Kevin J. Vonck currently serves as the Director for the Department of Planning and Development Review for the City of Richmond (Virginia), which directs and regulates long-range planning, land use, zoning, historic preservation, site and building plan review, permitting, inspections, and code enforcement within the City. He became Director in January 2021, after joining the City as a Deputy Director in August 2020.
The Richmond 300 Master Plan calls out a re-write of the zoning ordinance as one of six "Big Moves" we need to expand equity, improve sustainability, and beautify our City. Code Refresh is our answer to that call; an overhaul of an outdated zoning code to meet the needs of Richmonders today, tomorrow, and for the next generation.
What does that actually mean? Basically, we're taking a close look at our current zoning, last written in the mid-1970s, to determine what does and does not suit our needs. This means remapping every single parcel in the City and devising new zoning categories and strategies which will advance our goals for thriving neighborhoods and thriving communities.