Clock Is Ticking on the Downtown Master Plan

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Clock Is Ticking On the Downtown Master Plan

For many years, the City of Richmond tried yet failed to make our Downtown an exciting, livable destination. We treated it merely as a "place" and not as a neighborhood and thus, it suffered from a lack of activity and declined as a result.

Today, that "place" is transforming into one of Richmond's most distinct neighborhoods. It is growing with new residents and becoming a sought-after destination for residents and visitors alike. People are returning more and more to the river and other activities in Downtown - the new National Theater, a restored State Capitol, eclectic restaurants, edgy art galleries, and a growing university.

Part of the City's resurgence can be found in the discussion generated by the Downtown Master Plan (DMP) during the course of the past year.

Richmond had never before solicited or welcomed public input to help shape Downtown's future. In July 2007, the City's Department of Community Development, led by Rachel Flynn, began an extensive process to inform the public and receive input from citizens and businesses.

Citizens made their voices heard: you want the James River to be the focus of our Downtown and preserve it for ALL the people - not just a few special interests. You also voiced your desire for more two-way streets, zoning changes, and other improvements to make Downtown more walkable and livable.

The City held 20 public sessions on the DMP to gather input and consider various viewpoints. The public weighed in at these sessions as well as open work sessions with community planners. The Plan was sent to the Planning Commission which, after more public input, approved it on July 21 and sent it to City Council for its approval.

Virginia State Code Section § 15.2-2226 requires approval of the Plan within 90 days.

After certification of the plan or part thereof, the governing body, after a public hearing with notice as required by § 15.2-2204, shall proceed to a consideration of the plan or part thereof and shall approve and adopt, amend and adopt, or disapprove the plan.

In acting on the plan or part thereof, or any amendments to the plan, the governing body shall act within ninety days of the local planning commission's recommending resolution.

Council will hold its first meeting on September 8 after returning from its summer break. The DMP is scheduled to be heard by the Land Use & Planning Committee at a special meeting on Tuesday, September 23 at 3pm. Council has until its October 14 meeting to either approve the Plan or further delay approval if they vote to do so.

While some Council members have said publicly it might take several more months to study, alter, and approve the Plan further, I urge quick approval of the Plan by the prescribed deadline in October, especially since the State Code allows for future changes once the Plan is adopted.

Section 15.2-2235 of the Code clearly outlines the procedure to alter the Plan as necessary when changes are needed.

The governing body may by ordinance make, from time to time, other additions to or modifications of the official map....in accordance with the procedures applicable to the locality.

Prior to making any such additions or modifications to the official map, the governing body shall refer the additions or modifications to the local planning commission for its consideration. The commission shall take action on the proposed additions or modifications within sixty days and report its recommendations to the governing body.

Upon receipt of the report of the commission, the governing body shall hold a public hearing on the proposed addition or modification to the official map and shall give notice of the hearing in accordance with § 15.2-2204. All such reports of the commission, when delivered to the governing body, shall be available for public inspection.

I spent 20 years in the Senate chamber and four years as Governor and if there is one thing I learned, it is that there is no such thing as "perfect" legislation.

The Code not only allows for future modifications, but also has built-in checks and balances that require the Planning Commission to review and approve changes. It also requires a public hearing on the changes, and making any suggested changes available to the public for inspection.

The Downtown Master Plan has been debated, studied, altered and discussed in almost every facet and form during the past 13 months. It is time to approve it so we can begin the process of implementation.

Virginia author Napoleon Hill once remarked: "Do not wait; the time will never be just right. Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along."

You, the public, have waited patiently through this process and I know you are ready to move the Master Plan forward and create an even better Downtown.

The Plan gives us the right tools to begin the process, but that cannot take place until approval is final. We can always make the necessary alterations to the DMP as needed, when they are needed, but what we need now is ACTION.

Contact your friends and e-mail your Council representatives to let them know that you want to approve the Downtown Master Plan and move forward without delay!