[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,76,88,99,111],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6553761,"mediaKeyId","5065767-0302e0dff09887f3580b12d671f2d488","parentId",5065767,"title","Council approves personal-property tax exemptions for several nonprofits; denies apartment portion of Strengthen Peers real-estate request","audioSeconds",768,"startMs",2892000,"endMs",3660000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065767-0302e0dff09887f3580b12d671f2d488&start=2892&end=3660","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065767-0302e0dff09887f3580b12d671f2d488/thumbnail_2892000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6553761/Virginia/Council-approves-personal-property-tax-exemptions-for-several-nonprofits-denies-apartment-portion-of-Strengthen-Peers-real-estate-request","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553761-06ab903e000160efebc9f5db68e78418/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143183&Signature=l8DEP6yugRVJbLsdzB6gCKwiTNVqhXQqzcUWQOSsdarDpnBTGbmj3n4cFDtR2R1aQ2a8FbeQCscz2oq6zKhgSJgo7nhlF-ffZTfYdt~B1gCpmm4RwkIMkzx5BnFWDE2FF-COistbghTTP37oBOh06EetM~bwXIsMSJnf5m~YHMV6Lq5HpNfp3auDb-HOPH6wPMZY2dK388hkHHamZNAcB-2DxQWKvmIqeUhLPSRPxdPsCPoRRbd-jCmyOfCko30MuQfCHcW-xUr5X7776H2GWEG-odjwQa0rwpJC2gzwO5S06Cz-jY0YgJnwHxfELo76ly6RpvGxiqsuFrtRAcugEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Harrisonburg","date","2025-06-24T00:00:00Z","article","Harrisonburg City Council on June 24 approved personal-property tax exemptions for several nonprofit organizations and denied a real-estate exemption request for an upstairs apartment at a Strengthen Peers property.

Karen Rose, commissioner of revenue, told council the city ordinance (Title 4, Section 4-2-17) bars real-estate exemption for property used as a dwelling. Strengthen Peers had received a real-estate exemption last year for office space at 917 N. Main Street; this year the organization requested exemption for the upstairs apartment and for a van purchased after Jan. 1, 2024. The revenue office recommended denying the apartment exemption and granting personal-property exemption for the Strengthen Peers van.

Rose described other applicants: Virginia Clean Cities (1401 Technology Drive), which requested personal-property exemption for demonstration/educational vehicles used to promote alternative fuel vehicles; Village to Village Inc. (3006 S. Main St.), a nonprofit assisting refugee families; and Hope for Villages LLC, which operates the Bargain Hive thrift store raising funds for Village to Village projects and requested exemption for fixtures and trailers (not inventory). Staff recommended personal-property exemptions for Virginia Clean Cities, Village to Village Inc., and Hope for Villages LLC, and recommended denying Strengthen Peers' apartment real-estate exemption but approving Strengthen Peers' van as exempt personal property.

Council voted to adopt the commissioner's recommendations. The roll call vote was Vice Mayor Fleming Aye; Council member Dent Aye; Council member Robinson Aye; Mayor Dina Reid Aye.

Details cited in the presentation: Strengthen Peers' real-estate portion (apartment) assessment value would have carried a tax levy of about $4,709 at the city rate; the van personal-property assessment showed an estimated levy of roughly $1,056. Virginia Clean Cities' personal-property assessment (for fiscal year 2026) was projected at $58,625, with a tax levy of about $2,023; Village to Village and Hope for Villages personal-property assessments were lower and staff recommended exemption.

Votes at a glance: Personal-property exemptions approved for Strengthen Peers (van only), Virginia Clean Cities (vehicles), Village to Village Inc. (personal property) and Hope for Villages LLC (personal property). Strengthen Peers' real-estate exemption request for the upstairs apartment was denied.

Council members discussed the ordinance language that excludes use of exempt real estate as a dwelling unit and confirmed the apartment is not used to house program participants.

