Blacksburg public meetings in 2023

Town Council Meeting

The Blacksburg Town Council is meeting to consider consent agenda items, including a capital improvement program schedule, a budget transfer, and a transit facility contract, and to hold public hearings on several ordinances. These include vacating a utility easement, amending industrial waste surcharges, increasing income and asset limits for elderly/disabled tax exemptions, and appropriating grant funds for water, sewer, stormwater, paving, and energy efficiency projects.

• Resolution 12-A-23: Transfer $108,783 between General Capital Projects for S Main Streetscape
• Ordinance 2045: Appropriate $927,000 bond proceeds to Water/Sewer and $800,000 to Stormwater Capital Improvement Funds
• Ordinance 2046: Lease office space at 141 Jackson Street, N.E. to NRV Land Trust
• Ordinance 2039: Increase income and asset limits for elderly/disabled tax exemptions
• Ordinance 2044: Accept $406,038 VDOT paving and $168,750 ADA funding

The Town Council approved several ordinances amending the FY 2023/2024 operating budget to appropriate bond proceeds and grant funds for water, sewer, stormwater, and road improvements. They also approved changes to tax exemptions for elderly and disabled residents and updated industrial waste surcharge codes. Additionally, the Council authorized a contract for the Multi-Modal Transit Facility and scheduled public hearings for a capital improvement program and a lease of office space.

• Approved Ordinance 2032 vacating utility easement at 215 Cork Drive (5-0)
• Approved Ordinance 2034 amending industrial waste surcharge code (5-0)
• Approved Ordinance 2039 increasing tax exemption limits for elderly/disabled (5-0)
• Approved Ordinance 2042 appropriating $194,000 lead inventory grant to Water/Sewer Fund (5-0)
• Approved Ordinance 2043 appropriating $76,680 energy efficiency grant to General Capital Fund (5-0)
• Approved Ordinance 2044 appropriating $406,038 paving and $168,750 ADA funding to General Capital Fund (5-0)
• Adopted Resolution 12-A-23 transferring $108,783 between General Capital Projects
• Authorized Town Manager to sign Multi-Modal Transit Facility contract

Planning Commission Meeting

The Blacksburg Planning Commission is meeting to approve minutes and cancel a public hearing for a conditional use permit at 203 Country Club Drive SW, rescheduling it to January 2, 2024. The permit would allow multi-family residential use on the ground floor in a general commercial district. The agenda also includes committee reports and citizen comment.

• Approve November 9, 2023 meeting minutes
• Cancel December 5, 2023 public hearing for CUP 23-4 at 203 Country Club Drive SW
• Reschedule CUP 23-4 public hearing to January 2, 2024
• CUP 23-4: multi-family residential on ground floor, GC district, 3.94 acres of 8.44-acre parcel

Town Council Meeting

The Blacksburg Town Council will meet to approve a consent agenda, including a $145,619.40 contract for engineering services for the Prices Fork Road and U.S. Route 460 interchange study. The meeting also includes recognition of awards, introduction of the Capital Improvement Program, and a closed session to discuss potential real estate acquisition in central Blacksburg. No public hearings are scheduled.

• Contract for professional engineering services for Prices Fork Road and U.S. Route 460 interchange study, $145,619.40
• Introduction of recommended Capital Improvement Program
• Closed meeting to discuss potential acquisition of real property in central Blacksburg
• Recognition of Virginia Municipal League awards for Community Health and Community Garden Program

The Town Council approved a contract for professional engineering services regarding the Prices Fork Road and U.S. Route 460 Interchange Study. Council also reviewed a recommended Capital Improvement Program featuring 123 projects.

• Approved November 14, 2023 meeting minutes (7-0)
• Authorized Town Manager to sign $145,619.40 contract for Prices Fork Road and U.S. Route 460 Interchange Study (7-0)
• Approved Resolution 11-B-23 certifying the propriety of the closed meeting (7-0)

Town Council Meeting

The Blacksburg Town Council will consider several ordinances to amend the FY 2023/2024 operating budget and update town codes. The meeting includes a public hearing regarding a greenway trail easement and a resolution to refer a new small lot residential zoning option to the Planning Commission.

