Richmond residents demand greater community voice in city’s ‘Code Refresh’

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Richmond residents are calling for more community involvement as city leaders lay the groundwork for a zoning overhaul known as “Code Refresh.”

On Tuesday, Sept. 9, during a public meeting Tuesday night, Mayor Danny Avula and city Councilmembers Katherine Jordan and Stephanie Lynch met with residents from the 2nd and 5th districts to discuss the upcoming rezoning project, which could reshape how businesses operate, where homes are built and how neighborhoods develop across Richmond.

While city leaders emphasized the importance of the initiative, many residents voiced concern about the makeup of the Zoning Advisory Council — the group responsible for shaping zoning decisions under the new plan.

“Will the Mayor and City Council appoint a new zoning advisory council that includes neighborhood representatives, historians, environmentalists,” many residents asked, sparking applause from the audience.

Richmond leaders give major update to zoning rules with ‘Code Refresh’

Currently, the 17-member Zoning Advisory Council is largely composed of individuals from the development sector and operates under the oversight of longtime Planning Commission chair Rodney Poole, who has held influential roles since 1993.

Neighbors said this concentration of development interests creates a conflict and undermines the goals of both “Code Refresh” and the city’s broader Richmond 300 master plan.

Under Richmond City Council Ordinance 2017-143, citizen members of city boards and commissions are limited to two consecutive full terms, unless otherwise outlined by founding laws or mayoral actions. After serving eight continuous years, members must take a one-year break before being eligible for reappointment.

Key exceptions include Council appointees to the Capital Region Airport Commission, members elected to the Greater Richmond Transit Company Board and boards created under state authority.

Standard terms last three years. The ordinance aims to balance experience with new perspectives and strengthen civic engagement.

Councilmember Stephanie Lynch echoed community concerns, saying the council needs a shake-up.

“It’s important to have a rotation and an assurance that there are diverse perspectives and areas of expertise represented around that table,” Lynch said.

She added that the city is “actively exploring solutions” to expand the council with new members representing impacted neighborhoods and other community voices.

Mayor Danny Avula clarified that his office does not control appointments to the Zoning Advisory Council but acknowledged there are currently two open seats for non-developers.

Residents say real community participation is essential if the city wants to build a future Richmond that works for everyone — not just developers.