Harrisonburg City Council Meeting - August 25, 2026
Harrisonburg City Council Meeting - August 25, 2026
The meeting began with roll call, moment of silence, and pledge of allegiance. A special presentation from the Virginia Department of Health Central Shenandoah Health District introduced new district health director Xavier Crockett, who outlined public health services and data. The consent agenda was approved unanimously. The main public hearing concerned a rezoning request for the Lindsey Apartments property, which after extensive public comment and council debate, was approved 3-2. A subdivision ordinance amendment was also approved.
Special Recognition / Presentation
- Xavier Crockett, new district health director for Central Shenandoah Health District, presented. He highlighted that in the past 12 months, the Harrisonburg clinic received over 5,000 immunization clinic visits, conducted nearly 800 long-term care screenings, performed over 400 food safety inspections, and participated in 22 community outreach events. He noted that 55% of births in Harrisonburg were covered by Medicaid and 20.5% of births had late or no prenatal care. Priorities include supporting the public health workforce, strengthening core services, and improving access for families.
Consent Calendar
- Agenda items approved unanimously: minutes from August 11, 2026; rezoning request for 704 N Liberty Street (Jose Antonio Lopez Montiel); supplemental appropriation for Public Works Department.
Public Hearings
- Rezoning request for Lindsey Apartments (435, 445, 457, 473, 483 & 495 South Main Street; 282, 288, 294 & 298 South Liberty Street):
- Staff (Tond Dang, Deputy Director Community Development) presented the revised proposal: rezoning from R3 to B1C (central business district conditional). The development would include a four-story multifamily building with 180 units (max), 440 bedrooms, 320 parking spaces in a five-level garage, 2,500–5,000 sq ft of non-residential space, and a maximum building height of 52 feet (reduced from 75 feet). Proffers were reduced proportionally to unit/bedroom reductions (e.g., cash contributions for traffic calming, parking enforcement, affordable housing). Staff recommended approval, noting consistency with the comprehensive plan and downtown 2040 plan. However, the Planning Commission had voted 3-3 to not recommend approval.
- Applicant Todd Ray (Clark & Bradshaw) argued the project aligns with city planning, provides economic benefits (~$500,000 annual tax revenue), and is a compromise after community input. He stated the alternative would be by-right R3 townhomes with fewer benefits.
- Public comments: Over 30 speakers. Approximately 1,600 signatures opposed rezoning. Speakers opposing cited: disproportionate student housing (80% four-bedroom units), lack of affordable housing, insufficient parking, design flexibility in proffers, JMU's plans to increase on-campus housing, and concerns about noise, trash, and neighborhood character. Supporters argued: need for housing density downtown, economic benefits for businesses, walkable proximity to JMU, and that the project is better than the by-right alternative (townhomes). Some offered to fund a park alternative.
- Council discussion: Councilmember Dent supported, noting developer responsiveness; Councilmember Robinson opposed due to student housing focus; Councilmember Al Sadoon expressed concern but felt rejecting sends bad message to investors; Councilmember Fleming supported; Mayor Reed opposed, citing lack of family/young professional housing and doubts about student behavior.
- Vote: Motion to approve passed 3-2 (Vice Mayor Fleming, Councilmember Al Sadoon, Councilmember Dent in favor; Councilmember Robinson, Mayor Reed opposed).
Regular Items
- Subdivision Ordinance Amendment: Staff presented a last-minute clarification to the definition of subdivision to ensure lot line adjustments and vacations are not subject to Article D improvement requirements. The amendment was approved unanimously.
Other Matters
- Public Comments: One speaker commented on community engagement and treatment of citizens.
- Council and Staff Announcements: Councilmember Dent outlined three upcoming items: participating in hearings on Dominion/NextEra merger (deadline Sept 11), contesting repeal of roadless rule (deadline Sept 21), and supporting passenger rail to Harrisonburg. Councilmember Robinson noted a letter affirming community role in refugee resettlement. Other updates: sustainability summit (Sept 18), Black heritage workshop, CCJB forum, and city manager no report.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda approved unanimously.
- Rezoning for Lindsey Apartments approved 3-2.
- Subdivision Ordinance amendment approved unanimously.
- Council to consider filing for participation in Dominion/NextEra merger, roadless rule comments, and passenger rail letter at future meeting.
Meeting Transcript
We'll call please Amy. Mayor Reed? President. Vice Mayor Fleming. Here. Councilmember Al Sidun? Here. Councilmember Dent? Here. Councilmember Robinson. Here. City Manager Banks. Here. City Attorney Brown. Chief Tucker. Chief Tobia. If you would please stand for a moment of silence or silent prayer and remain standing for pleasure. Okay. Chief. Before we get started, Chief Tobia, would you share your words, please? Yes, absolutely, Madam Mayor. Good evening. My name is Matthew Toby. I am your city fire chief. Thank you for being here this evening. The most important thing for this evening is to ensure everyone's safety as we uh partake in city council meeting. Um we have an expectation that people remain seated uh throughout the course. If you need to leave, of course, for the restroom, that's fine. Uh we do not allow people to stand along the walls or in the back. Um if you need to go outside, that's perfectly okay. Um and then if we have additional people uh arrive into this space, uh we may ask you to just move and make a new friend so that we can ensure that everybody who needs to have a seat can have one. Um in the event that the fire alarm were to sound, we will exit through the back doors in an orderly fashion and just follow the directions of public safety officials who will give you guidance about what actions to take in the event that the fire alarm were sound. Okay. Thank you. Appreciate you. Okay. Uh we do have a pre a presentation of the Virginia Department of Health Central Shenador Health District. So, Mr. Xavier Crockett, please come forward. Hello, sir. Good evening. How's everybody doing the this evening? It is evening. Um, I would like to thank you guys for the opportunity to speak tonight. Uh for those of you who have not had the chance to meet, uh, my name is Xavier Crockett. I am the new district health director for Central Shenandoah. Um I kind of want to do two things, and I don't want to introduce myself to you guys, but I also want to talk about some of the services and the public health work that's taking place here in Harrisonburg. Perfect. Uh so I have I joined the um Virginia Department of Health here in December. My first day was literally the day after Christmas.
openpublica.com