Blacksburg Town Council Work Session – September 15, 2025

The Blacksburg Town Council held a work session on September 15, 2025, at the Blacksburg Motor Company, 400 South Main Street, beginning at 11:00 a.m. and adjourning at 1:03 p.m. Council reviewed upcoming public hearings and discussed capital project priorities.

Review of Public Hearing Scheduled for September 23, 2025

• Deputy Town Manager Matt Hanratty presented Ordinance 2100, which amends the FY 2025/2026 Operating Budget to accept and appropriate $108,846 in Virginia Department of Transportation funds for the Cycle Track Project, and appropriate an equal amount from the Town’s fund balance to the VDOT Revenue Sharing Fund.

Review of Public Hearings Scheduled for October 14, 2025

• Ordinance 2075: Rezoning ±9.722 acres at 3503 Holiday Lane from General Commercial and Office to Planned Residential District to permit a multi-family community with 320 units (480 beds) across five 4‑story buildings, a lower parking ratio of 0.94 spaces per bedroom (455 total spaces) compared to the required 1.1, and a request to modify street‑oriented entrance requirements along Yellow Sulphur Road.
• Ordinance 2091: A companion request to vacate approximately 34,872 square feet of right‑of‑way on Holiday Lane.
• Ordinances 2082, 2083, and 2084: Proposed amendments to subdivision and zoning ordinances, largely based on recommendations from the Subdivision and Zoning Ordinance Stakeholder Group (formed in 2023) and incorporating state‑mandated changes (HB 2660 and SB 974) that shorten review timelines and eliminate Planning Commission review for subdivision plats. Key revisions include allowing roll‑top curbing, permitting narrower street widths, requiring sidewalks on both sides in higher‑density areas, adding variance criteria, and providing flexibility in construction sequencing and bonding.

Capital Projects Priorities Follow‑Up Discussion

• Town Manager Marc Verniel reviewed the biennial priority‑setting process (established during Council retreats after elections) and suggested future mid‑term discussions in January of off‑retreat years and a September budget/priority discussion before the CIP cycle. Current capital priorities include the Progress Street Over‑Under Parking Deck (FY28), Athletic Field Improvements (FY28), and a New Indoor Recreation Facility (beyond the five‑year planning period). Council was asked to decide which projects rank as top priorities.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken during the work session. Council received information on the upcoming public hearings and capital priority options; further action is expected at subsequent regular meetings (September 23, 2025 for Ordinance 2100, and October 14, 2025 for the other ordinances).