Blacksburg, VA
Home Menu2022 Comprehensive Plan Amendment
Prefferred High Density Student Housing Locations & Housekeeping Items
The 5-year update to the Comprehensive Plan was adopted in April 2021. As a follow-up, the Town is now considering an amendment to the plan specifically to expand on high density student housing as well as to include a small number of housekeeping items.
High Density Student Housing Locations
Previous Blacksburg Comprehensive Plans touched on student housing, but did not provide a direct policy around this topic. The 2021 Comprehensive Plan began to address high density student housing in somewhat greater detail in the Land Use and Housing chapters. This proposed 2022 Comprehensive Plan Amendment provides more detail and direction on high density student housing, as well as mixed use with student housing. As a college town, this is a relevant and important topic that the Town’s Comprehensive Plan should address in more detail.
The high density student housing related amendment includes proposed text as part of the Land Use chapter, and a map to be included in the Land Use Map Series. Generally, the high density student housing area on the map will reflect areas where high density student housing has historically been located, and identifies areas that are most appropriate for intense undergraduate housing now and in the future. This amendment is not intended to identify all areas of student housing, but to focus on purpose-built, high density student housing which is characterized by large building mass, structured parking, and rentals by the bedroom.
Several studies and data show that there is a need for other types of housing in Blacksburg such as senior housing, workforce housing, and housing for young professionals. The designation of preferred locations for high density student housing should help encourage development of these other housing types that are needed.
Housekeeping Items
These items include mapping issues and overlooked items that were identified since the adoption of the 2021 plan. For example, on the Future Land Use Map, Fire Station 1 is currently designated as Downtown Commercial, however it should be designated as Civic. This is a more appropriate designation for the current use as a fire station.
The following meetings have been scheduled to consider this amendment:
| Long Range Planning Committee Meeting |
Wednesday, September 28, 2022, 4:00 pm in the Blacksburg Motor Company Building Conference Room, 400 South Main Street. |
This meeting will convene the Long Range Planning Committee, a subcommittee of Planning Commission, to review the amendment. The recommendations of the committee will be forwarded to the Planning Commission and Town Council. This meeting is open to the public, but there is not an opportunity for public comment. |
| Public Information & Input Meeting | Thursday, October 6, 2022, 6:00 pm in the Blacksburg Motor Company Building Conference Room, 400 South Main Street. | This is an informal meeting that will give staff the opportunity to present the amendment and provide attendees with the opportunity to ask questions. A staff member from the Planning department will forward the notes from the meeting to the Planning Commission and Town Council. |
| Planning Commission Work Session |
Tuesday, October 18, 2022, 5:00 pm in the Roger E. Hedgepeth Chambers, 2nd Floor Municipal building, 300 South Main St. |
The Planning Commission will review the amendment and the staff report. There will be an opportunity for staff to present the amendment. The public is welcome to attend, however, this is not a public hearing and there will not be an opportunity for public comment. |
| Planning Commission Public Hearing |
Tuesday, November 1, 2022, 6:30 pm in the Roger E. Hedgepeth Chambers, 2nd Floor Municipal building, 300 South Main St. (Recommended Approval with a vote of 6-0) |
The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the amendment and make a recommendation to Town Council. There will be an opportunity for the public to comment. |
| Town Council Work Session |
Tuesday, November 15, 2022, 11:00 am in the Roger E. Hedgepeth Chambers, 2nd Floor Municipal Building, 300 South Main St. |
The Town Council will review the amendment, the staff report and Planning Commission's recommendation. There will be an opportunity for staff to present the amendment. The public is welcome to attend, however, this is not a public hearing and there will not be an opportunity for public comment. |
| Town Council Public Hearing |
Tuesday, December 13, 2022, 6:30pm in the Roger E. Hedgepeth Chambers, 2nd Floor Municipal Building, 300 South Main St. (Approved with a vote of 7-0) |
The Town Council will hold a public hearing on the amendment and take final action. There will be an opportunity for the public to comment. |
Staff Report
2022 Plan Amendment - Town Council Memo - November 30, 2022 (pdf)
2022 Plan Amendment - Town Council Cover Memo - November 3, 2022 (pdf)
2022 Plan Amendment - PC to TC Memo - November 3, 2022 (pdf)
2022 Plan Amendment - PCPH Memo with Attachments - October 28, 2022 (pdf)
2022 Plan Amendment - Staff Report to Planning Commission - October 14, 2022 (pdf)
2022 Plan Amendment - Staff Report Attachments - October 14, 2022 (pdf)
Please contact Maeve Gould, Comprehensive Planner, at mgould@blacksburg.gov or by phone at 540-443-1300 for more information.