Mondays & Rentals

While there is no Town Council meeting this coming week, the appointed Planning Commissioners will be addressing business on Monday at 4 pm in Town Hall.

A Public Hearing to allow F&B Land, LP to rezone 6.47 acres recently included in the town's boundaries for high density residential rentals was held Oct. 6.  This matter is again on the commissioner's agenda, with a recommendation to approve or deny this request expected.  Proffers may or may not change, as they frequently do in this part of the process,  but currently include a promise to provide only senior housing (inferring no impact to schools in the Christiansburg strand which are currently strained due to residential growth in the town). 

The PC is also expected to make a recommendation on a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow property at 762 Tower Road to expand a child day care facility currently being rented and operated in a residential neighborhood.

A new CUP request is also expected for property at 2027 Cambria Street, to allow an amusement center in the B-3 General Business District.  If you're curious why a CUP to operate a business in an area zoned for business is required, be sure to come to this meeting.

The last item on the PC's agenda is to allow Flinchum & Flinchum, LLC to convert property zoned as business to residential uses on Hammes Street (adjacent to Simmons Road and Electric Way).  Again, one can project this will be used as rentals. 

The prevalence of rental properties -- whether for businesses in residential areas, or an expanding inventory of rental properties in Christiansburg (as contrasted to owner-occupied housing units) -- is becoming a conversation point in certain circles.  Is this impacting housing values?  Does it affect school enrollment?  Is it time to institute town standards as regards renter protection and standards?  Time will tell, with the county currently conducting reassessments and the school board reviewing enrollment changes along with state budget reductions.