The Blacksburg Planning Commission met on November 5, 2019, at 7:30 PM in the Roger E. Hedgepeth Chambers of the Municipal Building. Chair Andy Kassoff presided, and all seven commissioners were present. The meeting covered a consent agenda, six public hearings, citizen comment, and other business.
For Agenda Item IV-A (Glade Road rezoning):
For Agenda Item IV-B (North Main Street/Giles Road rezoning):
For Agenda Items IV-C, D, & E (North End Center):
For Agenda Item IV-F (Signage District): No public comments.
Item IV-A: RZN19-0005 – Rezoning of 900 & 1002 Glade Road Kinsey O’Shea (staff) presented the proposal for 2.869 acres to be rezoned from RR-1 to PR for 112 bedrooms (townhomes, cottages, garden apartments). She noted the density was 17 times the by-right allowance and four times the Future Land Use designation. Applicant Craig Stipes (Broad Street Partners) emphasized the mix of unit types, rent caps for existing units, and no renting by the bedroom. Commissioners expressed concerns about the lack of owner-occupied units, compatibility with the Comprehensive Plan, traffic, and the pending 40-acre parcel. A motion to recommend denial passed 7-0.
Item IV-B: RZN19-0004 – Rezoning of 1310 North Main Street & 1013 Giles Road Staff presented a plan for 6.59 acres from GC/R-5 to PR, including a mixed-use building, multi-family buildings, and 29 for-sale townhomes (389 bedrooms). Concerns included loss of commercial land, density, and parking. Applicant Steve Semones (Balzer & Associates) highlighted revisions, including townhomes for sale, shared access, and EarthCraft certification. Commissioners praised the mix of student/family housing and commercial potential. A motion to recommend approval (with exceptions for setbacks, contiguous units, and open space configuration) passed 7-0.
Items IV-C, D, & E: RZN19-0007, CUP19-0006, ROW19-0001 – North End Center Staff presented a combined rezoning (DC with amended conditions), conditional use permit for 100-ft building height, and right-of-way vacation for a new building along Gilbert Street. The project includes ~250,000 square feet with ground-floor retail, university offices, and a rooftop restaurant. Skip Smith (W.M. Jordan Company) described the design, pedestrian improvements, and economic impacts (363 construction jobs, 688 ongoing jobs, ~$660,000 annual tax revenue). Commissioners discussed traffic impacts, bicycle parking, and the MOU with the Blacksburg Museum for St. Luke and Odd Fellows Hall. On the rezoning and CUP, the motion passed 5-2 (Colley, Davis, Jones, Kassoff, Sutphin yes; Langrehr, Moneyhun no). On the right-of-way vacation, the motion passed 6-1 (Langrehr no).
Item IV-F: RZN19-0008 – North End Special Signage District Amendment Anne McClung (staff) explained the amendments to allow larger signs for major tenants (e.g., a 60-sq-ft sign for tenants over 12,500 sq ft) and a non-illuminated sign for the rooftop restaurant. No public comment. A motion to recommend approval passed 5-2 (same split as Items IV-C/D/E).
Of the Blacksburg Planning Commission on November 5th, 2019. Regular meetings of the Blacksburg Planning Commission are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 here in the Roger Hedge Path Chambers of the Blacksburg Municipal Building, 300 South Main Street. Citizens may address the Planning Commission during specified times on the agenda and are requested to adhere to the following. Please speak at the podium, state your name and address, direct your comments only to the commission. Please limit speaking time to a maximum of three minutes, and speak only once during a specific hearing or comment period. A wireless microphone is available to anyone requesting assistance. Please silence your cell phones, show respect for all speakers, and allow all opinions to be expressed in a tolerant atmosphere. And with that, we'll call the meeting to order. May we have a roll call, please? Mr. Collie. Here. Mr. Davis. Here. Mr. Castell. Present. Mr. Langreer? President. Is Money Hans present? Mr. Sutton? Here. Great. Our first item on the agenda is our consent agenda. I'm going to come around the other side of the dice to deliver the first part of that. Tonight is the first part of our consent agenda. I have the distinct honor and privilege of delivering a resolution of appreciation to J.B. Jones Jr., our friend and our colleague. JB has worked his butt off for the last 20 years, so this is going to take a while. It's about the longest resolution I've ever seen. But I think you've what you're about to hear is a record of selfless public service for over two decades that I think is remarkable in the history of our town. A resolution of appreciation for J.B. Jones Jr., whereas J.B. Jones Jr. has served on this commission for over 20 years from 1998 to 2019. Whereas J.B. Jones Jr. has participated in multiple updates to the town comprehensive plan, given input and guidance on the future of the town of Blacksburg. Whereas J.B. Jones Jr. has brought a valuable perspective to the commission, given his work on the environmental quality and land use committees, neighborhood planning committee, and long-range planning committee serving as leadership for each of these committees. Whereas Judy Jones has been an active participant in leadership on the Planning Commission, serving as the chair, the vice chair, and secretary of the planning commission during his tenure. Whereas JB Jones Jr. has demonstrated demonstrated his civic pride and sense of responsibility by serving on the town council when appointed. Whereas J.B. Jones Jr. has approached his planning commission commission responsibilities in a conscientious and forthright manner, being well prepared and open to learning opportunities and new ideas.