Operating Budget 2025-2026

PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT

NARRATIVE

The Planning and Building Department protects the health, safety and welfare of community members and promotes the highest quality of development and construction by developing and implementing the community vision in the Comprehensive Plan and administering the Zoning Ordinance, other development and nuisance codes and the State of Virginia Building Code. FY 2024-2025 ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Completed the Toms Creek Basin Planning Study. • Completed the Zoning Ordinance Amendment to create a new small-lot single-family residential zoning district. • Completed the Zoning Ordinance Amendment for the Downtown Northwest district. • Continued work on Zoning Ordinance Amendment on signage regulations. • Continued work on the adoption of the Subdivision and Zoning Ordinance Amendments developed through the stakeholder group. • Began work on Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Update. • Implemented Speed Limit Initiative Project in the Downtown/Sixteen Squares historic area. • Assisted with the completion of the Toms Creek Basin Connectivity Study. • Began the North Main Street “Road Diet” multimodal transportation improvement design. • Began the Patrick Heny Drive “Road Diet” multimodal transportation improvement design. • Continued working with the Community Relations Office to improve the Town’s communication efforts with the public regarding the development review process. • Implemented the 2021 edition of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building code (adopted January 18, 2024) and provided training classes for local design professionals and contractors for the new code cycle. • Provided tours on local jobsites and inspector job shadowing for Blacksburg High School students participating in the International Code Council High School Technical Training Program. • Complete the North Main Street Road Diet multimodal transportation improvement design. • Continue the Patrick Heny Street Road Diet multimodal transportation improvement design. • Continue work on Zoning Ordinance Update. • Complete amendments to Subdivision and Zoning Ordinance based on stakeholder group feedback and Council direction. • Continue working with the Community Relations Office to improve the Town’s communication efforts with the public regarding the development review process. • Complete Eheart Street Cycle Track Project. • Continue transition to 2021 Virginia Uniform Building Code. • Continue participation in the International Code High School Technical Training Program. • Improve available online resources for customers using OpenGov. • Increase staff participation with code development through Virginia Building and Code Officials Association. FY 2025-2026 OBJECTIVES • Begin 5-Year Comprehensive Plan Update.

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