Public Meetings - Blacksburg, Virginia

The Blacksburg Town Council held a work session on December 5, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Blacksburg Motor Company Building. The meeting covered five major agenda items: an upgrade to the New River Valley Emergency Communications Authority radio system, updates to the Downtown Northwest Zoning District, a discussion on building height regulations, a review of financial indicators and the Capital Improvement Plan, and a proposal to lease office space at Old Town Hall to the New River Land Trust. The meeting adjourned at 1:02 p.m. Discussion Items - New River Valley Emergency Communications Authority Countywide Radio System: Executive Director Jason Milburn presented the goal to transition from an analog to a fully digital system, highlighting deficiencies in the current analog system and reviewing estimated costs and cost-sharing proposals. Council expressed overall agreement to move forward with the radio system upgrade. - Downtown Northwest Zoning District Update: Planning Director Anne McClung provided updates from the previous work session on October 17, 2023. Discussion focused on building height allowances in the proposed district, including the review of requested visuals and building perspectives. Thorough discussion took place regarding height allowances throughout the town. - Building Height Discussion: Planning Director Anne McClung discussed building height regulations in the Downtown Commercial District, where height is currently limited to 60 feet with no allowance based on increased setbacks. The current option to exceed this limit requires a Conditional Use Permit. Council discussed the potential for a resolution to set out concerns and expectations moving forward. - Review of Financial Indicators, Revenue, Expenditures and Recommended Capital Improvement Plan: Finance Director Susan Kaiser highlighted the Town’s FY2023 Financial Indicators, noting that revenues are recovering from the pandemic decline. This discussion is the first step in reviewing the recommended Capital Improvement Program. Continued discussion will be held at the January 2, 2024 meeting. - Proposal to Lease Office Space at Old Town Hall to New River Land Trust: Carol Davis provided background on the request. The New River Land Trust seeks space to store supplies and equipment, and available space exists at the Old Town Hall building. The proposed lease will be added to the Town Council’s next regular meeting on December 12, 2023. Key Outcomes - Council reached overall agreement to proceed with the New River Valley Emergency Communications Authority radio system upgrade. - Council discussed the potential for a resolution regarding building height in the Downtown Commercial District, with further consideration expected. - The review of financial indicators and the Capital Improvement Plan will continue at the January 2, 2024 meeting. - The proposal to lease office space to the New River Land Trust will be placed on the agenda for the December 12, 2023 regular meeting. No formal votes were taken during the work session. All decisions were preliminary and subject to final action at a future meeting. Note: No public comments were recorded. The meeting was a work session, and no consent calendar items were listed.

The regular meeting of the Blacksburg Planning Commission was called to order at 6:30 PM in the Roger E. Hedgepeth Chambers. A quorum was present (Commissioners Britt, Ehrman, Ford, Jones, Kassal, President, Reinhardt; absent: Irvine, Walker). The meeting proceeded with a consent agenda, cancellation of a public hearing, reports from committees, and a citizen comment at the end. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: The Planning Commission minutes from November 9, 2023, were approved unanimously. - CUP 23-4 Cancellation and Rescheduling: The public hearing for the Conditional Use Permit (CUP 23-4) for multi-family residential use on the ground floor in the GC-General Commercial zoning district on 3.94 acres of an 8.44 acre parcel at 203 Country Club Drive SW was canceled and rescheduled from December 5, 2023, to January 2, 2024. The motion passed unanimously. Public Comments & Testimony - Initial Citizen Comment: No citizens addressed the Commission during the designated period. - Later Citizen Comment: Near the end of the meeting, Sharon Tomere (608 Rose Avenue) spoke. She stated she