When Residents Speak, Richmond Listens
- Voice !t Staff
- Nov 21
- 4 min read
Richmond City Council & Planning Commission Highlights November 18–19, 2025
This week’s meetings across Richmond’s City Council committees and the Planning Commission showed something powerful: when residents speak up, Richmond listens. From public comments to packed engagement sessions, community voices helped shape the discussions and decisions moving forward.
Community Spotlight
This week highlighted just how much Richmond’s residents are driving the conversation. More than 4,400 people have taken part in zoning refresh events so far, and over 2,000 comments were submitted on the draft maps alone. Ten speakers showed up to support the Cultural Heritage Stewardship Plan, adding personal stories and community history to the public record. And across meetings, neighbors weighed in on parks, preservation, and neighborhood change.
These efforts didn’t just fill seats, they shaped outcomes. The discussions, revisions, and priorities moving forward all reflect the time and energy Richmond residents continue to invest.
Next week’s special “Community Spotlight” edition will highlight a few of the neighbors and other efforts whose voices made a meaningful difference this fall.
Parks, Public Spaces, and Community Heritage
Maymont Park Management Agreement
A renewed agreement is moving forward that allows the Maymont Foundation to continue managing and improving Maymont Park, keeping long-term operations stable for one of Richmond’s most iconic public spaces.
New Public Park in Oregon Hill
The City is moving to accept two parcels near Harrison Street and Idlewood Avenue, with the goal of creating a new permanent public park. The Planning Commission unanimously supported the plan.
Cultural Heritage Stewardship Plan
The Planning Commission approved the updated Cultural Heritage Stewardship Plan, which outlines how Richmond will identify and protect historic places, including: buildings, landscapes, archaeological resources, and even elements of community identity. The plan emphasizes supporting existing residents and small businesses during preservation efforts. The commission forwarded the amended plan to City Council with recommendation for approval.
Why this matters: Parks, heritage planning, and public space investments shape the identity and livability of Richmond’s neighborhoods. As the city grows, what shared places and stories do we want future generations to inherit?
Transportation Access and Mobility
FlixBus Downtown Boarding Area
A new boarding and waiting area for FlixBus on East Main Street is moving forward, improving intercity travel options for residents, students, and visitors.
VDOT Funding for Bike Lanes and Street Conversions
Richmond is moving forward on a plan to receive more than $700,000 from the Virginia Department of Transportation to support bike lane improvements and street conversion projects. This has been forwarded to City Council for approval.
AARP Grant for Bus Boarding Platform
A $25,000 grant from AARP has been forwarded to City Council for approval. If adopted, it will help design and build a new accessible bus boarding platform on 2nd Street.
Why this matters: Transportation affects access to jobs, healthcare, and community life. As Richmond expands travel options, what would a truly connected and accessible city look like for all residents?
Support for Youth, Neighborhoods, and Public Safety
Youth Substance Misuse Prevention
A national grant that would support mentoring and prevention programming for youth affected by or at risk of substance misuse has been forwarded to City Council for
approval.
Firefighter Training and Safety Equipment
New state funding that would support firefighter training, equipment upgrades, and improved protective gear has also been forwarded to City Council for approval.
Why this matters: Programs that protect youth and keep first responders safe strengthen the foundations of community well-being. How can Richmond continue investing in the people who keep neighborhoods safe and supported?
Economic Development and Community Investment
Funding for CoStar Infrastructure Improvements
A proposal for the City to receive $15 million from the Commonwealth of Virginia to support infrastructure development around CoStar’s downtown campus has been forwarded to City Council for approval.
Revitalization in Commercial Areas
An updated agreement that would continue supporting business corridors through the CARE program — which provides improvements and resources in qualifying commercial districts — has been sent to City Council for final approval.
Participatory Budgeting Moves Under the City Administration
A proposal to shift the participatory budgeting program — and its associated funding — from City Council staff to the Chief Administrative Office has been forwarded to City Council for approval to streamline operations and expand implementation capacity.
Why this matters: Investments in business corridors, job hubs, and resident-led budgeting shape where opportunity grows. What kinds of economic development best strengthen local businesses and long-time neighborhoods?
Housing Stability and Tax Policy
Citywide Displacement Prevention Inventory
A proposal requesting a full review of all City programs designed to prevent displacement — along with an evaluation of which strategies are working — has been forwarded to City Council for approval. If adopted, the review would return with findings and recommendations in 120 days.
Real Estate Tax Rate Discussion
Council is considering a request for the Mayor to recommend a lower real estate tax rate for the upcoming budget cycle. No recommendation has been made yet.
Why this matters: Housing stability and tax policy directly affect household budgets and neighborhood change. What tools will help Richmond stay affordable and welcoming for long-time residents as the city grows?
Zoning Ordinance Refresh: What’s Changing
The City shared major updates on the Zoning Ordinance Refresh, updates shaped directly by community input. More than 4,400 residents have participated in engagement events, and over 2,000 comments on the draft maps prompted meaningful adjustments, from lot standards to neighborhood-specific changes. The result reflects what people across Richmond said they wanted to protect, improve, and rethink.
Key updates include:
New incentives for preserving existing homes.
Adjusted rules for lot sizes, setbacks, and building coverage.
More flexibility for small neighborhood-serving businesses in some residential areas.
Updated standards for tree canopy and green space.
New strategies for residential infill and sublots to support more housing options.
Height transition standards to ensure new development fits neighborhood context.
Why this matters: Zoning rules influence everything from housing supply to neighborhood character. As Richmond modernizes its zoning, how can the city ensure changes support equity, sustainability, and long-term community goals?
In Closing
This week made one theme unmistakable: when Richmonders speak up, the city listens. Community input shaped revisions, influenced priorities, and guided the way proposals moved forward. Every question asked, comment submitted, or meeting attended added to a chorus that City Hall couldn’t ignore.