendations. (As Amended) (1st District)
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WHEREAS, pursuant to section 17.06 of the Charter of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended, the City Planning Commission by resolution dated October 5, 2020, adopted a new master plan for the City of Richmond, and the City Council by Ordinance No. 2020-236, adopted December 14, 2020, approved the master plan adopted by the City Planning Commission (hereinafter the "Master Plan"); and
WHEREAS, upon the information and belief of Council, the historic Westwood neighborhood was established by formerly enslaved African Americans [following the Civil War] in 1872 and grew into a self-sustaining community with homes, businesses, churches, schools, and [social] socio-cultural institutions [that served] serving generations of Black residents; and
WHEREAS, upon the information and belief of Council, after the City annexed the Westwood neighborhood from Henrico County in 1942, the community experienced prolonged neglect and discriminatory treatment, including the denial of public utilities and proposals by City officials during the 1940s to raze the Westwood [Neighborhood] neighborhood and replace it with a public park; and
WHEREAS, upon the information and belief of Council, despite facing displacement pressures, segregation, and racial intimidation, the residents of the Westwo...
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