is a neighbor of the proposed Rugby field senior housing project. She expressed full support for senior housing at that location but raised concerns about the previous application (before it became senior housing) that included removing all trees between the trail and the path, replacing them with evergreens, and moving the path closer to Margaret Beaks. She argued this would result in a loss of biodiversity and create a sharp curve on a steep slope, posing a safety hazard for bicyclists, particularly children. She urged the Commission to keep the path in its current location and preserve all existing trees. Discussion Items - Montgomery County Planning Commission Report: Chairperson reported on the recent Montgomery County Planning Commission meeting. Key items: - A preschool (operating under a CUP previously granted) purchased a property near Thomas Lane and Old Fort Road and was seeking permission to move. The CUP passed, though not unanimously. - A special use permit for a rubble landfill also passed. - A proposed ordinance revision for commercial and industrial solar facilities was postponed due to a public notice mix-up; only an informational meeting was held. - Montgomery County is expected to begin televising/streaming its planning commission public hearings by January 2024. - Commissioner Observation on Parking: A commissioner (likely Mr. Ford) noted that the preschool site had 21 parking spaces, but the applicant indicated only 3-4 were needed. When the county staff stated the parking was required, the commission accepted it without questioning the requirement. The commissioner suggested that Blacksburg should be more critical of parking minimums in the future. - Planning Director’s Report: The Director noted that the applicant for the canceled public hearing (CUP 23-4) has been contacted and that the most up-to-date information on meeting dates will be posted on the town website under the public hearings tab. - Town Council Report: A commissioner provided a report on the Town Council work session held earlier that day (December 5, 2023). The Council had a robust discussion on the downtown Northwest (NW) ordinance, which had been sent forward with caveats from the Planning Commission, particularly regarding building height. The Council indicated comfort with an L-shaped setback along Main Street and Turner Street: within that setback, the maximum height would be 75 feet; in the core interior beyond the setback, the maximum height would be 100 feet (down from a previously considered 125 feet). Visualizations relative to the Moss Art Center were used. The Council also had a generalized discussion about height in the downtown area. The ordinance will return to the Planning Commission for review. Key Outcomes - Consent Agenda Approved: November 9, 2023, minutes approved; CUP 23-4 public hearing canceled and rescheduled to January 2, 2024. - No Public Hearing Held: The sole public hearing was canceled via the consent agenda. - Upcoming Meetings: A work session is scheduled for December 19, 2023, at 5:00 PM (to discuss the Capital Improvement Plan and small lots, not the Rugby applicant). The next regular meeting is January 2, 2024, which will likely be a consent-only agenda. The Rugby applicant revisions are expected to be heard at a January work session, pending resubmission. - Citizen Input Noted: The Commission acknowledged Sharon Tomere’s comments on the Rugby field project, though no formal action was taken.

The Blacksburg Town Council met on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at 6:30 PM in the Roger E. Hedgepeth Chambers. The meeting included recognition of two Virginia Municipal League awards, unanimous approval of the consent agenda, introduction of the recommended Capital Improvement Program (CIP), council announcements, and a closed session for real property acquisition. No public hearings or citizen comments were held. The meeting adjourned at 6:58 PM, with the closed meeting lasting from 6:59 PM to 7:56 PM. Recognition & Awards - Virginia Municipal League Awards: Housing and Community Connections Manager Kim Thurlow presented two VML awards won by the town: the 2023 Innovation Award for Community Health and the President's Award for Innovation for the Community Garden Program. Mayor Hager-Smith presented the awards to Arlene Hale Lambert and members of Live, Work, Eat, Grow and staff. - Key statistics shared: The Hale