Blacksburg Planning Commission Meeting – September 3, 2024
Blacksburg Planning Commission Meeting – September 3, 2024
The Blacksburg Planning Commission held its regular meeting on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at 6:30 PM in the Roger E. Hedgepeth Chambers. Commissioners voted on a consent agenda, heard a public hearing for a special exception to keep farm animals as pets, and continued a zoning ordinance amendment for a new Downtown Northwest district. The meeting adjourned at 7:34 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the Planning Commission minutes from August 6, 2024, by a 6-0 vote (Commissioner Walker arrived after the vote).
Public Hearing: EXP-24-1 Exception Request for Agricultural Use at 301 Royal Lane
- Staff Presentation: Matthew Sampa explained the request to keep one pig and two goats as pets on a 1‑acre lot in the RR‑1 district. Town Code currently prohibits hogs outside agricultural or forestal districts, so Town Council would need to amend Section 5‑105. Staff recommended two conditions: (1) limit the exception to only those three animals, and (2) restrict them to the fenced rear yard shown in the application.
- Applicant Presentation: Anthony Grafsky showed photos and videos of the animals (a pig named Brutus and two goats, Ziggy and LJ), describing them as family pets. He noted that the pig was rescued from a veterinary hospital and the goats were bottle‑fed. He emphasized the animals are well cared for and not a nuisance.
- Public Comment:
- Marta Prupas (300 Grandview Drive) opposed, stating Farmview Drive is dangerous and the animals are a distraction. She also argued that the applicant acquired the animals before seeking permission and should not be rewarded.
- Lisa Sedlak (303 Royal Lane) supported, stating she lives next door and experiences no noise or smell, and the animals are a joy. She recommended case‑by‑case consideration for rural residential areas.
- Applicant Rebuttal: Grafsky stated the enclosure is far from Farmview Drive and hard to see; he acknowledged violating the rules but is trying to make it right and is passionate about letting the animals live out their lives there.
- Discussion: Commissioners debated precedent, neighbor input, and the need for clearer definitions of “pet” vs. “agricultural use.” A third condition was proposed: a 10‑year time limit on the exception.
- Motion to Approve with Staff Conditions plus 10‑Year Limit: Passed 3‑2 (Walker, Keesee, Colley yes; Ford, Jones no; Ermann abstained). Chair Kassoff recused himself from this item due to adjacent property.
Public Hearing: Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) #60 – Downtown Northwest District
- Public Comment: Thomas Moore, representing local landowners, said the economic analysis presented to Town Council was incomplete and requested more information and further discussion before a decision.
- Discussion: Commissioners noted they still needed visual simulations and a better understanding of height and setback impacts. Staff indicated they would meet with the consultant and produce GIS visuals, likely ready for the October work session.
- Motion to Close Public Hearing Without Recommendation: Passed 7‑0. The hearing will be re‑advertised at a later date.
Citizen Comment
- None.
Unfinished Business
- Montgomery County Planning Commission Report: Jerry Ford Jr. reported on the August 21 county meeting, which included a special use permit for a coffee house (approved with conditions) and upcoming items including a kennel and a short‑term rental near the town limits. He noted the county is creating a comprehensive plan video, which was shown. The county’s September 11 meeting was cancelled; the next meeting is September 25.
- Other committee reports: Zoning Ordinance Review Committee and Historic/Design Review Board had nothing to report.
New Business
- Planning Director’s Report: Andrew Warren announced three upcoming community input opportunities:
- Brush Mountain Trail Park and Trail System Community Feedback Meeting – September 5, 5:30‑7 PM at the Town Annex.
- Blacksburg Proposed Small Lots Zoning Amendment Community Meeting – September 26, 6:30 PM (postcards to R4‑zoned properties).
- A separate gathering at the VT Corporate Research Center (no date/time specified in transcript).
- Chair’s Report and Town Council Report: None.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved 6‑0.
- EXP-24-1 approved 3‑2 (with three conditions: limited to the three animals, confined to rear yard, and a 10‑year term).
- ZOA #60 public hearing closed without a recommendation; further staff and consultant work will precede a new public hearing.
- No other business.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome to the regular meeting in the Blacksburg Planning Commission on uh for tonight, Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024. Regular meetings of the Blacksburg Planning Commission are held here in the Roger E. Hedge pass chambers of the Blacksburg Municipal Building on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. 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. Please state your name and address. And speak only once during a specific hearing or comment period. A wireless microphone is available to anyone requesting the assistance. Please silence all cell phones, show respect for all speakers, and allow all opinions to be expressed in a tolerant atmosphere. And we'll call the meeting to order. May we have a roll call, please. Mr. Britt, Mr. Ehrman, Mr. Ford, President Ms. Jones, Mr. Cass, Mr. Cassie, Ms. Reinhardt, Ms. Walker. I am here. We have a quorum. Wonderful. The first item on our agenda tonight is the consent agenda, which is very short. It's the approval of the Planning Commission minutes for August 6, 2024. And the proposed action is to approve. Do we have a motion? I move approval of the consent agenda. Second. All those in favor? Aye. Move on to our public hearings. And our first public hearing is uh EXP 241, an exception request for agricultural use in R1 on a lot less than two acres at 301 Royal Lane by Anthony Grafsky, the owner. And I have before me a statement of complete disqualification, which is a declaration of interest with respect to transaction in which members of the planning commission may not or elect not to participate in accordance with Virginia Code 2.2315 F. This declaration is made with respect to those transactions in which a member of the Planning Commission may not participate at all by virtue of law or by reason of his or her choice. The Virginia State Local Government Conflict of Interest Act requires that I make this disclosure to be recorded in town records in any case in which I am forbidden to participate or decline to participate for reasons related to the act. Therefore, I make the following disclosure. While the conflict of interest act may not or might not permit my participation, I am disqualifying myself to avoid any appearance of impropriety. I affirm I affirmatively state that I will not vote in any manner uh act or act on behalf of the planning commission regarding this special exception request, EXP 241. And I've uh turned a signed copy of this in to the planning director. So with that, I'm gonna leave the dais. Mel Jones, our vice chairman, will facilitate this public hearing. And when this public hearing closes, I'll return to the dais and I'll facilitate our second public hearing. Thank you. Thanks, Mr. Chairman. Do you want to ask just to confirm? Oh, um, it wouldn't hurt. Uh we're wondering if we still have a quorum without Andy. Five.
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