Although Christiansburg's Planning Commission (PC) normally meets the Monday before Tuesday Town Council meetings, they will be meeting this coming Monday, Dec. 29 at 3 pm as well. This commission's meeting times and dates do continuously shift, with no seeming pattern to starting times or rotating dates. Town Council's next regularly scheduled meeting will not be held until Tuesday, Jan. 6th, and will include four scheduled Public Hearings (over and above other business items and Citizen Hearings).
With Town Council's recent decision to not take immediate action following related Public Hearings on Planning Commission recommendations, it does become understandable why the process may not be clear to "regular citizens" and perhaps also to some appointees. As Councilwoman Ann Carter suggested, however, given time it can all expected to become smoother.
The PC agenda includes consideration of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for a request by Montgomery County as regards a parking garage in the B-2 Central Business District. This would be the first such structure built in the downtown area to provide minimal parking for a new courthouse, and is one of the 4 Public Hearings scheduled for Jan. 6th.
The PC will continue discussion on amendments for Chapter 3 (Advertising) of the Christiansburg Town Code, shifting from definitions for marquee, secondary or roof signs to those which are digital or electronic. These electronic signs are gaining popularity (or notoriety), yet are not addressed in the existing code, and are therefore something which should be defined if the town wishes to have any control over where these might appear. Apparently, related issues include some installations already made and one wonders why any legitimate business operator would presume sign applications were not required.
Planning Commission meetings are held in council chambers on the second floor of Town Hall and are open to the public for observation. Written comments are welcomed and should be sent to 100 E. Main St., Christiansburg, allowing adequate mailing time.