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To approve an amendment to the Master Plan for the City of Richmond, adopted by the City Planning Commission on Oct. 5, 2020, and approved by the City Council by Ord. No. 2020-236, adopted Dec. 14, 2020, to incorporate Richmond Connects, Strategic Plan: A Multimodal Plan for Improving Transportation Equity in Richmond detailing improvements in surface transportation performance and safety.
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WHEREAS, pursuant to section 17.06 of the Charter of the City of Richmond (2026), as amended, the City Planning Commission adopted and certified a Master Plan for the City of Richmond on October 5, 2020; and
WHEREAS, by Ordinance No. 2020-236, adopted December 14, 2020, the Council of the City of Richmond approved a Master Plan for the City of Richmond pursuant to a request by the City Planning Commission that the Council adopt such Master Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Richmond Connects, Strategic Plan: A Multimodal Plan for Improving Transportation Equity in Richmond details improvements in surface transportation performance and safety; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 2024-R011, adopted March 25, 2024, Council adopted the Richmond Connects, Strategic Plan: A Multimodal Plan for Improving Transportation Equity in Richmond as the official comprehensive transportation plan for the City of Richmond; and
WHEREAS, the Richmond Connects, Strategic Plan: A Multimodal Plan for Improving Transportation Equity in Richmond is an equity-centered, community-based, climate resilience plan that provides a holistic list of equity-centered projects and programs to accomplish the vision for equitable transportation in alignment with the goals of the Richmond 300: A Guide for Growth master plan and other City initiatives; and
WHEREAS, the City Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on June 16, 2026, concerning amendment of the Richmond 300: A Guide for Growth Master Plan by incorporation of the Richmond Connects, Strategic Plan: A Multimodal Plan for Improving Transportation Equity in Richmond; and
WHEREAS, by a resolution dated June 16, 2026, a copy of which is attached to this ordinance, the City Planning Commission adopted the proposed amendment to incorporate the Richmond Connects, Strategic Plan: A Multimodal Plan for Improving Transportation Equity, hereinafter referred to as the “Richmond Connects Plan,” as part of the Richmond 300: A Guide for Growth Master Plan, hereinafter referred to as the “Master Plan,” which amendment includes (i) the addition of the Richmond Connects Plan as an appendix to the Master Plan and (ii) adjustments to Figure 16: Greenways & On-Street Bike Facilities Map, and Figure 17: Enhanced Transit Map, copies of which are attached to and made a part of this ordinance; and
WHEREAS, it is the consensus of the Council that it is in the best interest of the City of Richmond that the Council, for and on the behalf of the City of Richmond, consent to and adopt the aforesaid amendment to the Master Plan;
NOW, THEREFORE,
THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. That the amendment to the Master Plan, consisting of a document entitled “Richmond Connects, Strategic Plan: A Multimodal Plan for Improving Transportation Equity in Richmond,” dated January 2024, and the amended Figure 16: Greenways & On-Street Bike Facilities Map, dated June 2026, and Figure 17: Enhanced Transit Map, dated June 2026, copies of which are attached to and incorporated into this ordinance, as adopted by the City Planning Commission at its meeting on June 16, 2026, be and is hereby approved as set out in the City Planning Commission’s resolution of that date.
§ 2. That the amendment to the Master Plan adopted by section 1 of this ordinance shall supersede all other parts of the Master Plan adopted prior to the effective date of this ordinance with which it conflicts.
§ 3. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.
DATE: June 18, 2026
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: The Honorable Daniel Avula, Mayor
THROUGH: Odie Donald, Chief Administrative Officer
THROUGH: Sharon L. Ebert, DCAO Planning and Economic Development Portfolio
THROUGH: Kevin J. Vonck, Director, Department of Planning and Development Review
FROM: Marianne G. Pitts, Deputy Director Senior, Department of Planning and Development Review
RE: To approve an amendment to the Master Plan for the City of Richmond, adopted by the City Planning Commission on Oct. 5, 2020, and approved by the City Council by Ord. No. 2020-236, adopted Dec. 14, 2020, to incorporate Richmond Connects, Strategic Plan: A Multimodal Plan for Improving Transportation Equity in Richmond detailing improvements in surface transportation performance and safety.
ORD. OR RES. No.
PURPOSE: To amend the Master Plan for the City of Richmond to include Richmond Connects, Strategic Plan: A Multimodal Plan for Improving Transportation Equity in Richmond.
BACKGROUND: The City’s Master Plan, Richmond 300: A Guide for Growth, which was adopted in 2020, recommended to “Update the Richmond Connects Plan, in collaboration with PDR, DED, HCD, DPW, GRTC, the Virginia Department of Transportation, PlanRVA, the Richmond Regional Transportation Planning Organization, and the general public; to include a specific project list to develop more multi-modal transportation options in a safe network tied to the Future Land Use Plan.” The Office of Equitable Transit and Mobility completed the update to Richmond Connects in 2023 after a two-year long data analysis and public outreach process. Richmond Connects, Strategic Plan: A Multimodal Plan for Improving Transportation Equity in Richmond is an equity-centered, community-based, climate resilience plan that provides a holistic list of equity-centered projects and programs to accomplish the adopted vision for equitable transportation in alignment with the goals of the Richmond 300 and other City initiatives. On February 26, 2024, City Council adopted Richmond Connects as the official comprehensive transportation plan for the City of Richmond.
With this legislation, Richmond Connects will be incorporated into Richmond 300 in its entirety to include ensure the official transportation plan is incorporated into the City’s Master Plan. Additionally, adjustments will be made to Figure 16: Greenways & On-Street Bike Facilities Map, and Figure 17: Enhanced Transit Map, in Richmond 300 to make reference to projects described in the Richmond Connects Plan.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: The Office of Equitable Transit and Mobility/DPW talked to over 20,000 Richmonders through telephone town halls, street canvassing, online surveys, emails, community events, and community pop-ups. In every stage of plan development, continuous community engagement focused on meeting people where they were, listening to traditionally underrepresented communities, and compensating people for their time and knowledge. Public support, especially among Communities of Concern, was the highest weighted criterion for selecting both high priority projects and strategies.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon adoption.
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: September 14, 2026
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: September 28, 2026
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Land Use, Housing, and Transportation Committee, September 22, 2026
AFFECTED AGENCIES: Office of Chief Administrative Officer, Law Department
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.:
Ord. No. 2020-236 (RE: To approve the action of the City Planning Commission adopting “Richmond 300: A Guide for Growth” as the Master Plan of the City of Richmond);
ATTACHMENTS: Draft Ordinance, CPCR.2025.21; Amended Figure 16: Greenways & On-Street Bike Facilities Map, and Figure 17: Enhanced Transit Map, dated June 2026
STAFF: Marianne Pitts, Senior Deputy Director, PDR, Marianne.pitts3@rva.gov <mailto:Marianne.pitts3@rva.gov>