Blacksburg Town Council Meeting - July 10, 2024

The Blacksburg Town Council held a regular meeting on July 10, 2024 (though the meeting actually occurred on July 9, 2024, per the agenda and minutes). Vice Mayor Michael Sutphin presided in the absence of Mayor Leslie Hager-Smith. The council approved a consent agenda, conducted three public hearings, and heard citizen comments.

Consent Calendar

• Town Council Minutes (June 18, 2024): Approved.
• Ordinance 2058: Introduced an ordinance to accept and appropriate $232,335 in Community Conservation Program Grant funds from the Virginia Environmental Endowment to the General Capital Improvement Funds; public hearing scheduled for August 13, 2024.
• Contract Amendment for Multi-Modal Transit Facility: Approved an amendment for program management/owner representative services.
• Contract for Multi-Modal Transit Facility: Approved architectural and engineering services.
• Contract for Demolition of 103 Wilson Avenue: Approved.
• Resolution 7-A-24: Authorized an additional police officer position.
• Ordinance 2059: Introduced an ordinance to accept and appropriate $54,000 from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services grant funds to the General Fund; public hearing scheduled for August 13, 2024. The consent agenda passed unanimously on a roll call vote (6-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Gabrielle Spennacchio-Parker intended to present on fluoride but could not locate her PowerPoint; she stated she would return at another time.
• Randall Adams (129 Lucas Drive) expressed disappointment with the town's housing progress, arguing the problem is worsening and the town needs more aggressive policies, such as rezoning near downtown.
• Oliver Shuey (129 Lucas Drive) agreed with Randall Adams and noted that Virginia Tech is not increasing its own housing, leaving the town to address student housing needs.

Discussion Items

Public Hearing: Ordinance 2051 (Rezoning Amendment for 520 Patrick Henry Drive)

Staff Presentation: Senior Planner Kinsey O’Shea explained the proposed amendment to the 2019 rezoning of 33.87 acres from R4 to PR (Planned Residential). The development area (Area 2) would feature 73 three-bedroom townhomes (all units three-bedroom, down from a mix of two- and three-bedroom units originally approved). The reduction in density from the original 2019 approval would lower the number of units by about 25% (from 319 to 219 bedrooms). The applicant sought modifications to allow up to three buildings in a row, parking in more than one yard, and reduced facade variation with color/material changes. The development includes two public streets, private alleys, parks, and 21% open space within Area 2 (69% overall). Sewer capacity is constrained; the applicant signed an agreement acknowledging current limits. Proffers include: no four-bedroom units, a maximum of 73 dwelling units, HOA covenants, allowance for rooftop solar, and an agreement for improvements on town-owned parcels. Planning Commission Recommendation: Approved 5-2 (two commissioners absent). Applicant Statement: Steve Semones (Balzer and Associates) stated the project aims to provide aging-in-place units with main-level bedrooms, reducing unit count to improve desirability for families and empty nesters. He confirmed the HOA will maintain exteriors and regulate trash can storage. Approximately 20% of units will be zero-entry, and some will have wider doorways for wheelchair access. Public Comment:

• Patrice Hart Schubert (906 Elliott Drive) opposed due to architectural concerns; she noted the proposed colonial and craftsman styles lack unifying elements and questioned the qualitative design.
• Javad Torabinejad (1600 Winslow Drive) opposed due to high density and traffic, noting that reducing bedrooms does not prevent student housing. He raised concerns about stormwater quality and quantity, urging on-site detention rather than nutrient credits.
• Randall Adams (129 Lucas Drive) supported building housing but criticized the density reduction in a housing crisis. He opposed HOA restrictions disincentivizing rentals, arguing service workers need rental options.
• Jillian Krinsky (421 Lee Street) questioned using Areas 1 and 3 for open space when Area 2 has only 21% open space, and expressed concern that HOA covenants would limit rentals, pushing students elsewhere. She noted the difficulty of homeownership for young people. Council Discussion: Councilmember Watson opposed, arguing that the rezoning reduces bedrooms by 100 at a time of housing shortage and that the best way to mitigate student housing conflicts is to build purpose-built student housing. Councilmember Colliver and others supported, citing the need for diverse housing types (including ADA-accessible and downsizing options), alignment with the comprehensive plan, and the town’s investments in student and affordable housing (e.g., 3,000 student beds approved in recent years, $4 million in ARPA funds for affordable housing). Councilmember Mattingly noted the former school site has community significance. Councilmember Sutphin stated the proposal strikes a balance with occupancy restrictions. Vote: Passed 5-1 (Watson voted no).

Public Hearing: Ordinance 2054 (Repeal of Industrial Cost Recovery Charges)

Staff Presentation: Town Attorney Lawrence Spencer explained that Sections 18-407 through 18-417 of the Town Code, related to the federal Industrial Cost Recovery program from 1972, are outdated as the program was repealed in December 1977. Public Comment: None. Vote: Approved unanimously (6-0).

Public Hearing: Ordinance 2055 (Vacation of Right-of-Way on Progress Street)

Staff Presentation: Interim Planning Director Kali Casper described the vacation of about 114,000 square feet of unbuilt right-of-way at the end of Progress Street, to be exchanged for a new 138,000-square-foot right-of-way relocation. The relocation is needed to accommodate stormwater management and improve lot grading for the North Side Park subdivision (approved June 2023). The new right-of-way is larger, so no payment is required. Conditions include: dedication of new right-of-way before vacation; installation of a new water line to serve a pump station; temporary access road maintenance; and construction of a new trail before demolition of the existing trail. Planning Commission Recommendation: Approved 7-0. Public Comment: Javad Torabinejad (1600 Winslow Drive) expressed concern about wetlands and perennial streams, urging preservation in natural form rather than purchasing credits. Steve Semones responded that a wetland specialist will be on site during construction and that any impacts would be avoided or mitigated per DEQ and Corps of Engineers requirements. Council Discussion: Councilmembers noted appreciation for the trail replacement sequencing. Vote: Approved unanimously (6-0).

Citizen Comment (general)

• Randall Adams criticized the town’s housing approach, stating the problem is worsening and the town needs more ambition, including rezoning near down town.
• Oliver Shuey echoed Adams and stated that Virginia Tech refuses to increase its own housing, creating a priority mismatch.

Council Announcements

• Upcoming events: Art at the Market (Saturday), Friday Night Outdoors Concerts (July 12 &19), live theater, Thursday indoor concerts, classic movie “Forest Gump” at the Lyric (July 27), farmers market, Stepping Out festival (first weekend of August).
• Councilmember Watson announced that the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors approved an early voting location in Blacksburg at the Community Center for at least two weeks prior to the end of early voting.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance 2051: Approved 5-1( Councilmember Watson dissenting), rezonening 520 Patrick Henry Drive to allow 73 three-bedroom townomes with lower density and occupancy restrictions.
• Ordinance 2054: Approved unanimously, repealing outdated industrial cost recovery code sections.
• Ordinance 2055: Approved unanimously, vacating and relocating a portion of Progress Street right-of-way with conditions.
• Consent Agenda: All items approved unanimously.
• Next meetings: July 16 and July 23 are canceled; next regular work session on August 16 and next regular night meeting on August 13.