Blacksburg Town Council Work Session – August 16, 2022

Blacksburg Town Council held a work session on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, beginning at 11:00 a.m. and adjourning at 12:44 p.m. Present were Mayor Leslie Hager-Smith, Vice Mayor Susan Anderson, Councilmembers John Bush, Lauren Colliver, Jerry Ford Jr., and Michael Sutphin, Town Manager Marc Verniel, Town Attorney Lawrence S. Spencer Jr., and Town Clerk Lorraine S. Spaulding. Councilmember Susan Mattingly was absent. Councilmember Colliver stepped away from the meeting from approximately 11:07 a.m. to 11:13 a.m. The session focused on reviewing upcoming public hearings, fall semester preparations, and a proposed Comprehensive Plan amendment.

Review of Public Hearings Scheduled for September 13, 2022

• CUP 22-0003: Assistant Planning Director Kali Casper described a request by Valley Active Fitness and Rehab for a Conditional Use Permit for a Personal Improvement Service in the Office Zoning District at 120 Professional Park Drive, Suite 8. No new construction or changes are proposed. Applicant Dave Cecchini addressed Council and offered to answer questions; Council had none.
• CUP 22-0004: Town Planner Kinsey O’Shea reviewed a request by Blue Ridge Axe Throwing, LLC, applicant Mitchell Tyler, to relocate from Jackson Street to 125 North Main Street, Suite 200, in the Downtown Commercial Zoning District. The North Main building is vacant and offers 7,200 square feet, compared to the applicant’s current 3,400-square-foot space. The proposed layout would modify bicycle parking from 2 spaces to 5 spaces. The applicant explained the reasons for the new request.

Fall Semester 2022 Preparations

• Town Manager Marc Verniel provided Council with plans for the Virginia Tech football season, including amendments to the outdoor gathering and new party registration process. Verniel explained pre-game activity management and coordination with Virginia Tech on directing students to games. Virginia Tech is organizing an on-campus student event with potential to grow long-term. The police department has been working to set expectations for students.

Proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment

• Town Planner Maeve Gould presented an overview of a proposed amendment intended to better address high-density student housing, along with housekeeping items such as mapping issues and typos. Gould noted that as a college town, this topic is important and should be covered in detail. Council was supportive of initiating the amendment process.
• Note: The agenda lists this item as the “2022 Comprehensive Plan Amendment,” while the minutes describe a proposed amendment to the 2021 Comprehensive Plan.

Council/Staff Exchange

• Council discussed language in a proposed Women’s reproductive rights resolution.
• Deputy Town Manager Chris Lawrence addressed questions about the Hand-in-Hand playground online survey. Citizens can provide input through September 10, 2022, and the goal is to have the park completed in spring 2023.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken during the work session.
• Council was supportive of initiating the Comprehensive Plan amendment process.
• The public hearings for CUP 22-0003 and CUP 22-0004 remain scheduled for September 13, 2022.
• The meeting adjourned at 12:44 p.m.