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Planning Commission OKs office use at 207 West Roanoke Street with conditions
Summary
The Blacksburg Planning Commission approved CUP 25-5 to allow general office use at 207 West Roanoke Street, subject to five staff-recommended conditions including landscaping, an ADA parking space, and installation deadlines of July 1, 2026.
The Blacksburg Planning Commission on Tuesday approved a conditional use permit to allow general office use at 207 West Roanoke Street, authorizing a vacant, historic-era building to become a commercial office with conditions intended to address parking, accessibility and site improvements.
Planning staff presented the proposal and said the property, owned by John K. Skelton, is a 0.294-acre through lot located between West Roanoke and Wall streets with an existing one-and-one-half-story building and 10 parking spaces. "The building itself is currently vacant," planner Mr. Patterson said during the staff presentation, noting the property met Old Town Residential development standards but that elements of the 1980 site development plan were missing.
Staff recommended five conditions if the commission approved the permit: cancel the 1980 special-use permit conditions; reinstate missing landscaping along the front and rear property lines by July 1, 2026; install a town-standard inverted U bicycle rack for five bicycles by July 1, 2026 (the applicant requested locating the rack behind the building rather than at the front); provide one ADA-designated parking space with proper signage; and submit a permit for any new signage for staff review prior to placement.
Applicant representative Mr. Bitterman said the tenant is expected to be a title company. When commissioners asked about landscaping along the western side, Mr. Patterson clarified the planting requirements apply to the front (Roanoke-facing) and rear (Wall Street) property lines and that the owner owns adjoining land containing a drainage ditch he does not want fenced.
A commissioner moved to approve CUP 25-5 with the staff-recommended conditions; another seconded. Commissioners voiced support during brief discussion, and the Chair said she would like the property to "look like it's being used," urging signage and street presence. The commission voted in favor with no opposing votes recorded; the permit passed. The staff conditions include the July 1, 2026 deadline for required landscaping and bicycle rack installation and the requirement that signage be reviewed before placement.
The commission did not receive public comment on the item; the applicant and staff answered commissioner questions during the hearing. The commission proceeded to other business and adjourned after routine reports.
