Blacksburg Town Council Work Session - December 5, 2023

The Blacksburg Town Council held a work session on December 5, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Blacksburg Motor Company Building. The meeting covered five major agenda items: an upgrade to the New River Valley Emergency Communications Authority radio system, updates to the Downtown Northwest Zoning District, a discussion on building height regulations, a review of financial indicators and the Capital Improvement Plan, and a proposal to lease office space at Old Town Hall to the New River Land Trust. The meeting adjourned at 1:02 p.m.

Discussion Items

• New River Valley Emergency Communications Authority Countywide Radio System: Executive Director Jason Milburn presented the goal to transition from an analog to a fully digital system, highlighting deficiencies in the current analog system and reviewing estimated costs and cost-sharing proposals. Council expressed overall agreement to move forward with the radio system upgrade.

• Downtown Northwest Zoning District Update: Planning Director Anne McClung provided updates from the previous work session on October 17, 2023. Discussion focused on building height allowances in the proposed district, including the review of requested visuals and building perspectives. Thorough discussion took place regarding height allowances throughout the town.

• Building Height Discussion: Planning Director Anne McClung discussed building height regulations in the Downtown Commercial District, where height is currently limited to 60 feet with no allowance based on increased setbacks. The current option to exceed this limit requires a Conditional Use Permit. Council discussed the potential for a resolution to set out concerns and expectations moving forward.

• Review of Financial Indicators, Revenue, Expenditures and Recommended Capital Improvement Plan: Finance Director Susan Kaiser highlighted the Town’s FY2023 Financial Indicators, noting that revenues are recovering from the pandemic decline. This discussion is the first step in reviewing the recommended Capital Improvement Program. Continued discussion will be held at the January 2, 2024 meeting.

• Proposal to Lease Office Space at Old Town Hall to New River Land Trust: Carol Davis provided background on the request. The New River Land Trust seeks space to store supplies and equipment, and available space exists at the Old Town Hall building. The proposed lease will be added to the Town Council’s next regular meeting on December 12, 2023.

Key Outcomes

• Council reached overall agreement to proceed with the New River Valley Emergency Communications Authority radio system upgrade.
• Council discussed the potential for a resolution regarding building height in the Downtown Commercial District, with further consideration expected.
• The review of financial indicators and the Capital Improvement Plan will continue at the January 2, 2024 meeting.
• The proposal to lease office space to the New River Land Trust will be placed on the agenda for the December 12, 2023 regular meeting.

No formal votes were taken during the work session. All decisions were preliminary and subject to final action at a future meeting.

Note: No public comments were recorded. The meeting was a work session, and no consent calendar items were listed.