• Ordinance 2039: Increasing income and asset limits for elderly and disabled tax exemptions
• Ordinance 2042: Appropriating $194,000 in Virginia Department of Health Lead Inventory Grant funds
• Ordinance 2043: Appropriating $76,680 in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant funds
• Ordinance 2044: Appropriating $406,038 for VDOT paving and $168,750 for VDOT ADA funding
• Public Hearing: Vacating a greenway trail easement at 1505 Bradley Lane

The Town Council adopted a resolution to refer a proposed R-4 Zoning District amendment for a small lot residential development option to the Planning Commission. Council also approved vacating a greenway trail easement at 1505 Bradley Lane. Several ordinances regarding budget appropriations and code amendments were introduced for future public hearings.

• Adopted Resolution 11-A-23 referring a new R-4 small lot residential development option to the Planning Commission (unanimous)
• Approved Ordinance 2031 to vacate a greenway trail easement at 1505 Bradley Lane (unanimous)
• Approved Town Council minutes from October 17 and October 24, 2023 (unanimous)
• Introduced Ordinance 2032 to vacate a public utility easement at 215 Cork Drive
• Introduced Ordinance 2034 to amend industrial waste surcharges
• Introduced Ordinance 2039 to increase income and asset limits for elderly and disabled tax exemptions
• Introduced Ordinance 2042 to appropriate $194,000 in Lead Inventory Grant Funds
• Introduced Ordinance 2043 to appropriate $76,680 in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Funds

Planning Commission Meeting

The Blacksburg Planning Commission is meeting on November 9, 2023, after being postponed from the usual first Tuesday due to Election Day. The main action is to schedule a public hearing for a conditional use permit request for multi-family use on the ground floor in a General Commercial district at 203 Country Club Drive SW. The agenda also includes approval of September minutes, committee reports, and citizen comment periods. No public hearings are scheduled for this meeting.

• CUP 23-4: Conditional use permit for multi-family ground-floor use on 3.94 acres of an 8.44-acre parcel at 203 Country Club Drive SW, requested by Balzer and Associates for Diversified Investors XIII, LLC
• Schedule public hearing for December 5, 2023
• Approve Planning Commission minutes from September 5, 2023
• Citizen comment period with 3-minute speaking limit

The Planning Commission approved the September 5 minutes and elected its slate of officers. A public hearing was scheduled for December 5 regarding a conditional use permit for multi-family use at 203 Country Club Drive SW.

• Approved September 5, 2023 minutes (7-0)
• Scheduled Dec. 5 public hearing for CUP-23-4 multi-family use at 203 Country Club Drive SW (7-0)
• Approved slate of officers: Andy Kassoff (Chair), Mel Jones (Vice Chair), Tim Colley (Secretary) (7-0)

Town Council Meeting

The Blacksburg Town Council will vote on a consent agenda that includes re-referring a zoning text amendment for a new optional Downtown Northwest Zoning District to the Planning Commission, and authorizing a contract amendment for program management services related to the Multi-Modal Transit Facility. The meeting also includes appointments to the Recreation Advisory Board and a closed session to discuss potential real estate acquisition in central Blacksburg. No public hearings are scheduled.

• Resolution 10-E-23: Re-refer proposed zoning text amendment for new optional Downtown Northwest Zoning District to Planning Commission
• Contract amendment for Program Management/Owner Representative services for Multi-Modal Transit Facility
• Recreation Advisory Board appointments: Angelina Marcolini (term to 6/30/2026), Thomas Schiff (to 6/30/2025), Rachel Hogan (to 6/30/2027)
• Closed meeting to discuss potential acquisition of real property in central Blacksburg for public purpose
• Resolution 10-F-23: Certify propriety of closed meeting

The Town Council adopted a resolution to re-refer a proposed zoning ordinance text amendment for a new Optional Downtown Northwest Zoning District to the Planning Commission. Council also authorized a contract amendment for the Multi-Modal Transit Facility and updated the Recreation Advisory Board membership.

• Adopted Resolution 10-E-23 to re-refer Downtown Northwest Zoning District amendment to Planning Commission (7-0)
• Authorized Town Manager to sign contract amendment for Multi-Modal Transit Facility professional services (7-0)
• Approved October 3 and October 10, 2023 meeting minutes (7-0)
• Removed Lia Kelinsky-Jones, Nicole Hersch, and Davis Cirillo from Recreation Advisory Board (7-0)
• Appointed Angelina Marcolini, Thomas Schiff, and Rachel Hogan to Recreation Advisory Board (7-0)
• Adopted Resolution 10-F-23 certifying the propriety of the closed meeting (7-0)

Town Council Meeting

The Blacksburg Town Council will hold public hearings on several land-use items, including a rezoning for Habitat for Humanity, a conditional use permit for a hotel in the Midtown development, and multiple right-of-way and easement vacations. The consent agenda includes budget transfers and a contract amendment for the Prices Fork Road Interchange Study.

