Richmond City Council drops panhandling ordinance

A proposal aimed at cracking down on panhandling in Richmond has been dropped, but it could surface again.

Facing a potential legal challenge by the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, three City Council members withdrew a proposed ordinance that would make it illegal to solicit contributions from occupants of motor vehicles. The offense would have been a misdemeanor.

The withdrawal was acknowledged at last night's meeting, but Councilman Bruce W. Tyler said he's working with the city attorney to redraft the ordinance to exempt nonprofit groups that submit plans that address safety concerns. The goal, he said, is to not interfere with the city firefighters' Fill-the-Boot Campaign to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

He said he hopes a proposal can be reintroduced this fall that "allows for us to get people off the street that create public-safety issues and get them to the right organization to get help -- those who need it."

The ACLU had warned that the proposed ordinance violates the free-speech clause of the First Amendment.

"Richmond has the right to pass laws that maintain traffic safety and that protect pedestrians," ACLU of Virginia Executive Director Kent Willis said in a statement, "but without showing a compelling reason, it cannot trample on the First Amendment right to ask for money."

Also last night, the council voted 8-1 to approve a plan by Michael Pellis to build a two-story, four-condominium complex at 107 S. Colonial Ave., near Carytown.

Neighbors argued that the four units made the project too dense for the neighborhood, but council members disagreed.

"This neighborhood was made for density," Tyler said.

Pellis is an architect with Baskervill, where Tyler is a principal, but City Attorney Norman Sales said Tyler had no conflict of interest that would prevent him from voting. Councilman Charles R. Samuels cast the lone vote against the project.

Earlier, Chesterfield County Administrator James J.L. Stegmaier addressed the council and pledged Chesterfield's interest in working with the city to mutually serve residents. Mayor Dwight C. Jones has attended boards of supervisors meetings in Chesterfield and Henrico County and similarly called for greater regional cooperation.

Contact Will Jones at (804) 649-6911 or .