Blacksburg Town Council Work Session - March 21, 2023

The Blacksburg Town Council held a work session on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. in the Roger E. Hedgepeth Chambers. The session covered the Blacksburg Transit Strategic Plan, review of public hearings scheduled for April 11, 2023, the FY23/24 operating budget, and a rezoning request for Glade Spring Crossing. Councilmember Michael Sutphin recused himself from the rezoning discussion and left the meeting at approximately 11:46 a.m.

Blacksburg Transit Strategic Plan

• Blacksburg Transit Director Brian Booth presented an overview of the Strategic Plan, which serves as a blueprint for planning and operations. The plan is in early stages, with marketing materials to be released in the coming weeks. It is based on guidelines from the Commonwealth Transportation Board and overseen by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT).

Review of Public Hearings Scheduled for April 11, 2023

• CUP 23-0002 (Kent Square Combination Conditional Use Permit): Planning and Zoning Administrator Paul Patterson presented a slideshow on the proposed request to combine existing conditional use permits to allow more uses in the ground floor space at 250 South Main Street.
• Ordinance 2019 (Cigarette Tax Increase): An ordinance to amend Town Code Section 22-900 to increase the cigarette tax rate was reviewed.
• Ordinance 2020 (Budget Adoption and Real Estate Tax Rate): Discussion included adopting the FY2023-24 budget, setting the real estate tax rate, and a tax rate increase under Virginia Code § 58.1-3321.
• Ordinance 2021 (Fee Increases): An ordinance to increase fees for water and sewer services, meter fees, and solid waste and recycling fees was reviewed.

Review of FY23/24 Operating Budget

• Town Manager Marc Verniel provided an overview of the recommended budget. He noted that town revenues are recovering from COVID-19 lows but face continued inflationary cost increases. Real estate tax revenues will increase due to new construction and the county reassessment. Historically, Montgomery County lowers its tax rate after reassessment, while Blacksburg keeps its rate constant. Expenditures include employee salary and benefit increases and new positions. The public hearing is scheduled for April 11, 2023, with a Town Council vote on April 25, 2023.

Ordinance 2007: Glade Spring Crossing PR Rezoning

• Planning Director Anne McClung reviewed a request to rezone approximately 45 acres of vacant land from Rural Residential 1 to Planned Residential at 1006 Glade Road. The current proposal includes new public streets with a connection to Village Way South via an existing public right-of-way. Meredith Jones of Eden and Associates presented potential revisions to remove the connection to Village Way South and requested Council guidance. She shared proposed trails and sidewalks, including a connection to Shadowlake Road. Engineering Director Randy Formica noted that removing the connection would eliminate certain variances. Town Planner Kinsey O'Shea discussed sidewalk variances and requirements.

Key Outcomes

• The public hearings for the four items (CUP, cigarette tax, budget/tax rate, fee increases) are scheduled for April 11, 2023.
• The FY23/24 budget will be voted on at a special meeting on April 25, 2023.
• Council discussed the Glade Spring Crossing rezoning and requested further guidance from the applicant on the proposed changes to street connections.
• Councilmember Sutphin recused himself from the rezoning discussion due to a conflict of interest.