Blacksburg Town Council Work Session - September 19, 2023

The Blacksburg Town Council held a work session on September 19, 2023, from 11:01 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Blacksburg Motor Company, 400 South Main Street. Council reviewed upcoming public hearings scheduled for October 10, 2023, discussed architectural review for the Midtown DC-2 development, and received an update on VDOT Revenue Sharing priorities. Disclosures and abstentions were noted for specific agenda items.

Discussion Items

• Review of Public Hearings Scheduled for October 10, 2023

  • Ordinances 2035 and 2033 (Airport Road): Town Planner Kinsey O'Shea presented a proposed rezoning of approximately 1.1 acres from Low Density Residential to Planned Residential and vacation of approximately 0.22 acres of Town-owned right-of-way. The applicant, Habitat for Humanity of the New River Valley, plans to develop 11 income-restricted townhomes within a community land trust to ensure permanent affordability. Steve Semones of Balzer and Associates was available for questions but none were asked. Councilmember Sutphin disqualified himself from these items, and Councilmember Ford abstained.
  • Ordinances 2036 and 2037 (Rimrock Road / Research Center Drive): Assistant Planning Director Kali Casper provided an overview of requests to vacate approximately 0.47 acres of Town-owned right-of-way known as Rimrock Drive and a public utility and sidewalk easement at 2600 Research Center Drive, to allow the applicant to expand the Blue Ridge Cancer Center building and add parking.
  • CUP 23-0003 (501 South Main Street): A Conditional Use Permit request for hotel use and additional height in the Downtown Commercial Zoning District. Planning Director Anne McClung presented handouts on the proposed AC Hotel by Marriott to be located on Midtown DC Parcel 2. Steve Semones provided a conceptual landscaping preview of the patio area and visuals of the hotel.

• Architectural Review of Midtown DC-2

  • The architectural review was part of the CUP discussion, with planning staff presenting conceptual designs for the hotel parcel.

• Virginia Department of Transportation Revenue Sharing

  • Housing and Community Relations Manager Matt Hanratty reviewed VDOT Revenue Sharing priorities, explaining how the program funds roadway improvements, arterial trails, and maintenance. Examples of proposed projects and a timeline were provided. No questions were raised by Council.

• Council/Staff Exchange

  • Council and staff discussed formation of a committee for the St. Luke and Odd Fellows Hall, the acquisition of additional land on Brush Mountain for bikes and walking trails, and upcoming retirements among Town staff positions.

Key Outcomes

• Disqualification and Abstention: Councilmember Sutphin disqualified himself from Agenda items A and B (Airport Road ordinances) after reading a disclosure statement. Councilmember Ford noted his abstention from those same items. No votes were taken on public hearing items as they were only under review.
• No Formal Decisions: The work session was for discussion and review only; no binding votes occurred. The public hearings for all items were scheduled for the October 10, 2023 Town Council meeting.
• Future Steps: The St. Luke and Odd Fellows Hall committee will meet within a few weeks. Job postings for retiring staff will be issued in the coming weeks. Land acquisition for Brush Mountain trails will proceed.