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To amend and reordain Ord. No. 2018-012, adopted Feb. 12, 2018, as previously amended by Ord. No. 2019-206, adopted Sept. 9, 2019, which authorized the special use of the property known as 10 West Leigh Street for the purpose of permitting a multifamily dwelling with up to 14 dwelling units, modified the parking requirements for 10 West Leigh Street, and excepted the properties known as 12 West Leigh Street, and 14 ½ West Leigh Street from certain lot area and width and open space requirements, upon certain terms and conditions, to eliminate the parking requirements. (2nd District)
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THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
I. That Ordinance No. 2018-012, adopted February 12, 2018, as previously amended by Ordinance No. 2019-206, adopted September 9, 2019, be and is hereby amended and reordained as follows:
WHEREAS, the owner of the properties known as 10 West Leigh Street, 12 West Leigh Street, and 14 ½ West Leigh Street, which are situated in a R-63 Multifamily Urban Residential District, desires to use such properties for the purpose of a multifamily dwelling with up to 14 dwelling units [and associated parking], which use, among other things, is not currently allowed by sections [30-310, concerning required yard, area, or space for a use or structure to be used for any other use or structure,] 30-419.5(5), concerning lot area and width requirements, and 30-419.7, concerning the usable open space requirement, of the Code of the City of Richmond [(2015)] (2020), as amended; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with section 17.11 of the Charter of the City of Richmond [(2010)] (2020), as amended, it has been made to appear that, if granted subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this ordinance, the special use granted by this ordinance will not be detrimental to the safety, health, morals and general welfare of the community involved, will not tend to create congestion in streets, roads, alleys and other public ways and places in the area involved, will not create hazards from fire, panic or other dangers, will not tend to overcrowding of land and cause an undue concentration of population, will not adversely affect or interfere with public or private schools, parks, playgrounds, water supplies, sewage disposal, transportation or other public requirements, conveniences and improvements, and will not interfere with adequate light and air; 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 30-1050.1 of the Code of the City of Richmond [(2015)] (2020), as amended, the Council hereby finds that the special use set forth in and subject to the terms and conditions of this ordinance will not (i) be detrimental to the safety, health, morals and general welfare of the community involved, (ii) tend to create congestion in streets, roads, alleys and other public ways and places in the area involved, (iii) create hazards from fire, panic or other dangers, (iv) tend to overcrowding of land and cause an undue concentration of population, (v) adversely affect or interfere with public or private schools, parks, playgrounds, water supplies, sewage disposal, transportation or other public requirements, conveniences and improvements, or (vi) interfere with adequate light and air.
§ 2. Grant of Special Use Permit.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this ordinance, the properties known as 10 West Leigh Street, 12 West Leigh Street, and 14 ½ West Leigh Street and identified as Tax Parcels Nos. N000-0104/033, N000-0104/034, and N000-0104/035, respectively, in the [2019] 2025 records of the City Assessor, being more particularly described in a survey entitled “Survey and Plat of the Property Known as #10 W. Leigh Street in the City of Richmond, VA,” prepared by Edwards, Kretz, Lohr & Associates, PLLC, dated September 16, 2016, [and provided as an inset on sheet CS01 of the plans entitled “10WL Renovation,” prepared by Ratio, PC, dated June 29, 2017, and last revised December 5, 2017,] a survey entitled “Survey Plat Showing Existing Improvements to #12 West Leigh Street, City of Richmond, Virginia,” prepared by Shadrach & Associates LLC, and dated November 28, 2017, and a survey entitled “Survey Plat Showing Existing Improvements to #14½ West Leigh Street, City of Richmond, Virginia,” prepared by Shadrach & Associates LLC, and dated December 13, 2017, copies of which are attached to and made a part of [this ordinance] Ordinance No. 2019-206, adopted September 9, 2019, hereinafter referred to as “the Property,” is hereby permitted to be used for the purpose of a multifamily dwelling with up to 14 dwelling units [and to satisfy certain parking requirements for the property known as 10 West Leigh Street and identified as Tax Parcel No. N000-0104/033 in the 2019 records of the City Assessor], which currently is not allowed by sections [30-310, concerning required yard, area or space for a use or structure to be used for any other use or structure,] 30-419.5(5), concerning lot area and width requirements, and 30-419.7, concerning the usable open space requirement, of the Code of the City of Richmond [(2015)] (2020), as amended, hereinafter referred to as “the Special Use,” substantially as shown on plans entitled “10WL Renovation,” prepared by Ratio Studio, PC, dated June 29, 2017, and last revised December 5, 2017, hereinafter referred to as “the Plans,” copies of which are attached to and made a part of Ordinance No. 2018-012, adopted February 12, 2018 [, and on the plans entitled “Parking Plan,” prepared by Ratio Architects, and dated October 24, 2018, copies of which are attached to and made a part of this ordinance 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 special use permit for the Property. The special 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 special use permit is conditioned on the following special terms and conditions:
(a) The Special Use of 10 West Leigh Street shall be a multifamily dwelling with up to 14 dwelling units, substantially as shown on the Plans.
