At the July 6 Planning Commission meeting, a member gave his resignation which was effective immediately. The following day, Christiansburg Town Council accepted this
resignation and directed applications be solicited.
This followed a relatively
new approach for filling vacancies to this appointed body. When Jim Vanhoozier was elected to Town Council in May 2008, officials knew this meant he was required to vacate his seat on the Planning Commission (PC). This expected vacancy was then
advertised with applications due by August 1, 2008, resulting in three candidates.
When discussing filling Vanhoozier's unexpired term last year, the PC was informed another sitting member would not be seeking reappointment for a term set to expire August 31, 2008. This meant they had
two seats to fill.
One candidate was a former PC member who had been tapped to fill an unexpired term on Town Council. He was selected to fill yet another unexpired term and returned to the PC. Although they appeared ready to make both appointments from the three
candidates, it was decided to go through an advertised process again.
Nearly two months later, a Council member asked for the status on the remaining vacancy. The Town Manager indicated the PC would be recommending former Councilman Steve Huppert, who had not won re-election in
May 2008. The question "
Then what's the hold up?" prompted a vote on November 18, 2008 to appoint their former peer to the PC.
The first appointment made August 2008 is the position which was again vacated this past July. Applications were again advertised and due by July 31, 2009. Huppert, appointed last November, remains on the PC and continues to serve Christiansburg in this role and by his active community involvement.
Two months after this most recent resignation and more than a month after the application deadline, Council and citizens should again be asking "
What's the hold up?" Depending on the source, there were two applications received by the deadline. Or maybe four. Some sources indicate the Mayor felt one applicant had too many close business ties with the town, and another ... well, ask the Mayor about that yourself. There was reportedly some discussion about re-advertising again.
Neither the PC nor Town Council agendas have seen this item reappear. With such a small group, citizens may begin to wonder what it takes to have a
quorum of members present. What knowledge and experience are presently provided by current appointees, or what perspectives are absent and may enhance or complement existing skill sets have not been publicly discussed, nor have any
related citizen training or certification program opportunities.
Per the
Town Code (Article VI, Section 2-218) commission members must be a resident of the town, with at least half of them being owners of real property. One may be a Town Council member and the Town Manager, while not a member, is required to attend these meetings.
The code goes on to require this body having not less than five (5) members nor more than 15. Individuals should have knowledge or experience necessary to make decisions affecting community growth and development. This doesn't indicate specialized or professional expertise, simply that someone is capable of understanding the general principles related to an issue put before them so a recommendation may be made to the Town Council for action.
Appointments are made for four-year terms by Town Council. Vacancies for unexpired terms are to be filled by Town Council. Candidates typically are not named or interviewed in public forums.
Nearly two months after the most recent resignation the remaining six (6) members have seen several continuing or new issues come before them, including recommendations to Council for
Historic District Overlays. The PC typically meets the first and third Monday of each month. Recently, a recommendation relative to updated
FEMA flood maps and regulations was made at a meeting where only five (5) members were present.
The general duties of the Planning Commission include:
- Assembling data regarding the town necessary to perform their duties;
- Creating and maintaining a Comprehensive Plan, which is used as the basis for zoning and regulations;
- Making recommendations to Town Council effectuating the Comprehensive Plan.
Other related code sections include the Virginia
State Code (15.1-437 through 15.1-445 and other various cross references), with references also found within the Christiansburg
Town Charter (4.01, 4.04 etc).
The next meeting of the Planning Commission is expected on
Sept. 21. Town Council's next regular meeting dates include
Sept. 22 and
Oct. 6, with the Oct. 20 meeting canceled due to a
conference.