Montgomery County citizens will get the opportunity to comment on the county’s new comprehensive plan when the planning commission meets Wednesday.
The commission also will take public comments on two zoning proposals involving businesses near Blacksburg, along with discussing a proposal to change zoning from manufacturing to agricultural at another property near Blacksburg.
The commission will meet at 7 p.m. in the county government center, 755 Roanoke Street, Christiansburg.
‘Montgomery Matters’ draft ready for citizens’ comment
A public hearing will gather citizens’ opinions on “Montgomery Matters,” the draft update of the county’s comprehensive plan.
The comprehensive plan must be updated every five years under state law. Planners have worked for 18 months to gather input from citizens and local stakeholders, such as town governments and other entities, through surveys and community meetings.
The plan’s sections offer detailed examinations of matters involving outdoor and cultural assets, community development and health and services.
In January, planning staff began presenting sections of the draft plan to the county Board of Supervisors. Once the planning commission approves it, the plan will come up for a final vote by supervisors.
Other public hearings: ‘professional office space’ and ‘short term tourism rental’ businesses on Harding Road
Public comments will be accepted regarding these projects along Harding Road, near Blacksburg:
— Proposed changes to the master plan for two properties totaling more than three acres at 1470 Harding Road, owned by JJB Properties LLC.
There is now a vehicle sales, service and rental business on the site. The owner wants master plan changes involving building and parking sites, along with eliminating a southern entry point closest to Harding Road and preparing for establishment of a “contractor service business.”
According to planning documents, the applicant wants to build a “professional office space” behind the existing repair shop. It would house the applicant’s property management business and would include offices and indoor storage space for maintenance equipment and materials for rental properties.
An illustration of the affected areas shows six proposed new buildings on the properties, which are zoned for general business and community business.
The applicant also wants to amend a 2019 special use permit to allow mini-warehouses. The amendment would change the location of some planned buildings.
Planing staff recommends approval.
— A requested special use permit to establish a short-term tourism rental business in an existing dwelling at 1430 Harding Road, just outside Blacksburg.
Hokie Hill LLC owns the roughly one-acre property. Staff recommends approval with conditions including a limit of up to eight occupants and a requirement to register with the commissioner of revenue’s office for meals and occupancy taxes.
Rezoning to avoid split-zoned parcel of land
The commission also will discuss a request to rezone property owned by Carolyn Flinchum at 1220 Panorama Drive, off Mt. Tabor Road, northwest of Blacksburg.
The proposal is to rezone slightly more than one-half acre on a nearly 16-acre property. In 1998, that site was rezoned for M-1 manufacturing use for a contractor’s storage yard. According to planning documents, it has been inactive for more than two years. The applicant wants to subdivide the larger agricultural property, but existing zoning would create a split-zoned parcel. To avoid that, the applicant wants to revert to agricultural zoning.
You can find meeting documents at https://montva.community.highbond.com/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=409.
