Richmond council delays decision on Lavender Hill outdoor-events permit after hours-long hearing

Richmond City Council on Monday delayed a decision on a special-use permit that would allow outdoor events at Lavender Hill, a private event space at 1705 Commonwealth Avenue, after an extended public hearing in which neighbors called the proposal “fundamentally incompatible” with nearby homes and supporters described low-impact, well-managed gatherings.

Neighbors said loud music and crowding have already disturbed nearby residences and that enforcement of the city's 65-decibel noise ordinance is impractical. "It's too loud. It's too close," said Sydney Bragg, who lives about 50 feet from the Lavender Hill backyard, describing repeated disturbances inside his home. Several residents said amplified sound and frequent events would harm sleep, child safety and neighborhood character.

The applicant, Nadia Anderson, described the venue as "an office and event space that occasionally gathers guests outside and occasionally uses amplified music," and told council she was willing to comply with limits on hours, capacity and noise. Anderson said she delivered brochures, invited neighbors to an open house and eliminated live bands after complaints. "I am fully willing to comply with all limits on hours, capacity, and noise," she said.

City planning staff recommended amendments to the introduced ordinance that would, among other changes, require a site and management plan, cap outdoor event days at 52 per calendar year (no more than five per month), set a maximum outdoor attendance of 120 people with staff present for every 50 attendees, and require amplified music to stop by 9 p.m. The planning commission had recommended denial.

Council members discussed whether to continue the item so the applicant, staff and neighborhood could negotiate amendments. Councilor Jones moved to continue the ordinance to Jan. 26 to allow those amendments to be drafted; the motion carried on a roll-call vote. Council president Newbill said the continuance was intended to allow the district council member and staff to convene stakeholders to seek a mutually acceptable path forward.

What happens next: The paper will return Jan. 26 with the amendments under consideration. Council members and staff said they expect a management plan and other conditions to be included; neighbors said they want enforceable, durable protections tied to the property and not just the current owner.