Carver District / Newtowne West / Allison District

[whw53]

There will be a virtual meeting this Thursday related to the Ph3 Pulse Corridor rezoning program north of Broad in the Carver\Newtowne area. I'm not sure what I signed up for to receive this email but if anyone is interested I can forward this to them if you message me. I'm sure there is a link somewhere on the city site or the Richmond300 site but I can't seem to find it. This rezoning is up for city council vote next week I believe - so this may be the last public meeting unless it gets pushed out again. 

A note about the Title - I added Allison District to reference the area between Lowes and the Science Museum. This is what the Richmond 300 calls this area in which they envision a future urban village arising from the redevelopment of the industrial uses and the DMV site. Maybe it is premature to name it this here but I don't really know how else to refer to this area. If there was nothing going on here I would've left it out but the ongoing Sauer Center is right in the middle of this district and is the largest development project going on north of Broad between these 3 neighborhood place names. I added some snips from the draft 300 plan to prove I'm not making this up - lol. I guess we will see if it catches, if not - I can edit the title. 

 

[whw53]

Nothing too much new to report from the meeting last night but it was great to here from the planning staff on the vision for this area. They really see this area as a pocket that needs to absorb growth that is coming to Richmond whether we are ready or not. A few takeaways - 

1.  As this are re-develops city will try to reconnect street grid esp. Marshall & Clay from Sauer Center to Carver District. (This would have to come with some sort of redevelopment of Lowes/Kroger.) They were successful in doing this at Sauer Center so not impossible. 

2. Staff defended B-4 usage along Broad from onslaught of Fan NIMBYS and anti-growthers which gave the usual unfounded stew of historic nature/property values/off-scale etc. etc. There was very good argument from staff that discussed why we can't continue down the road of just going through SUP process every time somebody wants to build something big which is that deters developers and makes the city seem incompetent and devalues the zoning tool. Some very cool renderings of Lowe's parking lot potential under B4 which I see if I can find. 

3. POD overlay will be implemented over this entire area so that for projects meeting a certain sqfootage or contain 3+ units from my understanding will be evaluated for certain urban principles tied to the Pulse plan. This is similar to what was done in Monroe Ward.

4. No update on the Opus project. As we know, plan was approved through SUP - developer has yet to apply for permits however.

Edited September 4, 2020 by whw53

[I miss RVA]

4 hours ago, whw53 said:

Nothing too much new to report from the meeting last night but it was great to here from the planning staff on the vision for this area. They really see this area as a pocket that needs to absorb growth that is coming to Richmond whether we are ready or not. A few takeaways - 

Staff defended B-4 usage along Broad from onslaught of Fan NIMBYS and anti-growthers which gave the usual unfounded stew of historic nature/property values/off-scale etc. etc.

There was very good argument from staff that discussed why we can't continue down the road of just going through SUP process every time somebody wants to build something big which is that deters developers and makes the city seem incompetent and devalues the zoning tool.

Some very cool renderings of Lowe's parking lot potential under B4 which I see if I can find. 

 No update on the Opus project. As we know, plan was approved through SUP - developer has yet to apply for permits however.

1.) - growth coming whether we are ready or not - YESSSS!!! I PRAY this is true! It certainly looks that way.

2.) - NIMBYs & anti-growthers: These nutcases drive me insane. This is EXACTLY what I've been kvetching about on here as one of the PRIMARY problems that has continuously held Richmond back as far back as I can remember. They need to sit down, STFU and get it through their thick heads that the days of "preserving" whatever-TF "historic tradition" that Richmond has have long past.  Richmond's not going to lose it's history, but for the love of God, this city needs to grow!!

3.) - I'm SO very glad the staff stood up the NIMBYs and told them point blank how their mindset no longer works and is an actual detriment to the city. It's time Richmond stops off-putting developers and stops looking so ridiculously incompetent compared to other cities that are thriving and, not only welcome new development, aggressively pursue it.

4.) - Lowe's parking lot potential - would LOVE to see what is envisioned!! Hope you are able to find it.

5.) - That doesn't sound good re: Opus. Wonder what's up with that? COVID-related? I don't want to give up hope, but I was hoping we'd see something happening by now.

[whw53]

Rezoning program approved by planning commission! - this will now go to City Council monday 9/14. 

More from BizSense

https://richmondbizsense.com/2020/09/09/after-delay-city-planners-endorse-next-round-of-pulse-driven-rezonings/

Edited September 9, 2020 by whw53

[Icetera]

2 hours ago, whw53 said:

Rezoning program approved by planning commission! - this will now go to City Council monday 9/14. 

