Blacksburg Town Council Work Session - August 15, 2023

The Blacksburg Town Council held a work session on August 15, 2023, at the Blacksburg Motor Company, 400 South Main Street. The meeting covered five agenda items: a review of an upcoming public hearing, a museum operating agreement, a basin study request for proposal, a planning projects update, and a regional housing trust fund update. The session adjourned at 12:15 p.m.

Discussion Items

• Review of Public Hearing (September 12, 2023): Town Manager Marc Verniel noted that Ordinance 2023, authorizing a lease of space on the North Main Street Water Tank to New River Valley Unwired Ventures, LLC, had been discussed at the August 1st work session. No further questions were raised by Council.
• Blacksburg Museum and Cultural Foundation Operating Agreement: Town Attorney Lawrence Spencer provided a handout with multiple options. The current agreement was expiring that month. One option was a one-year renewal to allow Council to engage in conversations with the museum. Council requested that a one-year extension, with several revisions, be prepared.
• Tom’s Creek Basin Study Request for Proposal: Planning Director Anne McClung reviewed prior discussions and the proposed planning study. Important components included a dedicated residential area with varied housing styles, open space preservation, viewshed protection, and recreational trails/facilities. Staff planned to highlight these in the RFP. The estimated study timeframe is 18 to 24 months.
• Planning Projects Update: Town Manager Marc Verniel provided an overview of ongoing planning projects, including the Downtown Northwest Zoning District, New Small Lot Zoning District, sign ordinance updates, and Planned Residential District revisions. All are expected to be completed within the next two years.
• Regional Housing Trust Fund Update: Housing & Community Connections Manager Matt Hanratty reviewed the New River Valley Housing Trust Fund, explaining its purpose and benefits. The Town’s strategy is to establish clear, simple funding and program priorities in the formative years, then evaluate and expand later. Funding priorities include affordable housing projects identified in the NRV Regional Housing Study of 2020.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken; the session was a work session for discussion and direction.
• Council directed staff to prepare a one-year extension of the Blacksburg Museum and Cultural Foundation operating agreement with several revisions.
• Staff will proceed with issuing the Request for Proposal for the Tom’s Creek Basin Study.
• The planning projects update and housing trust fund update were informational; no specific action was requested.