Idea of taller towers on Times Square site gains traction
High-rises proposed by Townline Homes for No. 3 Road could become the tallest buildings in the city, if officials ultimately raise the limit on building heights in Richmond.
On Monday city council unanimously agreed to allow Townline to submit a rezoning application for 6560 to 6700 No. 3 Rd., a site across from Richmond Centre. The application is expected to involve towers taller than the 47-metre (150-foot) maximum.
Council also decided that Townline’s tall building application would be the only such application the city will entertain until the federal government—the regulator of building height near airports—and the city make rulings.
“One of the things we want to do is look at a balanced skyline in the community,” said Coun. Bill McNulty. “If we’re going to get 60,000 more people in the downtown core, we only have one place to go and that’s up.”
Townline’s site is a four-lot strip mall known as Time Square.
Any change in the maximum height is likely years away. Although the city could complete its review of building heights this year, federal officials could take up to three years to complete their analysis—if they agree to a study in the first place.
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