[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6083691,"mediaKeyId","2928399-a9b236aaa99e9753a8ddb12c39705f3e","parentId",2928399,"title","Blacksburg council adopts consolidated erosion and stormwater ordinance, raises some post‑development thresholds","audioSeconds",1626,"startMs",181000,"endMs",1807000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2928399-a9b236aaa99e9753a8ddb12c39705f3e&start=181&end=1807","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2928399-a9b236aaa99e9753a8ddb12c39705f3e/thumbnail_181000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6083691/Blacksburg/Montgomery-County/Virginia/Blacksburg-council-adopts-consolidated-erosion-and-stormwater-ordinance-raises-some-postdevelopment-thresholds","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083691-f4cb0525660aef0cb6f85a2771bdab72/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145313&Signature=H7vjFz0XBnwPqB1~r9Dh3BOPwpOcbvyPawEljTb0ss-p69HbW283bAJum2yJ2rysqOI9fmtZq1o~mTSoaDpkRDV3CpLK5aSNuMdFB7YN1xfuIOK-2yZXq1Afi36K-RVKDTE4140phmlKb-Xr0KTWjHrK5IRDihr9qR-B6~0-xF49RLJIzyvGoMo-IbApAcfCQQcieluOp7UZA8oK0SLVNBUQlLfvVGvnRf1Kd5shr9IMkep0VQUZtzUsddzX54Zwbjb6Uc7lIB4ejxV2k5Klgj244VnrPqn6AlAfWEyrMuUuZWZko5pi0KfidqrmXPSTj81agDX5ohcPRo6KR3KVEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-09T17:12:00.147Z","article","Blacksburg Town Council on Tuesday adopted Ordinance 2061 A, B and C, consolidating the town’s erosion and sediment control and stormwater management regulations into a single chapter and changing several thresholds and administrative references.

The consolidated ordinance, staff said, folds existing chapter 18 stormwater rules into a revised chapter 10 so the town’s code mirrors the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) new erosion and stormwater management program. Coffey Howard, who delivered the staff presentation, said, “we are recommending the adoption of the Virginia erosion and stormwater management program consolidated ordinance.”

The ordinance repeals existing town code sections 10.100 through 10.213 and 18.600 through 18.629 and then incorporates DEQ provisions into a new chapter 10 (sections 10.100–10.130). One substantive regulatory change adopted by council raises the post‑development water‑quality land‑disturbance threshold from 5,000 square feet to 10,000 square feet for water‑quantity controls on very small sites; the 5,000‑square‑foot threshold remains in place for erosion and sediment (E&S) control and for subdivisions and larger developments.

Why it matters: Howard told council the state has adopted a new stormwater act that requires localities to consolidate their E&S and stormwater programs. He said consolidation creates “a better and cohesive program” that covers controls during construction (E&S) and long‑term post‑construction stormwater management in the same language, and avoids duplicated wording that currently references multiple older technical handbooks.

How staff defended the threshold increase: Howard said the 5,000–10,000 square‑foot sites are typically too small to install meaningful on‑site water‑quality measures, and most such projects purchase nutrient credits instead. “Most sites that fall into that category buy nutrient credits anyways,” Howard said, adding that the town remains “still significantly more restrictive than the state” even after the change.

Public comment was largely critical of the proposed threshold increase. One speaker (read into the record) said the change “contradicts the town's comprehensive plan, which emphasizes the protection and preservation of our stream and water quality.” Gwyneth Homer, a resident of 222 Price Street, said towns can hold higher standards locally when federal and state protections weaken and urged council to maintain stronger local rules. Steve Gillespie of 201 Fairfax Road told council that easing standards “shouldn't come at the cost of our environmental standards and regulatory safeguards.”

Council discussion emphasized the months of staff work and multiple work sessions the council and stakeholders had held. A council member noted that subdivisions and larger projects would continue to require on‑site stormwater management, and another said the change balances environmental protection with the costs and practical constraints of very small infill sites. A council speaker summarized the tradeoff: requiring the last increments of pollution control can be disproportionately expensive relative to the environmental benefit on very small sites.

Vote and outcome: The clerk called the roll on the motion to approve Ordinance 2061 parts A, B and C. The recorded votes were: Ford — Aye; Mattingly — Aye; Sutphin — Aye; Watson — Aye; Henderson — Aye; Oliver — Aye. The motion passed.