• Rezoning 1.10 acres at 1200 block of Airport Road from Low Density Residential to Planned Residential (Ordinance 2035)
• Conditional use permits for hotel use and additional height in Downtown Commercial district for Midtown development (Resolution 10-D-23)
• Transfer of $1,809,718 between General Fund Capital Projects and Fund Balance (Resolution 10-B-23)
• Vacation of greenway trail easement at 1505 Bradley Lane (Ordinance 2031)
• Contract amendment for Prices Fork Road Interchange Study

Council approved the rezoning of land on Airport Road for 11 income-restricted townhomes and a related development agreement with Habitat for Humanity. Several ordinances vacating public rights-of-way and easements were passed. A resolution granting conditional use permits for the Midtown Development hotel was approved in a split vote.

• Approved rezoning 1.10± acres at 1200 block of Airport Road to Planned Residential (5-0, 2 abstentions)
• Approved vacating public rights-of-way at Airport Road (6-0, 1 abstention)
• Approved Habitat for Humanity Development Agreement (6-0, 1 abstention)
• Approved vacating 0.47 acres of right-of-way at Rimrock Drive (7-0)
• Approved vacating utility and sidewalk easement at 2600 Research Center Drive (7-0)
• Approved conditional use permits for hotel use and height at Midtown Development (4-3)
• Adopted budget appropriation transfers via Resolutions 10-A-23, 10-B-23, and 10-C-23 (7-0)
• Scheduled public hearing for November 14, 2023, regarding greenway trail easement at 1505 Bradley Lane

Blacksburg Town Council Candidate Forum

This is a candidate forum, not a regular town council meeting. The event is co-sponsored by the NAACP and the League of Women Voters, and will feature four candidates for Blacksburg Town Council. The forum will include candidate introductions, audience Q&A, and closing remarks, with questions screened for duplication and variety.

• Candidates: Jerry Ford, Michael Sutphin, Rick Johnson, Liam Watson
• Moderator: Peggy Layne
• Forum runs 7:00-8:30 pm at Blacksburg Municipal Building, 300 South Main Street
• Livestreamed on WTOB Channel 2
• Topics include professional experience, priorities, top challenge, and housing affordability

Town Council Meeting

The Blacksburg Town Council is meeting to consider several consent agenda items, including resolutions supporting VDOT revenue sharing applications, adding a Senior Project Manager position, and authorizing a contract for Meadowbrook Drive Trail design. No public hearings are scheduled, but citizen comments are invited.

• Resolution 9-C-23: Support VDOT revenue sharing applications for FY 2027 and 2028, authorizing local official to execute agreements
• Resolution 9-D-23: Add Senior Project Manager position to Town's employee pay plan
• Contract for professional engineering services for Meadowbrook Drive Trail design
• Approval of Town Council minutes from September 12, 2023

The Town Council adopted the consent agenda, which included resolutions for VDOT revenue sharing and an update to the employee pay plan. The council also authorized a contract for the Meadowbrook Drive Trail Design.

• Approved September 12, 2023 meeting minutes (7-0)
• Adopted Resolution 9-C-23 supporting VDOT Revenue Sharing Applications for FY 2027 and 2028 (7-0)
• Adopted Resolution 9-D-23 adding Senior Project Manager to the Employee Pay Plan System (7-0)
• Authorized Town Manager to sign professional engineering services contract for Meadowbrook Drive Trail Design (7-0)

Town Council Meeting

The Blacksburg Town Council will hold a regular meeting with a consent agenda covering several property-related items, including rezoning land on Airport Road for Habitat for Humanity townhomes, vacating public rights-of-way, and scheduling a public hearing for a hotel conditional use permit. The council will also hold a public hearing on leasing space on the North Main Street water tank to New River Valley Unwired Ventures, LLC. Most items are introductions or scheduling actions, with final decisions expected at a later meeting.

