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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Harrisonburg City Council Meeting – Proclamations, Budget, and Zoning Updates (May 12, 2026)

City Council & Planning Commission — Tuesday, May 12, 2026

BodyHarrisonburg, Virginia

SessionCity Council & Planning Commission

DateTuesday, May 12, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 2:32:41

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:00

Or then I think I left mine back there.

0:02

But you you think that's a good idea.

0:07

That one doesn't work here as well.

0:09

Thanks.

0:13

And we are good when you are good.

0:15

Okay, thank you.

0:17

We are all presidents, so we do not have to go through our roll call again.

0:20

But if you would please stand for a moment of silence or private prayer, and then remain standing for a pledge of allegiance.

0:46

Thank you.

0:49

I pledge your allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

0:54

And to the Republic, for which it stands one nation under God.

0:58

And Liberty and Justice Raw.

1:04

I don't have my proclamation.

1:15

I know.

1:17

Thank you.

1:22

Okay.

1:28

All right, we have one special recognition this evening.

1:31

So uh Chief, can you come up front, Chief Tucker?

1:39

We have a proclamation recognizing the week of May 10th through May 16th, 2026 as police week.

1:50

Whereas the men and women of the Harrisonburg Police Department unceasingly provide a vital public service and report for duty every day, with the knowledge of the dangers they may face and the sacrifices they may be called upon to make to safeguard the public and enforce the laws of the Commonwealth.

2:08

And whereas it is important that all citizens know and understand the duties, responsibilities, hazards, and sacrifices of their law enforcement agency, and that members of Harrisonburg Police Department recognize their duty to serve the people by safeguarding life and property and by protecting them against violence and disorder.

2:27

And whereas it is it is vital that we pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who have fallen in the line of duty and recognize their sacrifices as well as the hardship and loss suffered by the families of those fallen officers.

2:43

And whereas the Congress and President of the United States has designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week in which May 15th falls as National Police Week.

2:56

Now therefore, I Dina Reid, Mayor of the City of Harrisonburg, Virginia, call upon all citizens of Harrisonburg and upon all patriotic civic and educational organizations to observe the week of May 10th through the 16th, 2026 as police week, with appropriate ceremonies and observate observances in which all of our people may join in commemorating law enforcement officers past and present, who by their faithful and loyal devotion to their responsibilities have rendered a dedicated service to their communities and in so doing have established for themselves an enduring reputation for preserving the rights and security of all citizens.

3:38

I further call upon all citizens of Harrisonburg to observe Friday, May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor of those law enforcement officers, and let us recognize and pay respect to the source of survivors of our fallen heroes.

3:55

And witness therefore, I have hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of Harrisonburg to be affixed.

4:02

Thank you for your service.

4:04

Thank you for all you do for the communities.

4:06

Let's give our police officers a round of applause.

4:15

So real quick, do we have activities, any more activities this week?

4:19

We have a lunching tomorrow, and uh believe that's it.

4:23

Okay.

4:26

All right.

4:26

Thank you so much.

4:27

Thank you all.

4:28

Thank you, Chief.

4:29

Thank you.

4:30

Okay, we will move on into our consent agenda.

4:33

Any items placed on the consent agenda shall be removed and taken up as a separate matter.

4:39

And so requested by any member of council, otherwise, all items will be voted on with one motion.

4:45

So moved.

4:46

I'll second that.

4:47

Any discussion?

4:50

Roll call, please, Brian.

4:55

Councilmember Councilmember Robinson.

4:59

Aye.

5:00

Vice Mayor Fleming.

5:00

Aye.

5:01

Councilmember Alsa Dune.

5:02

Aye.

5:02

Councilmember Dent.

5:04

Aye.

5:04

Mayor Reed.

5:05

Aye.

5:06

We will now go into our public hearings.

5:09

Oh, there you are.

5:10

Adam?

5:11

Six A.

5:12

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

5:13

Adam Fletcher, Director of Community Development.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Zoning And Land Use█████████████████████████████████████████████49%

Procedural█████████████14%

Public Engagement█████████████14%

Economic Development████4%

Engineering And Infrastructure███3%

Community Engagement███3%

Energy Policy██2%

Affordable Housing██2%

Historic Preservation██2%

Summary of Proceedings

Harrisonburg City Council Meeting – Proclamations, Budget, and Zoning Updates (May 12, 2026)

The Harrisonburg City Council met on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. All five council members were present. The meeting included a proclamation for National Police Week (May 10–16, 2026), three public hearings on special use permits, and several regular agenda items including the adoption of the Fiscal Year 2026–2027 budget and a presentation on the Zoning Ordinance Update. The meeting adjourned at 9:53 PM.

