Blacksburg council delays vote on town boundary adjustment after residents raise service and property concerns

Blacksburg Town Council on Nov. 6 delayed a vote on a corporate boundary adjustment agreement with Montgomery County after residents at a public hearing raised questions about split properties, potential double taxation and whether properties brought into town would receive town water, sewer, trash pickup and transit.

Town staff presented the results of a comprehensive corporate boundary survey — the first full survey since a 1973 annexation — explaining that the project began with a request for proposals in June, a consultant kickoff in November 2024, and field surveys starting in January 2025. Staff said deliverables include GIS data and exhibit maps intended to consolidate prior piecemeal boundary adjustments and correct mapping errors discovered during the review.

The staff presentation identified several specific corrections. A highlighted change near the intersection of Mount Tabor and Bishop Roads showed a revised corporate line that differs from previously mapped limits. Staff also said a town-owned parcel behind the former Blacksburg High School will be formally included in town limits. Other cleanups noted in the presentation placed the Comfort Inn building inside the town corporate line and clarified lines for the Struebel’s Ridge subdivision, which is still under construction. Staff reported the survey produces roughly 12,686 acres in town; the majority of net area change was attributed to the town-owned parcel behind the former high school. Staff said, pending council and Montgomery County board approval, the final step would be recording the corrected boundary with the Montgomery County circuit court and updating operational datasets.

Council members asked how zoning would apply to land incorporated by the boundary change. Staff said the zoning administrator, in consultation with the town attorney, determined the area behind the former high school will be zoned R-4 to be comparable to the county designation; “Civic” is listed as a permitted use within that zone.

During public comment, property owners described specific concerns. William Oliver, identifying himself as owner of Oliver’s Rental Property LLC, asked, “If I’m paying Montgomery County taxes and also Blacksburg taxes, will I have access to town water if needed, the town sewer if needed, trash pickup, and also transit?” He said the proposed line nearly splits his property and asked how services and taxation would be handled. Council and staff told Oliver they would meet with him and answer questions and suggested delaying action to allow that follow-up.

Diane Pfeiffer said the corrected line near Mount Tabor and Bishop moved about 125–130 feet, splitting her family’s pond and multiple parcels; she also asked whether trash pickup and sewage services would change if the land were brought into town. Tom Roberts urged the council to ensure the maps meet state plat standards — including surveyor signatures and all elements required on an official plat — or be labeled as illustrations rather than plats. Angie Quasindo described safety concerns on Merrimack Road, citing increased traffic tied to local development and asking the council to pass comments to Montgomery County and VDOT.

After public comment, Councilmember Ford moved to delay the vote on the corporate boundary adjustment agreement with Montgomery County until the council’s Wednesday, Nov. 12 meeting; the motion was seconded and passed on a roll-call vote (Mattingly, Sutphin, Watson, Anderson and Ford voted Aye). Council directed staff to follow up with affected property owners and to coordinate with county officials as appropriate.

The boundary survey corrects mapped corporate limits and does not, according to staff, change property parcel boundaries. Staff emphasized the purpose is confident mapping and spatial data for landmarks and legal coordinates; however, several residents said the corrected line effectively splits private parcels and raised practical questions about services and taxation. The council’s delay gives staff two weeks to meet with property owners, clarify how services and zoning would apply, and to update the materials before the council takes formal action on Nov. 12.