Garden has 70 garden plots with gardeners from over 17 nationalities. New gardens have been established at Wong Park, Garrison Park, and Cedar Hill, with two more planned: one near the lower heritage parking lot (destination garden) and another in Heathwood (neighborhood garden). The program's success was attributed to community champions, cross-departmental commitment, and structured agreements. - The President's Award is the top award given by VML, the professional organization for Virginia municipal officials. Consent Calendar - Approved unanimously (7-0) by roll call vote: Bush, Colliver, Ford, Hager-Smith, Mattingly, Sutphin, and Anderson voted yes. - A. Town Council Minutes – November 14, 2023: Approved. - B. Contract for Professional Engineering Services: Authorized the Town Manager to sign a contract for the Prices Fork Road and U.S. Route 460 Interchange Study in the amount of $145,619.40. Discussion Items Introduction of Recommended Capital Improvement Program (CIP) - Town Manager Marc Verniel presented the CIP, describing it as the first step in the town's budget process. The CIP covers 123 recommended projects totaling $172 million over five years, with 21 projects bonded. Projects are spread across funds: General Fund, Transit, Water & Sewer, Solid Waste & Recycling, and Equipment Replacement. - Highlights of significant projects: - Progress Street parking garage (design and construction) – cost increased from prior estimates. - Draper Road streetscape improvements – planned for FY 2027-2028. - South Quake Community Park – completing improvements, including parking. - Downtown restroom facility – combined with Draper Streetscape. - Brush Mountain Trail system – continuing funding for trail additions. - Transportation: Prices Fork Road/US 460 interchange improvements (VDOT Smart Scale application in FY 2027-2028), Turner Street to North Main Street pedestrian improvements, Clay Street sidewalk, North Main Street/Givens Lane intersection improvements, and general bicycle/sidewalk funding. - Utility projects: Laurel Ridge water replacement (outside town limits), pump station and force main projects. - Transit fund: Bus replacements and infrastructure for electric buses. - Capital maintenance: Equipment depreciation adjustments (fire trucks, ambulances, heavy equipment) to reflect realistic replacement costs. - Inflation context: Year-over-year inflation in October 2023 was 3.2% (down from 7.7% the prior year), but construction and equipment costs have risen more due to labor shortages and demand. Town revenues have recovered to pre-pandemic levels with moderate growth expected. - CIP schedule: Introduced Nov 28; work sessions in December; Planning Commission review in December; public hearing on January 9, 2024; vote on January 23, 2024. - Also noted projects not in CIP but underway or recently completed: police station, sewer projects, South Main Streetscape, multimodal transit facility, Hand-in-Hand playground, and ARPA-funded capital projects. Council Announcements - Vice Mayor Susan Anderson reminded citizens of upcoming holiday activities: Santa at the Lyric at 4:00 PM, tree lighting at 5:45 PM, Tuba Christmas at 6:00 PM, and the parade at 7:00 PM on Friday, December 1 (rain date Saturday). - Councilmember Susan Mattingly announced that representatives from Americans for the Arts will be in town for a lunch-and-learn at the Lyric (noon to 1 PM) regarding the Arts and Economic Prosperity study. She read a proclamation noting that in 2022, the local nonprofit arts and cultural industry generated $41.7 million in economic activity, supported 697 jobs, and generated $7.1 million in local, state, and federal government revenues. Arts and cultural audiences also spent $22.1 million in event-related spending. Key Outcomes - Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (7-0). - CIP Introduction: No vote; the presentation was for informational purposes; the CIP will be formally considered at a public hearing on January 9, 2024, with a vote on January 23, 2024. - Closed Meeting: Vice Mayor Anderson moved to adjourn to a closed meeting under Virginia Code § 2.2-3711(A)(3) for discussion of potential acquisition of real property in central Blacksburg. The motion passed unanimously (7-0). The closed meeting lasted from 6:59 PM to 7:56 PM. Upon reconvening, Council unanimously adopted Resolution 11-B-23 certifying the propriety of the closed meeting.

