> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.richmonder.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Redevelopment of Near West End church into 33 townhomes gets OK from Planning Commission - URL: https://www.richmonder.org/redevelopment-of-near-west-end-church-into-33-townhomes-gets-ok-from-planning-commission/ - Published: 2026-10-07T01:26:40.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-07T01:39:16.000Z - Description: "It’s a beautiful project, we trust they’re going to do a good job with it, and it’s in keeping with the neighborhood." - Author: Sarah Vogelsong - Tags: City Government, #the-bridge After months of negotiation with neighbors, plans are moving forward for the redevelopment of Richmond’s Seventh Street Christian Church on Grove Avenue into 33 townhomes. On Tuesday, the Planning Commission recommended approval of a special use permit for the project, which Chair Rodney Poole called “a perfect example of a developer, an architect, city staff, this neighborhood and a councilperson all working together to come to the best conclusion.” The only commissioner to vote against the plan was Rebecca Rowe, on the grounds of historic preservation concerns related to the demolition of the circa 1950 church to make way for the townhomes. Still, she said, “as a project it’s lovely.” She further urged developer Macfarlane Partners, led by Charles Macfarlane, to consider salvaging some pieces of the sanctuary for use in a planned pocket park at the corner of Grove Avenue and Malvern Avenue. The project at 4101 Grove Ave. was first pitched last year after the shrinking congregation determined upkeep on the building and property was too great of a financial strain. “One of the things from the church's perspective is, as they're considering their future, they wanted to leverage their biggest asset and provide funds to their congregation and be able to keep fulfilling their mission as they move forward with their next chapter,” said Brian Prater, one of several attorneys with Williams Mullen representing the developer in its SUP application. More than 30 entities responded to a request for proposals to redevelop the site, which contains not only the sanctuary but a large parking lot that has [long been used by the neighboring Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral for the popular annual Greek Festival](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/richmond/greek-festival-housing-development-may-28-2026). Hollie Woodruff, Seventh Street Christian Church’s pastor, [told The Richmonder last year](https://www.richmonder.org/near-west-end-church-is-under-contract-to-be-turned-into-72-housing-units-developer-selected-from-dozens-of-bids/) that Marfarlane’s group had not offered the highest bid, but the church believed his proposal was “really, deeply thoughtful.” Nevertheless, the initial plan to construct 24 townhomes and a 48-unit, four-story condominium building raised concerns among neighbors over density, traffic, access to the site and the project’s scale. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/10/image-9.png) An early rendering of the project. Those worries led to major revisions over the past year that eliminated the apartment building in favor of more townhomes. The total set of changes presented Tuesday — including the addition of an access point to the development along Grove Avenue and the inclusion of a two-car garage in each townhome — was eventually able to garner the support of the neighbors. Bill Atkinson, a resident of the adjacent Kingcrest neighborhood, said he and his wife “reluctantly have come to the point where we are now supporting the proposal.” “We took a long time to get there,” he said. “But the developer has done a great job responding to our concerns and getting to the proposal that’s in front of you tonight. … It’s a beautiful project, we trust they’re going to do a good job with it, and it’s in keeping with the neighborhood.” Bo Fairlamb, speaking on behalf of the Kingcrest neighborhood, called the planned demolition of the church “heartbreaking” and said he wished it could have been repurposed. But, he told the Planning Commission, Macfarlane Partners “have worked extensively with us and worked in good faith.” “We are confident of success,” he said. ### **Development access** The greatest issue of debate Tuesday night was whether the plans should include a second access point to the site midway through the block along Grove Avenue or midway on Malvern Avenue. (One uncontested access point would be through the existing alleyway off Antrim Avenue.) Neighbors firmly backed the Grove Avenue option, which would allow drivers to turn right into and out of the site at an existing entry to the parking lot. The city’s Department of Public Works, however, said allowing access along Grove would be dangerous due to cars slowing down to enter the site or unexpectedly turning onto the well-trafficked road from it. “Our primary concern is safety of users of the right of way,” said Doug Mawby with the department. “Any new contact points between cars and other cars and cars and people present risk for personal injury or death. So our policy has always been … you have to access properties from alleys where you can.” Several members of the Planning Commission rejected that explanation. “I’m confused by the safety concern a bit because Grove would be right in, right out only, and the side streets have no median, so you're going to have (people turning) right and left on the side streets,” said Commissioner Brian White. “To me, that seems more dangerous.” Poole similarly told Mawby that “given the topography, the layout, the speeds, I’m hard pressed to support your findings with respect to this.” Mawby said that “the arguments that I’m hearing are valid.” The Planning Commission ultimately backed the plan with the Grove Avenue access point, although a final decision will be up to the City Council. City Councilor Andrew Breton, whose 1st District includes the site, has already voiced his support for the plan, including the Grove Avenue access. “Without that driveway, the project would no longer address the needs and concerns of the adjacent community,” he wrote in a letter to the Planning Commission. “Despite the differing recommendation by staff, I am comfortable approving the proposal with the 2nd entrance on Grove, and furthermore I feel it is a critical component for community compatibility. The applicant has done a tremendous amount of engagement and concessions, and the Grove driveway is an important feature for retaining the community’s support.” *Contact Reporter Sarah Vogelsong at* [*svogelsong@richmonder.org*](mailto:svogelsong@richmonder.org)