• Ordinance 2035: Rezone 1.10 acres at 1200 block of Airport Road from Low Density Residential to Planned Residential (Habitat for Humanity)
• Ordinance 2033: Vacate portion of public rights-of-way at Airport Road
• Ordinance 2036: Vacate portion of public right-of-way at Rimrock Road
• Resolution 9-B-23: Transfer $1,500,000 between Water and Sewer Fund capital projects (Cedar Run Sewer Upgrade)
• CUP 23-0003: Conditional use permit for hotel use at 501 South Main Street

The Town Council adopted a resolution to transfer $1.5 million between Water and Sewer Fund Capital Projects. Council also approved a lease extension for space on the North Main Street Water Tank to New River Valley Unwired Ventures, LLC.

• Adopted Resolution 9-B-23 transferring $1,500,000 between Water and Sewer Fund Capital Projects (6-0)
• Approved Ordinance 2023 to extend lease of North Main Street Water Tank to New River Valley Unwired Ventures, LLC (6-0)
• Adopted Resolution 9-A-23 establishing a policy for electronic participation in Council meetings (6-0)
• Authorized Town Manager to sign contract for Prices Fork Road Interchange Study (6-0)
• Approved August 15, August 22, and September 5 meeting minutes (6-0)
• Scheduled public hearings for October 10 regarding Ordinances 2033, 2035, 2036, 2037 and CUP 23-0003 (6-0)

Planning Commission Meeting

The Blacksburg Planning Commission will hold public hearings on three items: a request to vacate town-owned right-of-way at 2600 Research Center Drive, a rezoning of about 1.1 acres on Airport Road from R-4 to PR for Habitat for Humanity, and a related right-of-way vacation. The commission will also approve minutes from August 1, 2023, and hear citizen comments. The September 19 work session is cancelled.

• Vacate ~20,439 sq ft of town-owned right-of-way at 2600 Research Center Drive (ROW 23-0001)
• Rezone ~1.1 acres from R-4 to PR in 1200 block of Airport Road for Habitat for Humanity (RZN 23-0002/ORD 2035)
• Vacate ~0.22 acres of town-owned right-of-way in 1200 block of Airport Road (ROW 23-0002/ORD 2033)
• Approve Planning Commission minutes from August 1, 2023

The commission approved a rezoning request and right-of-way vacation to allow Habitat for Humanity of the New River Valley to build 11 affordable townhomes. Additionally, a separate right-of-way vacation was approved for a medical facility expansion on Research Center Drive.

• Approved RZN 23-0002/ORD 2035 to rezone 1.1 acres to Planned Residential for Habitat for Humanity townhomes (7-0)
• Approved ROW 23-0002/ORD 2033 to vacate 0.22 acres of right-of-way in the 1200 block of Airport Road (7-0)
• Approved ROW 23-0001 to vacate 20,439 square feet of right-of-way at 2600 Research Center Drive (7-0)
• Approved August 1, 2023 meeting minutes (7-0)

Town Council Meeting

The Blacksburg Town Council is meeting to consider a consent agenda with several routine items, including approval of meeting minutes, a HUD Citizen Participation Plan, two bank franchise tax refunds, an extension of the operating agreement with the Blacksburg Museum and Cultural Foundation, and acceptance of a small property deed near Harding Road. No public hearings are scheduled, and the agenda is otherwise procedural with citizen comments and announcements.

• Approval of minutes from August 1 and August 8, 2023 meetings
• Housing & Urban Development Citizens Participation Plan approval
• Resolution 8-A-23: Approve two bank franchise tax refunds
• Resolution 8-B-23: Extend operating agreement with Blacksburg Museum and Cultural Foundation
• Authorize acceptance of Special Warranty Deed for 0.07 acre near Harding Road

The Town Council approved a consent agenda including the extension of an operating agreement with the Blacksburg Museum and Cultural Foundation. The council also authorized two bank franchise tax refunds and the acceptance of a small property deed near Harding Road.

• Approved August 1 and August 8, 2023 meeting minutes
• Approved Housing & Urban Development Citizens Participation Plan
• Adopted Resolution 8-A-23 to approve two bank franchise tax refunds
• Adopted Resolution 8-B-23 extending operating agreement with Blacksburg Museum and Cultural Foundation
• Authorized Town Manager to accept Special Warranty Deed for 0.07 acre property near Harding Road