Title
To authorize the special use of the property known as 908 West 31st Street for the purpose of two single-family detached dwellings, upon certain terms and conditions. (5th District)
Body
WHEREAS, the owner of the property known as 908 West 31st Street, which is situated in a R-5 Single-Family Residential District, desires to use such property for the purpose of two single-family detached dwellings, which use, among other things, is not currently allowed by section 30-410.4, concerning lot area and width, of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020), 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 (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 property known as 908 West 31st Street and identified as Tax Parcel No. S000-1363/010 in the 2022 records of the City Assessor, being more particularly shown on a survey entitled “Plat Showing Improvements on Lot 9 & 11, Block ‘67’, Plan of ‘Woodland Heights’, in the City of Richmond, Virginia.,” prepared by McKnight & Associates, P.C., and dated September 1, 2021, 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 two single-family detached dwellings, hereinafter referred to as “the Special Use,” substantially as shown on the plans entitled “S.U.P. for Two New 2-Story Single-Family Detached Houses in Richmond’s Woodland Heights Neighborhood, 908 W 31st St., S.U.P., 908 W 31st Street, Richmond, Virginia 23225,” prepared by Chris Wolf Architecture, PLLC, and dated September 29, 2021, 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 two single-family detached dwellings, substantially as shown on the Plans.
(b) No less than one off-street parking space per dwelling unit shall be provided for the Special Use. Each such parking space shall be accessible from the rear alley.
(c) All building materials and elevations shall be substantially as shown on the Plans.
(d) The height of the Special Use shall not exceed three stories, substantially as shown on the Plans.
(e) All mechanical equipment serving the Property shall be located or screened so as not to be visible from any public right-of-way.
(f) Prior to the issuance of any certificate of occupancy for the Special Use, the establishment of two residential lots, substantially as shown on the Plans, shall be accomplished by obtaining the necessary approvals from the City and recording the appropriate plats and deeds among the land records of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond.
§ 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 (2020), as amended, and all future amendments to such laws.
(e) 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 (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 (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 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.
§ 7. Effective Date. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.
O & R Request
DATE: February 14, 2022 EDITION: 1
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: The Honorable Levar M. Stoney, Mayor (Patron: Mayor, by Request)
(This in 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 Vonck, Director, Department of Planning and Development Review
RE: To authorize the special use of the property known as 908 West 31st Street for the purpose of two single-family detached dwellings, upon certain terms and conditions.
ORD. OR RES. No.
PURPOSE: To authorize the special use of the property known as 908 West 31st Street for the purpose of subdividing the lot and the construction of two single-family detached dwellings, upon certain terms and conditions.
REASON: The subject property is located in the R-5 Single-Family Residential District. Single-family detached dwellings are permitted uses on lots that are a minimum of 50 feet wide and contain 6,000 square feet. The proposed subdivision will result in two lots that are 31 feet wide and 4,588 square feet in area. A special use permit is therefore required.
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 April 4, 2022 meeting.
BACKGROUND: The vacant subject property is located midblock on the western side of West 31st Street between Ferncliff Road and Chesterfield Street. A service alley runs adjacent to the rear property line. The subject property is 62 feet wide with a depth of 148 feet for a total area of 9,176 square feet.
The original Woodland Heights Subdivision, which contains the subject property, created a series of 31 foot wide lots. These lots were often purchased in tandem, or triples, then combined. The property adjacent to the south is an original 31 foot wide lot while other properties on the block are 62 and 93 feet wide and are developed with single-family dwellings. The proposed special use will revert the subject property into two 31 foot wide parcels upon which two single-family detached homes will be built.
The Richmond 300 Master Plan calls for Residential Uses for the property. Primary Uses are single-family houses, accessory dwelling units, and open space. Secondary Uses: Duplexes and small multi-family buildings (typically 3-10 units.)
All properties surrounding the subject property are located within the same R-5 Single-Family Zoning District. Within the area of the subject property, properties are developed primarily with single-family detached dwellings.
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: $300 application fee
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon adoption
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: March 14, 2022
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: April 11, 2022
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: None
CONSIDERATION BY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES: City Planning Commission April 4, 2022
AFFECTED AGENCIES: Office of Chief Administration Officer
Law Department (for review of draft ordinance
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: None
REQUIRED CHANGES TO WORK PROGRAM(S): None
ATTACHMENTS: Draft Ordinance, Application Form, Applicant’s Report, Plans, Survey, Map
STAFF: David Watson, Senior Planner, Land Use Administration, 804-646-1036
Recommended Action
Key Issues:
Retain on Consent Agenda
Move to Regular Agenda
Refer Back to Committee
Remove from Council Agenda
Strike Withdrawn ---- Continue to: