Blacksburg Town Council Work Session – November 15, 2022

The Blacksburg Town Council held a work session on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. The meeting focused on two main agenda items: a presentation on the Downtown Northwest Zoning Ordinance Amendment and a review of several public hearing items scheduled for December 13, 2022. No public comments were heard. The meeting was adjourned at 12:52 p.m.

Downtown Northwest Zoning Ordinance Amendment

• Planning Director Anne McClung provided an overview of the Downtown Northwest Zoning District plan, with planning consultant Chris Janette offering a detailed review of the proposed amendment. McClung explained that the proposed zoning would be a floating zone, meaning it would be optional for property owners. Council members asked questions and shared perspectives on specifics such as drive-thru facilities, density, and height.

Review of December 13, 2022 Public Hearings

• 2022 Comprehensive Plan Amendment: Town Planner Maeve Gould presented an overview, noting the amendment will better address high-density student housing and include minor housekeeping items such as correcting typographical errors in the Comprehensive Plan.
• Ordinance 2000 (Fare Free Blacksburg Transit): Town Manager Marc Verniel explained that this ordinance will establish free fares for Blacksburg Transit service.
• Ordinance 2004 (Rescue Chief Amendment): Town Manager Marc Verniel stated the amendment is needed for the transition to a paid rescue chief, clarifying that the rescue chief will be a town employee.
• Ordinance 2005 (Competitive Negotiation Threshold): Town Attorney Lawrence Spencer advised that the ordinance increases the procurement threshold for lower-level purchases not requiring competitive negotiation from $60,000 to $80,000.
• Ordinance 2006 (Budget Amendment for VDOT and Developer Funds): Town Manager Marc Verniel explained that the ordinance will accept and appropriate $655,849 in VDOT FY19 Revenue Sharing funds, $340,849 in Developer funds, and $201,755 in FY21 Revenue Sharing funds to the General Capital Improvement Fund.

Key Outcomes

• No votes or formal decisions were taken during the work session. The Council reviewed and discussed each item in preparation for the public hearings scheduled for December 13, 2022.