Jewell's group files competing anti-code refresh ballot initiative
Richmond voters opposed to the city's rezoning initiatives now have two opportunities to sign their name in protest.
The Richmond Civic League, which is led by former City Councilor Marty Jewell, has filed a ballot petition aiming at shutting down the code refresh project. Jewell's group is planning a Tuesday night rally at 6 p.m. at the Shriners' Center on Bellevue Avenue.
The petition is in addition to one filed late last month by longtime Virginia political figure Paul Goldman, who is also seeking to put code refresh on the ballot.
"Our petition effort is not connected with any other referendum with similar, but different language," Jewell wrote in an email. "There may be more than one on any ballot, just as the law allows multiple bond referenda on one ballot."
In a Tuesday phone call, Goldman agreed that he didn't see an issue with voters being given competing options.
Sarah Vogelsong
The two proposals
Neither proposal would become law immediately, even if passed. Only Virginia's General Assembly has the power to change Richmond's charter, so a vote on the petition would only serve as a formal request to the state legislature to do so.
Both petitions are seeking to be put on the ballot in November 2027. If voters embrace them, the changes would then go to the legislature in its 2028 session.
Under Jewell’s proposal, language would be added to the city charter requiring any rezoning that impacts more than 25% of land parcels in the city be put to a public vote.
If it went into effect, any zoning ordinance in place at the time would be subject to a referendum that would be put before voters in a special election. If Richmonders voted against the zoning ordinance, “the city zoning code will revert back to the prior one.”
Because the 1976 zoning code currently in place was not put to a public vote, it could potentially be put on a future ballot if the code refresh that is underway does not pass.
Goldman’s filing does not require the current zoning code to be voted on, but does mandate future rezoning proposals be put to a public vote.
In addition, Goldman's filing would also allow the city to institute rent control measures, though it would not mandate that they be used. Currently, no local government in Virginia is allowed to put such restrictions in place, and the General Assembly turned down an “anti-rent gouging” bill supported by the Richmond City Council during the last session.
Goldman said he isn't interested in just defeating the current rezoning, but also wants to contribute to a solution for rising rent prices.
"Their goal ultimately is to stay where we are," he said of Jewell's group. "I don't think the status quo works."
Goldman called affordable housing "a real crisis" and said he believes the public should have a voice in potential solutions.
Because both petitions are seeking to be put on the ballot late next year, Goldman also called on the City Council to put an "advisory" question on this November's ballot, a nonbinding question that would gauge public support for the project.
Next steps
For either petition to make it onto the ballot, it must receive signatures from 10% of the number of voters who participated in the highest-turnout election over the last five years.
That election was the 2024 presidential race, when 109,290 Richmonders voted, meaning either group would need 10,929 valid signatures.
To sign, voters must live in the City of Richmond. There is no prohibition on signing both petitions.
Goldman said he believes obtaining that many signatures will require professional coordination and is seeking $50,000 for his project.
"Marty's people say it's easy, and they say they have 1,000 volunteers," Goldman said. "Based on what Marty and others have put out there, he basically says Paul doesn't know what he's talking about.
"I think they're blowing smoke. I challenge them, through your article, to go ahead and do it."
Jewell did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.
Contact Michael Phillips at mphillips@richmonder.org.
