Urban Design Committee

Purpose and Duties

The Urban Design Committee (UDC) is an advisory board to the City Planning Commission, encouraging high standards of urban design and an improved community appearance by reviewing development on public property or in the public right-of-way. The UDC advises the Planning Commission on matters of location, character and extent in regard to new construction or alterations to existing public structures, parks and recreational areas, landscaping and streetscape improvement programs. It also makes recomendations on permanent above ground encroachments when such work causes a significant change in character and/or visual impact. The UDC evaluates and recommends design overlay districts (DOD) proposed by neighborhood groups.

Membership Composition
The UDC is comprised of ten members appointed by City Council. The membership includes a registered architect, a representative from the field of static arts, a faculty member from the arts division of a local college, a registered engineer, a business representative, a landscape architect, a member of the City Planning Commission, a member of the Commission of Architectural Review, and two citizens at large. Each citizen and professional member serves a three-year term, with the possibility of serving a maximum of two terms. Members representing the City Planning Commission and the Commission of Architectural Review are appointed for terms coincident with their term on their respective Commissions.
Meeting Information
Meetings are held on the Thursday following the first Monday of each month in 5th floor conference room of City Hall at 10:00 a.m.
Additional Information
You can e-mail the Comprehensive Planning Division for more information about the Urban Design Committee membership, meeting dates, agendas, minutes or an application. Copies of the City of Richmond Urban Design Guidelines and the West of the Boulevard Design Overlay District are available. If you wish, you may visit the Comprehensive Planning Division in room 510 of City Hall between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, or call (804)646-6335.
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