The appointed Christiansburg Planning Commission is meeting today at 4 pm. A single item appears on the agenda: Consideration of amendment to Chapter 30 "Zoning" of the Christiansburg Town Code in regards to sidewalk requirements and open space requirements in Residential Districts.
At Council's February 2nd meeting, Councilman Henry Showalter had asked for these items to be added to the agenda. After some discussion and what sounded like verbal support by three or four members (a majority), the Mayor diverted the matter to the Planning Commission. The assignment was to prepare a report within 90 days (or, before the elections).
One month later, the Planning Commission's chair returned to Council seeking clarification and a time extension for the assignment. The group was unsure whether the report was to review existing open space and sidewalk requirements or recommend modifications to these existing ordinances.
If the latter, was Council looking for proposed sidewalk design standards, including cost options and estimates, drainage, curb and gutter options, maintenance costs, ditches, environmental impact, connectivity, and safety? If the current requirement for open space providing for up to 10% of a project being dedicated was to be reviewed, minimum requirement thresholds and usage would need to be studied. This would require more time.
As it was, Council decided a Joint Work Session to review VDOT minimum standards was a starting point, with a March 23 meeting date agreed upon. At this point, the town's official web site falls silent on the matter.
Now, to be clear, this matter has appeared on the Planning Commission's agenda since then. Several people from the development industry have spoken vehemently against this, although Council has acknowledged this is the number one concern of citizens -- sidewalks equate to public transportation, community connectivity, quality of life and safety. During the campaign season, several candidates reiterated this was the chief issue expressed by citizens. Numerous citizens have come before Council expressing support, from both older neighborhoods and newer developments.
The question is not so much whether sidewalks are seen as valuable community assets which enhance liveability, safety, aesthetics and real property values -- but whether the Planning Commission will perform the assigned task: Prepare a report to Council including options based upon existing code or tweaking it.
The question is not so much whether open space needs to be better defined as to be clearly separated from stormwater retention and green space. That is already established -- the problem has been most new development requests have been approved by Council for projects which rarely approach the 10% allowable. Sometimes these have been approved with retention ponds being included in what should be usable, community space or less than 1% open space.
The question then is whether Council will act in accordance with citizen's stated desires, and seek out all available grants and community support to move these initiatives forward -- regardless of what the Planning Commission delivers. Now that elections are over.
If one reads through the Christiansburg Comprehensive Plan, readers will find that support already expressed in several objectives and goals.