Blacksburg Town Council Meeting – September 9, 2025

The Blacksburg Town Council met on September 9, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Roger E. Hedgepeth Chambers. The meeting included approval of a consent agenda, three public hearings, citizen comments, recognition of the police chief, and council announcements. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• Approved Town Council minutes from August 12, 19, and 26, 2025.
• Approved Resolution 9-A-25 supporting Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Revenue Sharing Applications for FY 2029 and 2030, authorizing the Town Manager to execute agreements with VDOT, and acknowledging local funding commitment.
• Introduced Ordinance 2100 (amending FY 2025/2026 budget to accept and appropriate $108,846 in VDOT funds for the Cycle Track Project and $108,846 in town fund balance) and scheduled public hearing for September 23, 2025.
• Introduced Ordinance 2075 (rezoning ±9.722 acres at 3503 Holiday Lane from General Commercial to Planned Residential District) and scheduled public hearing for October 14, 2025.
• Introduced Ordinance 2091 (vacating a portion of public right-of-way at Holiday Lane) and scheduled public hearing for October 14, 2025.
• Introduced Ordinance 2082 (amending Subdivision Ordinance sections 2-100, 2-101, 3-100, 4-101, 4-102, 4-104, 4-105, 4-200, 4-205, 4-206, 4-207, 4-208, 4-210, 4-211, 4-404, 4-405, and 4-406) and scheduled public hearing for October 14, 2025.
• Introduced Ordinance 2083 (amending Zoning Ordinance sections 2103, 5110, and 5204) and scheduled public hearing for October 14, 2025.
• Introduced Ordinance 2084 (amending Subdivision Ordinance sections 4-600, 4-601, 4-602, 5-101, 5-103, 5-200, 5-302, 5-303, 5-305, 5-307, 5-310, 5-313, 5-318, 5-320, 5-401, 5-403, 5-806, and 5-901) and scheduled public hearing for October 14, 2025.

Public Hearings

Ordinance 2092 – Traffic Signal Controllers Project

• Public Works Director John Boyer presented a request to appropriate $175,000 from the General Fund (total project cost $220,000, with $45,000 existing) to replace all 28 traffic signal controllers with new models that enable remote diagnostics and alarming, improving coordination and reducing congestion.
• No public comment.
• Approved unanimously.

Ordinance 2093 – Criminal Justice Services Grant

• Town Manager Marc Verniel presented a request to accept and appropriate $55,000 from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services to replace mobile data terminals (laptop computers) and ALPR sensors for police.
• No public comment.
• Approved unanimously.

Resolution 9-B-25 – Conditional Use Permit for Camp at 2190 Merrimac Road (CUP-25-1)

• Assistant Planning Director Kinsey O’Shea presented the application for a camp use at the historic Linkous-Kipps House, including educational programming, historic tours, arts and crafts workshops, counseling, small events, and overnight lodging in the historic home. The property is ±15 acres, zoned RR1, with existing commercial stable. Planning Commission recommended approval 6-0 (3 absent).
• Applicants Jef and Katie Graham, along with their daughter Fiona Allen (executive director of Mary Mac Farm), described their vision: preserving the second oldest house in Blacksburg (built 1799), focusing on youth programs, equine therapy, and community gatherings. They noted a 30-foot easement driveway, 10 parking spaces, public water/sewer, and 20 mph speed limit signs. They proposed limiting overnight stays to 90 days per year, lodge occupancy to 10 people, and total on-site persons to 50. They declined to install a fence along the driveway, citing HOA fencing standards and maintenance concerns.

Public Comments & Testimony (on CUP)

• Meghan Fitterer (2248 Scenic Ridge Circle) – Spoke against the CUP. Voiced concerns about the proximity to homes without fencing, driveway safety, and the approval process. She criticized the council for working with the applicant to find loopholes, citing a double standard with the home state rule, and argued the Virginia agritourism statute was misapplied. She thanked Councilmember Watson for engaging with neighbors.
• Gwen Ogle (2813 Tall Oaks Drive) – Spoke in support. Highlighted the benefits of equine therapy for her daughter and noted the lack of nearby facilities. Praised the preservation of historic property and limited scope of the request.
• Joel Bruzgul (303 Overlook Drive) – Spoke in favor. He boards animals at the farm, noted the property is safe and well-maintained, and emphasized the applicants’ care for the land and animals.
• Emory Faison (902 Brightwood Manor Drive) – Spoke in favor. Works in equine therapy, stressed the need for local services. Praised the applicants as good neighbors and their community contributions.
• Shannon Carney (303 Overlook Drive) – Spoke in support. Described the applicants as kind, generous, and committed to the community and history.
• Dr. Wendy Eckenrod-Green (2296 Scenic Ridge Circle) – Spoke in support. A mental health counselor, she reported positive outcomes from equine therapy for a client with autism and OCD, reading a text from the client’s father. She expressed comfort with the project despite neighbors’ concerns.

Discussion and Decision

• Councilmember Anderson noted she visited the property and spoke with neighbors. She observed the Historic House is near Blacksburg High School (blurred in photos) and supported preservation.
• Councilmember Mattingly asked about the meeting with the HOA regarding fencing. Staff and applicant confirmed the HOA had no consensus on fencing; the HOA president preferred no fence. The applicant explained that the HOA has a standardized fence, and neighbors who want one can install it themselves.
• Councilmember Watson expressed understanding of neighbor anxiety but supported the project, citing the limited scope (10 overnight guests, 50 attendees, 90 overnight days per year) and the benefit of preserving history and providing community services.
• Approved unanimously.

Citizen Comments

• Meghan Fitterer (2248 Scenic Ridge Circle) – Expressed disappointment in the council’s decision, alleging the process was designed to limit neighbor participation (meeting after Memorial Day, hearing during July 4th week, vote buried in a long agenda). She stated trust was eroded and urged council to do better.

New Business

• Council acknowledged Blacksburg Police Chief J. Clair as the 2025–2026 President of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police (VACP). Chief Clair noted the VACP represents police concerns statewide and thanked the council.

Council Announcements

• Councilmember Mattingly announced the Blacksburg Farmers Market community soup dinner on September 10, 2025, from 4–6 p.m., with a $10 donation supporting SNAP benefits (doubling SNAP dollars).
• Councilmember Anderson reminded citizens of an online survey for future recreational facility locations, open through September 15, 2025, at 5 p.m., via Let’s Talk Blacksburg.
• Councilmember Colliver announced early voting begins September 19, 2025, at the Montgomery County elections office in Christiansburg, with early voting in Blacksburg on the last two Saturdays before Election Day (November 4, 2025).

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items and public hearing actions passed unanimously on roll call votes.
• Ordinance 2092 (traffic signal controllers) and Ordinance 2093 (police grant) were approved.
• Resolution 9-B-25 (conditional use permit for camp at 2190 Merrimac Road) was approved with conditions recommended by staff and Planning Commission.
• Public hearings were scheduled for September 23, 2025 (Ordinance 2100) and October 14, 2025 (Ordinances 2075, 2091, 2082, 2083, 2084).
• The meeting adjourned at 7:22 p.m.