Next steps and effective date: Staff recommended and council approved making the new consolidated ordinance effective July 1, 2025, so the town’s code would align with DEQ’s single standard and avoid maintaining parallel references to both old and new criteria.

What stayed the same: Howard and staff reiterated that larger developments and subdivisions will still be subject to robust on‑site stormwater management and that the town’s standards remain, in many ways, more restrictive than the state’s.

Public evidence: The council record includes staff presentations, multiple public commenters during the public‑hearing segment and the formal roll‑call vote approving the ordinance.

The council’s adoption resolves the town’s statutory need to consolidate its local program with state DEQ rules and establishes a July 1, 2025 effective date for the new consolidated chapter.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Blacksburg Town Council Meeting - April 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Blacksburg Town Council on Tuesday adopted Ordinance 2061 A, B and C, consolidating the town’s erosion and sediment control and stormwater management regulations into a single chapter and raising a post‑development water‑quality threshold for certain small sites.","taxTitle","Blacksburg, Montgomery County, Virginia","taxId",4264,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6083682,"Council approves consent agenda, schedules hearings for several ordinances and appoints town representative to regional alcohol‑safety program",1760,72000,1832000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2928399-a9b236aaa99e9753a8ddb12c39705f3e&start=72&end=1832","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2928399-a9b236aaa99e9753a8ddb12c39705f3e/thumbnail_72000.jpg","/articles/6083682/Blacksburg/Montgomery-County/Virginia/Council-approves-consent-agenda-schedules-hearings-for-several-ordinances-and-appoints-town-representative-to-regional-alcoholsafety-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083682-de0b9b263e54e76291347830a1f2fe73/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145313&Signature=mYZQ6NaJU05iSrebgXS5wn~2amf4eeKK87gffGQgLYBoZ3mqWLwVFBlYJYjfSN8~wnepqgB81tAVQ0ABHE9sRc4WCQHXGkBEShHjst085ewjOSmp03RTc-pVHSU27a9ImehHfMem~HxZOI7AqcxyTy4RlQUTJSnPd-pjm1ID0olRf0Q12yVCCbAwhnmc-Kcv9EE7DGEmtL1~M92kjZKxsKrvKVC5AmfkNU5d0Z2U~lqv~pLB0biDzJCvLxwv6PJ1Vj42N21GIFvLmipBBBlHKvucnmuijgu66HyYTFlYxgIdfaYTDEtAO2s8jh0aTCCTte4HxzCWl-0zJk0xzMUfdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Blacksburg Town Council approved the consent agenda at its meeting, taking several procedural actions and scheduling public hearings on multiple ordinances.

Consent items included approval of minutes (March 11, March 18 and March 25), introduction and scheduling for public hearing of Ordinance 2069 (to amend town code sections 18.109 and 24.306 and add sections 18.109.1 and 24.306.1 to waive utility availability fees for affordable housing developments), introduction and scheduling for public hearing of Ordinance 2076 (the town budget ordinance for FY2025–26), and introduction and scheduling for public hearing of Ordinance 2077 (amendments to town code sections to increase water, sewer, solid waste and recycling fees). The council also approved Resolution 4b25, revising section 7.4 of the town’s employee rules and regulations.

The clerk called the roll on the consent agenda. Recorded votes included: Oliver — Aye; Ford — Aye; Mattingly — Aye; Sutphin — Aye; Watson — Aye; Anderson — Aye. The motion passed.

Appointments: Council appointed Captain Tubert as the town representative to the New River Valley Alcohol Safety Awareness Program. The motion to appoint passed on roll call (Mattingly — Aye; Sutphin — Aye; Watson — Aye; Anderson — Aye; Oliver — Aye; Ford — Aye).

Council then moved on to public hearings and new business. The consent items related to ordinance introductions carry forward with public hearings scheduled for May 13; Resolution 4b25 was approved as part of the consent vote.

