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To authorize the special use of the property known as 900 Catherine Street for the purpose of a dance studio, theater, and assembly hall, upon certain terms and conditions. (2nd District)
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WHEREAS, the owner of the property known as 900 Catherine Steet, which is situated in a R-8 Urban Residential District, desires to use such property for the purpose of a dance studio, theater, and assembly hall, which use, among other things, is not currently allowed by section 30-413.11 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2026), as amended; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with section 17.11 of the Charter of the City of Richmond (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 (2026), 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 property known as 900 Catherine Street and identified as Tax Parcel No. N000-0388/039 in the 2026 records of the City Assessor, being more particularly shown on a survey entitled “Physical Improvement Survey of #900 Catherine Street, City of Richmond, Virginia,” prepared by James River Surveying, and dated July 30, 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 for the purpose of a dance studio, theater, and assembly hall, hereinafter referred to as “the Special Use,” substantially as shown on the plans entitled “The House Richmond, LLC., 900 Catherine St., Richmond, VA.,” prepared by Stanley CAD Services, LLC., and dated January 10, 2022, hereinafter referred to 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 the Property shall be as a dance studio, theater, and assembly hall, substantially as shown on the Plans.
(b) The Special Use shall not operate before 7:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m., daily.
(c) All mechanical equipment serving the Property shall be located or screened so as not to be visible from any adjoining public right-of-way.
§ 4. Supplemental Terms and Conditions. This special use permit is conditioned on the following supplemental terms and conditions:
(a) 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.
(b) 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 adjoining properties and public streets.
(c) 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 (2026), as amended, and all future amendments to such laws.
(d) 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 (2026), 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 (2026), 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 (2026), 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 certificate of occupancy for the Special Use subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this ordinance. An application for the certificate of occupancy shall be made within 1,096 calendar days following the date on which this ordinance becomes effective. If the application for the certificate of occupancy is not made with the time period stated in the previous sentence, this 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.
City of Richmond
Intracity Correspondence
DATE: October 7, 2026
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 authorize the special use of the property known as 900 Catherine Street for the purpose of a dance studio, theater, and assembly hall, upon certain terms and conditions.
ORD. OR RES. No.
PURPOSE: The owner of the subject property, which is situated in a R-8 Urban Residential District, has requested a special use permit to authorize the property to be used for the purpose of a dance studio, theater, and assembly hall, which uses, among other things, are not currently allowed by section 30-413.11 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2026), as amended. A special use permit is therefore necessary to proceed with this request.
BACKGROUND: The subject property is located in the Carver neighborhood on the corner of Goshen Street and Catherine Street. The 0.15-acre parcel is improved with a former church building. The proposed theater and studio are an adaptive reuse of the existing building. The City’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates the future land use for the subject property as Neighborhood Mixed-Use; institutional and cultural uses are considered appropriate secondary uses within this designation.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: The Carver Area Civic Improvement League and the Second District Councilmember were notified of the application; additional community notification will take place after introduction.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL: Richmond 300 Master Plan
FISCAL IMPACT: $2,400 application fee.
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon adoption
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: November 9, 2026
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: December 14, 2026
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Planning Commission December 1, 2026
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 Supervisor, Land Use Administration (Room 511) 646-3709
Shaianna Trump, Planner & Secretary to the City Planning Commission, Land Use Administration (Room 511) 646-7319