Blacksburg Town Council Work Session - May 2, 2023

The Blacksburg Town Council held a work session on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:41 p.m. Present were Mayor Leslie Hager-Smith, Vice Mayor Susan Anderson, Councilmembers Lauren Colliver, Jerry Ford Jr., Susan Mattingly, and Michael Sutphin, along with the Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Town Clerk. Councilmember John Bush was absent. The agenda included a review of March 2023 quarterly financials and a discussion of two public hearing items scheduled for May 9, 2023.

Discussion Items

March 2023 Quarterly Financial Overview

• Finance Director Susan Kaiser presented the quarterly report for the period ending March 31, 2023. Revenues are trending ahead of the prior year, while expenditures in the General Fund are below expected targets, partially due to unfilled positions. Council asked questions regarding unfilled positions and fuel costs.

Ordinance 2007: Rezoning 44.85± Acres at 1006 Glade Road

• Councilmember Sutphin disqualified himself from this item from 11:09 a.m. to 12:05 p.m.
• Town Engineer Shawn Veltman provided an overview of the sewer proposal issues and the Town’s alternative plan, which includes upgrades to a current pump station and redirection of flow from two pump stations to a new gravity sewer. The alternative plan is noted to have positive impacts for both the Town and the developer. A cost share agreement with the developer was discussed for Council review.
• Town Planner Kinsey O’Shea provided a final review of the proffers. Council asked questions about street parking and the development agreement. Meredith Jones of Eden & Associates addressed parking, and Town Attorney Lawrence Spencer reviewed the draft development agreement in detail.

Ordinance 2022: Accessory Apartment Permit Program Amendments

• Planning Director Anne McClung summarized the proposed zoning ordinance amendment to permit detached accessory apartments. Key elements reviewed include limitations on structure height, floor area ratio, setbacks from property lines, maximum size of the accessory unit, the percentage of the rear yard that can be occupied, and the location of patios/decks serving the detached apartment. The amendments reflect review by the Planning Commission and the Zoning Ordinance Review Committee.

Key Outcomes

• Council reviewed both ordinances that are scheduled for public hearings on May 9, 2023. No votes were taken; the discussion and questions informed future action. The meeting was adjourned at 12:41 p.m.