MDA's Zoning & Land Use Review Process
1. When an application for a Special Use Permit within the Museum District boundaries is submitted to the city, the city planner assigned notifies the MDA of the request.
*It is important to note that the MDA is not notified of demolition permit requests nor is it asked to provide a position on demolitions of existing homes. Demolition is a right allotted to property owners except in cases of Old & Historic Districts. The Museum District is not an Old & Historic District. See the Richmond City Zoning Ordinance for more information.
2. The MDA Zoning & Land Use Committee reaches out to set up a meeting with the applicant to learn more about the project and to provide informal feedback especially as the project relates to the West of the Boulevard Design Overlay District Guidelines.
3. The MDA encourages the applicant to meet with neighbors and the MDA will promote these meetings via our weekly electronic newsletter.
4. The MDA is open to receiving comments and feedback from neighbors throughout the process.
5. Once a draft ordinance is introduced to city council, the MDA Zoning & Land Use Committee makes a recommendation to the MDA Board whether to Oppose or Not Oppose the project. This does not occur until the draft ordinance is introduced to ensure that we have complete information and plans for the proposed project.
6. The MDA Board votes on its position and alerts the applicant, city planning commission and the appropriate city councilperson of its position to Oppose or Not Oppose.
** Note: the MDA, as a volunteer run organization, never endorses or approves a project.
How does the City of Richmond Provide Notice of Rezoning/SUP Requests
The Proposed Zoning Change is first Introduced at City Council, assigned an Ordinance Number, and referred to the Planning Commission 3-4 weeks later.
PDR staff notifies the relevant Civic Associations via email, places 2 ads in the Times Dispatch and sends certified letters to all property owners that live within 150’ of each item that was introduced.
PDR staff places at least 1 “ZONING CHANGE PENDING” sign on the property of each ordinance that was introduced
*These reflect noticing requirements outlined in the State Code of Virginia