Harrisonburg City Council Meeting - January 14, 2025

The Harrisonburg City Council met on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 9:04 PM in the Council Chambers at 409 S. Main Street. Mayor Reed led the Pledge of Allegiance and initiated a moment of silence in lieu of an invocation. The council approved the consent agenda, conducted eight public hearings, adopted resolutions for housing bonds, and made board appointments.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from the December 10, 2024 City Council Meeting approved.
• Minutes from the January 2, 2025 City Council Reorganization Meeting approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bucky Berry (resident) spoke during public comments on non-agenda matters, criticizing the city's snow removal enforcement and requesting a change to the 24-hour sidewalk clearing ordinance.
• Panayotis “Poti” Giannakouros (resident) spoke during public comments on the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. and People's Day celebrations scheduled for January 20, 2025.
• During the public hearing on data centers (Item 6d), Giannakouros addressed energy usage, water consumption, and the ongoing zoning rewrite.
• During the public hearing on the access easement to Oak Box, LLC (Item 6f), Giannakouros expressed support, noting the public safety benefit.

Discussion Items

• CDBG PY2025 Funding Priorities (6a): Kristin McCombe, CDBG Program Coordinator, presented the program overview, funding history (annual allocations ranging from $491,000 to $576,000), and six strategic plan goals. Council members asked about affordable housing allocations and resident benefits. No action required.
• Rezoning 160 Carpenter Lane (6b): Adam Fletcher, Community Development Director, presented a request to rezone from B-2 to M-1 for Winchester Equipment Company (doing business as Valley Equipment Company). The applicant plans to relocate from 230 Charles Street. Staff and Planning Commission (6-0) recommended approval.
• Cash Proffer Ordinance Amendment (6c): Fletcher presented amendments to allow acceptance of cash proffers, following a council request from August 2024. He explained the legal framework, restrictions on use (public facilities, transportation, schools, parks), and that they cannot be used for operational costs or affordable housing under this amendment. Council discussed potential impacts on housing prices and the need for administrative processes. Staff and Planning Commission (6-0) recommended approval.
• Data Center Ordinance Amendment (6d): Fletcher presented an amendment to require a special use permit for data centers in M-1 districts, instead of by-right. He noted that Virginia has the highest concentration of data centers in the world, and the amendment allows case-by-case evaluation of impacts (energy, water, noise, etc.). Council members expressed support for increased control. Staff and Planning Commission (6-0) recommended approval.
• Preliminary Subdivision for East Kaylor Park Drive (6e): Fletcher presented a preliminary plat with variances for the Rocktown High School site, including dedication of public street right-of-way and creation of six parcels. Variances relate to street width, right-of-way, and horizontal curves, consistent with VDOT standards. Staff and Planning Commission (6-0) recommended approval.
• Access Easement to Oak Box, LLC (6f): City Attorney Chris Brown presented a request for a permanent easement across city property (approximately 1,000 square feet) for a proposed road to improve traffic safety. Staff recommended approval.
• Temporary Construction Easement to VDOT (6g): Brown presented a request for a temporary easement (4,425 square feet) at 2970 East Kaylor Park Drive for VDOT's I-81 widening project, used for staging. The property will be restored to original condition. Staff recommended approval.
• Conveyance of Cardinal Drive and Eastover Drive to JMU (6h): Brown presented a request to convey two small road stubs to James Madison University, which already maintains them. JMU will grant a drainage easement to the city. Staff recommended approval.
• Housing Authority Revenue Bonds (7a): Brown presented two resolutions to re-adopt approvals for the Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority to issue bonds for an 80-unit multifamily residential project and an 84-unit age-restricted senior living facility, on behalf of the Beverly J. Searles Foundation. The previous approvals expired after one year due to delays in tax credit financing. Council members expressed support.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (5-0).
• Rezoning 160 Carpenter Lane (6b): Approved unanimously (5-0).
• Cash Proffer Ordinance Amendment (6c): Approved 4-1, with Council Member Alsaadun voting no.
• Data Center Ordinance Amendment (6d): Approved unanimously (5-0).
• Preliminary Subdivision for East Kaylor Park Drive (6e): Approved unanimously (5-0).
• Access Easement to Oak Box, LLC (6f): Approved unanimously (5-0).
• Temporary Construction Easement to VDOT (6g): Approved unanimously (5-0).
• Conveyance to JMU (6h): Approved unanimously (5-0).
• Housing Authority Revenue Bonds (7a): Resolutions adopted unanimously (5-0).
• Boards and Commissions Appointments:
  • Shannon Porter appointed to Planning Commission for a second term ending January 14, 2029 (unanimous voice vote).
  • Kevin Comer appointed to Harrisonburg Electric Commission for a partial term ending March 12, 2028 (unanimous voice vote).
  • Joe Bowman reappointed to Shenandoah Valley Airport Commission for a 13th term ending January 28, 2028 (unanimous voice vote).