The Blacksburg Town Council held a work session on November 21, 2023, at the Blacksburg Motor Company, 400 South Main Street. Vice Mayor Susan Anderson and Councilmembers John Bush, Lauren Colliver, Jerry Ford, Jr., Susan Mattingly, and Michael Sutphin were present. Mayor Leslie Hager-Smith and Town Attorney Lawrence S. Spencer, Jr. were absent. The Council reviewed six public hearing ordinances scheduled for December 12, 2023, received updates on the Progress Street and interim Draper Road streetscape projects, and held a staff exchange. Review of Public Hearings (December 12, 2023) Engineering Director Randy Formica presented two ordinances: - Ordinance 2032: Vacating a public utility easement on land at 215 Cork Drive, releasing the Town’s interest in a portion of the easement and relocating some utility easements. - Ordinance 2034: Amending Town Code Section 18-401 to establish a surcharge for industrial sewer discharges of Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) exceeding normal wastewater levels, under an approved Discharge Permit. Finance Director Susan Kaiser presented four ordinances: - Ordinance 2039: Amending Town Code Sections 22-221 and 22-222 to increase income and asset limits for tax exemptions for elderly and disabled persons, aligning with Montgomery County’s recent changes. - Ordinance 2042: Amending the FY 2023/2024 Operating Budget to accept and appropriate an additional $194,000 from the Virginia Department of Health Lead Inventory Grant to the Water/Sewer Capital Improvement Fund. - Ordinance 2043: Amending the FY 2023/2024 Operating Budget to accept and appropriate $76,680 from the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) to the General Capital Improvement Fund. - Ordinance 2044: Amending the FY 2023/2024 Operating Budget to accept and appropriate $406,038 in VDOT Primary Extension Paving Funding and $168,750 in VDOT Primary Extension ADA Funding to the General Capital Improvement Fund. No votes were taken; these items are scheduled for public hearings on December 12, 2023. Progress Street Streetscape Update Housing and Community Connections Manager Matt Hanratty reviewed the development of the proposed Progress Street streetscape. He covered existing conditions, various proposed concepts, community engagement efforts, and a drafted final design. There was considerable discussion among Council members regarding street parking along the corridor. Interim Draper Road Streetscape Update Matt Hanratty also provided an overview of planned updates to the Draper Road streetscape. Improvements are scheduled to begin in May 2024. The concept plan allows for immediate improvements while larger development occurs later. Hanratty shared slides of the planned design. Council/Staff Exchange Town Manager Marc Verniel updated Council on the St. Luke & Odd Fellows Hall committee meetings. He noted that the building had recently been painted and minor repairs were completed. Additionally, topics for the Town Council Retreat in January were discussed. Key Outcomes - Council reviewed six ordinances that will proceed to public hearings on December 12, 2023. - No formal votes were taken during the work session. - The Progress Street streetscape design continues to be refined, with further discussion on parking. - Draper Road streetscape improvements are planned to begin in May 2024. - The St. Luke & Odd Fellows Hall has received painting and minor repairs; the Council retreat is being planned for January 2024. - The meeting was adjourned at 12:20 p.m.

