City Council approves 5-foot sidewalk plan near Erickson Avenue housing project

The Harrisonburg Planning Commission convened on May 14, 2025, to discuss several key agenda items, including ordinance amendments and developments in multifamily housing.

The meeting began with a discussion on an ordinance amendment regarding setback requirements. The commission ultimately approved the amendment with a setback of 5 feet, despite some members advocating for a larger setback of 10 feet. The decision reflected a compromise among the members, with the majority favoring the 5-foot requirement.

Following this, the commission turned its attention to a multifamily housing project located on Erickson Avenue, which is intended to provide permanent supportive housing. The project has been a topic of negotiation, particularly concerning sidewalk construction. The city council expressed a willingness to allow the developer to forgo building a sidewalk that would extend to the Walmart parking lot. However, there was new information presented regarding ongoing discussions between the developer, Mr. Gordon, and Walmart about potentially constructing a sidewalk that would connect the development to the store. This negotiation is still in progress, and the outcome remains uncertain.

In summary, the meeting highlighted the commission's efforts to balance development needs with community considerations, particularly in terms of infrastructure and accessibility. Further updates on the sidewalk negotiations and the multifamily housing project are anticipated in future meetings.