More from BizSense

https://richmondbizsense.com/2020/09/09/after-delay-city-planners-endorse-next-round-of-pulse-driven-rezonings/

"Darby said most of that zoning was put in place in 1976 and noted population projections from more than 230,000 last year to as much as 340,000 by 2037"

Well that is certainly optimistic.

[I miss RVA]

13 hours ago, Icetera said:

"Darby said most of that zoning was put in place in 1976 and noted population projections from more than 230,000 last year to as much as 340,000 by 2037"

Well that is certainly optimistic.

WOW!!! WOW!!! WOWWWWWWWW!!!!! Please God!

[whw53]

Rezoning will not go before city council tonight - this has been pushed - again - until the 28th. Hopefully planning staff, council stand strong and don't curtail the B-4 proposed along Broad. 

[eandslee]

They need to stop beating around the bush and just pass this thing already!  Gee, they are delaying progress here!

[I miss RVA]

5 hours ago, whw53 said:

Rezoning will not go before city council tonight - this has been pushed - again - until the 28th. Hopefully planning staff, council stand strong and don't curtail the B-4 proposed along Broad. 

Seriously?? This is ridiculous. I guess Gray wants to marshal her NIMBY alliance to try to put the kibosh on Richmond's growth because "Gawwwd-forbid RIchmond grows into a big city"

"But the school!!!"  "But the history!!!"  "But the (BS) architecture!!!"

... Jesus Christ...  FFS...  

Edited September 14, 2020 by I miss RVA

[whw53]

Took some pictures on my walk to and from Kroger today. A good amount of infill development in Carver over last 6 months - there are not too many empty lots left between Belvidere & Bowe. I know each project itself is not too exciting, but the combined effort is doing alot to make Carver feel denser and more mature as empty lots are filled in. 

1. 812 W Marshall - New ground up commercial building on former parking lot. A project permit sign indicates a commercial permit of a restaurant. There is a large deck off the 2nd story out back I did not get a picture of. 

2. 818 N Harrison - New build single unit home on previously vacant lot - For Sale. 

3. 909 N Harrison - New build single unit home on split lot, was previously backyard of brick building. 

4. 903 N Kinney -  New build single unit home on previously vacant lot

5. 1120 W Clay - Dominion substation lot has been vacated and equipment removed. This is a nice chunk of land on a corner- hopefully Dominion will offer this to the market.

7. 1310 W Clay - Land for sale. 

8. Found the listing for 7 - looks like a final product is already being offered, builder maybe waiting on sale. I like the modern architecture here. 

9. 1414 W Clay - New build single unit home on previously vacant lot. (What is with this aqua-marine color?! Must have been on sale at Lowe's or something...i think it's same color used for buildings in pics 2,3,4,8,9.)

10. 1300 block Catherine - 2 attached rowhomes on former vacant lot. Another injection of modern architecture. Pair farther down alley has been around for a year or so.

Edited September 16, 2020 by whw53

[I miss RVA]

Holy smoke! There's been a LOT of new stuff going up in Carver. Wow! Quite impressive.

[urbanlife]

On 9/14/2020 at 12:21 PM, I miss RVA said:

Seriously?? This is ridiculous. I guess Gray wants to marshal her NIMBY alliance to try to put the kibosh on Richmond's growth because "Gawwwd-forbid RIchmond grows into a big city"

"But the school!!!"  "But the history!!!"  "But the (BS) architecture!!!"

... Jesus Christ...  FFS...  

I misread this and thought you were ragging on Bachelors of Science Architecture, and thought what's wrong with those people? I'm one of those people. But yeah, absurd NIMBY behavior is a thorn in the side to growing cities. Richmond should act like a big city because it is becoming a big city.

[I miss RVA]

2 hours ago, urbanlife said:

I misread this and thought you were ragging on Bachelors of Science Architecture, and thought what's wrong with those people? I'm one of those people. But yeah, absurd NIMBY behavior is a thorn in the side to growing cities. Richmond should act like a big city because it is becoming a big city.

OMG - that's just too funny. Glad you re-read that! Definitely NOT referring to the academic degree - rather to the bull droppings of the NIMBYs.

[rjp212]

On 9/14/2020 at 3:21 PM, I miss RVA said:

Seriously?? This is ridiculous. I guess Gray wants to marshal her NIMBY alliance to try to put the kibosh on Richmond's growth because "Gawwwd-forbid RIchmond grows into a big city"

"But the school!!!"  "But the history!!!"  "But the (BS) architecture!!!"

... Jesus Christ...  FFS...  

