Steve Gillespie, a Blacksburg resident, told the council he was "deeply regretful" that Virginia Tech proceeded with a land swap reported in The Roanoke Times and said the university "has often not been the best neighbor" to the town. Gillespie urged council members to protect town interests and said many residents fear Blacksburg is treated like a company town.

After citizens' comments, the presiding officer told the council the Town of Blacksburg sent a letter that morning to University President Tim Sands, signed by Mayor Hager Smith and the presiding officer, expressing the town's disappointment with the land swap between Virginia Tech and the Virginia Tech Foundation. The letter, the presiding officer said, asks that senior university leadership meet with town officials to explore whether a legal framework can preserve certain commitments currently reflected in the town's zoning ordinance.

The council did not take a formal vote on the land swap at the meeting. Town officials said they hope to continue conversations with Virginia Tech leadership; no timetable or specific legal steps were announced at the meeting.