Title
To rezone the property known as 600 Decatur Street from the B-7 Mixed-Use Business District to the B-4 Central Business District. (6th District)
Body
THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. That, as shown on the survey entitled “ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey Showing Existing Improvements to #600-618 Decatur Street, City of Richmond, Virginia,” prepared by Shadrach & Associates, LLC, and dated November 18, 2021, a copy of which is attached to, incorporated into, and made a part of this ordinance, the property known as 600 Decatur Street with Tax Parcel No. S000-0110/003 as shown in the 2022 records of the City Assessor, is excluded from the B-7 Mixed-Use Business District and shall no longer be subject to the provisions of sections 30-446.1 through 30-446.8 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended, and that the same is included in the B-4 Central Business District and shall be subject to the provisions of sections 30-440 through 30-440.7 and all other applicable provisions of Chapter 30 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended.
§ 2. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.
O & R Request
DATE: EDITION: 1
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: The Honorable Levar M. Stoney, Mayor (Patron: Mayor, by Request)
(This is no way reflects a recommendation on behalf of the Mayor.)
THROUGH: J. E. Lincoln Saunders, Chief Administrative Officer
THROUGH: Sharon L. Ebert, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Economic Development and Planning
FROM: Kevin J. Vonck, Director, Department of Planning and Development Review
RE: To rezone the property known as 600 Decatur from the B-7 Mixed-Use Business District to the B-4 Central Business District.
ORD. OR RES. No.
PURPOSE: To rezone the property known as 600 Decatur from the B-7 Mixed-Use Business District to the B-4 Central Business District.
REASON: The applicant is requesting to rezone the property to the B-4 Central Business District, which allows for dense, walkable transit oriented mixed use development with no height limit other than that the inclined plane requirement as it relates to street width, whereas the current B-7 Mixed-Use Business District limits building heights to five stories in general and six stories under certain circumstances.
RECOMMENDATION: In accordance with the requirements of the City Charter and the Zoning Ordinance, the City Planning Commission will review this request and make a recommendation to City Council. This item will be scheduled for consideration by the Commission at its June 6, 2022, meeting.
BACKGROUND: The proposed rezoning would include a single parcel of land located on the south side of Decatur Street between East 6th Street and East 7th Street, in the Old Town Manchester neighborhood. The total land area of the parcel is 42,672 square feet, or 0.977 acres. The property is improved with a single-story warehouse building.
Richmond 300 recommends a future land use of “Destination Mixed-Use” for the property. The primary uses envisioned for Destination Mixed-Use are retail/office/personal service, multi-family residential, cultural, and open space. Secondary uses are institutional and government. The development style envisioned is higher-density, transit-oriented on vacant or underutilized sites. New development should be urban in form, may be of larger scale than the existing context, and should pay special attention to the historic character of the existing context. Development should enhance the public realm and create a sense of place, with many vertically mixed-use buildings. A gridded street pattern should be continued or introduced to increase connectivity. Ground floor uses are envisioned to engage with and enliven the street through windows, doors, storefronts and other features that allow transparency and interaction between building and street. The recommended intensity is high with new buildings typically a minimum of five stories. Pedestrian, bicycle and transit access must be prioritized.
The property is also located within the vicinity of the “Downtown-Manchester” primary growth node, which envisions the area as continuing to be a population center, with people and economic activity supporting a thriving business corridor along Hull Street.
The property is currently located in the B-7 Mixed-Use Business District, which permits dwelling units and a variety of commercial uses. The height limit for new buildings is five stories in general with six stories permitted under certain circumstances. From-based requirements ensure that new developments are pedestrian-oriented.
Properties to the east are located in the B-6 Mixed-Use Business District. Properties to the south and east are also located in the B-7 Mixed-Use Business District. Properties to the north are located in both the B-7 Business Mixed-Use District and B-6 Mixed-Use Business District. Multi-family developments are located to the north, east, and south, and commercial warehouse use is located to the west.
FISCAL IMPACT / COST: The Department of Planning and Development Review does not anticipate any impact to the City’s budget for this or future fiscal years.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: Staff time for processing the request; preparation of draft ordinance; and publishing, mailing and posting of public notices.
BUDGET AMENDMENT NECESSARY: No
REVENUE TO CITY: $1,500 application fee
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon adoption
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: May 9, 2022
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: June 13, 2022
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: None
CONSIDERATION BY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES: City Planning Commission
June 6, 2022
AFFECTED AGENCIES: Office of Chief Administrative Officer
Law Department (for review of draft ordinance)
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: None
REQUIRED CHANGES TO WORK PROGRAM(S): None
ATTACHMENTS: Application Form, Applicant’s Report, Draft Ordinance, Survey, Map
STAFF: Richard Saunders, Senior Planner, Land Use Administration (Room 511) 646-5648
Recommended Action
Key Issues:
Retain on Consent Agenda
Move to Regular Agenda
Refer Back to Committee
Remove from Council Agenda
Strike Withdrawn ---- Continue to: