Blacksburg Town Council Work Session - March 13, 2024

Note: The meeting minutes provided are dated February 20, 2024, which differs from the requested meeting date of March 13, 2024. This summary is based on the February 20, 2024 minutes, as no agenda or transcript for March 13, 2024 were provided.

Discussion Items

Downtown Building Height Discussion

Deputy Town Manager Matt Hanratty reviewed previous discussions regarding building height in the Downtown Commercial (DC) District. The current limit is 60 feet, with additional height available through a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). Council agreed with staff's recommendation to retain this process. Discussion also addressed height in the Downtown Northwest District.

Housing Update

Deputy Town Manager Matt Hanratty presented a slideshow of existing Town initiatives, including the Affordable Housing Development Fund and the New River Valley Housing Trust Fund. A handout compared similar localities' initiatives, such as transitional housing and affordable housing investments. Council discussed potential partnerships between the Town and the University.

Town Council Strategic Goals

Town Manager Marc Verniel provided an overview of revisions to the Council's Strategic Goals, specifically the Communications goal. Council agreed with the proposed revision. Verniel noted this item would appear as a consent item on a future agenda.

Community Concerns Discussion

Council noted that a concerned citizen had recently contacted them about the closing of the LewisGale Montgomery Birthing Center. Council agreed to write a letter of concern and discussed who should draft it. Council also discussed erosion and sediment environmental problems from the development of the Mountain Valley pipeline. Councilmember Ford proposed writing a letter to state officials to note these concerns, rather than a resolution.

Old Blacksburg Police Building Tour

Council and staff toured the former Blacksburg Police building at 200 Clay Street SW to visually assess its characteristics and determine potential uses for the space.

Key Outcomes

• Council agreed to maintain the existing process for additional building height in the DC District via CUP.
• Council agreed to a revision to the Communications strategic goal; item to be placed on a future consent agenda.
• Council agreed to draft a letter of concern regarding the closure of the LewisGale Montgomery Birthing Center.
• Council agreed to write a letter to state officials regarding erosion and sediment issues from the Mountain Valley pipeline, as proposed by Councilmember Ford.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 1:29 p.m.