The Planning Commission is responsible for the conduct of planning relating to the orderly growth and development of the City, including adequate and appropriate resources for the housing, business, industry, transportation, distribution, recreation, culture, comfort, convenience, health and welfare of its population.
Master Plan
It is the duty of the Commission to make and adopt a Master Plan with accompanying maps and descriptive matter showing the Commission's recommendations for the development of the area covered by the Plan. In the preparation of such Plan, the Commission makes careful and comprehensive surveys and studies of existing conditions and future growth. The general purpose of the Plan is to guide and accomplish a coordinated and harmonious development of the City.
When the Planning Commission adopts the Master Plan, it must be approved by City Council in order to be in effect. The Commission may undertake activities to promote the Master Plan and planning in the City.
Zoning
It is the duty of the Commission to prepare and submit to City Council a comprehensive zoning ordinance and zoning district maps. The Commission also makes a recommendation to City Council on Special Use Permits,
Rezonings, Conditional Rezonings, and Conditional Use Permits at the request of property owners or developers. The Commission approves Community Unit Plan preliminary plans prior to introduction to Council. The Commission has the power to grant approval of Community Unit Plan final plans and tentative subdivisions.
Historical Landmarks, Works of Art, and Public Facilities
It is the duty and function of the Commission to preserve historical landmarks and to control the design and location of statuary and other works of art that may become the property of the City. Public projects such as bridges, streets and public buildings and facilities must receive "Location, Character and Extent" approval by the Commission. The closing or change in use of streets, the acquisition of land and the sale of any City owned land must also receive Commission approval.
Should the Commission disapprove any such item, the Council may overrule the Commission action by a vote of not less than two-thirds of its entire membership.
Capital Budget
The Capital Budget and Capital Improvement Program are presented to the Commission each year. The Commission may recommend to City Council such changes it deems appropriate based on the Budgets conformance with the City's Master Plan.
Commission Composition
The Planning Commission is a nine member commission consisting of:
- Five citizen members appointed by City Council
- One citizen member appointed by the Mayor
- One member of City Council
- One member of the Board of Zoning Appeals
- The Chief Administrative Officer or appointee
The current membership consist of the following people.
- Mr. Melvin Law, Chair
- Mr. William M. Hutchins, Vice Chair
- Mr. Byron Marshall, Chief Administrative Officer of Richmond
- Mr. Doug Conner, City Council Representative
- Ms. Lynn McAteer
- Mr. Doug Cole
- Mr. Charles Wray Jr.
- Mr. Rodney M Poole, Esquire
- Ms. Amy L. Howard
Meeting Information
Meetings are generally held the first and third Mondays of each month at 1:30 p.m. in the 5th floor conference room of City Hall. However, some meeting dates may change because of an unusually heavy caseload or when a regular meeting date falls on a holiday. The meeting location may also change as needed to accommodate large crowds
| January 3, 2012* Tuesday |
January 17, 2012* Tuesday |
February 6, 2012 |
February 21, 2012* Tuesday |
| March 5, 2012 |
March 19, 2012 |
April 2, 2012 |
April 16, 2012 |
| May 7, 2012 |
May 21, 2012 |
June 4, 2012 |
June 18, 2012 |
| July 2, 2012 |
July 16, 2012 |
August 6, 2012** |
August 20, 2012** |
| September 4, 2012* Tuesday |
September 17, 2012 |
October 1, 2012 |
October 15, 2012 |
| November 5, 2012 |
November 19, 2012 |
December 3, 2012 |
December 17, 2012 |
| ===== |
===== |
===== |
===== |
| Jan 3, 2011 |
Jan 18, 2011* Tuesday |
Feb 7, 2011 |
Feb 22, 2011* Tuesday |
| Mar 7, 2011 |
Mar 21, 2011 |
April 4, 2011 |
April 18, 2011 |
| May 2, 2011 |
May 16, 2011 |
June 6, 2011 |
June 20, 2011 |
| July 5, 2011* Tuesday |
July 18, 2011 |
Aug 1, 2011** |
Aug 15, 2011** |
| Sep 6, 2011 |
Sep 19, 2011 |
Oct 3, 2011 |
Oct 17, 2011 |
| Nov 7, 2011 |
Nov 21, 2011 |
Dec 5, 2011 |
Dec 19, 2011** |
*Denotes Holiday **Dates that may be cancelled
Additional Information
Additional information about specific meeting dates, agendas, minutes, and membership is available by emailing
Land Use Administration. You can also visit the
Land Use Administration Division in room 511 of City Hall
between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or call (804)646-6304.