If you want to see some horrible NIMBYism, check out the "Why not RVA" group on Facebook.  I get concerned citizens and all, but like NOTHING is good enough for them.  I

[eandslee]

2 hours ago, rjp212 said:

If you want to see some horrible NIMBYism, check out the "Why not RVA" group on Facebook.  I get concerned citizens and all, but like NOTHING is good enough for them.  I

Out of curiosity, I went to that Facebook page and the first person I saw posted there was Scott Burger...that’s all I needed to see to know that I will not be going to that page anymore. Talk about NIMBY...he is the father of NIMBYism!  Back in the day, he used to troll the RichmondCityWatch forum until we ran him off.  No one would entertain his pathetic remarks.  Everything circulated around Oregon Hill (where he lives) and it looks like he hasn’t stopped - that’s all he cares about...and stopping anything good planned for the city.  Can’t believe he has a platform on Facebook where people will entertain him!  I’m so done with this guy. 

Edited September 27, 2020 by eandslee

[I miss RVA]

56 minutes ago, eandslee said:

Out of curiosity, I went to that Facebook page and the first person I saw posted there was Scott Burger...that’s all I needed to see to know that I will not be going to that page anymore. Talk about NIMBY...he is the father of NIMBYism!  Back in the day, he used to troll the RichmondCityWatch forum until we ran him off.  No one would entertain his pathetic remarks.  Everything circulated around Oregon Hill (where he lives) and it looks like he hasn’t stopped - that’s all he cares about...and anything good planned for the city.  Can’t believe he has a platform on Facebook where people will entertain him!  I’m so done with this guy. 

I'm not a Facebook user for a laundry list full of reasons. However, I did check out the NIMBY site - and found this ditty on there. What's the deal with Style?  I know they have catered to these nutcases over the years, but this is utterly nauseating. Same BS argument they've been making for 50 years - and the obligatory mention of emulating Charleston. Please pass the zofran.

https://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/guest-commentary-runaway-train/Content?oid=16536868

 

[whw53]

Ok, hopefully not over-reacting...but went by the Opus site about an hour ago at Lombardy\Broad...there have definitely been some changes at the gas station over the past week. All the Sunoco plating\branding is down from the pump ceiling and it looks like its been stripped to the colors (Amoco or Exxon?) prior to it switching to Sunoco. It is still open but if i'm interpreting that right it could be they are beginning the process of stripping this down for an upcoming demoiltion....

[eandslee]

5 minutes ago, whw53 said:

Ok, hopefully not over-reacting...but went by the Opus site about an hour ago at Lombardy\Broad...there have definitely been some changes at the gas station over the past week. All the Sunoco plating\branding is down from the pump ceiling and it looks like its been stripped to the colors (Amoco or Exxon?) prior to it switching to Sunoco. It is still open but if i'm interpreting that right it could be they are beginning the process of stripping this down for an upcoming demoiltion....

Hopefully, this is a very good sign that things might be moving in the right direction!  Thanks for the report!

[Brent114]

Scott is the worst.   He has been in Richmond long enough to know better too.  
In the 15 years or so he has been harassing people over proposed changes to Oregon Hill, the neighborhood has languished.   He wants to keep it shabby so that his property taxes stay low. 
 

I’ve sparred with him over the Monroe Park Rennovation, BRT, Whole Foods...you name it.  I’m pretty close to those people ideologically  but they are so provincial in their thinking. I’ve spent the weekend in Milwaukee and Chicago.  I’ve seen things that should work in Richmond and I’m over those that aren’t willing to think bigger.

.....and Charleston can suck it.  Boston should be the model for Richmond. 

 

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

Scott as in Scott Burger? There's a name I haven't seen since god knows 2013. Thought he finally went away. Looks like he's still there, obstructionist as ever.

[Wahoo 07]

13 hours ago, Brent114 said:

 

.....and Charleston can suck it.  Boston should be the model for Richmond. 

 

Yes.   A historically rich city major city with a modern economy should be Richmond's goal, not some living museum.

[whw53]

Rezoning will be heading to city council tonight ! it looks like they are done pushing this out AND they are holding firm with the B-4 along Broad. Let's go!

https://richmondbizsense.com/2020/09/28/pulse-rezonings-head-for-council-vote-despite-opposition-over-heights/

 

[eandslee]

Hoping for the best on this!  Fingers crossed!

[Icetera]

3 hours ago, RVA-Is-The-Best said:

Scott as in Scott Burger? There's a name I haven't seen since god knows 2013. Thought he finally went away. Looks like he's still there, obstructionist as ever.

Oh, he still pops up everywhere for sure and still wants solar panels required on everything!

[eandslee]

12 minutes ago, Icetera said:

Oh, he still pops up everywhere for sure and still wants solar panels required on everything!

Funny because he wasn’t even happy about Dominion putting solar panels on their parking deck next to their building on the river!  I was super surprised.  His argument against them was that the overall height of the structure would be too high!!  

Even when you give him what he wants you still can’t win with him!!