Blacksburg Planning Commission approves special exception to allow 17 front-of-building parking spaces for proposed Rugby Lane hotel

At its regular meeting in the Roger E Hedgepath Chambers, the Blacksburg Planning Commission approved a special exception permitting 17 parking spaces in front of the front building line for a proposed hotel at 1315 Rugby Lane.

Planning staff Caroline Collins said the site is an approximately 1.7-acre flag lot and the hotel is permitted by right in the General Commercial district; the special exception request applies only to parking. "Out of the 102 total parking spaces that are proposed, only 17 spaces or 17% would be located in front of the front building line, with the majority of the parking located behind the building line," Collins said, and staff concluded there were no significant safety concerns directly related to the front parking.

The applicant, identified in the record as Jake, said the lot's shape constrains access and meeting the hotel's parking minimums requires some street-front spaces. "We are proposing to protect those existing white pines," Jake said, noting the concept plan also shows added evergreen shrubs and two new evergreen trees in a corner to strengthen screening.

Commissioners focused on tree replacement language in staff conditions. After discussion staff agreed to revise a condition that previously named white pines so that it instead requires an appropriate "evergreen species" for replacements to allow greater flexibility if a tree dies. The final motion approved the special exception with the four staff conditions as amended to specify evergreen species and to limit front parking to the 17 spaces shown on the concept plan. The motion was moved and seconded and passed with all commissioners voting in favor.

There were no public comments during the hearing. The applicant must meet the conditions of approval and substantial conformance to the updated concept plan before permits proceed.