Christiansburg's Planning Commission is meeting today, Jan. 25, to consider a rezoning request and two conditional use permits.
Conditional use permits (CUP) grant rights to property owners which are not allowed by right by zoning regulations, and may or may not be in conformance with the town's Comprehensive Plan.
First there is a rezoning request by the non-profit Community Housing Partners for property at 446 and 448 Depot Street from A-Agricultural and R3 Multi-family to MU-1 Mixed Use (Residential - Limited Business). This is the site of the former Tekoa Boys Residential Campus which opened in 2003. Operation of this facility later shifted to a for-profit company in 2008.
The property contains under 15 acres sitting on a crest of a ridge and is scheduled as Residential in the Future Land Use Map (page 109) of the 2003 Christiansburg Comprehensive Plan (found at town's website).
If approved, the applicant will seek a CUP for professional offices to occupy this property. Public Hearings are set for February 2, 2010.
Another CUP request will be discussed for B&B Storage for property at the end of Melody Drive. This property was rezoned with proffers in December. It is being developed by Byran Rice with engineering work by Gay & Neel (the employer of one planning commissioner).
The Planning Commission is expected to be mindful of Council's new new Vision 2020 statement which restates a "commitment to environmental consciousness, effective storm water management, notably clean creeks and environmentally sound building practices." This vision reaffirms Council's intention to use the Comprehensive Plan as the guiding document for growth.
Want more info? Well, don't go to the town's website where the Planning Commission data hasn't been updated or cross linked to current minutes or recent agendas. The former chairman resigned last Dec. 1, and the new chair is Craig Moore and the vice chair is the newest appointee. Town Code allows for up to 15 members, but the Mayor appears comfortable with having only five community members and one council member reviewing and making recommendations for council.