October News

Thanks for Your Feedback on "Code Refresh"!

Three weeks ago, the Forest Hill Neighborhood Association Board met to discuss the City's proposed new zoning guidelines ("Code Refresh"). Concerned that neighbors might not be aware of the September 28 deadline for submitting comments, we circulated a flyer with links to the City's websites as well as a neighborhood survey. And you responded!

To date, 71 neighbors have completed the poll. Here's how you answered the three main questions:

• How much do you know about the City's proposed new zoning guidelines ("Code Refresh")?
  -- 5.6%: A great deal
  -- 35.2%: A good bit
  -- 39.4%: A little bit
  -- 11.3%: Very little
  -- 8.5%: This is the first time I am hearing about it

• How do you feel about the City's proposed new zoning guidelines ("Code Refresh")?
  -- 9.9%: Positive
  -- 67.6%: Negative
  -- 19.7%: Mixed feelings
  -- 2.8%: I don't know enough to have an opinion

• Would you like to be invited to follow-up discussions about "Code Refresh" with other Forest Hill neighbors?
  -- 70.4%: Yes
  -- 29.6%: No

If you have not yet taken the 1-minute survey, click here -- every opinion matters! And for those who expressed an interest in follow-up discussion with other neighbors, expect to hear soon from our working group. They are collaborating with other neighborhood groups to address concerns. They plan to hold a special meeting to establish a Forest Hill Neighborhood Association position (letter of concern) that will then be presented to the City Planning Commission, City Council, and the Mayor.

 

Upcoming Infrastructure Projects in Forest Hill

Councilperson Sarah Abubaker recently highlighted several infrastructure projects the Department of Public Works has slated for Forest Hill:

• Forest Hill and 41st Street / Forest Hill and 43rd Street: Install new flashing beacons and harden the buffer to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety

• Forest Hill Bike Lanes: Complete the gap in bike lanes between Westover Hills Blvd and 41st Street

• James River Branch Trail: Pedestrian/bike trail that connects multiple neighborhoods through Richmond's Southside using abandoned CSX railraod from 49th Street to Hopkins Road

• Crooked Branch Trail: Connecting James River Branch Trail through Crooked Branch Ravine Park and Forest Hill Park to James River Park System. A new pedestrian bridge will make it possible to connect from the southern bank of Reedy Creek to the north bank, and to the street network at Crutchfield and 42nd Street.

Final Music in the Park This Sunday (3-5 PM)

Ben White closes out our summer concert series in style. He has toured all over the world with Mindi Abair, Zero Theorem, Warren Hill, Magnetico, and American Idol's Olivia Rox, among many others. The weather promises to be perfect -- see you there!
 

Special Guests at Next FHNA Monthly Meeting (Oct 21, 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!

 

New Forest Hill Swag!

If you stopped by our tent at the 43rd Street Festival of the Arts, you know that we have some great new t-shirts and hats in addition to Forest Hill flags, sweatshirts, wine glasses, pint glasses, dog leashes, and more. To see what's new, visit our online store here.

Leaf Collection Starts October 6

Beginning next week, the City begins its annual leaf collection program. Up to 6 bags of leaves can be collected on normal trash days. Biodegradable bags are preferred, placed near your supercan.

Between December 19 and 27, residents can place an unlimited number of bags at the curb for collection. For more details on the leaf collection program, click here.

Other Community Events

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.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Join Commonwealth's Attorney Colette Wallace McEachin on Tuesday, October 21 (2-4 PM) for a free, in-person forum on Health, Hope, and Healing from Domestic Violence. Learn from experts in the field and engage in meaningful conversations about addressing Domestic Violence in the criminal justice system. To register, click here.

Upcoming Calendar

• October 4 - Music in the Park: Ben White (3-5 PM)

• October 21 - FHNA Meeting (7 PM, Forest Hill Presbyterian Church)