Council to consider tax breaks for a ton of affordable housing, a safer Hull Street, and more

The agenda for tonight’s City Council meeting includes 10 items from this side of the river – including the twice continued McDonough Street project:

• ORD.2024-213 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Mitigation Plan Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Richmond; the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, the State Historic Preservation Office of the Commonwealth of Virginia; and Canterbury Development Group LLC, for the purpose of ensuring City compliance with that certain Programmatic Agreement between the City and the Virginia State Historic Preservation Office, dated Jun. 24, 2019, and most recently amended Jun. 18, 2024, through establishment of an agreement to mitigate an adverse effect related to the development of Swansboro Place located at 2008 Hull Street. (8th District)

  WHAT IT MEANS: The size of the proposed four-story residential building is much bigger than the buildings around it. To make up for this, the developers have to put up a display “that depicts the history of the Swansboro neighborhood .. that is visible to and accessible by the general public.” In addition, the city will push for an historic marker for Swansboro.
   

• ORD. 2024-215 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Standard Project Administration Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Central Virginia Transportation Authority for the purpose of funding the Hull Street Phase II project.

  WHAT IT MEANS: The Hull Street Phase II project will make Hull Street from Chippenham to Hey Road more safe by adding a raised median, dedicated turn lanes, a ten-foot wide shared-use path and five-foot wide sidewalk. There are also plans to do the same all the to Warwick Road.
   

• ORD.2024-216 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Standard Project Administration Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Central Virginia Transportation Authority to provide funding for the North South BRT project.

   

• ORD. 2024-220 To declare a public necessity for and to authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to acquire by gift, purchase, condemnation, or otherwise certain fee simple interests, temporary construction easements, permanent drainage easements, and permanent utility easements, for the transportation improvements as part of James River Branch Trail Project from 49th street to its intersection with Hopkins Road.

   

• ORD. 2024-230 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Grant Agreement between the City of Richmond, New Manchester Flats VI Multifamily, LLC, and the Economic Development Authority of the City of Richmond for the purpose of facilitating the construction of an affordable housing development located at 1021 East 4th Street. (6th District)

  WHAT IT MEANS: The developer is getting a 30 year tax break to entice them to build affordable housing at this site. The project will restrict occupancy and rents to an average income designation of 60% of AMI for those 30 years.

   

• ORD. 2024-234 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Grant Agreement between the City of Richmond, 6951 Carnation Multifamily, LLC, and the Economic Development Authority of the City of Richmond for the purpose of facilitating the construction of an affordable residential development located at 6951 West Carnation Street. (9th District)

  WHAT IT MEANS: The developer is getting a 30 year tax break to entice them to build affordable housing at this site. The project will restrict occupancy and rents to an average income designation of 60% of AMI for those 30 years.

   

• ORD. 2024-235 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Grant Agreement between the City of Richmond, Standard Development Partners LLC, and the Economic Development Authority of the City of Richmond for the purpose of facilitating the construction of an affordable residential development located at 250 East German School Road. (9th District)

  WHAT IT MEANS: The developer is getting a 30 year tax break to entice them to build affordable housing at this site. The project will restrict occupancy and rents to an average income designation of 60% of AMI for those 30 years.

   

• ORD. 2024-236 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Grant Agreement between the City of Richmond, Lynhaven Ridge VA LLC, and the Economic Development Authority of the City of Richmond for the purpose of facilitating the construction of an affordable residential development located at 2510 Lynhaven Avenue. (8th District)

  WHAT IT MEANS: The developer is getting a 30 year tax break to entice them to build affordable housing at this site. The project will restrict occupancy and rents to an average income designation of 60% of AMI for those 30 years.

   

• ORD. 2024-180 To authorize the special use of the properties known as 2300 Semmes Avenue, 2201 McDonough Street, 2301 McDonough Street, 215 West 22nd Street, 217 West 22nd Street, 219 West 22nd Street, 221 West 22nd Street, 301 West 22nd Street, 307 West 22nd Street, 315 West 22nd Street, 322 West 22nd Street, 302 West 22nd Street, 2100 Perry Street, and 222 West 21st Street for the purpose of up to three multifamily buildings containing an aggregate of up to 266 dwelling units, upon certain terms and conditions. (As Amended) (5th District)

  WHAT IT MEANS: The developer needs a Special Use Permit (SUP) to build here beacause the lot is not zoned for an apartment complex.

   

• ORD. 2024-207 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Grant Agreement between the City of Richmond, the Elmington Capital Group, LLC, and the Economic Development Authority of the City of Richmond for the purpose of facilitating the construction of an affordable residential development located at 2201 McDonough Street, 2301 McDonough Street, 2300 Semmes Avenue, 2310 Semmes Avenue, 2310A Semmes Avenue, 211 West 22nd Street, 215 West 22nd Street, 217 West 22nd Street, 219 West 22nd Street, 221 West 22nd Street, 301 West 22nd Street, 302 West 22nd Street, 307 West 22nd Street, 315 West 22nd Street, 322 West 22nd Street, 222 West 21st Street, and 2100 Perry Street. (5th District)

  WHAT IT MEANS: The developer is getting a 30 year tax break to entice them to build affordable housing at this site. The project will restrict occupancy and rents to an average income designation of 60% of AMI for those 30 years.