The commissioner of revenue said a host of existing nonprofit exemptions cover office space and personal property and that the city reviews applications with finance and treasurer staff before bringing recommendations to council.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Harrisonburg - City Council on 2025-06-24 7:00 PM - Jun 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Harrisonburg City Council on June 24 approved personal-property tax exemptions for several nonprofits but denied a real-estate exemption for an upstairs apartment at a Strengthen Peers property, citing ordinance restrictions on dwelling use.","taxTitle","Harrisonburg (Independent City), Virginia","taxId",9561,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6553765,"Harrisonburg council vacates city interest in alley adjacent to Newtown Cemetery to protect potential unmarked graves",645,2041000,2686000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065767-0302e0dff09887f3580b12d671f2d488&start=2041&end=2686","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065767-0302e0dff09887f3580b12d671f2d488/thumbnail_2041000.jpg","/articles/6553765/Virginia/Harrisonburg-council-vacates-city-interest-in-alley-adjacent-to-Newtown-Cemetery-to-protect-potential-unmarked-graves","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553765-a47b4babd6d5ad90225533e6375893c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143183&Signature=QWCPdm1Tcv-5ei3rIk6ozdYnx0KVWXLdqkRauPkUIDWt7avuhUNUWQ8oVRNkTyHTXtIkoC9-tlTwW7Z~X5xHxlwtrH~Xru2iWtPghXw-3CGKPGUP80wcat8uZTc7rZGcow2uQdgvGH4BwzgsVMk3VULY-NrDxuDS7emI5qZWIzgWxQtBqREvF5be0Tm2TKx2uowL9gJOvLXJIACc9WqxJFcaP5WMrOGDl6PQT0Pj4H67-JfZAGpidaIJqOe9TgL3JaokBW9WEuTVF~XEYwfBDKSb3Uwi067MfREcY6pYJluXVVVMfuY2niYdsPkaXytJrfwonlJMrI6vUbF867JkxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Harrisonburg City Council on June 24 voted unanimously to vacate the city's interest in a 17-foot alley that runs the length of a block adjacent to Newtown Cemetery, after staff and outside researchers presented evidence suggesting the alley area may contain unmarked burials.

City planner Adam (presenter) told council the alley was dedicated under the city's Early Subdivision Act (recorded 1909) and explained that such alleys are public easements while title remains with original dedicator heirs. He said the trustees' next step, if the council vacated the city's interest, would be to petition the court seeking quiet title; only if title is obtained would the trustees then pursue any special-use permit required for cemetery expansion in the R-2 zoning district.

Quentin Callahan, attorney for the Newtown Cemetery trustees, asked council to select staff's Option 1 (vacate the city's interest with no reservation of public easement). Callahan said the trustees planned to pursue quiet-title in court and that, if title were acquired, the trustees would consider limited pedestrian access similar to Woodbine Cemetery but were not ready to proffer specific access terms at this meeting.

Dr. Nash, who led ground-penetrating radar (GPR) surveys for the cemetery project, told council the signatures detected in the alley matched those of known burials elsewhere in Newtown and were corroborated by a historic cadaver dog's hits. \"There are several hundred unmarked graves\" in Newtown overall, Dr. Nash said, and the patterns seen in the alley are consistent with burial signatures observed in known graves.

Resident Joan Minnick told council she and neighbors have used the alley for decades and raised practical concerns about access to rear yards, lawnmowers and trash pickup.

Mayor Dina Reid said she had served as a trustee in the past and that, given the evidence of possible burials, the city has a duty to protect sacred ground. After discussion, Reid moved to approve Option 1; the motion carried on a roll call vote with Vice Mayor Fleming, Council member Dent, Council member Robinson and Mayor Reid voting aye.

Callahan and staff said a second reading would occur only if the trustees obtain title in court; that later hearing would include mapped locations of any confirmed burials and, if necessary, special-use permit review to authorize cemetery use in R-2 zoning.

Council members and staff discussed alternative options considered by planning staff, including denying the closure to retain pedestrian access, approving the closure with a reserved five-foot public access corridor, or tabling the petition to permit additional research and surveying. Planning Commission had approved the trustees' request in a 4-2 vote; staff recommended denial with conditions to preserve public access pending further confirmation of burial locations. The council opted to vacate the city's interest to allow the trustees to proceed with court action.

The council discussion emphasized protecting potential burial locations and avoiding vehicular travel over areas of possible graves; staff and the trustees said future site surveys and any required permitting would identify exact locations before any development or formal expansion.

Votes at a glance: Alley closing (Newtown Cemetery trustees) ' motion to vacate city interest in the 17-foot alley and allow trustees to pursue quiet title (Option 1): approved, Vice Mayor Fleming Aye; Council member Dent Aye; Council member Robinson Aye; Mayor Dina Reid Aye.

Background: Newtown Cemetery is a long-established cemetery within the city. Staff described three categories of alleys in Harrisonburg (pre-1888, Early Subdivision Act 1888'1928, and post-1928 fee-simple alleys) and said this alley falls in the Early Subdivision Act category, where the city holds an easement rather than fee-simple ownership.

