November News
Holiday Party & Food Drive (December 16, 6-8 PM)
The Forest Hill Neighborhood Association invites you to celebrate the holidays with us at Gramophone and to help keep Central Virginia fed this holiday season!
At the event, we'll have a few appetizers on hand, but neighbors are also welcome to bring a favorite holiday treat to share. Each active FHNA membership will receive one free drink ticket. Wine and soft drinks will be available for purchase from Gramophone. Memberships can be checked and renewed at the event.
Please consider making a donation to Feed More through our FHNA team page. Direct donations allow Feed More to leverage their extensive buying power to make an even bigger impact than food donations. Every dollar provides four meals to those in need! We will also collect non-perishable items at the event. Donate here: https://give.feedmore.org/FHNA_FoodDrive
We hope to see you at Gramophone on December 16!
"Code Refresh" — Second Draft Due in November
The City's Planning Department recently sent this email regarding the second draft of "Code Refresh":
Thank you to everyone who weighed in on the first draft of the proposed zoning map and regulations. City staff and the consultant team have been reviewing and incorporating public feedback to refine the draft code and map.
What’s next: A second draft, reflecting community feedback, will be released at the November open houses, where participants can review updates and share additional input. Join us to see what changed, why it changed, and what we still need to hear from you before finalizing.
Panel Discussion: Housing, Economic Development, & Zoning - What We’re Seeing in the Market
Monday, Nov 17, 2025 // Main Library // 101 E. Franklin Street // 6-8pm
Open House 1*: Wednesday, Nov 19, 2025 // Main Library // 101 E. Franklin Street // 4-7pm
Open House 2*: Thursday, Nov 20, 2025 // City Hall Lobby // 900 E. Broad Street // 9am-12pm
Open House 3*: Thursday, Nov 20, 2025 // Southside Community Service Center // 4100 Hull Street Road // 4-7pm
*All open houses will have the same content, and attendees can stop by anytime during the three-hour window.
The next Zoning Advisory Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 12, from 4-6:30 PM in the 5th Floor conference room at City Hall. The public is welcome.
The FHNA's "Code Refresh" Working Group recently emailed all Forest Hill neighbors who indicated on our survey that they want to be involved in future discussions about zoning policy. If you did not receive that email and would like to join the conversation, email the Working Group here.
Cultural Heritage Stewardship Plan Update
In alignment with the goals set forth in Richmond 300: A Guide for Growth, the City has developed a city-wide Cultural Heritage Stewardship Plan (CHSP). The plan will be returning to the City Planning Commission for review and a public hearing on November 18 at 6pm in the 5th Floor Conference Room of City Hall. Visit the website to review the plan and click here to read an update in The Richmonder.
City Hall Procurement Transparency Dashboard
The City has launched a new dashboard to improve transparency of its procurement functions. The dashboard is meant to offer clear, accessible insights into the City’s stewardship of public funds, and is available to residents, media partners, community organizations, and businesses alike. Learn more about the City’s commitment to a more transparent procurement process and explore the new dashboard: https://rva.gov/procurement-services/procurement-transparency-dashboard.
"Car Club" and Richmond Connect
At last month's FHNA meeting, Richmond Police Department Lt. Gary Borges took time to share information and answer questions about last month's "Car Club" takeover of the Forest Hill/Westover Hills Blvd intersection. He encouraged Forest Hill residents to register with Richmond Connect, a new public safety program in which citizens grant law enforcement access to their private security cameras. If residents witness or have information about similar public disturbances, Lt. Borges recommends calling the non-emergency police number at 311.
Richmond Tree Week: November 1-8
From November 1-8, our city will be covered with urban forestry activities. Richmond Tree Week is a yearly event that, as organizers say, “celebrates Richmond’s urban forests, showcases the incredible urban greening efforts happening across our city, and reaffirms our commitment to expanding tree canopy and cooling down communities.”
The Tree Week team—including participants from the City’s own Parks and Rec, Urban Forestry Division, Office of Sustainability, Public Library, and the James River Parks System—is hosting more than 30 events over the course of the week. Whether you’re into planting, strolling among, reading about, or even hugging tress, there’s an event for you and your loved ones. Check out the full list of events at reforestrichmond.org, and we’ll see you out there!
Next FHNA Monthly Meeting (Nov 18, 7-8 PM)
In addition to our monthly updates from the Richmond Police Department and City Councilperson Abubaker, we will hear from the City's Neighborhood Engagement Coordinator, Elena Diaz, and from Chenice Brown, Outreach Coordinator for the Office of Equitable Transit and Mobility. If you're interested in learning more about the City's vision for improved bike lanes and multi-modal transportation, this is the place! We will also make time to solicit ideas for local projects and initiatives the Forest Hill Neighborhood Association might support financially.
Want to Get More Involved in Forest Hill?
At our monthly meeting on November 18 the FHNA membership will vote for several new Board members. Any Forest Hill resident is eligible. If you like the thought of working closely with neighbors and investing some love into our community -- either as a Board member or a volunteer for annual events like Music in the Park or our Run for the Hills 5K -- email here.
Nickel Bridge Centennial and Richmond Marathon
The Westover Hills Neighborhood Association is partnering with the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority (RMTA) and other organizations to celebrate the Boulevard "Nickel" Bridge's Centennial Anniversary with a free event on Saturday, November 8 (9-11 AM). This is a unique opportunity for Richmonders to walk on the bridge, participate in a Keep Virginia Cozy clean-up, hear musical performances by Pay Rent Brass Band and The Hot Seats, enjoy treats and coffee from Chiki's Pancakes, and observe a short program as city and community leaders unveil the Centennial plaque.
Sportsbackers is calling on Southside neighborhoods to rally together on Saturday, November 15, to support the Allianz Richmond Marathon. You're invited to join the multi-neighborhood cheering station at All Good Automotive (21st and Semmes) any time between 8-11 AM. There will be live music from Worthy Endeavor and Buttermilk Pancakes, and Nate's Bagels is donating bagels and cream cheese. Sportsbackers will supply poster-making materials, but feel free to bring your own signs, noisemakers, pom-poms, or whatever gets you fired up to cheer on these rockstar runners and walkers! For more info and to RSVP, click here.
Upcoming Calendar
November 18: FHNA Meeting (7 PM, Forest Hill Presbyterian Church)
December 16: FHNA Holiday Party (6-8 PM, Gramophone)
-- Note: No FHNA meeting in December