Council approves special-use permit for 3219 Tuxedo Boulevard after neighbors press for smaller plan

Richmond City Council voted to approve ordinance 20 20 5-231 on a special-use permit that authorizes up to four single-family detached homes at 3219 Tuxedo Boulevard.

Neighbors and the Planning Commission expressed concerns during the public hearing that the parcel's redevelopment would increase parking stress, reduce privacy and remove naturally occurring affordable housing. Michael Berlodas, a neighbor at 3213 Tuxedo Boulevard, told council that 16 neighbors signed a petition opposing the application and warned the project would add "16 bedrooms" and several additional vehicles to a narrow loop street with no functional alley and limited curb space. "This proposal would add 16 bedrooms, which could reasonably result in 8 or more additional vehicles," Berlodas said.

Kevin Devaughn, the director of planning and development review, summarized the application for council and said staff recommended approval while the Planning Commission recommended denial of the original plan. The ordinance before council reflected a reduction from an initial five-home proposal to four homes after discussions between the developer and council leadership. President Newbill said he and the developer had walked the street and reduced the plan in response to neighborhood feedback.

Opponents at the hearing raised affordability and procedural issues. Laura Stevens, a Sherwood Park resident, noted the applicant's plans referenced infrastructure that does not exist in the neighborhood (an alley), questioned whether required setbacks and survey details were accurate, and argued homes priced near $400,000 would be unaffordable to many current residents and could accelerate displacement. "The homes proposed in this ordinance are described as affordable, but only to someone who earns nearly $100,000 a year," Stevens said, citing assessors' figures discussed in testimony.

During council discussion, members asked whether the amended four-house plan had been returned to the Planning Commission (it had not) and emphasized the tradeoffs between neighborhood fit and the potential for added housing. In a recorded roll-call vote the ordinance passed with six "Aye" votes and two abstentions. The clerk recorded votes in favor from Mr. Breton, Ms. Jones, Ms. Robertson, Ms. Trammell, Vice President Jarrett, and President Newbill; Ms. Gibson and Ms. Abubakar abstained. The paper was adopted.

The council's action allows the developer to proceed under the special-use permit as written; details of required conditions or implementation steps were not specified in the public record and were not part of the council motion. The hearing record shows ongoing neighborhood concern about parking, infrastructure and the loss of lower-cost homes; councilmembers and staff indicated they would continue to address those operational questions through administrative channels.

Next steps: the ordinance has been adopted; any required permitting and compliance steps will follow through the city's development review process. The council did not indicate a further hearing on this item during the meeting.