The Harrisonburg Planning Commission convened on June 11, 2025, to discuss several key agenda items, with a significant focus on a request from Pleasant Valley Elementary School regarding off-street parking.

The meeting began with a review of the existing zoning for Pleasant Valley Elementary, which is currently designated as M-1. The Commission noted that in 2016, a special use permit was granted to allow educational use within this district, which included an approved off-street parking plan. As the school plans to expand its facilities, increasing its student population from 376 to 500 and staff from 50 to 67, a new parking plan must be submitted for approval.

The proposed plan indicates a need for 81 off-street parking spaces based on Rockingham County's zoning ordinance, which requires one space per employee plus one visitor space for every 20 employees. However, the school’s proposal includes only 44 parking spaces, which raised concerns among Commission members regarding compliance with the established guidelines.

During the discussion, it was highlighted that the Virginia Department of Education's guidelines suggest a total of 74 to 81 spaces for the expanded school, depending on visitor parking requirements. The Commission expressed a preference for adhering to these guidelines, which would ensure adequate parking for both staff and visitors.

A representative from Valley Engineering, Ryan Bosar, clarified that the proposed number of parking spaces might be adjusted as the school undergoes a pricing exercise for the expansion. He emphasized that the maximum number of spaces shown was intended to avoid the need for reapplying for a special use permit in the future.

The meeting concluded without public input, as the matter was not classified as a public hearing. The Commission is expected to deliberate further on the parking plan and its implications for the school’s expansion in upcoming sessions.