No further details about the content of Resolution 4b25 or Captain Tubert’s duties were provided in the meeting record.","Blacksburg Town Council approved the consent agenda, introducing three ordinances for public hearing on May 13, approving Resolution 4b25 on employee rules, and appointing Captain Tubert as the town representative to the New River Valley Alcohol Safety Awareness Program.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6083686,"Blacksburg introduces $108 million recommended operating budget for FY2025–26; public hearing set for May 13",827,1864000,2691000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2928399-a9b236aaa99e9753a8ddb12c39705f3e&start=1864&end=2691","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2928399-a9b236aaa99e9753a8ddb12c39705f3e/thumbnail_1864000.jpg","/articles/6083686/Blacksburg/Montgomery-County/Virginia/Blacksburg-introduces-108-million-recommended-operating-budget-for-FY202526-public-hearing-set-for-May-13","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083686-80d86826fe1b347befb55eca9c6f4d2c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145313&Signature=T8bLgcOitxwtjU6o53aMHBXOxLd39JDGc6fV4r~j~RGXgf7rNVpUqv8-nexqEE-SxZLxkmL5wkR54R4f5a88RjHYtlYNcZjFugiFmowiNO0MgGfjGPixCUch-XjYoBSsm~utofdqWhzAeuWK9i~UoNkllrWdZcWQ3CQksG1a-vxFc7JQZgiY158xUUnTjSdyDAqeFOy0eeZfSvxNUhixRK4Pxo9BcEkCTnsxRuq3QFsFe2VqntxhDtcXNRAoD8tDHecNXSz6DHW~EfFy~wiVUGhVpWcz7mnUaktMLcylXVAZHCilRZooXZfTT2TkeAVXvuQQWEfCqnvq9FUupThUxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town staff formally introduced the Town of Blacksburg’s recommended operating budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year, a document staff described as largely routine that totals about $108,000,000 across all funds. The council accepted the budget for review and set a public hearing for May 13 and an adoption consideration for May 27.

Mark (staff member) presented the budget overview and said the all‑funds total is approximately $108 million, with the general fund at just over $53.4 million. The presenter said that, when capital and debt vary year to year, an apples‑to‑apples comparison shows roughly a 5% increase overall and about a 4% increase in the general fund compared with last year.

Key items in the recommended budget include: a continued property tax rate of 26¢, no reassessment this year, modest revenue growth from new construction and economic activity, and targeted new spending. The plan proposes waiving water and sewer connection fees for qualifying affordable‑housing developments (the town would pay the subsidy from the general fund and replace the revenue in the utility fund), funding for Blacksburg’s share of a regional passenger‑rail station construction and debt payments, initial payments for a regional emergency services radio system, and ongoing funding for the behavioral health co‑response program in the police department.

The budget also lists capital projects and investments: $187,000 for Saint Luca Knott Fellows Hall restoration work, smaller athletic field upgrades this year with a larger program planned later, a skate park expansion, consultant funds to begin a multi‑year zoning ordinance rewrite, continued investment in transitioning transit to electric buses (18 additional electric buses arriving this fall and on‑route charging at the transit center), and a rate study for utility funds.

Personnel changes include pay increases (cost‑of‑living and performance steps) and a slate of new or reclassified positions: an accountant and a buyer in finance/purchasing, an accounting specialist and two mechanics in transit, conversion of part‑time transit data positions to full time, reclassifying a budget analyst to budget manager, and a full‑time parks maintenance specialist (consolidating two part‑time roles).

Utility rates proposed in the plan: a 5% increase in both water and sewer rates (reflecting rising costs at regional treatment authorities and local distribution maintenance), a 3.7% increase for solid waste and recycling (an estimated $1.17 per month for an average account), and no change to the stormwater fee. Staff said the average utility customer (6,000 gallons/month assumed for the projection) would see roughly a $6 monthly increase.

Staff said the document will be posted to the town website and available in the clerk’s office and public library for review. Council scheduled a public hearing on May 13 and plans to consider adoption on May 27.

The introduction is procedural; the document will be subject to public comment and further council work sessions before any final vote.","Town staff presented the proposed fiscal year 2025–26 operating budget totaling about $108 million; council formally introduced the document and scheduled a May 13 public hearing and a May 27 adoption vote. The proposal holds the property tax rate at 26¢ and includes a 5% increase for water and sewer rates and a 3.7% increase for solid waste.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Blacksburg council adopts consolidated erosion and stormwater ordinance, raises some post‑development thresholds

Council approves consent agenda, schedules hearings for several ordinances and appoints town representative to regional alcohol‑safety program

Blacksburg introduces $108 million recommended operating budget for FY2025–26; public hearing set for May 13