Commission reaffirms recommendation for Downtown Northwest zoning district with 120-foot maximum and Price’s Fork setback

The Blacksburg Planning Commission voted to reaffirm its prior recommendation on Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 60, which would establish an optional Downtown Northwest zoning district for the area bounded by North Main Street, Price’s Fork Road and Turner Street.

Staff reminded the commission that the district is optional and would require a conditional rezoning (property owners would opt in). The draft district is largely form-based and aims to encourage higher-density, mixed-use development near downtown while preserving pedestrian orientation and certain historic or view corridors.

After months of review and several work sessions, the commission reaffirmed a recommendation that the district permit buildings up to 120 feet tall generally, but that along North Main Street (and in a defined portion of Turner Street) the first 50 linear feet measured from the back of curb would be limited to 60 feet (with the 120-foot maximum applying beyond that primary frontage depth). Commissioners also directed staff to include a 30-foot buffer/setback along Price’s Fork Road to protect the viewshed to St. Luke and Odd Fellows Hall from the roundabout and Main Street corridor.

Public comments were limited to property owners within the district supportive of the 120-foot maximum, stating the area is appropriate for high-density redevelopment given proximity to the university, transit and downtown amenities.

The commission’s recommendation, including the height framework and Price’s Fork setback, will be forwarded to Town Council. If Council adopts the district, property owners would need to pursue conditional rezoning to opt in and would be subject to the district’s more prescriptive form-based standards.