Blacksburg Town Council Regular Meeting – November 8, 2022

The Blacksburg Town Council held its regular meeting on November 8, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. in the Roger E. Hedgepeth Chambers. The meeting included approval of a consent agenda, two public hearings, citizen comments, and council announcements. The most significant item was a controversial rezoning request for 1800 Whipple Drive, which passed on a 5–1 vote after extensive debate and public opposition.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved the meeting minutes from October 25 and November 1, 2022.
• Resolution 11-A-22: Adopted to transfer appropriations to the FY 2022-2023 operating budget from prior fiscal year encumbrances.
• Resolution 11-B-22: Adopted with a correction to the title amount (revised from $574,860 to $573,090) for transfers between the General Fund Capital Projects and Fund Balance and between Water/Sewer Fund Capital Projects and Retained Earnings.
• Resolution 11-C-22: Adopted authorizing interdepartmental transfers of unexpended appropriations as of June 30, 2022.
• Resolution 11-D-22: Adopted increasing the number of authorized positions for Transit Operations Trainers.
• 2022 Comprehensive Plan Amendment: Scheduled a public hearing for December 13, 2022.
• Ordinance 2000 (Fare Free Blacksburg Transit): Introduced and public hearing scheduled for December 13, 2022.
• Ordinance 2004 (Rescue Chief): Introduced and public hearing scheduled for December 13, 2022.
• Ordinance 2005 (Competitive Negotiation): Introduced and public hearing scheduled for December 13, 2022.
• Ordinance 2006 (VDOT Revenue Sharing Funds): Introduced and public hearing scheduled for December 13, 2022. The ordinance accepts and appropriates $655,849 in VDOT FY19 revenue sharing, $340,849 in developer funds, and $201,755 in FY21 revenue sharing to the General Capital Improvement Fund.
• Contract Approval: Authorized the Town Manager to sign a contract for Municipal Building 3rd floor renovations with Building Specialists.
• Blacksburg-VPI Sanitation Authority Contract: Authorized the Town Manager to sign the contract and agreement.
• The consent agenda was approved unanimously on a roll call vote after Vice Mayor Anderson noted the correction to Item C.

Public Hearings

Ordinance 1999 – Sewer Use Standards:

• Deputy Town Manager Chris Lawrence presented that the amendments align Town Code with the VPI Authority’s pretreatment rules.
• No public comment was offered.
• The ordinance was approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

Ordinance 1994 – Rezoning of 1800 Whipple Drive (3.08± acres from Transitional Residential to Planned Residential):

• Town Planner Kinsey O’Shea presented the staff report, noting the Planning Commission did not recommend approval (vote was 4–4). The proposed development includes six buildings with 33 townhome units, a density of 31 bedrooms per acre, and features such as solar panels, a HERS rating of 55, and off-site public utility easements.
• The applicant, represented by Steve Semones of Balzer & Associates, emphasized maximizing usable open space, sustainability features, and the traffic study which found no warranted improvements.
• Public comment: Tasia Persson (105 Countryside Court) opposed the development citing noise, traffic, and density concerns, and characterizing it as student housing. Javad Torabinejad raised concerns about density, traffic, and stormwater quality. Greg Novack (105 Countryside Court) urged a traffic circle and noted dangerous intersections.
• Applicant rebuttal: Semones defended the stormwater design, noted no objections at the neighborhood meeting, and stated the traffic study showed acceptable levels of service.
• Council Discussion: Councilmembers expressed mixed views. Some praised the project’s creative design, open space, and energy efficiency, while others criticized the small setbacks (10–15 feet), minimal private rear yards, and low parking ratio (1.01 per bedroom). Councilmember Anderson voted against the project, citing the lack of private space and concerns that the density would not serve families or young professionals. Councilmember Colliver expressed support but noted regrets; the official minutes record her vote as not included in the roll call (the minutes list only Anderson’s no vote, but the transcript suggests she voted in favor). The discrepancy is noted.
• Motion: Councilmember Sutphin moved to approve Ordinance 1994 and the requested subdivision variance, with the understanding that the developer intends to achieve a HERS rating of 55 prior to applying solar panel efficiency. Councilmember Mattingly seconded.
• Vote: The motion passed 5–1 (Ford, Hager-Smith, Mattingly, Sutphin, and Bush voted yes; Anderson voted no). Councilmember Colliver’s voting record is unclear from the minutes, though she indicated support during discussion.

Citizen Comments

• Greg Novack (105 Countryside Court) spoke about overgrown trees and shrubs obstructing sight lines for drivers and pedestrians, especially at the North Main/Givens and North Main/Whipple intersections, and requested the Town address maintenance to improve safety.

Council Announcements

• Mayor Hager-Smith recognized November 26, 2022, as Small Business Saturday and encouraged residents to shop local during the holiday season. Vice Mayor Anderson reiterated the reminder and also highlighted Winter Lights on December 2, 2022.
• The meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m.