The Blacksburg Town Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. in the Roger E. Hedgepeth Chambers of the Blacksburg Municipal Building. All seven council members were present. The meeting was brief, adjourning at 6:36 p.m. Key actions included unanimous approval of the consent agenda, adoption of a resolution referring a small lot development option to the Planning Commission, and approval of a greenway trail easement vacation. Consent Calendar - Motion to approve the consent agenda (Vice Mayor Anderson, seconded by Councilmember Sutphin) passed unanimously on a roll call vote. The consent agenda included: - Approval of Town Council minutes for October 17 and October 24, 2023. - Introduction of Ordinance 2032 (vacating a public utility easement at 215 Cork Drive), scheduled for a public hearing on December 12, 2023. - Introduction of Ordinance 2034 (amending Town Code Section 18-401 on industrial waste surcharges), scheduled for December 12, 2023. - Introduction of Ordinance 2039 (increasing income and asset limits for elderly/disabled tax exemptions), scheduled for December 12, 2023. - Introduction of Ordinance 2042 (accepting $194,000 from the Virginia Department of Health Lead Inventory Grant for the Water/Sewer Capital Improvement Fund), scheduled for December 12, 2023. - Introduction of Ordinance 2043 (accepting $76,680 in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant funds from the Department of Energy), scheduled for December 12, 2023. - Introduction of Ordinance 2044 (accepting $406,038 in VDOT primary extension paving funding and $168,750 in VDOT primary extension ADA funding), scheduled for December 12, 2023. - Adoption of Resolution 11-A-23, referring a proposed zoning ordinance amendment to the R-4 district for a new alternative small lot residential development option to the Planning Commission. Public Hearing - Ordinance 2031: Vacation of a Greenway Trail Easement at 1505 Bradley Lane - Town Attorney Lawrence Spencer presented the request, explaining that the 20-foot-wide greenway trail segment behind Maple Ridge would be vacated to allow relocation of the trail to a better location. - No public comment was offered. - Motion to approve Ordinance 2031 (Vice Mayor Anderson, seconded by Councilmember Sutphin) passed unanimously on a roll call vote. Council Announcements - Councilmember Lauren Colliver thanked Mayor Hager-Smith and Chief Brewster for organizing a candlelight vigil at Blacksburg High School, which drew an estimated 200–300 attendees and concluded with 40 singers. - Vice Mayor Susan Anderson reminded residents of Small Business Saturday (November 25, 2023) and encouraged shopping small, and promoted the Winter Lights Festival on December 1, 2023 (tree lighting at 5:45 p.m., Tuba Christmas at 6 p.m., holiday parade at 7 p.m.) and other downtown holiday events. - Mayor Hager-Smith announced she would present a proclamation to Nikki Giovanni at the Lyric Theater on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at 7 p.m. in connection with a special biography and documentary. Key Outcomes - Consent agenda approved unanimously. - Ordinance 2031 approved unanimously. - Six ordinances (2032, 2034, 2039, 2042, 2043, 2044) introduced and sent to public hearing on December 12, 2023. - Resolution 11-A-23 adopted, referring the small lot development option to the Planning Commission. - No citizen comments, unfinished business, or new business were presented.

The Blacksburg Planning Commission held a regular meeting on November 9, 2023 at 6:30 PM in the Roger E. Hedgepeth Chambers of the Blacksburg Municipal Building. The meeting was originally scheduled for November 7, 2023 but was postponed due to National Election Day. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM and adjourned at 6:34 PM, lasting approximately 4 minutes. The commission had a full roster of seven members present and two absent. No public hearings or citizen comments were held. Consent Calendar - Approval of Planning Commission Minutes – September 5, 2023: Approved unanimously (7-0). No discussion. - CUP 23-4 – Conditional Use Permit Request: Scheduled a public hearing for December 5, 2023 on a request for multi-family use on the ground floor in the GC-General Commercial zoning district on 3.94 acres of an 8.44 acre parcel at 203 Country Club Drive SW. Approved unanimously (7-0). Key Outcomes - The Consent Agenda was approved by a vote of 7-0. - The Planning Commission approved a slate of officers for the upcoming year by a vote of 7-0: Chair: Andy Kassoff, Vice Chair: Mel Jones, Secretary: Tim Colley. No nominations from the floor were offered. - The meeting adjourned at 6:34 PM.

No agenda, minutes, or transcript were provided for this meeting. Therefore, no summary can be generated.

