On Tuesday, March 3, at 6:30 p.m., the Blacksburg Planning Commission will schedule two public hearings for April 7.
One of the future public hearings will be on parking at a Fairfield Inn proposed to be built at 1315 Rugby Lane, approximately a mile from Virginia Tech’s Lane Stadium. The developer is requesting special permission to allow 18 of the proposed hotel’s 102 total parking spaces to be situated in front of the building line.
The other public hearing to be scheduled for April 7 is on revisions to the Floodplain Overlay District standards in the Town’s zoning ordinance.
Defining terms will comply with FEMA requirements
According to the Let’s Talk Blacksburg glossary, a Floodplain Overlay District is an “area with extra rules in place to protect buildings, people, and the environment in flood-prone areas.” A special permit is required for developing land in the Floodplain Overlay District.
According to a presentation at the Planning Commission work session on Feb. 17, the Blacksburg Engineering Department is proposing the changes because of “required revisions from the Department of Conservation and Recreation and recent proposed developments within and adjacent to floodplains [that] highlighted the need to clarify requirements and expectations for submittals.”
The proposed revisions include defining floodplain as “the Special Flood Hazard Area inundated by the one percent annual chance flood” and specifying the minimum allowable height of the lowest floor as above the base flood elevation +1.5 feet.
According to the presentation on Feb. 17, one purpose of the Floodplain Overlay District is to comply with FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program requirements.
Tuesday’s meeting does not include public hearings. However, the meeting is open to the public and includes time for public comment. The meeting will be held in the Roger E. Hedgepeth Chambers of the Blacksburg Municipal Building at 300 South Main Street.
Canceled: Christiansburg Planning Commission regular meeting
The Christiansburg Planning Commission regular meeting scheduled for Monday, March 2, has been canceled.