Lori Graham
Contributing Writer
BLACKSBURG – Citizens living on Landsdowne Street, off South Main in Blacksburg, have continuing concerns about traffic issues in their residential area.
Tom Roberts, a resident of Landsdowne Street, addressed Council during the citizens’ comments session of the meeting. According to Roberts, speeding drivers have been an issue for many years causing many near misses with neighborhood children and adults. Residents are asking for speed determents to slow drivers down.
“I would wish for Council to direct staff to expedite the process toward getting two speed humps there,” Roberts said.
Lisa Graves, also a resident of Landsdowne Street in Blacksburg said, “We have elderly people. We have children. We have animals, and do we get a lot of deer that come from over the valley.”
Public Hearings have been scheduled for the following ordinances and one conditional use permit for Oct. 10, 2023:
Ordinance 2033, vacating a portion of public rights-of-way located at Airport Road,
Ordinance 2035, rezoning approximately 1.10 acres of land at the 1200 block of Airport Road from low density residential to planned residential zoning,
Ordinance 2036, vacating a portion of public right-of-way located at Rimrock Road, Ordinance 2037: vacating a public utility and sidewalk easement on land located at 2600 Research center Drive, and
Conditional Use Permit 23-0003, request for hotel use and additional height in the downtown commercial zoning district at 501 South Main Street.
Additionally, Council also adopted the following resolutions:
Resolution 9-A-23, establishing a written policy for participation in Council meetings through electronic communication,
Resolution 9-B-23, transferring $1,500,000 between Water and Sewer Fund Capital Projects,
Contract for professional services for Prices Fork Road Interchange Study, and an authorization for Town manager to sign contract.
Chris Lawrence presented to Council on Ordinance 2023, which would authorize a lease of space, known as the North Main water tank, to New River Valley Unwired Ventures, LLC. Unwired Ventures is known by its street name of All-Points Broadband, according to Lawrence.
“This lease is actually a new lease, but it is an extension of the lease we have had with New River Unwired for almost seven years. The first one was for five years, and this will renew it for an additional year with the option to extend one more year,” Lawrence said.
Council unanimously approved Ordinance 2023.
Detailed information on proposed ordinances, CUPs, and public hearings can be found in the agenda at www.blacksburg.gov.
