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To reverse the decision of the Commission of Architectural Review striking from its docket and denying an application for a certificate of appropriateness to install new lights on the Vann Memorial Tower, located at 1500 North Lombardy Street in the city of Richmond, in the shape of the Virginia Union University emblem by fully approving such application. (3rd District)
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WHEREAS, on February 25, 2020, the Commission of Architectural Review denied an application identified as Certificate of Appropriateness Application No. COA-069101-2020 for approval of the installation of new lights in the shape of the Virginia Union University emblem on the Vann Memorial Tower, located on the Virginia Union University campus at 1500 North Lombardy Street, hereinafter referred to as the “Tower,” a portion of which is situated within the Belgian Building Old and Historic District (Lombardy Street and Brook Road); and
WHEREAS, on May 24, 2022, the Commission of Architectural Review struck from its docket and effectively denied a subsequent application identified as Certificate of Appropriateness Application No. COA-111537-2022 for approval of the installation of new lights in the shape of the Virginia Union University emblem on the Tower; and
WHEREAS, on June 7, 2022, pursuant to section 30-930.8 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended, the owner of the Tower filed an appeal with the City Clerk asking that the Council reverse the Commission of Architectural Review’s decision denying approval of the application identified as Certificate of Appropriateness Application No. COA-111537-2022 to instead grant approval of Certificate of Appropriateness Application No. COA-111537-2022; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to section 30-930.8 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended, the Council may reverse or modify the decision appealed, in whole or in part, by resolution when it is satisfied that the decision of the Commission of Architectural Review is in error, or, by taking no action, the Council may affirm the decision of the Commission; and
WHEREAS, the Council is satisfied that the Commission of Architectural Review’s decision is in error under Chapter 30, Article IX, Division 4 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended, because the Council believes that the owner of the Tower has presented sufficient evidence to show that the denial and the striking of the application for the certificate of appropriateness were in error and that Virginia Union University, as the owner of the Tower, would have demonstrated, if heard, that the lights in the shape of the Virginia Union University emblem are architecturally compatible with the buildings, structures, sites and general character of the Belgian Building Old and Historic District;
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND:
That the Council hereby reverses the decision of the Commission of Architectural Review striking from its docket and effectively denying Certificate of Appropriateness Application No. COA-111537-2022 for the installation of new lights on the Vann Memorial Tower, located on the Virginia Union University campus at 1500 North Lombardy Street, in the shape of the Virginia Union University emblem by fully approving such application as originally submitted by the owner of the Vann Memorial Tower located at 1500 North Lombardy Street.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That the Council hereby directs that a Certificate of Appropriateness sufficient to show the Council’s full approval of Certificate of Appropriateness Application No. COA-111537-2022 be issued to the owner of the Vann Memorial Tower located on the Virginia Union University campus at 1500 North Lombardy Street.