Next steps: Trustees may petition circuit court for quiet-title; if title is obtained the council will consider any subsequent required special-use permit and mapped evidence of burial locations.","Harrisonburg City Council on June 24 voted unanimously to vacate the city's interest in a 17-foot alley adjacent to Newtown Cemetery after researchers presented ground-penetrating radar and cadaver-dog evidence suggesting the area contains unmarked graves.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6553747,"Council signals intent to develop AI policy; public comments urge better bus-stop accessibility",0,5041000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065767-0302e0dff09887f3580b12d671f2d488&start=5041&end=5041","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065767-0302e0dff09887f3580b12d671f2d488/thumbnail_5041000.jpg","/articles/6553747/Virginia/Council-signals-intent-to-develop-AI-policy-public-comments-urge-better-bus-stop-accessibility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553747-5e65e5df090ce43b3ea28d6978a03d3a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143183&Signature=UWt66utJ4Md50YKEHWeBIGM7f1SsQivzWwAX9j~WlAixiB0RSCYb4DO5ODhaUbLIGslpWxULIbyeCAbfRXprP2E71tCKNNWfAAAlrjKIP6KPRlnfSk3easnBdj78JAEBUv9bz66LYV5A6VufbrfXqzCZHFkLVsNXJt70Q1ctkAHxjaGw~qiXmI2hbwpThvnJkGqxmnMMrpS0D3qLqpFKkzAgoj9JqQJ5hDEVaLVsA7wEIm6IYwACsahx9DM4a3fFxk9apcWOAKJTuUtv-E8siGGaU19Jx2Gu89hsI7kKp~6bAaCPcO6UxYx~DQF4mQhN53U-6Dn-alWFsZHR8JWgeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During \"other matters\" on June 24 Harrisonburg City Councilmembers discussed the need for a formal city policy on artificial intelligence and training for staff, and a member of the public urged improved accessibility at bus stops for people with mobility impairments.

Vice Mayor Fleming described recent conferences on data centers and GovTech and said the National League of Cities will roll out an \"AI in Action\" program; Fleming recommended the city develop an AI policy covering privacy, security, transparency and staff use, and sought public input. City Manager Banks said staff already have been using AI tools in some contexts and will bring a report and recommended policy to council, including definitions, prohibitions for certain LLM uses, security protections and staff training.

In public comment, a resident raised an accessibility complaint: a person who uses a wheelchair could not board a bus because the stop is on grass without adequate hard-surface boarding, and the resident asked the city to make bus stops safer and to improve outreach to riders about routes and stops. Council members and staff acknowledged the concern and the city manager noted city facilities are open as cooling centers amid high heat; staff follow up on accessibility complaints through transportation staff.

The vice mayor and council also discussed state and federal funding shifts affecting stormwater and HUD grants and said those reductions could affect local projects; those remarks were part of councilmembers' regular reports.","Vice Mayor and city manager said the city will develop formal AI use policy and staff training; public commenter raised concerns about bus-stop access for people with mobility impairments and urged better outreach.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6553751,"Council approves use of Turner Pavilion for Levitt AMP Harrisonburg concert series for next grant cycle",535,4029000,4564000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065767-0302e0dff09887f3580b12d671f2d488&start=4029&end=4564","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065767-0302e0dff09887f3580b12d671f2d488/thumbnail_4029000.jpg","/articles/6553751/Virginia/Council-approves-use-of-Turner-Pavilion-for-Levitt-AMP-Harrisonburg-concert-series-for-next-grant-cycle","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553751-92b1074a1edbab6a448834d9a94f1eba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143183&Signature=bzG0uv6f06yM1vLlY5Qgo7G6zoLVqlbqY3eymGmWNCKEUqbvzKKErc3Mx-v2czHVKY1ihJVL546tPU9YYBEd5sRtJbcn97pz-L8XWA1x1bVIMTxd0Z2ZRjTCMch7hy6HK6KnLJMrkgg0G2W~dGovi~0r4Ueu~snUknv0p6bfi-SAusb7DCZRPh-sxfr-GcGSTGgeUxs7GH2no3jH0jyFQ15Ywnznx9PYqttQxaWH3hOPu8e1CPMuEU547grsXVtlDyyIZ2Lqg7tIy0uBts4e5iRmmCM~QY9GnC84zqcw0F3qluPXtP~nqXYcXmpxv27xkvCY0ZpF7lpyNs1hYTRx0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Harrisonburg City Council on June 24 approved Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance's request to use the Turner Pavilion and the adjacent lawn for the Levitt AMP concert series, subject to any Levitt Foundation grant award.

