The Harrisonburg City Council met on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included a consent agenda, a public hearing, five regular agenda items, a supplemental appropriation, public comments on a Gaza ceasefire resolution, and appointments to boards and commissions. All votes were unanimous unless noted.
Blue Ridge Community College Annual Update – Dr. John Downey, BRCC President, reported that 32% of city college-age residents attend BRCC. Enrollment rose 8% last year, nearing pre-COVID levels, and short-term workforce training programs are growing 12-15% annually. Partnerships with JMU, EMU, Bridgewater College, and Harrisonburg City Schools were highlighted. Council Member Fleming noted that 70% of area high school graduates remain in the region within ten years. The Council thanked Dr. Downey and received the presentation.
Preliminary Subdivision – Bluestone Town Center – The Council approved a preliminary plat for EP Harrisonburg Owner LLC covering 62.5 acres (1010 Garbers Church Road and 1645 Erickson Avenue). The plan includes 28.31 acres of initial subdivision: 106 townhome lots, 38 single-family manufactured home parcels, two multifamily lots (83 and 63 units, the latter for senior housing), and variances for street widths, right-of-way dedication, and lot frontage. A condition required that the front facades of units 1-10 face the public street. The motion carried 6-0.
Resolution Designating Revitalization Area for BJ Searles Development – City Manager Ande Banks presented a resolution to designate a portion of the city as a revitalization area, allowing the developer to qualify for low-income housing tax credits from Virginia Housing. Council Member Fleming noted that the designation provides access to state funds. The motion carried 6-0.
ARPA Pedestrian Project Update – Tom Hartman, Director of Public Works, reported that the originally planned Sterling Street sidewalk project faced right-of-way acquisition challenges. Four alternative projects in the Northeast neighborhood were identified. Council members emphasized reinvesting ARPA funds in the same neighborhood. A motion by Council Member Robinson, seconded by Council Member Jones, approved three projects: the Hill Street sidewalk gap, the Sterling Street sidewalk gap, and the Kelley Street to Ralph Sampson Park connector path. The motion carried 6-0.
Zoning Ordinance Amendment – “Family” Definition and “Recovery Residence” Use – City Attorney Chris Brown presented amendments to allow recovery residences and to include minor children in the definition of “family.” He explained that recovery residences are certified by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, with credentialing by Oxford House or the Virginia Association of Recovery Residences (VAR). Under current rules, very few houses in Virginia allow children (VAR: three houses, children under 5; Oxford House: eight houses, children under 12 or 8 depending on gender). Local child protective services expressed support. The amendment aligns with federal fair housing law. The motion carried 6-0.
I'll call our Tuesday, February 13th City Council meeting to order. Roll call, please, Pam. Mayor Reid. Present. City Manager Banks. Here. City Attorney Brown. Here. Vice Mayor Dent. Here. Council Member Fleming. Here. Councilmember Jones. Present. Councilmember Robinson. Here. Deputy Chief Pollard. Chief Tobia. If you would please stand for the invocation if you wish, given by Councilmember Jones. Father, thank you so much for this opportunity to come before you in prayer. We thank you so much for giving us an opportunity to convene as a city and move forward as a city together. We ask that everything that happens and transpires here today helps to move us forward in a greater way. We ask that our discussions, even if we disagree in strategy, will still be seen as purposeful and polite. And that we can move forward even if we disagree yet again in strategy, because I believe that we all have the same goal and purpose when we unify here, and that's to make Harrisonburg a better place and to continue to build a better burg in the friendly city. In your name we pray. Amen. Amen. Such allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. We have no special recognition recognitions this evening. We'll go straight to our consent agenda. Any items placed on the consent agenda shall be removed and taken up as a separate matter if so requested by any member of council. Otherwise, all items will be voted on with one motion. Move to accept the consent agenda. Second. Any discussion? Roll call, please, pan. Vice Mayor Dex. Aye. Councilmember Robinson. Aye. Councilmember Fleming. Aye. Councilmember Jones. Aye. Mayor Reid. Aye. We'll now go into our public hearings. Item 6A, consider a request from Harrisonburg Redevelopment has an authority to rezone 715 North Main Street. Adam. Thank you, ma'am.