Richmond City Council delays vote on controversial permit for business’s outdoor events

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Richmond City Council unanimously voted to postpone a controversial special use permit ordinance vote on Monday, allowing an event space to hold outdoor events.

The vote was held during the Richmond City Council's meeting on Monday, Jan. 12.

Better known as an S.U.P., the special use permit would allow for the event space Lavender Hill off Commonwealth Avenue -- near the Broad Street and Staples Mill Road intersection -- to run five outdoor events per month. Those events may include movie nights, gardening classes and dinners.

Owner Nadia Anderson cannot run certain outdoor events due to her business's current zoning laws.

Nearby residents said some of the previous events have been disruptive. They told 8News that the frequency of events, noise emissions, and the congestion of attendees are concerns.

For more than a year and a half, Anderson has fought with the city to allow outdoor events. Costing her business tens of thousands of dollars, she's asking for outdoor events to be allowed, with some rules, including no more than five outdoor events per month, and happening between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Some of Lavender Hill's neighbors are opposing the S.U.P., saying they cannot enjoy their own home. They said the music and noise from past outdoor events could be heard inside their homes, even with windows and doors closed.

Anderson, however, claimed she has complied with the city noise ordinances.

The Richmond Planning Commission opposed the S.U.P., but offered several amendments. Public comments and council discussion lasted two hours on Monday night based on those comments.

Council decided it needed more time and votes to continue the conversation in two weeks. They wished to consider amendments made though the planning commission process.

The vote originally scheduled for Monday, Jan. 12, was rescheduled for Monday, Jan. 26.