The Blacksburg Town Council held a regular meeting on October 24, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. in the Roger E. Hedgepeth Chambers. The meeting covered a consent agenda, appointments to the Recreation Advisory Board, council announcements, and adjournment to a closed meeting for real property acquisition. No public hearings or citizen comments were held. Consent Calendar - Approved the Town Council minutes from October 3 and October 10, 2023, unanimously. - Adopted Resolution 10-E-23, which re-refers a proposed zoning ordinance text amendment to the Planning Commission to establish a new Optional Downtown Northwest Zoning District. - Authorized the Town Manager to sign a contract amendment for Program Management/Owner Representative professional services related to the Multi-Modal Transit Facility. Appointments - Recreation Advisory Board (2023 Appointments): The council unanimously approved the removal of Lia Kelinsky-Jones, Nicole Hersch, and Davis Cirillo, and appointed Angelina Marcolini (term expiring 6/30/2026), Thomas Schiff (term expiring 6/30/2025), and Rachel Hogan (term expiring 6/30/2027). Council Announcements - Vice Mayor Susan Anderson highlighted upcoming events: Blues, Brews, and Barbecue on October 28 (noon–5 p.m. at Oddfellows Hall); Downtown Trick-or-Treating on October 31 (4–6 p.m.); and encouraged citizens to vote in the November 7 election. Councilmember Lauren Colliver noted attending a groundbreaking for the expansion and remodel of Christiansburg High School. Key Outcomes - Consent Agenda: Motion by Vice Mayor Anderson, seconded by Councilmember Sutphin; passed 7-0 on roll call (all council members voting yes). - Appointments: Motion by Vice Mayor Anderson, seconded by Councilmember Sutphin; passed 7-0 on roll call. - Closed Meeting: Motion to adjourn to a closed meeting under Virginia Code §2.2-3711(A)(3) for discussion of potential acquisition of real property in central Blacksburg passed unanimously at 6:35 p.m. The open meeting reconvened at 7:09 p.m., and the council unanimously adopted Resolution 10-F-23, certifying the propriety of the closed meeting.

The Blacksburg Town Council held a work session on October 17, 2023, at the Blacksburg Motor Company, 400 South Main Street, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:06 p.m. The meeting covered several agenda items including a review of a public hearing on a greenway trail easement vacation, updates on downtown northwest zoning and small lot zoning amendments, and discussions on the elderly and disabled tax relief program, industrial waste sewer regulations, and the first quarter financial update. No public comments were heard. Review of Public Hearing Scheduled for November 14, 2023 - Ordinance 2031: An Ordinance Vacating a Greenway Trail Easement on Land Located at 1505 Bradley Lane. Town Attorney Lawrence Spencer explained that the proposed ordinance would re-route a greenway trail that currently goes through properties now owned by a single owner. There were no questions from Council. Downtown Northwest Zoning Ordinance Amendment Update - Planning Director Anne McClung and Chris Jennette of Camiros Consulting presented new approaches to building height, drive-through design, ground floor active space, and district applicability. Council reached an overall consensus to move forward with the amendment, but requested additional visuals on the tiered building height approach. Small Lot Zoning Amendments and Updates - Planning Director Anne McClung and Chris Jennette presented a draft approach for a zoning amendment to permit residential development on small lots. The proposal includes standards for smaller lots and smaller homes. Policy issues to be discussed include whether approvals are by-right or through a public hearing and whether only single-family homes are permitted. Public input meetings are scheduled in the coming weeks. Council expressed interest in continuing the discussion. Elderly and Disabled Tax Relief Program - Finance Director Susan Kaiser provided an overview of the existing real estate tax relief program for elderly or disabled persons, with eligibility based on total income and net worth. The last change was in January 2013. The proposed amendment would match Montgomery County's adopted limits for income and net worth. Proposed Amendment to Industrial Waste Sewer Regulations - Town Engineer Shawn Veltman presented a proposed amendment to the Town's Industrial Waste regulations. No further details or Council discussion were recorded in the minutes. 1st Quarter Financial Update - Finance Director Susan Kaiser provided handouts and reviewed the first quarter financial report, noting the Town is in stable condition and meeting financial targets. Staff will continue to monitor the financial position. Key Outcomes - Council agreed to move forward with the Downtown Northwest Zoning Ordinance Amendment, with the addition of more visuals on tiered building heights. - Council expressed interest in continuing the discussion on Small Lot Zoning Amendments, with public input meetings planned. - The greenway trail easement vacation ordinance will proceed to a public hearing on November 14, 2023. - No formal votes were taken; all items were discussed as work session items.