Pull to refresh
Logo
What Changed
Following Why Sign Up
Richmond City Council approves 33 townhomes at former church site

Richmond City Council approves 33 townhomes at former church site

Built World Richmond, VA local

Council backs Macfarlane Partners' revised plan for 4101 Grove Avenue, ending a two-year negotiation over density and a contested driveway.

3 days ago: WTVR reports approval

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

On November 9, 2026, Richmond City Council approved a special use permit for 33 townhomes on the site of the former Seventh Street Christian Church at 4101 Grove Avenue. The vote ended a two-year negotiation that cut the project from 72 units to 33 and added a contested driveway onto Grove Avenue.

The approval lets Macfarlane Partners build 33 three-story townhomes priced at $1.25 million to $1.45 million each. It also settles a fight over pedestrian safety versus neighborhood access, with the council siding with neighbors and the developer over city planning staff.

Why it matters

The approval shows how Richmond council members weigh neighborhood concerns against staff safety recommendations in a city facing housing shortages and rising home prices.

Last Monday's email for Richmond, VA

Sent Nov 9. It carried:

Get next Monday's: one short email a week. Free. Unsubscribe in one click.

Questions about this story

Free account needed to ask — your question is kept and asked for you right after sign-up. Answers are public.

No questions yet — be the first to ask.

Key Indicators

33
Townhomes approved
Final unit count after reductions from 72.
72
Initial unit count
Original plan included 24 townhomes and 48 condos.
3
Stories per townhome
Each unit includes a two-car garage.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

Sign up to generate historical perspectives on this story.

Log in Sign Up

People Involved

Charles Macfarlane
Charles Macfarlane
Principal, Macfarlane Partners
Project approved; working on financing and builder selection
AB
Andrew Breton
Richmond City Council, 1st District
Supported project including Grove Avenue driveway
 Reva Trammell
Reva Trammell
Richmond City Council
Only council member to vote against approval
RP
Rodney Poole
Chair, Richmond Planning Commission
Recommended approval
DM
Doug Mawby
City of Richmond Department of Public Works
Opposed Grove Avenue driveway
HW
Hollie Woodruff
Pastor, Seventh Street Christian Church
Church sold property
BP
Brian Prater
Attorney, Williams Mullen
Represented developer

Organizations Involved

Richmond City Council
Richmond City Council
Municipal legislative body
Approved project

The governing body of Richmond, Virginia.
MacFarlane Partners
MacFarlane Partners
Real estate investment and development firm
Project approved

Local development firm behind the townhome project.
SS
Seventh Street Christian Church
Religious congregation
Sold property; now based in Henrico

The congregation that owned the Grove Avenue property.
RD
Richmond Department of Public Works
City department
Opposed driveway

City department responsible for transportation infrastructure.
Richmond Planning Commission
Richmond Planning Commission
City commission
Recommended approval

Commission that reviews land use proposals.
Williams Mullen
Williams Mullen
Law firm
Represented developer

Law firm representing Macfarlane Partners.
NO
3North
Architecture firm
Project architect

Architecture firm designing the townhomes.
CO
DRW Consultants
Traffic engineering firm
Conducted traffic study

Firm that performed the traffic study for the project.
GRTC
GRTC
Transit agency
Bus shelter included in project

Greater Richmond Transit Company.

Timeline

June 2024 November 2026

7 events Latest: 3 days ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. WTVR reports approval

    Latest Media

    Television station covers the council decision.

  2. Richmond BizSense reports approval

    Media

    Local business publication details the approval and project specifics.

  3. City Council approves 33 townhomes

    Approval

    Council votes 8-1 to approve special use permit, including contested Grove Avenue driveway.

  4. Planning Commission recommends approval

    Recommendation

    Commission backs project with Grove Avenue driveway, with one dissent over historic preservation.

  5. Revised plan cuts to 35 townhomes

    Revision

    Developer drops condos, adds two-car garages, and plans to demolish sanctuary after neighborhood feedback.

  6. Initial 72-unit plan pitched

    Proposal

    Macfarlane Partners proposes 24 townhomes and 48 condos, keeping the church sanctuary.

  7. Church explores selling Grove Avenue property

    Background

    Seventh Street Christian Church begins exploring a sale as upkeep costs strain the shrinking congregation.

Scenarios

1

Construction begins by mid-2027

Likely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Charles Macfarlane, Richmond BizSense

Macfarlane said he is finalizing financing and selecting a homebuilder. If those steps close, construction could start within months.

2

Neighbors file lawsuit to block project

Possible Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: Local land use attorneys

Neighbors opposed to the Grove Avenue driveway or density could challenge the council's decision in court. Virginia law allows appeals of special use permits within 30 days.

3

Townhomes sell out before completion

Possible Resolves by End of 2028

Discussed by: Macfarlane Partners

Macfarlane said he has already received interest from about 10 buyers. Strong demand for walkable, new-construction homes could lead to early sellout.

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

February 2026

Lafayette Green townhomes (2026)

A proposal to build 16 townhomes at 3923 Grove Avenue was cut to 10 units after neighborhood opposition. City Council approved the revised plan in February 2026.

Then

Project approved with reduced density.

Now

Set a precedent for negotiating unit counts down in Near West End developments.

Why this matters now

Shows the same pattern of neighborhood pushback and compromise that shaped the 4101 Grove Avenue project.

October 2026

Byrd Park townhome rejection (2026)

City Council rejected a 21-unit townhome project near Byrd Park just weeks before the Grove Avenue vote.

Then

Project denied.

Now

Signaled council's willingness to reject projects it deems out of scale.

Why this matters now

Highlights that approval was not guaranteed; the Grove Avenue project succeeded after major revisions.

1950

Seventh Street Christian Church move (1950)

The congregation moved from downtown to its new sanctuary at 4101 Grove Avenue, reflecting suburban growth.

Then

Church became a neighborhood anchor.

Now

The building served the congregation for over 70 years before declining membership made it unsustainable.

Why this matters now

Explains why the site became available for redevelopment and why historic preservation concerns arose.

Sources

(8)
+3
City of Richmond The Richmonder Mission Realty Team Richmond BizSense WTVR City of Richmond City of Richmond City of Richmond