April 8, 2026

 

 

Dear Neighbor,

 

I am writing to make sure you are aware of changes the City of Richmond is considering that could negatively impact our neighborhood through the new Code Refresh, and to invite you to an urgent community meeting.

 

Historic Westwood–from Dunbar to Glenburnie, and from Stokes Lane to Patterson Avenue–is a walkable, quiet, green, and diverse community with a rare and significant history. Formerly enslaved African-Americans established Westwood Village in Henrico County in 1872, following the Civil War.  By 1874, the community erected a church. In 1876, the land was transferred “for benefit use & disposal only of the members of the congregation,” and subdivided into housing plots.

 

Since Richmond annexed Historic Westwood in 1942, our neighborhood has battled repeated threats of displacement and encroachment. The Code Refresh is the latest manifestation of these threats. According to Phase 2 of the Refresh, our neighborhood will be primarily zoned RD-B. This means that any lot in our neighborhood 50 feet or more (dozens of single-family lots), can host three housing units. In addition, lots 100 feet or more can be subdivided, with three housing units on each parcel of the split. All of Patterson Avenue, historic Westwood Baptist Church, and the cemetery will be zoned “mixed-use,” incentivizing commercial development. All of Patterson Avenue, including the three homes on it, will also be zoned “mixed-use.” There are discussions of allowing demolition of existing homes “by right” for replacement by new homes and duplexes. Developers are also considering additional housing units in the neighborhood on the far side of Dunbar Street, which, if erected, could create precedent for further development on Dunbar Street, where residents currently park and walk.

 

Proposed building scales for the new zoning do not match the existing structures of our single-family homes, specifically regarding height, density, and lot coverage. Increased density will remove urban green space, essential walkability that connects our neighbors, and the tree canopy that cushions our community from surrounding commercial corridors.

 

Please join us at the West End Branch of Richmond Public Library (5420 Patterson Avenue) on Sunday, April 19 at 1 P.M. to learn more and ensure Westwood’s voices are heard. Westwood Civic League will share a proposal that we submitted to Preservation Virginia with the endorsement of Historic Richmond and the African American Cultural Heritage Fund of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, as well as a draft letter to our city representatives for feedback.

 

With best wishes,

 

Reverend Jeannette Brown, President

Westwood Civic League