Subdivision Ordinance Amendments

Background

In 2023, the Subdivision and Zoning Ordinance Stakeholder Group was formed to review and develop potential changes to clarify, streamline, and improve the development process and land use regulations. The Stakeholder Group met from September 2023 to April 2024 and included representatives from local builders and developers, the community, town staff, and the Planning Commission.

Changes were recommended in five general topic areas:

1. Street Design
2. Street Construction Sequencing
3. Timing of Infrastructure
4. Subdivision Design
5. Development Process

ChatGPT said:

Additionally, this year, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation that shortens the review period for site plan and subdivision applications and removes the requirement for Planning Commission subdivision review. These updates are reflected in the proposed ordinance changes.

Generally, these changes apply to both new development and redevelopment projects, and will be implemented town-wide rather than being limited to specific locations throughout Blacksburg.

Proposed Changes

Below is a summary of each proposed change. A more detailed explanation of these updates is available in the Summary of Stakeholder Recommendations and the Draft Ordinances (2082, 2083, 2084) documents, which can be found in the Documents tab.

1. Street design changes include:

• Allowing roll top curbing in certain zoning districts.
• Allowing narrower street widths while still meeting Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) standards.
• Requiring sidewalks on both sides of streets in more dense areas.
• Adding criteria to help evaluate subdivision variance requests.

2. Street construction sequencing changes include:

• Allowing more flexibility in when sidewalks and paving are completed for new subdivisions.

3. Infrastructure timing changes include:

• Clarifying when bonds are required in the process to ensure the timely completion of subdivision infrastructure for a phase or overall development.

4. Subdivision design changes include:

• Setting new standards for flag lots.
• Revising standards for cul-de-sac length.
• Clarifying driveway placement and driveway grades.
• Revising road construction and connectivity requirements.
• Revising public utility and drainage easement requirements.

Note: Regulations related to sewer ejector pumps and the land disturbance threshold were revised separately and approved by Town Council in Spring 2025.

5. Development process changes include:

• Revisions to the preliminary plat process, plan review timelines, and traffic impact analysis tools.

Questions

To submit a question about the proposed changes, please use the Questions and Comments box below.