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On the agenda: speed cameras, a leash law and school budgets

The Richmond City Hall
Shaban Athuman
/
VPM News File
The Richmond City Hall is seen on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at the General Assembly Building at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.

Public meeting highlights in Central Virginia for the week beginning Jan. 20.

Below are details on some upcoming public meetings in Richmond, and Chesterfield and Henrico counties that span land use, education and leash laws.

Richmond

Richmond Land Use, Housing and Transportation Standing Committee
3 p.m. Tuesday
Council chambers, 2nd floor, Richmond City Hall
301 N. 9th St.

The committee is set to consider a proposal allowing speed cameras to be installed at certain high-risk intersections after a new state law was passed in 2024. The criteria defines a potential problem area as:

  • a highway not more than 1,000 feet from school property that's part of or adjacent to an intersection containing a marked crosswalk
  • the site of a traffic fatality since Jan. 1, 2014

The board's also set to vote on backing a study on whether to put a speed camera in the 600 and 700 blocks of South Belvidere Street and others that might fit the criteria.
City documents indicate each camera will cost $3,629 per month to operate.

The panel's also prepared to vote on a resolution from Mayor Danny Avula’s administration, allowing the city to seek federal money — and commit to matching 20% of the funds, if approved — to replace the Mayo Bridge.

Additionally, there’s a resolution that would make the area “generally bounded by Riverside Drive, Cowardin Avenue, Hull Street and West 24th Street” a “Neighborhood Node” under the city’s master plan.

That means, the area could see more commercial development and upgrades; the resolution indicates the area has become “the gateway to South Richmond due to considerable growth.”

Also on the agenda:

Committee votes are recommendations for the Richmond City Council, which has the final say on ordinances and resolutions.
Richmond City School Board
5 p.m. Tuesday
School Board chambers, 17th Floor, Richmond City Hall
301 N. 9th St.

Superintendent Jason Kamras is expected to present his FY26 budget proposals to the Richmond City School Board, as well as goal targets for the Dreams4RPS plan.

The board is set to consider changes to policies on threat assessments, child abuse and neglect reporting, bullying and other threatening behavior, planning, and lunch periods and contracts.

Also on the agenda:

  • recognition of RPS teacher of the year
  • votes on personnel actions
  • payroll update
  • vote on the city’s request to conduct a site survey of the Woodville Community Pool parcel ahead of a potential transfer of the RPS property to the city for repairs. The administration is recommending approval of the site survey. 

Richmond Planning Commission
6 p.m. Tuesday
5th Floor conference room, Richmond City Hall
301 N. 9th St.

The commission is set to vote on a deed transferring Westover Park from the School Board to the city and a review of proposed renovations, including baseball and multipurpose fields.

It is expected to consider a review of a proposed bus platform within the right-of-way on the southeast corner of Brauers Lane and Mechanicsville Turnpike.

Members also are set to get a presentation on a resolution to declare plans to change zoning rules “regarding tobacco, nicotine, and hemp product retail sale locations.”

Commission votes are recommendations for the Richmond City Council, which has the final say on ordinances and resolutions.


Chesterfield County

Chesterfield County Planning Commission
3 p.m. Tuesday
Public meeting room
10001 Iron Bridge Road

The commission is set to consider a request for a conditional use and conditional use planned development for a proposed 2.25-megawatt large-scale solar facility on a nearly 49-acre site. Staff recommends denying the request.

It’s expected to also consider a rezoning and conditional use request to expand an existing electric power transforming station. Staff recommends approval of the Dominion Energy proposal, which could be built on a nearly 22-acre site at 7410, 7420 and 7500 Iron Bridge Road.

Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors
6 p.m. Wednesday
Public meeting room
10001 Iron Bridge Road

A public hearing is set for amendments to Chesterfield’s rules on leash requirements for pets.


Hanover County

Henry Clay Elementary School community meeting
5 p.m. Tuesday
Henry Clay Elementary School gym
310 S. James Street, Ashland

The county wants feedback on potential future uses for the Henry Clay Elementary School building after its 2024 closure.

Hanover County School Board 
6 p.m. Tuesday
Hanover County School Board room
200 Berkley St., Ashland

The board is set to get a presentation on the district’s proposed FY26 operating budget, capital improvement plan for FY26-30 and a FY26 school nutrition budget.

Hanover County Board of Supervisors
6 p.m. Wednesday
Hanover County School Board room
200 Berkley St., Ashland

The board is set to hold a public hearing on a proposal to regulate Airbnb-style rentals in the county.

Dean Mirshahi is a general assignment reporter at VPM News.
Billy Shields is the Chesterfield County reporter for VPM News.
Lyndon German covers Henrico and Hanover counties for VPM News.