The historic theater and adjoining Taylor Mansion on North Second Street could open by April 2011 as a live-music venue and theater known as The Hipp, according to a proposal submitted to the City Council.

An executive with the nonprofit Better Housing Coalition and a landscape architect are set to be appointed to the Richmond Planning Commission, despite concerns from a city councilman that it could end up with an anti-development bias. Lynn McAteer, vice president of planning and special projects for the housing coalition, and Doug Cole, a landscape architect and president of designforum, were recommended this week by the council’s Land Use, Housing and Transportation Standing Committee after interviews with four finalists.

One of Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ top administrators is out of contention, but controversy still swirls over Richmond’s pending appointments to the GRTC Transit System board. The City Council is set to vote Monday to appoint former Chief Administrative Officer Sheila Hill-Christian, as well as current members Linda G. Broady-Meyers and James M. Johnson, to the GRTC board of directors. Chesterfield County, which jointly owns GRTC with the city, will tap the other three members.

A Richmond woman can keep street access to her carport on Stuart Avenue. The City Council voted 6-2 yesterday to strike a proposal to revoke the permit allowing Roberta Crowell to build a driveway across a city sidewalk in the Museum District. First District Councilman Bruce W. Tyler had proposed canceling the permit, citing safety concerns and the driveway’s proximity to St. Gertrude High School.

Richmond’s City Council could decide tomorrow whether a resident can keep her driveway on Stuart Avenue. Citing safety concerns, Councilman Bruce W. Tyler is seeking to revoke a permit allowing a curb cut to serve the concrete driveway at 3304 Stuart Ave., near St. Gertrude High School. Roberta Crowell got the permit last summer and built a carport.

Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones wants the city to buy the coveted site of GRTC Transit System next to the Fan District and to guide private development of the property. Tammy D. Hawley, press secretary to Jones, confirmed the city’s interest in the property, currently assessed at $3 million, and said the issue is being discussed by the boards of GRTC and the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority. She said it is unclear what type of development might be planned and whether a sale to the city will occur.

Some Richmond City Council members are thinking twice about sharing oversight of the city auditor in light of his revelation that the city violated purchasing rules on a nearly $1 million contract to buy police cars. The auditor currently serves at the pleasure of the council. But under draft recommendations of the Richmond City Charter Review Commission, he would be appointed by the mayor subject to the approval of the majority of council.

Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael N. Herring said yesterday that his office will investigate whether any crime was committed as part of a nearly $1 million purchase of police cars that violated procurement rules. He said he could not discuss details and added that it probably would take several weeks to determine whether charges will be sought.

Virginia Commonwealth University’s enrollment growth has cast a long shadow over Richmond’s Carver neighborhood. Residents are fighting a proposal to build 46 homes on North Lombardy Street out of concern that they’ll end up being rented to students at VCU or nearby Virginia Union University. Charleen Baylor, president of the Carver Area Civic Improvement League, said community and city leaders have worked for more than a decade to revitalize Carver as a neighborhood of homeowners. Historic Carver is part of the city’s Neighborhoods in Bloom program, which encourages owner-occupancy and provides incentives for home renovations.

Richmond officials aren’t ready to go to bat for a ballpark in Shockoe Bottom, but they are supporting state legislation that could help get it built. With a show of hands, a majority of the Richmond City Council signaled yesterday its support for bills introduced by Del. G. Manoli Loupassi, R-Richmond, and Sen. A. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico.

The singing that broke out at Richmond City Hall yesterday might as well have come from the City Council and Mayor Dwight C. Jones.

Charles R. Samuels will take his seat on the Richmond City Council next month with a healthy respect for those who came before him. The 2nd District, which sweeps across the Fan District and includes Gilpin Court and part of Jackson Ward, has been represented since 2001 by the council’s president, William J. Pantele. He was preceded by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, whose political ascendancy to mayor, lieutenant governor and governor started in 1994 with his ouster of a district incumbent.

Charles R. Samuels will take his seat on the Richmond City Council next month with a healthy respect for those who came before him. The 2nd District, which sweeps across the Fan District and includes Gilpin Court and part of Jackson Ward, has been represented since 2001 by the council’s president, William J. Pantele. He was preceded by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, whose political ascendancy to mayor, lieutenant governor and governor started in 1994 with his ouster of a district incumbent.