Blacksburg, VA
Home MenuSmall Lot Residential Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA #61)
Small Lot Residential Zoning Ordinance Amendment
(ZOA #61)
Small Lot Residential District Potential Parcels as of March 2024
Planning Department Staff:
Kinsey O'Shea, koshea@blacksburg.gov, 540-443-1300
Description:
The Town of Blacksburg is considering a Zoning Ordinance amendment to address the need for additional residential development. This amendment aims to provide a framework for small lot residential development to fill a market need for smaller homes and the “missing middle” housing market. In the 2017 Comprehensive Plan survey, respondents identified more affordable housing as a top priority. In the 2020 Blacksburg Housing survey, small lot single-family development was also among the most highly ranked strategies for increasing affordability for permanent residents.
“Missing middle housing” refers to housing types that fall between a single-family large lot home and mid-rise apartment buildings. Examples include townhomes, duplexes, triplexes, and courtyard clusters. Missing middle housing can help localities increase the availability of less expensive housing types and support vibrant, walkable neighborhoods while gently increasing density. These housing types are important to a diverse housing stock, contributing to more inclusive neighborhoods.
Proposed Ordinance:
An updated draft ordinance is available with several notable changes. The updated ordinance:
- Has one option with sliding scale regulations based on lot size.
- Provides a maximum percentage of attached duplexes and townhome units in a development.
- Made changes to open space requirements including requiring 15% open space when more than 10 attached duplex or townhome units are developed.
As currently drafted, the Small Lot Residential Development option ordinance is a new set of regulations that will:
- Only apply to properties in the Town of Blacksburg, with a minimum of two (2) contiguous developable acres under common ownership that are zoned R-4 Low-Density Residential.
- Allow primarily single-family detached homes as well as two-family dwellings (duplexes) and townhomes when served by alley access.
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Research and Policy Review |
January 2023 - February 2024 |
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Planning Commission Work Session |
Tuesday, March 19, 2024, 5:00 pm, Blacksburg Motor Company Building,400 S. Main St. |
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Public Meeting |
Wednesday, March 27, 2024, 5:30pm, Blacksburg Motor Company Building, 400 S. Main St. |
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Planning Commission Work Session |
Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 6:30 pm, Blacksburg Motor Company Building, 400 S. Main St. |
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Planning Commission Work Session |
UPDATED: June 18, 2024,5:00 pm, Blacksburg Motor Company, 400 S. Main Street. |
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Town Council Work Session |
July 2, 2024,11:00 am, Blacksburg Motor Company Building, 400 S. Main St. |
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Planning Commission Public Hearing |
July 2, 2024, 6:30 pm, Town Council Chambers, 300 S. Main Street. Recommendation for approval with a vote of 6/0 and 1 abstention. |
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Public Input Meeting |
September 26, 2024,6:30 pm Blacksburg Community Center, Community Room, 725 Patrick Henry Dr. |
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Town Council Work Session |
November 5, 2024, 11 am, Blacksburg Motor Company, 400 South Main St. |
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Town Council Public Hearing |
November 12, 2024, 6:30 pm Town Council Chambers, 300 S. Main St. (Approved with a vote of 7-0) |
Details:
Approved Ordinance #2053 - Approved Nov. 12, 2024 (pdf)
Compiled Public Comment with Memo - November 5, 2024
Small Lot Residential Potential Parcel Map - Updated, 2024-09-16
Highlights of Proposed Zoning Ordinance 2053, 2024-09-13
Proposed Zoning Ordinance 2053 One Sheet 2024-09-13
Staff Update Memo to Planning Commission 2024-06-28
Ordinance 2053 Small Lot Amendments Draft for Planning Commission Public Hearing 2024-06-28
Small Lot Residential Staff Memo to Planning Commission 2024-06-14
Public Meeting Memo with Attachment 2024-04-12
Public Meeting Sign-In Sheet 2024-03-27
Small Lot Residential Zoning Background Research Memo 2024-01