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To authorize the conditional use of the property known as 505 West Leigh Street for the purpose of a lodginghouse, upon certain terms and conditions. (2nd District)
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WHEREAS, the owner of the property known as 505 West Leigh Street, which is situated in a R-73 Multifamily Residential District, desires to use such property for the purpose of a lodginghouse use, which use is currently allowed only by approval of a conditional use permit by City Council, pursuant to section 30-420.1:1 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with section 30-1045.5 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended, it has been made to appear that, if granted pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this ordinance and Chapter 30, Article X, Division 5.1 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended, the conditional use permit granted by this ordinance will not be contrary to the general purposes of this chapter 30 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020) as stated in section 30-100 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended; will not be in conflict with the objectives and policies of the master plan for the city; will conform with all applicable sections of Chapter 30, Article X of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended, and other applicable requirements of the district in which it is proposed to be located; will not substantially diminish or impair the established property values in the neighborhood in which it is proposed to be located; will not have an undue adverse effect on the public health, safety, or general welfare; will not adversely affect the character of the surrounding area or the continued use and development of surrounding property in a manner consistent with applicable zoning regulations or master plan objectives; will not cause undue traffic congestion on public streets or significantly increase traffic volumes on minor residential streets; will be adequately served by essential public services and facilities and will not cause an undue burden on such services and facilities; will not cause the destruction, loss, or damage of significant natural, scenic, or historic features to any greater degree than development of the property for uses permitted by right in the district; will ensure compatibility with surrounding property through existing and proposed landscaping, screening and buffering and the location, arrangement, and character of existing and proposed buildings, structures, open spaces, parking areas, vehicular circulation, driveways, signage, and lighting; and will not cause or result in any significant increase in negative cumulative impact when considered in conjunction with other conditional uses in the neighborhood in which it is proposed to be located; and
WHEREAS, (i) the City Planning Commission has conducted a public hearing to investigate the circumstances and conditions upon which the Council is empowered to authorize such use, (ii) the City Planning Commission has reported to the Council the results of such public hearing and investigation and its recommendations with respect thereto, and (iii) the Council has conducted a public hearing on this ordinance at which the person in interest and all other persons have had an opportunity to be heard;
NOW, THEREFORE,
THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. Finding. Pursuant to section 30-1045.5 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended, the Council hereby finds that the conditional use set forth in and subject to the terms and conditions of this ordinance will not be contrary to the general purposes of Chapter 30 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended, as stated in section 30-100; will not be in conflict with the objectives and policies of the master plan for the City; will conform with all applicable sections of Chapter 30, Article X of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended, and other applicable requirements of the district in which it is proposed to be located; will not substantially diminish or impair the established property values in the neighborhood in which it is proposed to be located; will not have an undue adverse effect on the public health, safety, or general welfare; will not adversely affect the character of the surrounding area or the continued use and development of surrounding property in a manner consistent with applicable zoning regulations or master plan objectives; will not cause undue traffic congestion on public streets or significantly increase traffic volumes on minor residential streets; will be adequately served by essential public services and facilities and will not cause an undue burden on such services and facilities; will not cause the destruction, loss, or damage of significant natural, scenic, or historic features to any greater degree than development of the property for uses permitted by right in the district; will ensure compatibility with surrounding property through existing and proposed landscaping, screening and buffering and the location, arrangement, and character of existing and proposed buildings, structures, open spaces, parking areas, vehicular circulation, driveways, signage, and lighting; and will not cause or result in any significant increase in negative cumulative impact when considered in conjunction with other conditional uses in the neighborhood in which it is proposed to be located.
