The former Chair of the Richmond Planning Commission speaks out on Code Refresh.

Michael Clark, former Chair of the Richmond Planning Commission, writes to the current Chair, Rodney Poole on Code Refresh:

September 27, 2026

Cc all PC CC All Council Rtd and Richmonder Dear Mr. Poole, As a former chair of the Richmond Planning Commission, Ambassador of the Metro Richmond Chamber of Commerce, Chair of Leadership Metro Richmond, and Vice-chair of White House Conference on Small Business, I encourage you and City Council to PAUSE the current Code Refresh process and engage the many disaffected communities in our city. Instead of being compared to previous drafts, your approved version needs to be compared to current zoning. That is what all residents and businesses in the city need to see and understand. As do you. From my reading of current zoning, it was surprising to learn that your proposed zoning "compromise" increased the size of an accessory dwelling unit from the 500 square feet allowed in today's zoning to the 1,200 square ft in Draft 3. I further learned that your proposed 1,200 sf ADU could be subdivided and sold as a stand-alone home, and that your approved version would allow (or even encourage) the primary home to be demolished to accommodate two larger homes. Think about how that will play out in individual neighborhood conflicts and further the already significant mistrust of City government. I take you at your word that you care about affordable housing. But your proposed "compromise" provides very powerful financial and regulatory incentives to demolish existing affordable housing, to displace hundreds or even thousands of residents, and to replace them with denser and more expensive rental housing. Instead of a sales pitch by staff, maybe you should visit the apartment complexes on Hamilton Street or Chamberlayne Avenue and tell them in simple terms what you are proposing ... then LISTEN. I could go on with scores of technical or practical issues which translate into unique concerns for each neighborhood across the City. You have seen the City's latest polling on citizen opinions. Trust in the City continues to fall. I can tell you unequivocally that if you proceed with your current rezoning proposal, what little trust remains with City government will be gone. Please don't make that mistake. I am happy to meet with you but I encourage you to ditch the sales pitches and work with the people who elected you. Thank you for your attention to this very important matter. For your reference, I'm enclosing a previous letter that I sent to the Mayor and City Council with more context on my family's story and love of Richmond. Michael Clark

From: Michael Clark
Date: Thu, Jun 11, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Subject: CODE REFRESH
To: <rvamayor@rvaa.gov>
CC: <sarah.abubaker@rva.gov>, <andrew.breton@rva.gov>, <katherine.jordan@rva.gov>, <kenya.gibson@rva.gov>, <stephanie.lynch@rva.gov>, ellen.robertson@rva.gov <ellen.robertson@rva.gov>, <cynthia.newbille@rva.gov>, <reva.trammell@rva.gov>, <nicole.jones@rva.gov>

Dear Mayor Avula,

Richmond Virginia in my opinion is one of the most beautiful cities in America.  When I served as a Richmond Ambassador during the 80's we were confident in presenting the variety of wonderful residential communities as a reason businesses would locate here.  While growing up in Louisville Kentucky I had a dream of owning a home in a nice neighborhood where I could raise a family.  I discovered Richmond while recruiting at Virginia colleges in the 70's.  My bride and I moved our 2 young sons here 53 years ago this month.  We were blessed to buy our "Dream Home" in 1977 and because we love Richmond so much we opted to buy that home in the city and not follow many of our friends to the counties.

Next year will mark 50 years living and enjoying our dream home.  Ten years ago we performed a major renovation of our home which was built in 1963 in Stratford Hills.  Rather than sell and move to the counties, we upgraded and stayed.  It was a "gut punch" to learn of Code Refresh just this week.  The notion that your city would kill your dream and the quality of life for you and all other residents was unimaginable.  Having served on the City Planning Commission in the 80's it is apparent to me and others that the process used to implement this code change is at variance not only with the Master Plan but defies any respect for the residents of our city.

My request is that you TABLE this plan and put this concept before the people in the form of a REFERENDUM.  

Thank you for your attention to this very important matter.

Michael and Rosamary Clark