(b) [No fewer than 10 off-street parking spaces shall be provided for the Special Use, some or all of which may be located at 12 West Leigh Street and 14 ½ West Leigh Street, substantially as shown on the Plans, or within 300 feet of the Property, either or both.
(c)] All mechanical equipment serving the Property shall be located or screened so as not to be visible from any public right-of-way.
[(d)] (c) All building materials and elevations shall be substantially as shown on the Plans, unless otherwise approved by the Commission of Architectural Review prior to the issuance of a building permit for 10 West Leigh Street.
[(e) Secure storage for no fewer than ten bicycles shall be provided for 10 West Leigh Street.]
§ 4. Supplemental Terms and Conditions. This special 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 [(2015)] (2020), as amended, and all future amendments to such laws.
(e) [The Owner shall make improvements within the public right-of-way, including repairing existing sidewalk in front of building, substantially as shown on the Plans attached to Ordinance No. 2018-012, adopted February 12, 2018, 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 that such improvements and work are in accordance with such requirements, (iii) transferred to the City, following the written confirmation by the Director of Public Works, 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 special use permit is conditioned on the following general terms and conditions:
(a) No permit implementing this special 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 [(2015)] (2020), as amended, unless the context clearly indicates that a different meaning is intended.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, this special 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 [(2015)] (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 [(2015)] (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 special use permit granted hereby becomes null and void, whether as a result of the Owner relinquishing this special 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 Special Use subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this ordinance. An application for the building permit shall be made within 730 calendar days following the date on which this ordinance becomes effective. If either the application for the building permit is not made within 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 special use permit granted hereby shall terminate and become null and void] The Zoning Administrator is authorized to issue a certificate of zoning compliance for the Special Use subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this amendatory ordinance. An application for the certificate of zoning compliance shall be made within 1,096 calendar days following the date on which this amendatory ordinance becomes effective. If the application for the certificate of zoning compliance is not made within the time period stated in the previous sentence, this amendatory ordinance and the special use permit granted hereby shall terminate and become null and void.
§ 7. Effective Date. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.
II. This amendatory ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.
City of Richmond
Intracity Correspondence
O&R Transmittal
DATE: September 29, 2025
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: The Honorable Dr. Danny Avula, Mayor (by request)
(This in no way reflects a recommendation on behalf of the Mayor)
THROUGH: Odie Donald II, Chief Administrative Officer
THROUGH: Sharon L. Ebert, DCAO for Economic Development and Planning
FROM: Kevin J. Vonck, Director of Planning & Development Review
RE: To amend and reordain Ord. No. 2019-206, adopted September 9, 2019, which authorized the special use of the property known as 10 West Leigh Street for the purpose of permitting a multifamily dwelling with up to 14 dwelling units, upon certain terms and conditions, to modify the parking requirements for the properties known as 10 West Leigh Street, 12 West Leigh Street, and 14 ½ West Leigh Street.
ORD. OR RES. No.
PURPOSE: The applicant is requesting to amend ordinance No. 2019-206 authorizing the special use of 10 W. Leigh Street to remove the requirement for off-street parking. This change will be consistent with the underlying zoning which does not require off-street parking.
BACKGROUND: The property is located in the Jackson Ward neighborhood on the north side of West Leigh Street midblock between Chamberlayne Avenue and St. James Street. The property is currently a 3,720 sq. ft. (.124 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 predominately residential. (p. 56)
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.
The current zoning for this, and adjacent properties is R-63 Multifamily Urban Residential District. Adjacent properties are located within a mix of zones including B-5 Central Business District and R-63 Multifamily Urban Residential District to the West and East respectively. The area is generally single-family attached and multifamily residential, with some small, neighborhood commercial uses present in the vicinity.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: The 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: $1,200 application fee.
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon adoption
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: November 10, 2025
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: December 8, 2025
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Planning Commission December 2, 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, Authorization from Property Owner, Applicant’s Report, Plans, Survey
STAFF:
Alyson Oliver, Program and Operations Manager, Land Use Administration (Room 511) 646-3709
David Watson, Senior Planner Land Use Administration (Room 511) 646-1036