§ 2. Grant of Conditional Use Permit.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this ordinance, the property known as 505 West Leigh Street and identified as Tax Parcel No. N000-0209/031 in the 2025 records of the City Assessor, being more particularly shown on a survey entitled “ATLA/NSPS Land Title Survey & Topographic Survey for Lot 1 ‘RMHC Parcel,’ a Portion of 505 W. Leigh Street, City of Richmond, VA,” prepared by Nyfeler Survey, and dated December 3, 2024, a copy of which is attached to and made a part of this ordinance, hereinafter referred to as “the Property,” is hereby permitted to be used for the purpose of a lodginghouse , hereinafter referred to as “the Conditional Use,” substantially as shown on the plans entitled “Ronald McDonald House Charity of Richmond,” prepared by VHB, with Sheets C1.00, L1.00, and L2.00 dated December 20, 2024, and Sheet C3.00 dated December 23, 2024, and last revised February 12, 2025, and the plans entitled “Ronald McDonald House Charity of Richmond, 505 W Leigh Street, Richmond, Virginia 23220,” prepared by SMBW, and dated December 20, 2024, hereinafter referred to, collectively, as “the Plans,” copies of which are attached to and made a part of this ordinance.
(b) The adoption of this ordinance shall constitute the issuance of a conditional use permit for the Property. The conditional use permit shall inure to the benefit of the owner or owners of the fee simple title to the Property as of the date on which this ordinance is adopted and their successors in fee simple title, all of which are hereinafter referred to as “the Owner.” The conditions contained in this ordinance shall be binding on the Owner.
§ 3. Special Terms and Conditions. This conditional use permit is conditioned on the following special terms and conditions:
(a) Pursuant to section 30-420.1:1 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended, the Conditional Use of the Property shall be as a lodginghouse use, substantially as shown on the Plans.
(b) Pursuant to Chapter 30, Article X, Division 4 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended, a site plan shall be required to implement the Conditional Use of the Property.
(c) All mechanical equipment serving the Property shall be located or screened so as not to be visible from any public right-of-way.
§ 4. Supplemental Terms and Conditions. This conditional use permit is conditioned on the following supplemental terms and conditions:
(a) All required final grading and drainage plans, together with all easements made necessary by such plans, must be approved by the Director of Public Utilities prior to the issuance of the building permit.
(b) Storm or surface water shall not be allowed to accumulate on the land. The Owner, at its sole cost and expense, shall provide and maintain at all times adequate facilities for the drainage of storm or surface water from the Property so as not to adversely affect or damage any other property or public streets and the use thereof.
(c) Facilities for the collection of refuse shall be provided in accordance with the requirements of the Director of Public Works. Such facilities shall be located or screened so as not to be visible from adjacent properties and public streets.
(d) Any encroachments existing, proposed on the Plans or contemplated in the future shall require separate authorization and shall be subject to the applicable provisions of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended, and all future amendments to such laws.
(e) The Owner shall make improvements within the right-of-way, including the installation of a sidewalk along Leigh Street, Brook Road, and Monroe Street that terminates at the end of the property lines, substantially as shown on the Plans, which improvements may be completed in one or more phases as approved by the Director of Public Works. All improvements and work within the public right-of-way shall be (i) completed in accordance with the requirements of the Director of Public Works, (ii) considered completed only upon written confirmation by the Director of Public Works or the designee thereof that such improvements and work are in accordance with such requirements, and (iii) transferred to the City, following the written confirmation by the Director of Public Works or the designee thereof, pursuant to a transfer of interest document approved as to form by the City Attorney and accepted by the Chief Administrative Officer or the designee thereof on behalf of the City. The Chief Administrative Officer or the designee thereof, for and on behalf of the City, is hereby authorized to accept, in the manner for which this subsection provides, all improvements and work required by and meeting the requirements of this subsection. The final certificate of occupancy shall not be issued for the Property until all requirements of this subsection are fully satisfied.
(f) In all other respects, the use of the Property shall be in accordance with the applicable underlying zoning regulations.
§ 5. General Terms and Conditions. This conditional use permit is conditioned on the following general terms and conditions:
(a) No permit implementing this conditional use permit shall be approved until satisfactory evidence has been presented to the Zoning Administrator that any delinquent real estate taxes applicable to the Property have been paid.
