Comprehensive planning for Montgomery County’s villages, expansion of a subdivision and a rezoning request are on the county planning commission’s Wednesday agenda.
The commission will convene at 7 p.m. in the county government center, 755 Roanoke St., Christiansburg.
2 village planning assessments are up for review
Commissioners will take a look at planning for the villages of Shawsville and Elliston-Lafayette as part of Montgomery Matters, the county’s comprehensive plan.
The main sections of the plan have been approved, with separate planning documents for the county’s villages now under review.
The comprehensive plan must be updated every five years under state law. Planners have worked for 18 months to gather input from residents and local stakeholders, such as town governments and other entities, through surveys and community meetings.
According to the Elliston-Lafayette planning document, dozens of residents took part in idea sessions and surveys about the area’s future. Nearly 74% agreed that villages are mainly residential and are focal points for rural areas. More than 52% said limited mixed-use development should not occur there. Stated values included preserving rural qualities with revitalization through historic tourism, agritourism and community-driven initiatives.
Residents were evenly split on whether having a greenway or trail system would be a “must” or “nice to have,” with only 4.8% wanting to avoid such a development. More than half called additional shopping and food options a “must.”
Residents favored preserving farmland to the south, focusing commercial reinvestment in the small downtown areas and locating commercial activity near the interstate.
Low-density residential development is favored.
According to the Shawsville planning document, planners also got strong response from residents there. More than 91% agreed that villages are mainly residential and are focal points for rural areas. More than 89% said limited mixed-use development should not occur there. Stated values included small-town charm and thoughtful growth that respects a pastoral landscape.
More than 65% of surveyed residents said a greenway or trail system would be “nice to have,” while nearly 31% called such development a “must.” There was a very similar split on wanting more shopping and food options.
Residents showed willingness to have more commercial growth in the center of the village fronting U.S. 460, with housing behind that area. They favored protecting areas near the river.
Low-density residential development is favored.
Subdivision plat is up for approval
Commissioners will vote on whether to approve the final plat for phase III of Highlands at Huckleberry Ridge.
The subdivision is off Merrimac Road, near Blacksburg.
The plat includes 80 single-family attached townhouse lots, with more than an acre dedicated to public right of way. Residents will get water and sewer service from the county public service authority.
Final approval will require a county board of supervisors vote.
Rezoning of small parcel is requested
The commission will receive public comments on a request to rezone more than six-tenths of an acre in a nearly 16-acre parcel from M-1 manufacturing to A-1 agricultural use.
The property is at 1220 Panorama Drive, near the intersection with Mount Tabor Road. According to planning documents, the site zoned for manufacturing had been approved for a contractor’s storage yard that is no longer active.
Meeting documents are online.
