Resident urges review of Blacksburg's small‑lot ordinance, council points to two‑acre threshold

Dietrich Linde, a resident at 504 Allegheny Street, told the council he believes a small‑lot development zoning law approved in recent years is producing outcomes contrary to its intent. He said adjacent lots on Piedmont Street are being marketed to investors, that two modest single‑family homes and nearby woods could be demolished for a small‑lot project, and that resulting units would likely be priced well above the roughly $300,000 price he cited for existing homes.

"What they're doing is they're taking 4 acres, combining it or taking 4 lots, combining it to meet that 2 acre threshold ... and having them do it," Linde said, adding his concern that the ordinance is "all by right" so developers could proceed without additional council review or public comment.

Mayor Michael Sutphin offered to connect Linde with town staff or to speak after the meeting. A council member who said they also serve on the planning commission clarified the ordinance’s intent and adoption process: the small‑lot residential ordinance was set at a two‑acre threshold, in part because some planning commissioners had pushed for smaller parcels but the two‑acre standard was chosen to make speculative aggregation and demolition less financially viable. That council member said staff and commissioners reviewed vacant‑lot data in developing the rule and welcomed follow‑up with the resident.

No formal action or amendment to the ordinance occurred at the meeting; the council closed citizen comments after hearing Linde and the council member's response. The council advised Linde to speak with staff for more detailed information and possible next steps.