Blacksburg planning commission backs rezoning, alley vacation and CUP for 801 North Main student-oriented development

The Blacksburg Planning Commission voted Jan. 7 to recommend approval of three companion applications for a proposed development at 801 North Main Street: a town‑owned alley vacation (ROW 242), a rezoning from General Commercial and R‑5 Transitional Residential to Planned Residential (Rezoning 242), and a conditional use permit to permit alley access to non‑single‑family units (CUP 243). The actions were taken at the Roger E. Hedgepath Chambers during the commission’s regular meeting.

The applications cover roughly 2.8 acres and would allow construction of an eight‑story mixed‑use building with ground‑floor commercial space, several three‑story townhome‑style multifamily buildings, structured parking and associated site work. The applicant, LV Collective, is the contract purchaser of the properties; project drawings and the staff report show a proposed improvement that includes a landscaping strip, wider sidewalks on Main Street, and proffers for energy performance and an affordable housing contribution of $1,130,000 to the town’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

Staff presentation and legal context

Kenzie O'Shea, planning staff, told the commission the submissions were three separate actions that would be considered in sequence. O'Shea said the alley to be vacated is approximately 2,000 square feet and currently provides rear access to commercial properties; staff noted there are no residences with alley access. O'Shea cited zoning ordinance section 5719A to explain that alleys are limited to single‑unit residential unless a conditional use permit is granted.

O'Shea also summarized zoning and design standards: the proposed multifamily building would range about 82–94 feet tall, the townhome‑style buildings about 35 feet; the…