Harrisonburg City Council Meeting - June 9, 2026

The City Council met on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting lasted until 10:24 PM and covered a proclamation, consent agenda, nine public hearings, supplemental appropriations, and other business. Council Member Alsaadun participated electronically from Washington, D.C., which was approved unanimously.

Proclamation

Mayor Reed read a proclamation recognizing June 20, 2026 as World Refugee Day, honoring refugees' contributions and affirming Harrisonburg as a welcoming city.

Consent Agenda

Approved unanimously by a 5-0 vote:

• Minutes from May 26, 2026
• Special event application for 2026 July Fireworks display on July 2, 2026
• Special event application for Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance’s Levitt AMP Harrisonburg Music Series (Wednesdays, July 2–September 2, 2026)
• Special event application for Harrisonburg Youth TryAthlon on August 8, 2026
• Public hearing on real estate tax rate for FY 2026-2027 set at $1.01 per $100 of assessed value (second reading)

Public Comments & Testimony

• 6a (1315 Carrera Lane STR): Pat Kuszyk (57 E. Weaver) expressed concerns about parking and traffic on Carrera Lane. Kevin Goertzen, applicant, stated no on-street parking would be needed. Panayotis “Poti” Giannakouros spoke on misconceptions about short-term rentals and parking minimums.
• 6b (850 Canterbury Court rezoning): Panayotis “Poti” Giannakouros spoke in favor, noting the neighborhood's desirability. Robin Lake, applicant, was available for questions.
• 6c,6d,6e (1340 South Main Street): Multiple residents spoke against the requests, citing traffic safety, lack of sidewalks, blind turns, and insufficient community engagement. Speakers included Jeff Landes, Lynn Eaton, Kevin Hegg, Nicky Gauthier-Martin, Randy Hoffman, Susan Federline, Eric Spawn, and Joseph Brown. Mike Hendrickson (representative for contract purchaser) explained the reasoning behind the proffer amendments. Heinz Harman, developer, expressed trust in city staff. Panayotis “Poti” Giannakouros spoke on the previous proposal and community issues.
• 6f (water/sewer rates): No public speakers.
• 6g (stormwater utility fee): Panayotis “Poti” Giannakouros spoke on the expense of engineered solutions versus natural solutions and the stormwater utility credit.
• 6h (erosion control/stormwater fees): No public speakers.
• 6i (building code appeals fee): Panayotis “Poti” Giannakouros argued against the fee, calling it illogical.
• Other public comments: Panayotis “Poti” Giannakouros announced upcoming deadlines to file for office, early voting, and a candidate forum on June 17, 2026 at the Simms Center.

Discussion Items

• 6a: Special Use Permit at 1315 Carrera Lane – Adam Fletcher, Director of Community Development, presented a request for a short-term rental (STR) in the space above an attached garage. The property is the only address on Carrera Lane, zoned R1. The applicant sought to exceed the 90-night limit for homestays. Staff and Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions, including limiting to four guests, no requirement for delineated parking, and a pre-operation form. Council approved the permit unanimously (5-0).
• 6b: Rezoning at 850 Canterbury Court – Request to rezone from R1 to R8C to allow reduced front setbacks (from 30 ft to 10 ft) for a porch replacement to avoid unstable rocky ground. The applicant proffered the property would remain a single-family detached dwelling. Staff noted the R8 zoning is used as an all-purpose tool for such situations. Council approved unanimously (5-0).
• 6c,6d,6e: 1340 South Main Street – Three requests: a proffer amendment (rezoning from R5C to R5C with amended proffers), and two special use permits (one for multifamily buildings with more than 12 units, one for non-residential uses). The site is 1.23 acres at S. Main St. and E. Weaver Ave. The proposal was for 26 units (max 6 two-bedroom), 5,000 sq ft commercial, with conditions on traffic trips and no drive-through. Extensive discussion on traffic concerns from the neighborhood. Public Works Director Tom Hartman explained a road safety assessment could be done. Council voted 4-1 (Dent dissenting) to table the items until the July 28, 2026 meeting to allow community engagement with the developer.
• 6f: Water/Sewer/Authority Rate Increase – City Attorney Chris Brown presented an ordinance amendment implementing rate increases approved in the FY 2026-2027 budget: water +27 cents/1,000 gal, sewer +6 cents/1,000 gal, authority +8 cents/1,000 gal. A seasonal tiered rate structure (summer surcharge) was adjusted to charge lower rates for small users (e.g., 5 cents/1,000 gal for usage up to 1,000 gal) and up to 30 cents for over 6,000 gal. Councilmember Alsaadun expressed concern about the increase for city residents but supported a higher rate for county customers; City Manager Banks explained the long-term financial model. The amendment was approved 5-0.
• 6g: Stormwater Utility Fee Increase – Keith Thomas presented an amendment increasing the fee by $2 per billing unit (from $8 to $10) to fund drainage improvement projects (Waterman Drive, Charles to Madison, Northeast sections). Estimated project costs were reviewed. A credit program exists for water retention. Council approved 5-0.
• 6h: Erosion Control and Stormwater Management Fees – City Engineer Matthew Huston presented an amendment to match state fee increases (first increase since 2014) and adopt CPI adjustments. Fees for small construction (1-5 acres) would rise from $2,700 to $4,100. If the city did not match, it would owe state the higher amount anyway. Council approved 5-0.
• 6i: Building Code Appeals Fee – Adam Fletcher presented an amendment formalizing the appeals process with a $300 fee (same as BZA appeals). After discussion, Council approved with amendments: fee reduced to $150, and refunded if appellant prevails. Vote 5-0.
• Supplemental Appropriations:
  • 8a: Removed from agenda by City Manager (related to $35,000 for Police Department from asset forfeiture funds).
  • 8b: Supplemental for Police Department for Taser, body camera, and in-car camera contracts (financed, $1.9 million accounting adjustment). Approved 5-0.
  • 8c: Supplemental for General Fund and General Capital Projects Fund including grants, donations, and a $737,000 contribution from JMU for University Boulevard realignment. Approved 5-0.
• 9a: Reallocation of Funds – Reallocation of $123,000 from completed Sampson Park Sprayground and other projects to the Kids Castle project. Approved 5-0.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (unanimous 5-0): 6a (special use permit 1315 Carrera Lane), 6b (rezoning 850 Canterbury Court), 6f (water/sewer rate increase), 6g (stormwater fee increase), 6h (erosion/stormwater fees), 6i (building code appeals fee with $150 fee and refund), 8b, 8c (supplementals), 9a (reallocation).
• Tabled: Items 6c, 6d, 6e (1340 South Main Street) tabled to July 28, 2026, with directive for developer to engage with the community. Vote 4-1 (Dent dissenting).
• Removed from Agenda: Item 8a (Police Department supplemental appropriation) was pulled by City Manager.
• Directives: Public Works staff will initiate a roadway safety assessment for the Weaver Avenue/Crawford Street area, independent of the 1340 South Main Street project, to address traffic and pedestrian safety concerns. City Manager noted they would proceed with that analysis.
• Councilmember Dent indicated she would be absent on June 23, 2026 (Women in Municipal Government conference). Mayor Reed noted upcoming conferences and events.