Consent Calendar

Minutes from April 28, 2026 were approved unanimously via roll-call vote (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

Panayotis Giannakouros (city resident) questioned the potential effects of the special use permit at 140 E. Wolfe Street on other uses, and later expressed support for the short-term rental at 165 S. Main Street, arguing that short-term rentals are not an economic liability in Harrisonburg. He also commented on the Collicello North rezoning, reflecting on past environmental discussions and the path not taken regarding community gardens. During public comments on non-agenda items, he raised a procedural concern about being interrupted during previous testimony.
Jeffrey Moon (applicant, owner of Russell Smoons Brewing) clarified that the arcade portion of the proposed venue at 140 E. Wolfe Street would be all-ages and that the canning area would not be accessible to children. He also noted food would be prepackaged to start, with a possible future kitchen.
Margaret Clark (applicant, owner of apartment 203 at 165 S. Main Street) stated that the short-term rental primarily serves JMU parents and alumni, and that an adjacent tenant (Tess Sherman) would serve as the operator.
Jordan Bowman (applicant’s attorney for Collicello North) explained the reasoning behind modifications to the original master plan, including solar-ready instead of required solar panels, and stated they could commit to improvements for the nearby bus stop’s ADA compliance if needed.

Discussion Items

6a. Special Use Permit – 140 East Wolfe Street (Mick or Mack LC)

Adam Fletcher, Director of Community Development, presented the request to allow manufacturing (canning) in a B-1 zone. Staff and Planning Commission (5-0) recommended approval with a condition limiting canning/bottling/packaging to the rear of the building.
Council discussion: Vice Mayor Fleming expressed support for local business expansion. Council Member Dent noted the Friendly City Co-op has no plans to expand into that space. Council Member Robinson supported the family-friendly nature. The applicant stated no plans for a full kitchen initially.

6b. Special Use Permit – 165 South Main Street (Big Brother and Holdings CO LLC)

Request to bring an existing short-term rental into compliance. Staff and Planning Commission (5-0) recommended approval with conditions: only apartment 203, limited to 4 guests, pre-operation form, and revocation if nuisance.
Council discussion: Council Member Alsaadun asked about operator (adjacent tenant). Council Member Robinson noted the rental helps the owner after her husband’s death. Mr. Giannakouros argued that the city’s experience shows short-term rentals are not a major problem.

6c. Amend Master Development Plan – Collicello North LLC

Request to amend the 2013 approved R-7 master plan: remove solar requirement (homes solar-ready instead), update building designs, eliminate project phasing, remove specific bus stop requirement, and simplify landscaping. Staff and Planning Commission (5-0) recommended approval.
Council discussion: Council Member Dent was disappointed about removing mandatory solar but satisfied with solar-ready. Vice Mayor Fleming asked about Edom Road access and ADA compliance of nearby bus stop. Mr. Bowman clarified units are market-rate, not subsidized affordable housing.

7a. Ordinance for Administrative Issuance of Encroachment Licenses in Downtown

Adam Fletcher presented a new chapter to allow staff to administratively approve certain encroachments (e.g., outdoor dining, planters) in the B-1 district, removing the need for Council approval for minor uses. Larger encroachments still require Council action.
Council Member Alsaadun asked about license expiration (no expiration) and monitoring (staff rely on public complaints).
Motion carried 5-0.

7b. Zoning Ordinance Update Project – Staff Recommended Approach

Wesley Russ (Deputy City Attorney) and Thanh Dang (Deputy Director of Community Development) presented the project history, proposed changes (e.g., new residential districts, consolidated use tables), and recommended disbanding the Ordinance Advisory Committee and using Planning Commission as the primary review body for a more efficient process.
Council debate: Council Member Dent and Robinson opposed disbanding the advisory committee, citing loss of public input and equity concerns. Vice Mayor Fleming suggested a structured public engagement plan as an alternative. Council Member Alsaadun asked about student housing districts and building heights; staff noted height limits are not proposed to change.
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Fleming, seconded by Council Member Alsaadun, to endorse staff’s recommended approach, disband the advisory committee, and request staff bring a community engagement plan to a future meeting. Passed 3-2 (Reed, Fleming, Alsaadun in favor; Dent, Robinson opposed).

7c. Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget and Appropriation Ordinance

City Manager Ande Banks briefly noted the budget was presented on April 14. No additional discussion. Motion to adopt budget and appropriation ordinance carried 5-0.

