Blacksburg Town Council Work Session - January 3, 2023

The Blacksburg Town Council held a work session on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:02 p.m. The meeting covered four agenda items: architectural review of Midtown Parcel DC #6, a proposed ordinance on small-scale alcohol production facilities, a sustainability state policy update, and the recommended Capital Improvement Program for FY2023/2024 through 2027/2028. No formal votes were taken.

Midtown Architectural Review of Parcel DC #6

• Planning Director Anne McClung provided an update on architectural plans for the DC parcel in the Midtown Development, showing slides of renderings for the hotel from various angles. Councilmembers asked about retaining wall height and parking. John Neel of Foresight Design Services responded to questions.

Ordinance 2002: Small-Scale Alcohol Production Facilities

• Planning Director Anne McClung summarized the proposed ordinance to define and regulate small-scale alcohol production facilities, including distillery, winery, cidery, meadery, and seltzer. The amendment would establish development standards, allowed activities on site, and maximum production limits. Council discussed the item but took no action.

Sustainability State Policy Update/Legislative Discussion

• Sustainability Manager Carol Davis gave an overview of legislative items of interest to the Town, including virtual net metering, renewable energy, transportation, building energy efficiency standards, and climate action plans. She also reviewed action items from the Virginia Energy and Sustainability peer network. Davis noted that more information would be available as the General Assembly session begins.

Discussion of Recommended Capital Improvement Program - FY2023/2024 through 2027/2028

• Town Manager Marc Verniel provided a brief overview of the recommended Capital Improvement Program (CIP), highlighting various projects and noting the uses of enterprise funds. He offered to answer questions, but there were none.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes or decisions were made during this work session. The Council received information on all four items. The meeting adjourned at 12:02 p.m.