Andrea Adano, executive director of Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance, told council Levitt AMP concerts began as a post-pandemic effort to draw people back to downtown and that the series drew roughly 1,800 attendees in its first year and continued strong attendance thereafter. Adano said the applicant will include the city's permission in its July 1 Levitt Foundation grant application and requested permission to use the site for up to three years if funded.

Adano described community partnerships with Church World Service, JMU, local high-school bands, Red Wing Music Academy and local volunteers who support artist selection and event operations. The city granted the use request on a unanimous vote; Vice Mayor Fleming, Council member Dent, Council member Robinson and Mayor Dina Reid voted aye.

Council thanked organizers for the diversity of programming and high volunteer engagement and wished them luck for the new season starting the day after the meeting.

Votes at a glance: Permission for Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance to use Turner Pavilion and adjacent lawn for Levitt AMP Harrisonburg concert series (June'September) for up to three years (subject to Levitt Foundation funding): approved unanimously.

Implementation notes: Staff will coordinate park scheduling and any logistical requirements with the organizer; applicants will include the city's permission in the Levitt Foundation grant application.","Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance received council permission to use the Turner Pavilion and adjacent lawn for the Levitt AMP concert series application and, if funded, for up to three years; organizers reported high attendance and community partnerships.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6553755,"Council updates transient occupancy rules to align with state changes; Airbnb/hosts to provide addresses and gross receipts starting July filings",317,3688000,4005000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065767-0302e0dff09887f3580b12d671f2d488&start=3688&end=4005","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065767-0302e0dff09887f3580b12d671f2d488/thumbnail_3688000.jpg","/articles/6553755/Virginia/Council-updates-transient-occupancy-rules-to-align-with-state-changes-Airbnbhosts-to-provide-addresses-and-gross-receipts-starting-July-filings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553755-aed802ef6b5feeede8c39c1eb2737407/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143183&Signature=ZIm7KblD4dP8QWZCFukRhzdLGQAf4k1v9TOCuK-SMgG-FDiXpI6ic5KB87nyK7RQa8G1qJKAaJaDX1SPbdFbxLBbZQDe~Pf4MEFbjWjWVamV32cEGFtG46bzlVtfgYsKM-cXsVFe6DWW1Lk99NdOOf3CMSt~y2HpSKr5qzw34MAxDdgZR-5gBLmzofss6ItIACkBckBRuT5l45wbRPJq5zRb8ZQdPTIhAl8YS9gUWfFqKV4B0aa4fQMcGqaTVTItx3Oxg2GlIaQ8HjxHr8t424orVGL2KCX0NcOpBJlRGpRy5tZKxpE3qWdAyG~7z0t7vzyf7kVgWiNwZPDvhNHTdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Harrisonburg City Council on June 24 approved amendments to the city's transient occupancy tax ordinance to align local rules with recent Virginia statutory changes affecting accommodation intermediaries and short-term rental hosts.

Commissioner of Revenue Karen Rose explained House Bill 2383 and related changes to the Code of Virginia (58.1-3826 and 58.1-3) that remove a phrasing barrier and require accommodation intermediaries (for example, marketplace platforms) to provide the locality with addresses and gross receipts for facilitated accommodations. Rose said the state will begin providing that data effective July 1 and that localities should receive the first filing by August.

The amendments the council approved add an annual host attestation option: a host that uses only an accommodation intermediary can, on an annual basis, file a signed attestation that it will not need to file monthly reports directly with the commissioner's office. The ordinance changes also adopt language consistent with state confidentiality protections for taxpayer information.

Council voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance language changes. Staff said the commissioner's office will distribute the attestation form in January alongside business-license renewals and will monitor the state data feed from accommodation intermediaries.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance amendments to Title 4, Chapter 2, Article 5 (transient occupancy tax) were approved on council motion and roll call.","Council approved amendments to city transient-occupancy tax (TOT) ordinance to align with 2025 state changes that require accommodation intermediaries to provide addresses and gross receipts; new annual host attestation also adopted and the revenue office will send an attestation with business-license renewals.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves personal-property tax exemptions for several nonprofits; denies apartment portion of Strengthen Peers real-estate request

Harrisonburg council vacates city interest in alley adjacent to Newtown Cemetery to protect potential unmarked graves

Council signals intent to develop AI policy; public comments urge better bus-stop accessibility

Council approves use of Turner Pavilion for Levitt AMP Harrisonburg concert series for next grant cycle

Council updates transient occupancy rules to align with state changes; Airbnb/hosts to provide addresses and gross receipts starting July filings