7d. Nominations for Virginia Municipal League (VML) Policy Committees 2026

Vice Mayor Fleming changed to Finance Committee; Mayor Reed moved to Human Development and Education; others stayed on current committees. Motion approved by voice vote (5-0).

Key Outcomes

Special Use Permit 140 E. Wolfe St. – Approved (5-0) with condition limiting canning/bottling/packaging to rear of building.
Special Use Permit 165 S. Main St. – Approved (5-0) with conditions: limited to apartment 203, max 4 guests, pre-operation form, and possibility of revocation.
Collicello North Master Plan Amendment – Approved (5-0) as presented.
Ordinance for Administrative Encroachment Licenses – Adopted (5-0).
Zoning Ordinance Update Approach – Endorsed (3-2) to proceed with staff's recommended approach, disband the Ordinance Advisory Committee, and require a public engagement plan to be presented at a future meeting.
FY 2026-2027 Budget and Appropriation Ordinance – Adopted (5-0).
VML Policy Committee Nominations – Approved by voice vote (5-0).

Other Matters

Council Member Alsaadun noted Rocktown High School hosted the 2026 VSBA Valley Region Networking Forum on April 30, and the Harrisonburg Welcoming Council held a webinar on May 2.
Council Member Dent reported on a trip observing environmental projects in small towns and announced an open house on the Liberty Street project on May 19, 2026.
Council Member Robinson mentioned applications for the African American Festival (Sept. 12) and attended the NAACP meeting on May 5.
Vice Mayor Fleming attended the Virginia Coalition of High Growth Communities Conference and the Southern Cities Economic Initiative in Atlanta.
Mayor Reed thanked staff for support after hip replacement surgery and will attend an event with Attorney General Jay Jones on May 15.
Public comment from Panayotis Giannakouros corrected previous testimony and raised a point of procedural concern regarding being interrupted during earlier remarks.

Meeting Transcript

Or then I think I left mine back there. But you you think that's a good idea. That one doesn't work here as well. Thanks. And we are good when you are good. Okay, thank you. We are all presidents, so we do not have to go through our roll call again. But if you would please stand for a moment of silence or private prayer, and then remain standing for a pledge of allegiance. Thank you. I pledge your allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic, for which it stands one nation under God. And Liberty and Justice Raw. I don't have my proclamation. I know. Thank you. Okay. All right, we have one special recognition this evening. So uh Chief, can you come up front, Chief Tucker? We have a proclamation recognizing the week of May 10th through May 16th, 2026 as police week. Whereas the men and women of the Harrisonburg Police Department unceasingly provide a vital public service and report for duty every day, with the knowledge of the dangers they may face and the sacrifices they may be called upon to make to safeguard the public and enforce the laws of the Commonwealth. And whereas it is important that all citizens know and understand the duties, responsibilities, hazards, and sacrifices of their law enforcement agency, and that members of Harrisonburg Police Department recognize their duty to serve the people by safeguarding life and property and by protecting them against violence and disorder. And whereas it is it is vital that we pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who have fallen in the line of duty and recognize their sacrifices as well as the hardship and loss suffered by the families of those fallen officers. And whereas the Congress and President of the United States has designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week in which May 15th falls as National Police Week. Now therefore, I Dina Reid, Mayor of the City of Harrisonburg, Virginia, call upon all citizens of Harrisonburg and upon all patriotic civic and educational organizations to observe the week of May 10th through the 16th, 2026 as police week, with appropriate ceremonies and observate observances in which all of our people may join in commemorating law enforcement officers past and present, who by their faithful and loyal devotion to their responsibilities have rendered a dedicated service to their communities and in so doing have established for themselves an enduring reputation for preserving the rights and security of all citizens. I further call upon all citizens of Harrisonburg to observe Friday, May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor of those law enforcement officers, and let us recognize and pay respect to the source of survivors of our fallen heroes. And witness therefore, I have hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of Harrisonburg to be affixed. Thank you for your service. Thank you for all you do for the communities. Let's give our police officers a round of applause. So real quick, do we have activities, any more activities this week? We have a lunching tomorrow, and uh believe that's it. Okay. All right. Thank you so much. Thank you all. Thank you, Chief. Thank you. Okay, we will move on into our consent agenda. Any items placed on the consent agenda shall be removed and taken up as a separate matter. And so requested by any member of council, otherwise, all items will be voted on with one motion. So moved. I'll second that. Any discussion? Roll call, please, Brian. Councilmember Councilmember Robinson. Aye. Vice Mayor Fleming. Aye. Councilmember Alsa Dune. Aye.

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