Planning director previews October joint meeting, village outreach and corridor studies

Planning Director Sanchez briefed the Montgomery County Planning Commission on Sept. 10 about upcoming meetings, completed village outreach, and ongoing planning studies.

Sanchez asked commissioners to confirm attendance for a joint meeting with the Board of Supervisors scheduled Oct. 6 at the Montgomery County Government Center, noting dinner at 6:30 p.m. and a 7 p.m. start. He said the commission’s next regular meeting on Oct. 8 will include a vote on recommendations from the Agriculture and Forestal District Committee and that the Black Diamond special-use permit applications are expected to return for review.

Sanchez reported staff completed village meetings as part of the Montgomery Matters outreach, citing a Plum Creek meeting held the prior evening and a Shawesville meeting Aug. 21 with higher-than-expected attendance. He said the county has a first draft chapter from consultants and will continue editing chapters toward a draft plan.

On regional projects, Sanchez described the Valley to Valley Trail Study, noting a public survey on potential alignments that would link the New River Trail in Pulaski County with the Roanoke Valley Greenway. He also said staff is working with the Virginia Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment, a consulting firm and the Town of Blacksburg on a Bridal Fork Corridor study covering the area from the traffic circle on Main Street in downtown Blacksburg to McCoy Bridal, with upcoming public engagement in Price’s Fork.

Sanchez also offered two personnel updates: Miss Hopkins is recovering from a medical procedure and sends well wishes, and Kim Wright has returned to the office and faces ongoing treatments. He congratulated Chair Rice and Vice Chair Foster on their reappointments to the planning commission.