Abby Whitt
Contributing writer
At last week’s Christiansburg Town Council meeting, members discussed issuing a conditional use permit to rezone a parcel to specifically allow the construction of 10 townhomes on the southeast corner of Roanoke and Robert streets.
Mayor Mike Barber noted that the planning commission recommended approval of the CUP and that if council wanted to place conditions on the permit, now would be the time to do it.
Council member Joanna Hicks said she was having a “hard time” with this matter because there were no site plans.
“You don’t know what the entrances are going to be, or where the exits are going to be,” she said. She added that she intended to vote against approving the permit.
The permit was not approved by a 4-2 vote.
Council members also adopted a resolution to recognize Aug. 3-9 as National Farmers Market Week.
The resolution states, “…communities regain a figurative “town square” experiencing the many positive outcomes of foot traffic and community connection [through farmers markets]; and … farmers markets provide consumers with affordable options in their communities, and foster relationships between consumers and farmers, enhancing transparency and trust in our food system…
“National Farmers Market Week recognizes the important role farmers markets play in our food system and encourages Americans to support local producers by purchasing their products at farmers markets.”
It also noted that Farmers Market Week provides the opportunity to “teach children the importance of farmers markets and educate them about nonorganic food and the damage it can do.”
During its July 22 meeting, council also authorized the purchase of a V-Box Salt Spreader/Pre-Wet Snowplow from Henderson Products Inc. for $152,726.56 and a 2026 Freightliner 114SD Tandem Axle Chassis for $146,613 from Excel Truck Group.
A public hearing, initially scheduled for Aug. 12 and in regard to permit organization and requirement clarifications in town code, was rescheduled to Sept. 9.
Council members approved a street closure request for the Heritage Day Festival, which is set to take place from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23. Affected streets will include east Main, Roanoke, Pepper NE and Marvin Jarels Circle. Closure was approved from 6:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Hicks abstained from the vote due to the involvement of her personal business.
Damon Brewer and Renee Alarid were appointed to the Public Arts Advisory Board for two-year terms by unanimous approval.
Also unanimously approved was the motion to request the New River Valley Regional Water Authority Board of Directors to record their meeting and make them available.
Hicks said she was “excited about this” and council member Tanya Hocket said she believes “this is a great idea.”
Mayor Mike Barber will send a letter to make the request.
