Richmond City Council Meeting December 15, 2025
- Voice !t Staff
- Dec 19, 2025
- 3 min read
At its rescheduled December 15, 2025 meeting, Richmond City Council took action on dozens of items affecting housing, development, public funding, transparency, and community services. Some proposals were approved, others delayed, and several new ideas were formally introduced for future review.
Here’s what happened and why it matters to everyday Richmonders.
Land Use and Development Decisions
Richmond City Council approved, continued, or introduced numerous zoning and development proposals across the city.
Several special use permits and housing proposals, including projects on Hawthorne Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue, Carlisle Avenue, Daytona Drive, and Floyd Avenue were continued to future meetings.
Council approved multiple housing and mixed-use developments, including:
Changes to the Stony Point Community Unit Plan, allowing a commissary kitchen and additional townhomes.
Elimination of parking requirements for a 14-unit multifamily building on West Leigh Street.
New housing approvals on North Lombardy Street, North 32nd Street, Catherine Street, Selden Street, and 5th Avenue.
A mixed-use building with outdoor dining on South Meadow Street.
Several new development proposals, including multifamily housing, restaurants, signage, and mixed-use projects, were introduced and sent to the Planning Commission for review in early January.
Council also introduced an ordinance to declare the “City Center” property on North 10th Street surplus, a first step toward mixed-use redevelopment.
Why this matters: Housing density, land use, and redevelopment decisions directly shape neighborhood growth, affordability, and walkability, how do you want development in your part of Richmond to evolve?
City Funding, Grants, and Financial Actions
Richmond City Council approved and introduced multiple funding measures involving millions of dollars.
Council accepted new funding, including:
$728,695 from VDOT for bike lanes and street conversions.
$15 million from the Commonwealth of Virginia to support infrastructure tied to CoStar facilities.
$25,000 from AARP for a bus boarding platform.
Funding for participatory budgeting, transferring over $284,000 to support the process.
Grants supporting youth mentoring and firefighter training.
Council also assigned the FY 2024–2025 general fund surplus, while several financial items, including a real estate tax proposal, surplus land sale, and opioid abatement grants were continued or scheduled for future hearings.
New proposals were introduced for gun violence prevention funding and a real estate tax deferral program, both sent to committee for review.
Why this matters: City budgets are important documents, how Richmond chooses to spend (or delay spending) money reflects what it prioritizes, so where should public dollars make the biggest impact in our community?
Governance, Transparency, and Accountability
Council adopted several measures aimed at improving transparency and oversight.
Approved ordinances will now:
Require more detailed financial disclosures from boards and commissions handling significant public funds.
Prohibit fees for the city’s open data portal and mandate publication of specific datasets.
Establish an online FOIA request library, making public records requests easier to track and access.
Council also endorsed Richmond’s 2026 Legislative Agenda and introduced a proposal to move up the city’s budget presentation deadline, sending it to committee.
Why this matters: Transparency laws determine how easily residents can see, question, and understand government actions, so how accessible should city decision-making be to the public?
Public Safety, Youth, and Community Services
Several public safety and social service initiatives moved forward.
Council approved:
Funding for youth substance misuse mentoring.
A regional juvenile crime control plan.
Grants for firefighter training and protective equipment.
Steps toward stronger enforcement for historic district and landmark protections.
Other proposals: such as displacement mitigation assessments, expanded youth life skills programs, opioid recovery partnerships, and traffic enforcement penalties were continued or introduced for future consideration.
Why this matters: Public safety and prevention programs affect long-term community stability, what kinds of investments do you believe best support safer, healthier neighborhoods?
Transportation and Public Assets
Council approved several actions related to public spaces and transportation.
These included:
Amending the Maymont Park operating agreement.
Allowing FlixBus to operate from East Main Street.
Acquiring property for a new public park near South Harrison Street and Idlewood Avenue.
Granting an easement for electric infrastructure improvements.
Why this matters: Public assets like parks, transit stops, and infrastructure shape daily life, how should Richmond balance growth with shared community spaces?
Final Thoughts
That may sound like a lot and it is but this is what democracy looks like in its natural habitat: zoning tweaks, budget line items, committee referrals, and the occasional parking requirement disappearing into the night.
By staying informed about Richmond City Council, we don’t just consume news, we assert ourselves as citizens who understand how decisions are made and who they affect. And honestly, that’s way more powerful than it sounds.