(b) The Owner shall be bound by, shall observe and shall comply with all other laws, ordinances, rules and regulations applicable to the Property, except as otherwise expressly provided in this ordinance.
(c) Words and phrases used in this ordinance shall be interpreted to have the meanings ascribed to them by section 30-1220 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended, unless the context clearly indicates that a different meaning is intended.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, this conditional use permit is being approved due, in part, to the mitigating effects of each and every condition attached hereto; consequently, if any portion of this ordinance is determined to be invalid for any reason by a final, non-appealable order of any Virginia or federal court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity shall cause the entire ordinance to be void and of no further effect from the effective date of such order.
(e) The privileges granted by this ordinance may be revoked pursuant to the provisions of sections 30-1050.7 through 30-1050.11 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended, and all future amendments to such laws. Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of this ordinance shall constitute a violation of section 30-1080 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended, and all future amendments to such law, or any other applicable laws or regulations.
(f) When the privileges granted by this ordinance terminate and the conditional use permit granted hereby becomes null and void, whether as a result of the Owner relinquishing this conditional use permit in a writing addressed to the Director of Planning and Development Review or otherwise, use of the Property shall be governed thereafter by the zoning regulations prescribed for the district in which the Property is then situated.
§ 6. Implementation. The Commissioner of Buildings is authorized to issue a building permit substantially in accordance with the Plans for the Conditional Use subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this ordinance. An application for the building permit shall be made within 1,096 calendar days following the date on which this ordinance becomes effective. If either the application for the building permit is not made with the time period stated in the previous sentence or the building permit terminates under any provision of the Virginia Statewide Building Code, this ordinance and the conditional use permit granted hereby shall terminate and become null and void.
§ 7. Effective Date. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.
City of Richmond
Intracity Correspondence
DATE: May 19, 2025
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: The Honorable Danny Avula, Mayor (by request)
(This in no way reflects a recommendation on behalf of the Mayor)
THROUGH: Sabrina Joy-Hogg, Interim Chief Administrative Officer
THROUGH: Sharon L. Ebert, DCAO for Economic Development and Planning
FROM: Kevin J. Vonck, Director of Planning & Development Review
RE: To authorize the conditional use of the property known as 505 West Leigh Street for the purpose of a lodginghouse, upon certain terms and conditions.
ORD. OR RES. No.
PURPOSE: The applicant is requesting a conditional use permit for the Ronald McDonald House Charities to allow for a lodginghouse.
BACKGROUND: The property is located in the Jackson Ward neighborhood on West Leigh Street between Brook Road and Catherine Street. It is currently a 70,570 square foot (1.6 acre) parcel of land. The City’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates a future land use for the subject property as Neighborhood Mixed-Use, which is defined as “Existing or new highly-walkable urban neighborhoods that are predominantly residential with a small, but critical, percentage of parcels providing retail, office, personal service, and institutional uses.” (Richmond 300, p. 82)
Intensity: Building heights are generally two to four stories. Buildings taller than four stories may be found along major streets. Parcels are generally between 1,500 and 5,000 sq. ft.
Primary Uses: Single-family houses, accessory dwelling units, duplexes, small multi-family buildings (typically 3-10 units), and open space.
Secondary Uses: Large multifamily buildings (10+units), retail/office/personal service, institutional, cultural, and government.
The current zoning for the property is R-73 - Residential Multifamily District.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Historic Jackson Ward Association was notified of the application; additional community notification will take place after introduction.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL: Richmond 300 Master Plan
FISCAL IMPACT: $1,600 application fee.
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon adoption
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: June 23, 2025
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: July 28, 2025
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Planning Commission July 15, 2025
AFFECTED AGENCIES: Office of Chief Administrative Officer
Law Department (for review of draft ordinance)
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: None
ATTACHMENTS: Draft Ordinance, Application Form, Applicant’s Report, Management Plan, Plans, Survey
STAFF:
Shaianna Trump, Planner Associate, Land Use Administration (Room 511) 646-7319