Don't be shocked, but often what appears to be a very short agenda turns into a rather long meeting. This was the case at the July 1 Christiansburg Town Council meeting.
Beginning with the recognition and solemn swearing in of five new police officers, the meeting moved to the Citizens Hearing where Lisa Lucas Gardner actually drew a picture of town square and offered specific recommendations to address on-street parking concerns. Ms. Gardner was the chief instigator in getting this matter back before council -- not just complaining about an issue, rather being engaged and doing research and participating on working out a solution.
Joseph Stanley then spoke about an issue related to two items council had previously turned down: a noise ordinance and vacating a "paper street."
Paper streets appear only on some drawing and are not physically built. When these "vacations" are approved, the property is basically split 50/50 between adjoining owners. In this case, one owner opposed it as he was constructing a garage and wanted to be able to access the back of his property for parking his personal recreational vehicle. Council therefore denied the street vacation and since then that property owner changed the game by renting the area to a commercial bus company. So adjacent residents got to enjoy the traffic, noise and fumes of large diesel vehicles 24/7.
Because this area is one which includes various zoning -- business and residential -- and because there is not a noise ordinance, this disruption to the quiet enjoyment of homes was allowed by right. The answer? Review the need for a noise ordinance again? No. Bring the street vacation issue back before council and consider approving it, because this was the quickest way to block access to the commercial vehicles and curtail the nuisance.
The Street Committee reported on its review of downtown parking. A citizen survey with 38 responses and visits to about a dozen downtown businesses resulted in a recommendation of bringing back a two-hour time limit for parking in the town square, South Franklin and first blocks of East and West Main Street. Not with meters, rather with aesthetically pleasing and friendly signage. One of the Old Town Barber principals was given the opportunity to weigh in on the discussions at this point, and she spoke passionately about leaving parking open for visitors and not stressing customers out, worrying whether they'd find a parking ticket upon returning to their vehicles after stopping in and hanging out downtown (this is Christiansburg, and it is hard to go anywhere and not run into friends and stop and chat a bit -- and then go on about our errands or business).
Council ended up approving the recommendation, after hearing from Chief Sisson about increased foot and bike patrols, with the understanding that additional recommendations (changing time limits or increasing fines) could be forthcoming. The two-hour limit will go into effect on September 1, providing ample time to communicate the change to stakeholders. Hopefully, the regular abusers who park in what is obviously intended to be short term spots all day will get the message, and this includes contractors who are working jobs in the downtown area.
Council then agreed to pay the bills and reappointed Wayne Booth to its Planning Commission. It was noted that Mr. Booth "rocks" and is a real asset to the town. As a body, Council was asked to consider sponsoring a student participating in a special sports program, and noted this was better addressed as something to consider as individuals. It is also noted that the town's Parks & Recreation Commission, closely linked to the Kiwanis and numerous Christiansburg sports booster programs, already provides a wealth of fund raising opportunities for team sports programs (football, basketball, wrestling and baseball) and individual players.
Council listened as the Town Manager read an email letter from the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce's board president, which sounded like a "come to Jesus" meeting with a parent. Unfortunately, the specified date presented a conflict for the town. A meeting time and location will be negotiated along with, hopefully, new contract terms supporting the town's continued participation in a regional tourism initiative.
A special water meter pilot program, review of new contract terms with a cell phone company which offered a significant donation to recreational programs and the acquisition of a bloodhound for the police department all received lively attention, discussion and approval. An update on the VML's monitoring of Appalachian Power's rate cases, currently before the state's corporation commission, was provided. Council is expected to hear from a representative of that company at a future meeting. A public hearing for a rezoning was scheduled, kudos for Christiansburg's booster program sponsorship of the "Backyard Brawl" were given and delays in some street paving due to rain were also discussed.
The Mayor asked whether the Town Manager had anything else, and Lance Terpenny stated emphatically, "No, Sir. That's enough." Meeting adjourned.