Ginter Park Weekly Gazette-Friday, October 7
Upcoming Happenings
-
Saturday, October 8, Third Annual Art Pop Up!
Enjoy live music while you stroll and shop a display of art by local artisits and artisans in a residential garden setting. Hosts Nancy Falcone and Mark Vasas are reprising this popular Spring 2021 art show and sale. You have time to visit before heading out to Folk Fest! 
Ample on-street parking, gorgeous weather forecast; get a head-start on your holiday shopping.
Pottery, jewelry, ceramics, potted succulents, baby rompers, glass garden ornaments and more. An unticketed event.
-
Diamond District Northside Neighborhoods Meeting, Monday, October 10, 6:30 to 8:00 pm
- RSVP and see details at https://www.facebook.com/events/639948004360085
- On Monday, October 10th, from 6:30-8pm at Holton Elementary, the Rosedale Civic Association, Historic Jackson Ward Association, Hermitage Road Historic District Association, Ginter Park Residents Association, Bellevue Civic Association, Sherwood Park Civic Association, and Edgehill Chamberlayne Court Civic Association will host a public meeting on the redevelopment of the Diamond District, the 67-acre parcel of land that includes the current baseball stadium (the Diamond). The project will involve large-scale development over several years, to include a new stadium, a hotel, rental and owner housing, and retail space.
- Given that the new Diamond District will be located near our Northside neighborhoods, we have arranged to meet directly with the selected Diamond District redevelopment team, RVA Diamond Partners, along with elected officials and other key partners, so that our neighborhoods can provide direct input and ask questions, with our community serving as ongoing partners in the project. This meeting will focus specifically on the impacts, benefits, and concerns of the neighborhoods in the surrounding areas of the Diamond District.
Blood Drive, and You Don’t Have to Leave the Neighborhood to Give! Schedule an Appointment Now!
- The Red Cross is dealing with the catastrophic impacts of Hurricane Ian. As Hurricane Ian has brought widespread, life-threatening storm surges and flooding throughout Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, the American Red Cross is sending hundreds of blood products to Florida to ensure blood remains available for patients in areas impacted by the storm.
- We are counting on donors in unaffected areas to help fill the gaps and ensure enough blood is available to support patients. To sign up click here:
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=Ginter
City-Wide Re-Zoning Process Progresses, Only One More Round of Public Engagement
As the City implements the Richmond 300 Plan, there will be changes to zoning ordinances. On the table currently are potential changes to ordinances related to Short Term Rentals, Accessory Dwelling Units and Parking Minimums for new development and redevelopment. New ordianances are to be applied to every neighborhood across the City. Thus far, there have been public engagement in-person meetings, virtual meetings, telephone townhalls and this week, meetings of selected Focus Groups.
Now the Planning Development Review team will consider the public input thus far and will draft the ordinances. Those drafts will be the subject of a final round of public input meetings in November. City Council is to take the proposed ordinances up in 2023. Stay tuned for details about the November meetings.
Link to a slide presentation that explains the nature and current ordinances for STRs, ADUs and for Parking Minimums:
https://www.rva.gov/sites/default/files/2022-08/3ZoningChanges_PublicMtgs.pdf
Link to a PDR Summary, Three Zoning Changes Engagement Report-9/26/2022, following round 2 of public meetings:
https://www.rva.gov/sites/default/files/2022-09/Engagement%20Report%20.pdf
- Short Term Rentals: a room or group of rooms within a single dwelling that may be rented to the public for charge for 1-30 consecutive nights. Currently, there is a regulation that the owner must live on site for a minimum of 185 days.
Why is this ordinance important to consider carefully?
- City reports that there are 800 STRS in Richmond, but only 100 are registered and adhering to current regulations. Thoes unrergistered are not payinglodging taxes.
- Risk of investors increasing the number of STRS and making properties that may have been affordable rental housing less, rather than more, available.
- City reports that 64% of those surveyed thus far are in favor of primary residency requirement for STR owners/hosts, and there has been discussion regarding measures to enforce regulations.
- Acccessory Dwelling Units: Smaller, independent dwelling unit located on the same lot as another residential structure. Commonly known as accessory apartment,secondary suite, in-law suite or granny flat. Internal, attached, or detached The City is proposing that ADUs be permitted by right, without the currently required Special Use Permit in any zoning district that allows residental use. ADUs are City reports 46% polled say yes to this change, while 19% responded no, and 35% asre unsure.
Why is is this ordinance change of interest to neighborhoods?
- Many benefits to ADUs reported; concerns raised are whether they can be utilized as STRS, again taking away from potential affordable rental units; whether there will still be zoning/codes regulations regarding size, height, appearance/design, setbacks, dedicated parking, density, number of occupants, parcel coverage.. Thus far, the majority polled favor by right permitting of ADUs, but with regulations in place to address areas of concern.
- Parking Mimimum: The foillowing are the reasons for consideratioin for no minimum parking requirements.
- Minimums for residential uses typically based on number of
dwelling units while commercial use minimums often determined
by floor area
• Complexity of nonconforming (grandfathered) parking spaces
• Required parking can be a burden on small businesses - By the conclusion of the August public polling, 50% said no to removing parking minimums. According to PDR staff, disfcussions about this change have been the most contentious, although many support less car-dependence, more walkability, more public transit, less land dedicated to ashalt parking lots or structures.
One of the missions of our civic association is to provide information, resources, education, so that citizens can take action. From time to time, the GPRA Board takes formal, public positions to represent our neighborhood following a meeting and vote or a formal survey. We’s like to hear from you about these three Re-zoning Changes. Please contact Susan, president@ginterpark.org
Calendar
- Tuesday, October 11, GPRA Board Meeting, 6:30-8:00 pm, Ginter Place Club Room, Board Reports and Review of Bylaws Revisions Draft.
- Sunday, October 16, deadline to purchase tickets for the Progressive Appetizer Night Event! https://ginterpark.org/progressiveapps/
- Saturday, October 22, Progressive Appetizert Night! https://ginterpark.org/progressive-appe…kets-on-sale-now
Enjoying Fall?
“I can smell autumn dancing in the breeze. The sweet chill of pumpkin, and crisp sunburnt leaves.” Ann Drake
Pumpkin photos by Bill Draper Photography
