Last week, Elizabeth Hancock Greenfield and Joh Gehlbach took multiple trips down to Chesterfield for consultations with county staff and to attend public meetings. Topics of discussion included the county’s sign ordinance, accessory dwelling unit ordinances, and the Midlothian Special Area Plan. The Board of Supervisors reviewed the Bikeways & Trails Plan, and the Planning Department held its quarterly developer’s meeting which were both attended by Government Affairs staff.

In Henrico, the Board of Supervisors presented their legislative priorities for the 2019 General Assembly Session. They hope to revisit proffer legislation from 2016 and restore state funding of schools to pre-recession levels. Elizabeth and Joh had multiple discussions with Planning Department staff about the county’s plans for the redevelopment of the Westwood Tract, which abuts Scott’s Addition in the City of Richmond.

Elizabeth met with Richmond Councilwoman Ellen Robertson to discuss the city’s tax abatement policy. She also spoke with Planning Department staff regarding affordable housing.

At the state level, Government Affairs staff is preparing for the 2019 General Assembly Session. Staff met with representatives from Del. Kirk Cox’s office to discuss transportation funding. Elizabeth attended events for Dels. Jeff Bourne and Lashrecse Aird. Joh met with Richmond’s Government Affairs representatives to discuss schools and affordable housing.

And lastly, Elizabeth organized a ULI event attended by elected officials from across the Richmond Region, developers, and planners entitled “Suburban Remix.” Panelists included developers and planners who are shaping the suburbs of tomorrow by getting ahead of demographic trends and using innovative strategies to make sure that the suburbs remain places where homebuyers want to live, work, and play.