Harrisonburg City Council Meeting - September 10, 2024

The Harrisonburg City Council met on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers. All five council members were present. The meeting covered consent agenda items, five public hearings, several regular items including presentations and resolutions, and public comments. All votes were unanimous (5-0).

Consent Agenda

• Approved minutes from August 27, 2024.
• Approved special event application for the Rocktown Turkey Trot on November 28, 2024.
• Approved special event application for HDR’s Winter Wonderfest & Harrisonburg’s Holiday Parade on December 7, 2024.
• Approved a supplemental appropriation for the Blacks Run Stream Restoration project.

Public Hearings & Testimony

• 6a: $31.2 million carryover appropriation – No public comment. Approved unanimously.
• 6b: Special use permit for major family day home at 1561 Gilmer Circle – Public comments: Ehsan Seth and Barbara Keppel expressed concerns about increased traffic and safety. Applicant Paulin Mupenda Makungu stated he likely will not use the maximum of 12 children and has spoken with nearby neighbors who were in favor. Panayotis “Poti” Giannakouros spoke in support of Harrisonburg being a welcoming city. Council Vice Mayor Dent noted the need for childcare outweighs minor inconvenience. Approved unanimously with a standard nuisance condition.
• 6c: Zoning amendment to extend validity of special use permits from 12 to 36 months for residential and solar projects – No public comment. Approved unanimously in compliance with 2024 General Assembly bill.
• 6d: Zoning amendment to allow and regulate urban honeybees – Public comment: Giannakouros opposed placing enforcement in Community Development, citing concerns about chilling participation and lack of expertise; he suggested oversight by Public Works instead. Council members supported the ordinance, noting the importance of local bees for agriculture. Approved unanimously.
• 6e: Public hearing for PY2023 CDBG CAPER – No public comment. The 15-day comment period ends September 26, 2024. No action required.

Regular Items

• 7a: Presentation on 2024 November Election – Mark Finks, director of Elections, presented preparation details including voter registration numbers (25,418 as of July), projected turnout, early voting dates, and new poll book equipment. No action required.
• 7b: Harrisonburg Entrepreneurship Development Initiative Pilot Project – Economic Development Director Brian Shull and Deputy Director Peirce Macgill presented a $100,000 pilot program to provide one-on-one technical assistance and $2,500 acceleration grants to 30 early-stage businesses (annual revenue $5,000–$100,000). The program builds on existing tools (Launch Harrisonburg, SBDC, Business Loans, B-Cubed). Council members praised the initiative. Approved unanimously.
• 7c: Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Resolution of Support – Luke Morgan presented a resolution to apply for a $240,000 planning grant (requiring $60,000 match split among City, Rockingham County, and JMU) to study rerouting the railroad northeast of the city, eliminating nine at-grade and seven pathway crossings. Approved unanimously.
• 7d: Resolution setting Personal Property Tax Relief to 18.6% for 2024 – Approved unanimously.
• 7e: Presentation on Residential Pipeline – Housing Coordinator Liz Webb updated council on housing units approved since 2021 (over 4,000 units in pipeline, but only 25 certificates of occupancy issued since 2021, mostly affordable). Vacancy rate discussed. No action required.

Other Matters

• Public Comments: Ernie Didot requested lights at Morrison Park pickleball courts and additional courts, noting safety and overcrowding; offered potential Rotary matching grant. Panayotis Giannakouros urged structural changes in Community Development to reduce enforcement of exclusionary practices. David Redman criticized lack of sidewalks on South Main Street and opposed planned bike lane reductions on University Boulevard.
• Council and Staff Comments: Council members announced upcoming community events (African American Festival, International Festival, Pride Festival, Farmers Market 45th anniversary). City Manager Ande Banks remembered 9/11 victims and first responders.

Key Outcomes

• All votes (Consent Agenda, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 7b, 7c, 7d) passed unanimously 5-0.
• The $31.2 million carryover appropriation was approved.
• Special use permit for major family day home at 1561 Gilmer Circle approved with nuisance condition.
• Zoning amendments for special use permit validity period (36 months) and urban honeybees adopted.
• Resolution supporting Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant application adopted.
• Personal property tax relief rate set at 18.6% for 2024.
• Entrepreneurship pilot program approved; staff to issue RFP for consultant.
• No action taken on election presentation, residential pipeline update, or public comments.