June 27 Newsletter: Density debate hits home on Hanover
Weather: Just regular hot (high of 89), with some scattered rain and storms.
On this date in 1989, the final tube of the Monitor–Merrimac Memorial Bridge–Tunnel is put into place. The road opens in 1992 and completes the Hampton Roads Beltway, as well as providing an additional path to North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
Density debate hits home on Hanover Ave. with proposal for 8 houses on 2 lots
Last week, the Planning Commission kicked back a proposal to build six new single family homes alongside two existing Cape Cods in the Near West End.
- Two members pushed for approval, citing the need for all neighborhoods across the city to accept greater density in order to increase housing stock.
- Neighbors said too many projects are being crowded too fast into an area whose charm lies in its quiet, its large lawns and abundant trees.
Read more on the dispute, and a proposed solution, here.
Fire erupts in Shockoe, displacing three people
A fire that broke out Wednesday afternoon in Richmond's Shockoe Bottom neighborhood spread to three buildings and left three residents displaced, according to officials.
- CBS 6 reported that the couple whose apartment burned had only moved in a week earlier.
There were no injuries to anyone in the buildings. Two firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion on a 100-degree afternoon. Read more here.
Protestors rally outside Chesterfield courthouse as ICE enters fourth day of detainments
Chesterfield Sheriff Karl Leonard said Tuesday that ICE officers had detained 14 individuals over the course of the three previous business days.
Amanda L. Pohl, the county’s elected circuit court clerk, said her office is not working or affiliated with ICE and called their acts “an unlawful attack on our community and a flagrant disregard for rule of law and due process.” Read more here.
Richmond-based election forecaster finds a niche with state legislative contests
The new website State Navigate is the brainchild of Hanover County's Chaz Nuttycombe, who despite being in his 20s is making a name for himself as a political prognosticator.
Read more on the project here.
In other news
- Bubbles Con founder Brian Baynes starts his own bookstore in Church Hill (Style Weekly)
- CarMax Park on schedule to open ahead of Flying Squirrels' 2026 season (CBS 6)
- Levar Stoney may be considering a run for the U.S. House seat representing Short Pump, Midlothian and Hanover (Brandon Jarvis on X)
The editor's desk
Save the date: July 17. The Richmonder's reporters will host a lunch-and-learn Zoom at 12 p.m. for our members, sharing a behind-the-scenes look at the stories we've covered so far this year.
Not a member? Now's as good a time as any to join!
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
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