Update on new wayfinding signs, parks master plan: 4 things you missed at Monday’s Richmond city commissioner’s meeting

City commissioners and Mayor Evalyn Moore approved several agenda items at the regular City Commissioner’s meeting on Monday at the Municipal Court in downtown Richmond.

1. Update on 13 new wayfinding signs

Jessica Duet, planning director of the Planning and Zoning Committee, provided an update to Moore and city commissioners on 13 new wayfinding signs that will be added throughout the city to signal parks and other amenities. Some of the signs in consideration include an identifier for George Park off Clay Street and Collins Road as well as an additional sign for alternative routes to George Park at North Second and Clay streets. A sign at North Second and Commerce streets would help identify Martin Cemetery, and a “Welcome to Richmond” sign at US 90 A and Pitts Road was also suggested. All of the signs are still in discussion and have not been finalized.

2. Approval to zone nearly 4 acres of land to general commercial

The mayor and commissioners approved a request by Sehar Investment Group to zone 3.6 acres of land on the west side of FM 359 south of the intersection of Plantation Drive to general commercial usage. The property was annexed in April and the group plans to redevelop the site into a convenience store and gas station. The property stands across from a local car wash and houses a fireworks stand and U-Haul facility.

3. Authorize action to annex land for Fire Station No. 2 Site

Moore and commissioners unanimously approved a resolution authorizing action toward the annexation of Fire Station No. 2 that would seek approval from Municipal Utility District 121, or River Park West. The resolution is a preliminary start to designing the new firehouse.

4. Update on the Parks and Open Space Master Plan

Representatives from MHS Planning and Design updated Moore and the commissioners on the city’s parks and open space master plan, which runs through 2027. Hunter Rush, representative of MHS, reported that out of 3,000 surveys sent into the community, 250 were returned. About 80 percent of residents who took the survey strongly agree the existing parks should be upgraded or improved, and 77 percent of residents who participated in the survey strongly agree the parks are well worth the cost to tax payers. The master plan includes proposed updates to George Park and Wessendorff Park as well as construction of spraygrounds in existing and new parks. After collaborating with several focus groups, Rush reported that citizens requested multipurpose walking trails for easy access to parks, pavilions and picnic shelters, maintenance of the existing parks and partnerships with local nonprofits to develop the parks system.