The Tuesday, July 7 Christiansburg Town Council meeting began with a Joint Public Hearing for a rezoning request for property located on the eastern side of Plum Street in Cambria. The request would change the undeveloped lot from B3-General Business to R2-Two Family Residential and had been discussed during a Planning Commission meeting on Monday.
Carol Lindstrom, a business operator in Cambria, asked about the location of this property in relation to the Historic District, and whether adjacent properties would also be utilized to make this a larger project. Lindstrom’s business, The Toy Station, suffered extensive damage due to urban flooding in May when storm culverts were blocked by trash dumpsters. Council members asked for clarification of where the Historic District boundaries were, with Planning Director Randy Wingfield getting a map to respond to the question as the site map did not show this information. Citizens in the audience were unable to see the explanation, which indicated the subject property adjoined yet was not within the boundaries of the Historic District. It was also disclosed an adjoining property relative to this project had previously been granted a conditional use permit allowing residential uses for property within business zoning.
Meghan Dorsett, a certified professional planning consultant and owner of the Christiansburg Depot and Emporium buildings which are included on the National Historic Register, addressed council and stated the corner parcel included in this project was in fact part of the Historic District. She noted a similar matter had come before council in the form of a conditional use permit over a year ago, with the Planning Commission subsequently being directed to provide recommendations to protect the town’s three designated Historic Districts.
“At some point, council needs to decide whether our history or potential taxes matter more. Once these Historic Districts are gone, you won’t be able to replace them,” Dorsett said. Councilman Henry Showalter later asked for an update on the Historic District recommendations and a map to show the present boundaries and structures within the three areas.
A Public Hearing on the 2009 Action Plan addressing use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds had no speakers, but public comments can be submitted in written form through the month of July.
Street Committee members Jim Vanhoozier and Brad Stipes indicated this plan adds more detail to the map of the area which can be included for use of these funds to renovate or install sidewalks. Councilman Stipes stated this was part of a Consolidated Plan which is valid for five years, and anticipated funds were expected to be approximately $104,000 (this is believed to be the 5th year of the current Consolidated Plan).
“It’s not known how much sidewalk this can provide, yet it is a good start,” Stipes said. He went on to indicate the funds were designated for an area roughly bounded by East Main, Park Street to Depot Street, and up Roanoke Street towards Town Hall. “This will benefit low and moderate income individuals, provide greater handicap access and better connections between residential and commercial areas,” he stated.
This plan must be submitted in August with entitlement funding released in October. This is the first year Town Council has acted to access these funds, and along with soliciting public comments in support of this project, the next steps include developing more specific engineering studies and determining whether work will be contracted out or performed by town personnel.
The regular meeting was then called to order and the agenda was amended to include an update on the Aquatic Advisory Board, and provide for a Closed Session to discuss a personnel matter relative to the Treasurer/Finance Director position and allow for consultation with legal counsel in regards to the tourism contract.
Richard Palmer addressed council during the Citizen Hearings, indicating he had provided a complaint to the Town Manager on behalf of his mother. “I just wanted to make sure you all got a copy. I’ll be back to discuss these concerns next time,” he stated. This complaint was a bound presentation which was distributed to council members at the end of the regular meeting.
Councilman Vanhoozier provided an update on the Aquatic Center, indicating the advisory board had met three times. The group was reported to have toured the new facility and elected officers. “We’re now looking at what type of automatic payment processing systems we might be able to use,” he said. This board’s next meeting is scheduled for August 5.
The Town Manager’s report was the next item on the agenda, and included payment of the bills. This elicited several questions from council members, with approval being contingent upon clarification of a payment to the Town of Blacksburg.
Three Public Hearings were scheduled for the August 4 council meeting and include a zoning matter relative to floodplains and revised FEMA maps. The town’s new bicycle helmet law is being revised per recommendations by the Police Chief and Town Attorney. This ordinance was made effective in 2009 and the changes are regards fines. The third hearing is relative to 985 Cambria Street, the location of a former BB&T bank building, to change zoning from I2-Industrial to B3-Business.
Council then moved to go into closed session and returned to open session more than an hour later. After certifying the closed meeting, there was no action relative to matters discussed. The resignation of Planning Commission member Dan Canada then announced, and effective immediately. Advertisements for candidates for the Planning Commission will be published, with council determining the replacement.
The next meeting of the Christiansburg Town Council is scheduled for Tuesday, July 21 at 7:30 pm.