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RICHMONDlocal legislationRegular Agenda

Zoning Exception Request for 1527 Oakwood Avenue

Original title: An application of Najjee K Highsmith for a special exception from Sections 30-300 & 30-410.6 of the zoning ordinance for a certificate of zoning compliance to construct a one-story detached structure accessory to an existing single-family (detached) dwelling at 1527 OAKWOOD AVENUE (Tax Parcel Number E000-1542/004), located in an R-5 (Single-Family Residential) District. The lot coverage requirement is not met. (7th District)

Record date · June 3, 2026

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What This Bill Does

Najjee K Highsmith has applied for a special zoning exception to build a detached structure at 1527 Oakwood Avenue. The proposed project does not currently meet the required lot coverage standards for the R-5 residential district.

Why it matters

The Board of Zoning Appeals must decide whether to grant a variance from local zoning laws, which determines if the property owner is legally permitted to proceed with the planned construction.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Najjee K Highsmith

The applicant must receive approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals to legally construct the proposed structure.

Indirectly affected

7th District Residents

Local residents may be impacted by changes to neighborhood density or property aesthetics if the exception is granted.

Key Facts

  • Applicant Najjee K Highsmith is requesting a special exception from zoning ordinance Sections 30-300 and 30-410.6.
  • The request is for a certificate of zoning compliance to build a one-story detached accessory structure.
  • The property is located at 1527 Oakwood Avenue (Tax Parcel E000-1542/004).
  • The property is situated in an R-5 (Single-Family Residential) District.
Show all 6 facts
  • The proposed construction currently fails to meet the required lot coverage standards for the district.
  • The case is filed under BZA 20-2026 and is listed on the Regular Agenda.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a special exception in zoning?
It is a request for permission to use or develop property in a way that deviates from standard zoning ordinance requirements, subject to approval by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
What does 'lot coverage requirement' mean?
It refers to the maximum percentage of a lot that can be covered by buildings or structures, intended to manage density and drainage.

What else do you want to know?

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Full breakdown

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Discoveries

1 pattern noticed across the record

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Zoning Compliance Challenge

The application highlights a direct conflict between a proposed residential improvement and existing R-5 lot coverage density limits.

Najjee K HighsmithBoard of Zoning Appeals

Connected Entities

BZA 20-2026, Board of Zoning Appeals, 1527 Oakwood Avenue and 2 more
otherBZA 20-2026“File number for the case.”Map →
OrganizationBoard of Zoning Appeals“The body reviewing the application.”Map →
location1527 Oakwood Avenue“The property address subject to the zoning application.”Map →
otherE000-1542/004“Tax parcel number for the property.”Map →
PersonNajjee K Highsmith“Applicant for the zoning exception.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

webapi.legistar.com

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance20
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy10
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz5
    Current news / social attention level

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