GPRA and Code Refresh
Research, Process and Position:
The GPRA Planning and Zoning Committee has researched the proposed Code Refresh plan and comparisons to zoning rewrite outcomes in other cities in Virginia and nation-wide. We also compared Code Refresh to the Richmond 300 Master Plan. Our Association formal positions are based on data, as well as community input.
Our board-approved, formal position paper linked below is a result of many community meetings, online and in person, extensive research (linked below) as well as a community-wide survey.
Continue to visit our Code Refresh page for meeting alerts and other pertinent information. If you are not yet a subscriber to our monthly newsletter and emails, please click here to subscribe and to read past issues.
The GPRA Planning and Zoning Committee has researched the proposed Code Refresh plan and comparisons to zoning rewrite outcomes in other cities in Virginia and nation-wide. We also compared Code Refresh to the Richmond 300 Master Plan. Our Association formal positions are based on data, as well as community input.
Our board-approved, formal position paper linked below is a result of many community meetings, online and in person, extensive research (linked below) as well as a community-wide survey.
Continue to visit our Code Refresh page for meeting alerts and other pertinent information. If you are not yet a subscriber to our monthly newsletter and emails, please click here to subscribe and to read past issues.
GPRA Public Statement
GPRA Position
Research
ZONING REFORM OUTCOMES: VIRGINIA & OTHER CITIES
DOES DENSITY EQUAL AFFORDABILITY? DOES THE ZONING REFORM PROCESS MATTER?
Research points to needed changes in the Richmond Code Refresh proposal including revisions through a transparent, equity-focused process with broader community participation and careful review of lessons from other cities. The plan must establish meaningful incentives for affordable housing production, embed infrastructure analyses with developer impact fees, and incorporate robust anti-displacement measures.
DOES DENSITY EQUAL AFFORDABILITY? DOES THE ZONING REFORM PROCESS MATTER?
Research points to needed changes in the Richmond Code Refresh proposal including revisions through a transparent, equity-focused process with broader community participation and careful review of lessons from other cities. The plan must establish meaningful incentives for affordable housing production, embed infrastructure analyses with developer impact fees, and incorporate robust anti-displacement measures.
COMPARISONS WITH RICHMOND 300 PLAN (Adopted 2020)
The Richmond 300 Master Plan, which provides a vision for the future growth of Richmond, is cited as the foundation for the proposed zoning code rewrite city-wide, Code Refresh. Included here are some of the main inconsistencies and tensions between the two.
The Richmond 300 Master Plan, which provides a vision for the future growth of Richmond, is cited as the foundation for the proposed zoning code rewrite city-wide, Code Refresh. Included here are some of the main inconsistencies and tensions between the two.
Impact of Zoning Reforms on Land Values and Property Taxes: Implications for City Council
Zoning reforms typically raise land assessments where new capacity is granted, but the effect on tax bills depends heavily on state tax rules. Virginia cities, lacking caps, face the most direct link between upzoning and household tax increases—making council policy choices crucial for balancing growth, equity, and fiscal stability.
Zoning reforms typically raise land assessments where new capacity is granted, but the effect on tax bills depends heavily on state tax rules. Virginia cities, lacking caps, face the most direct link between upzoning and household tax increases—making council policy choices crucial for balancing growth, equity, and fiscal stability.
IMPROVING RICHMOND CODE REFRESH:
Actions to Improve Trust and Increase Effectiveness of Zoning Reforms
Richmond PDR leadership can reduce opposition by showing residents tangible benefits, limiting tax burden shocks, and embedding affordability and anti-displacement tools into the zoning changes themselves. This reframes Code Refresh as a neighborhood stability and equity plan, not just a land-use rewrite.
Actions to Improve Trust and Increase Effectiveness of Zoning Reforms
Richmond PDR leadership can reduce opposition by showing residents tangible benefits, limiting tax burden shocks, and embedding affordability and anti-displacement tools into the zoning changes themselves. This reframes Code Refresh as a neighborhood stability and equity plan, not just a land-use rewrite.