Blacksburg Town Council Work Session - October 17, 2023

The Blacksburg Town Council held a work session on October 17, 2023, at the Blacksburg Motor Company, 400 South Main Street, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:06 p.m. The meeting covered several agenda items including a review of a public hearing on a greenway trail easement vacation, updates on downtown northwest zoning and small lot zoning amendments, and discussions on the elderly and disabled tax relief program, industrial waste sewer regulations, and the first quarter financial update. No public comments were heard.

Review of Public Hearing Scheduled for November 14, 2023

• Ordinance 2031: An Ordinance Vacating a Greenway Trail Easement on Land Located at 1505 Bradley Lane. Town Attorney Lawrence Spencer explained that the proposed ordinance would re-route a greenway trail that currently goes through properties now owned by a single owner. There were no questions from Council.

Downtown Northwest Zoning Ordinance Amendment Update

• Planning Director Anne McClung and Chris Jennette of Camiros Consulting presented new approaches to building height, drive-through design, ground floor active space, and district applicability. Council reached an overall consensus to move forward with the amendment, but requested additional visuals on the tiered building height approach.

Small Lot Zoning Amendments and Updates

• Planning Director Anne McClung and Chris Jennette presented a draft approach for a zoning amendment to permit residential development on small lots. The proposal includes standards for smaller lots and smaller homes. Policy issues to be discussed include whether approvals are by-right or through a public hearing and whether only single-family homes are permitted. Public input meetings are scheduled in the coming weeks. Council expressed interest in continuing the discussion.

Elderly and Disabled Tax Relief Program

• Finance Director Susan Kaiser provided an overview of the existing real estate tax relief program for elderly or disabled persons, with eligibility based on total income and net worth. The last change was in January 2013. The proposed amendment would match Montgomery County's adopted limits for income and net worth.

Proposed Amendment to Industrial Waste Sewer Regulations

• Town Engineer Shawn Veltman presented a proposed amendment to the Town's Industrial Waste regulations. No further details or Council discussion were recorded in the minutes.

1st Quarter Financial Update

• Finance Director Susan Kaiser provided handouts and reviewed the first quarter financial report, noting the Town is in stable condition and meeting financial targets. Staff will continue to monitor the financial position.

Key Outcomes

• Council agreed to move forward with the Downtown Northwest Zoning Ordinance Amendment, with the addition of more visuals on tiered building heights.
• Council expressed interest in continuing the discussion on Small Lot Zoning Amendments, with public input meetings planned.
• The greenway trail easement vacation ordinance will proceed to a public hearing on November 14, 2023.
• No formal votes were taken; all items were discussed as work session items.